Nita's Redemption, page 15
Jaklyn moved to block the doorway, shutting it completely. “Listen y’all. Things are weird... or rather weirder than usual. This pack has gone through lots of changes since Brock took over, and then when I... well when I returned with my two males. I know that crew seems odd, but we need to remember shit ain’t always the same as we are here.”
Nita raised her hand. “I think I can attest to that. I mean look at me. Can any of you say you’ve encountered a female who left a child on the verge of teen angst only to return a grown-ass female who had lived a full life on another world?”
There was a lot of mumbling and feet shuffling. Link lifted his female over his shoulder, slapping her ass once. “We may not have seen or experienced it before, but I for one am fucking thrilled we have the sexiest female who returned after all that. Now we’re going to take Nita home and cuddle.”
Again there were snorts and muttering all around them. Tank silenced the gathering fools with a look and growl. Fuck, it was great having a partner who was also next in line to be alpha who had the ability to shut down the shit talking.
He thought of Hurricane and his uncanny resemblance to Tank. Worry tried to worm its way into his psyche, fear that the other male could be there to overtake Brock and Tank with his demented crew.
Nita pushed up, slithering her way down his front until she was wrapped around him with her lips next to his ear. “That’s not going to happen, love. Not as long as I have breath left in my body.”
And that was one of his fears. Hurricane and the others didn’t appear to have any real problems ignoring the females as if they were second class citizens. In fact, they openly showed their utter lack of respect for them. It was in the way they looked at Lorna and the other females and how they’d spoken to, or rather the way they hadn’t addressed them at all. Hurricane and his males were simply indifferent. Combine all of that, and in Link’s opinion, you get a shitshow waiting to happen, especially since his pack considered the females equals.
“There was something familiar with those males,” Nita said.
Link halted, his mind jerking to what she said. “What do you mean? Of course there’s something familiar. Hurricane is related to Brock and Tank.”
Nita unlocked her legs from around Link’s waist, moving herself out of his embrace. “No, it’s more than that. I don’t know how to explain it, and maybe I’m reaching.”
“Nita, go ahead and tell us what it is you think is familiar or the sense you are getting. Trust me, I know that things aren’t always as they seem. Hurricane’s mama was definitely something else. She wasn’t a wolf like us, but she was a shifter. While some call us gypsy, her clan was different as well. Romanichal and Travelers, which is what we were once called, are from different cultures. Most of our ancestors are from the UK and Ireland, with links to the British running deep, while Hurricane and his family primarily came from a much different culture. In fact, there are rumors that in the seventeen hundreds a Calvinist pastor from Satu Mare in Transylvania, was the first to notice the similarity between Romani and Indo-Aryan. This pastor Vályi István was the reason further research was conducted, which lead to the conclusion that the Romani were descended from Sanskrit.”
“So is it believed that the Romani are vampires?” Jaklyn asked, her green eyes brighter than usual.
Brock shrugged his shoulders. “I didn’t notice Hurricane’s mother sucking my blood, but she definitely didn’t like to shift in front of me, nor did she have the same bond to my wolf, nor did my wolf bond to her. I had no clue about Hurricane and Honor until years later. His mother had mated a male who was part of a park in the Bayou, and she severed ties with me and mine. Her male claimed the Hurricane and Honor she said. I wanted to go straight to them and stake my own claim, but she’d begged me to stay away, stating that it would bring great dishonor to their family. I heard the honesty in her tone and then Hurricane had come onto the phone and rejected my claim on him followed by Honor. Neither of them wished to meet me.”
Link stared at their alpha, feeling the anguish through their pack bond.
“Is that why you hesitated on mating my mom? Did you think she’d run off on you?” Tank asked, keeping his back to his father.”
The big alpha took a deep breath and shook his head. “No, son. Your mother had lost her truemate when she and I met. We were both shocked to find I was her second chance mate, but I was angry that I wasn’t her first. Don’t ask me why, it was stupid of me. We were both older, and we were very good friends who fell in love. We not only had the truemate bond, we had a love match, a true melding of our hearts.”
Lorna wiped at her eyes. No matter what she did, Link could see the sadness that was caused by what was being said. He wished there was a way to shelter her. She was more than his alpha’s mate. Tank’s mother died giving birth to him, leaving him motherless and his father broken, until Lorna who was like a mother to several of them, including Link and Abe.
“Before you ask, I would’ve stayed with his mother for the rest of my life if she hadn’t been taken from me. I’m blessed that the Goddess gave me a second chance truemate in Lorna. Neither she nor I felt the pull until after...well after his mama’s death. I will never, ever regret that gift. Not once did Lorna give me Hell like I did his mom for being second. I’m grateful that she forgave me before I lost her. I’ve learned that in life we are given many things, and we also lose some of our most precious too. But it’s how we handle each of those that make the true mark of a man. In life, our character is tested through battle, everyday accomplishments, our ideas, and even things we have gained, but when we lose all that we’ve accumulated, it’s how we handle ourselves that show the type of male we are. I’ll admit that there have been days I struggled to stand tall when our pack hadn’t been what I’d hoped, but I’ll be damned if I’ll ever bow or kneel because of the choices I’ve made.”
Link looked at the near smooth features of his alpha and his mate Lorna, pride swelling at the truth shining in their eyes. “What happened to Hurricane’s mother?”
“I’m not sure. Hurricane contacted me a few years ago and wanted to meet me. The male who had claimed them was dead and they were now free to reach out to me. I should’ve told Tank before, but I wasn’t sure if they’d ever come here and well...I guess I was a coward.” Brock shook his head, letting out a heavy sigh.
“That’s bullshit, alpha. If I am half the male you are, I’ll be happy.” Link swore.
Brock settled one hand on his shoulder, the familiar act made his eyes sting as he fought to keep from allowing a tear to fall.
“You, Tank, and Abe have far exceeded the male I am. Now get your asses out of here. I need to have some sexy time with my female.”
Tank started mumbling something that sounded suspiciously like lalala, while Abe tried to take Nita out of Link’s arms. Link held his right arm like a good football player, grinning as Abe fell backward. Before his twin got back to his feet he pressed Nita back over his shoulder like the prize she was. Her little giggle was exactly what he was hoping to hear as he carried her out the door and down the steps.
“You do know he is going to get you back, don’t you?” she asked.
“Of course, but I still got you and your fine ass in the palm of my hand.” Link ran said palm over her sexy little rear-end.
Tank and Abe moved into place next to them, both males on alert for any and all danger. They may play like idiots, all of them, but none would take their female’s safety for granted.
From the darkness a shadow moved. Tank stepped in front of them while Link settled Nita on her feet, placing her between him and Abe.
“It’s just little ole me,” Bakra announced. She stepped under the light of the moon.
Tank held up his hand. “What’s going on?”
Bakra looked behind her. The way she stood so straight, her hands balled into fists had their wolves on alert.
“I was scouting the area where your old pack lived earlier, Nita. I’m pretty sure the females have loaded up their stuff and left. Don’t celebrate though. I don’t think they’re actually gone,” Bakra whispered. Her eyes shifted to the bright color of her demoness while she moved as if she wasn’t in control of her body.
“Okay.” Link drew the word out while he sent a call out to the Ravens within their pack. ‘Yo, we may have a problem, boys. Bakra seems to be fighting her demoness for control.’
‘What do you mean, fighting?’ Jaklyn asked.
‘Her eyes are flashing red and staying, and she’s twitching like a drug addict or some shit.’
The female gave a twitch like she’d been electrocuted or something. “They are hiding in plain sight.”
This time when Bakra spoke, her eyes were blue, and her body had stilled.
Jaklyn flashed next to Bakra, making the female startle. “Hey friend. Wanna come to our place for a drink?”
The two male Ravens that mated to Jaklyn had flashed behind Bakra, staying in the shadows, silent like wraiths.
“You think I’m possessed or something?” Bakra looked behind her at Jaklyn’s mates, waving.
“I wouldn’t say possessed, but something happened. Do you remember what you were doing and saying to Nita and her men?” Jaklyn motioned toward the four of them.
Bakra let out a heavy sigh. He hated seeing the strong female’s shoulders drop. Yet when she shook her head, he was happy he’d called in reinforcement.
The Ravens stepped out of the darkness and moved to where Bakra and Jaklyn were.
Nita took a deep breath, freezing in place. “That’s it. Bakra, you just left where the females had been?”
“Um, I think so, yes. Why?”
“The scent I said I recognized earlier but couldn’t put a finger on where I had smelled it before? I smell it on Bakra, only it’s like she rubbed up on a tree or something, and now it’s on her clothing, not a part of her. However, Hurricane and the others have that smell like it’s a part of them. I’ve also smelled it on Tamara slightly, but only when she’s returned from visiting her family who live in the swamp place. Where is Hurricane and the Shadow Ravens Pack staying?” Nita asked.
Gray and Colt flashed away, returning in seconds. “They’re kicking back in the trailers. Hurricane and Honor are arguing about what they should do tomorrow. I think she wants to kill something, and he is telling her no. Smart male. I too smell what you’re referring too with the Shadow Ravens. When I returned the scent clinging to Bakra is slightly different, like you said it’s on her not a part of her. But that’s not the only difference. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, B, but that which clings to you is tainted. You should return to Olympus and get a cleansing,” Gray said.
Link and his mates watched the interaction, waiting for Bakra to flash away in anger. She stared at the ground and then nodded.
“This sucks. I am here to watch over our Nita. Whatever that was over there...it’s dark. We need to irradicate them before they hurt our people.” Bakra finally looked over toward Nita, eyes bright blue. “I am sorry I failed you, child.”
Nita shook her head. “You didn’t fail me or anyone, B. Go get that taint off and come back.”
“I’ll go with her and explain what we’ve found. Maybe big Z will have some answers,” Colt said, laughing at whatever his female whispered.
ABE FUCKING HATED THE scent of fear permeating his mate. He hated the way her gorgeous eyes had dimmed like she thought it was her fault this bullshit was going on. Had she forgotten this pack had been dealing with traitors since before she’d been born? It was time he and his brothers reminded her. Tank may not be of the same blood, but they were brothers. Nita had solidified their bond, tying them together completely so that the only way to undo them was to... he wasn’t going to taint them with thoughts of what ifs. Like he’d always said, don’t go borrowing trouble when you already got enough of your own to deal with.
“You’re overthinking and overtaking, bro,” Link said, bumping his shoulder.
He shook his head watching his brother carry their female into their home. A quick glance behind them showed Tank following at a slower pace. There was a hardness that hadn’t been there before the shock of his half-sibling’s arrival. Fuck, he wasn’t sure how they were going to navigate this new shitshow.
“Stop thinking you need to Dr. Phil me,” Tank growled.
“Therapy is overrated,” he said. “Besides, I skipped the last semester of my doctor classes. I do have the certificate to give shots though. You need me to shoot you in the ass?”
Tank lifted both hands with the middle finger lifted on each. “You really don’t want to come at me with anything sharp, bro.”
Abe smiled and knowing they’d all be called many things. Assholes, tough little shits, or as they’ve grown, tough bastards. Hell, they’ve pretty much been yelled at by every male and female in the pack, as well as many humans in town as everything under the sun that was bad. Many had claimed they’d never find a female because they were too crass, too big, too... everything. Yet while he held Nita, anyone watching would see nothing but tenderness and love.
“Fuck, I look at her and I want to wrap her up in bubble-wrap and keep her safe from the world. Who the hell am I?” Tank asked, running a hand down his face.
“You are a wonderful male. Now why don’t you two get your candyasses in here and show me how much you want to love me,” Nita said.
Abe looked at Tank, then back at Nita. “Did she just call us candyasses? I think we need to teach our mate just who is sweet and who isn’t. I get pussy,” he yelled, running to where Link had left Nita standing while he went and ensured the home was secure. Silly male. He dropped the prize, which meant he was now in possession.
“Abe,” Nita squeaked.
“Hey, I’m just collecting the spoils of his loss.” Abe didn’t run, but he sure as shit made the journey to their master suite faster than the other two males did. He tossed Nita onto the center of the bed. “Clothes off female,” he rumbled.
She moved to her knees, jerking the top over her head. He licked his lips at the sight of her gorgeous copper breasts with the coral tipped nipples.
“Are you going to stand there and drool?” Nita’s husky voice drew his gaze to her eyes that had gone brighter with her shifter side rising.
“Hell no. Those other two will come and steal all your kisses,” Abe muttered, ripping at his shirt before attacking the fly of his jeans. If there was one thing he was jealous about the Ravens, it was their ability to get naked with a simple thought. He wondered if he could ask the big Z if he could grant them that the next time he saw him.
“What are you thinking so hard about?”
He launched himself onto the bed, landing next to a fabulously naked Nita. “Goddess, I love every inch of you.”
“Hmm,” Nita agreed. “You didn’t answer my question.”
Abe pinned her to the bed, coming over her, holding his weight on his forearms and knees. “Are you comfortable?” he asked.
She wiggled a little, moving her legs until they were outside of his. “Now I am. Besides, there’s a paradox surrounding the concept of comfort. We all love it and are drawn by it, yet we’re often encouraged to avoid it.”
He bent and nuzzled his nose against hers. “Fuck, I’m so damn hard hearing you talk all smart and shit. Boys, our mate isn’t just a pretty face, a sexy as fuck female, she’s smarter than you two dumbasses.”
Nita giggled and slapped at his chest. That. That was exactly what he, they needed. Her laughter and a moment to forget all about the outside world.
Abe bent, bringing his mouth over hers, brushing lightly, easing her into the kiss unlike before where he felt it was rush, rush. This time, he wanted to show her tenderness, and loving. She’d always been special to him and his brothers when they’d come across her all those years ago. They’d wanted to save her then. Now they wanted to protect and love her for the rest of their lives.
“Stop thinking and fucking kiss her like you mean it, asshole.”
He grinned against her lips at the sound of Tank’s gruff voice. Lifting up slightly, he let her see the other two males had taken up positions on either side of the bed. Not that she didn’t already know since she, like him, had shifter hearing.
Her eyes flashed from blue to amber, back to the bright blue of her alpha powers. She was the only female, hell, the only shifter he’d come across whose eyes changed colors like hers did. “I love your eyes, Nita. I love everything about you.”
Nita swallowed, those eyes of hers got brighter with unshed tears.
“Dangit, Abe. You’re not supposed to make her cry,” Link growled.
She used the palms of both hands, laughing slightly. “He didn’t. I love you guys so much. I know we said it before... it feels like a lifetime ago.”
The bed dipped on both sides as the other two males joined them. Tank brushed her hair back from her forehead. “I love you, too.”
“All three of us love you. Tonight we’ll show you just how much. It’s like the saying goes, right guys?”
Abe dropped his head, his chin hitting his chest while he held Nita’s eyes. Their female had no clue just how many cheesy euphemisms his brother had in his brain. He mouthed to her not to ask, but Goddess love their Nita, she didn’t listen.
“What saying?” Nita asked innocently.
“Today, right this minute, is the present. Let’s treat it like the gift it is. That means I get to open her first.” Link grabbed Abe around the waist and twisted, tossing him toward Tank, making them both fall off the side of the bed.
“Ah, now that is the best present ever,” Link said, laughing as he lowered his mouth to Nita’s.
Abe and Tank both jumped up at the same time, watching Link kiss their female with a mix of greed and love. Fucking asshole. He elbowed Tank. They nodded in agreement that they’d let Link enjoy his little victory.
Chapter Thirteen
NITA LAY BACK AND LET her males have their way with her. Goddess, she was so blessed to have not one but three glorious males to call hers.
