Therian Prize Read online

  Like the perfect jewel on the crest of an opulent crown, Jake’s house perched upon the hilltop. It was too dark to see much but the view had to be spectacular. He triggered the gate with a remote and drove onto the circular drive. The house wasn’t as large as some they had passed but real estate was all about location. The best seat in the house didn’t come cheap.

  He activated one of the four garage bays and drove inside. The doors were separate but the garage was one open space. She looked down the row of automobiles and tried to keep her jaw from dropping. Sports car, sedan and SUV, all black and all the height of luxury.

  Jake climbed off the bike then helped her down.

  “Someone is fond of toys,” she muttered as she handed her helmet to him.

  “Cats like shiny things. It’s a fact.”

  His unabashed enjoyment made her smile. “Is Toulouse Tavern doing this well or do you own other businesses?” The question was out before she realized how rude it would sound.

  “The tavern’s my only business, but I own lots of things.” His grin made it obvious she would get no more information. He unfastened the overnight bag and tossed it to her before they headed inside.

  “There’s a guestroom down the hall or three empty bedrooms on the second level if that makes you feel safer. Take your pick.” Rather than heading for the stairs, however, he walked into the large kitchen. The lights came on automatically. “Feel free to turn in. I know you’ve had a hard night. I’m hopelessly nocturnal. Occupational hazard, I guess.”

  She was an uninvited guest, imposing on his hospitality. It made sense to be as inconspicuous as possible. Even so, she set the overnight bag down by the stairs then joined him in the kitchen. She didn’t want to be alone and she wasn’t ready to leave him.

  “Want something to drink? I make a mean sandwich if you’re hungry.”

  “Actually I’m starving. The energy transfer helped, but my tank is still pretty empty.”

  “Completely understandable. Have a seat.” He motioned to the row of barstools lining the breakfast bar. “This will just take a minute.”

  The bar faced the adjoining family room but she turned the stool so she faced the kitchen. Jake moved about with quiet efficiency. She watched him in silence, feeling rather intrusive. He was being polite and kind but he hadn’t asked for this complication. He led the most influential tiger clan in North America. There was no way he needed more drama in his life.

  He pulled open the refrigerator and scrounged around before he asked, “Is turkey and bacon okay? I could probably whip up tuna if you’re not into meat.”

  The unintended innuendo made her cheeks burn. She was definitely into meat, or at least she was whenever she thought of him. “Turkey and bacon sounds wonderful.”

  “And to drink?”

  “Anything hot. Coffee, tea, I don’t care. My hands are frozen.” She rubbed her hands together and breathed on her chilly fingers. The kitchen was light and spacious with glass-front cupboards and recessed appliances. Modern elegance was echoed in the rest of the house. Each room was open and uncluttered, yet the décor seemed almost generic.

  “The night wind can be brutal if you’re not used to it.” His deep voice drew her attention back to her host. He was watching her closely, deep-green eyes assessing. His black lashes were so thick they made him appear as if he were wearing guyliner. “I find it invigorating.”

  With an intentional blink, she severed the connection long enough for her mind to reset. She was not here to flirt. She was in serious trouble. “How long have you lived in Colorado?”

  “All my life. And you?”

  “Third generation native.”

  He chuckled. “I’ve got you beat by a generation.”

  She wasn’t usually one for small talk but tonight had left her physically and emotionally exhausted. She didn’t have energy enough for anything more meaningful.

  He set a steaming mug of hot chocolate in front of her a few minutes later. “Want a shot of schnapps in that? I think we could both use a drink.” She nodded and he retrieved a bottle from the freezer. “If this cools it down too much, let me know.”

  She tested the drink and smiled. “It’s great. Thanks.” The cocoa was sweet and the schnapps created a minty heat in the pit of her stomach. She wrapped both hands around the mug, greedily absorbing the warmth.

  “Why do you hate motorcycles? Lots of people are afraid of them but you seemed almost hostile.”

  The past tugged at her heart, threatening to shatter her fragile composure. Tonight had been enough of a nightmare without adding memories to the mix. “My fiancé was killed on a motorcycle.” She forced the fact out without allowing her soul to register the loss. “If he’d been in a car when he was hit, he might have survived.”

  Jake nodded and compassion lit his gaze. “I’m sorry. That must have been horrible.”

  She accepted his statement with a nod and raised her mug to her lips. The past could not be changed and right now the future required her full attention.

  “How’s your brother doing?” Jake returned the schnapps to the freezer then gathered what he needed to make her sandwich. “He was still unable to transform last time I talked to Erin.”

  Taking a long, slow sip, she decided what to tell him. The rebels had been searching for one of their own when they stumbled upon Dhane in a secluded laboratory. The female cat they’d been searching for was there as well, but Dhane still owed the rebels his life. Jake probably knew more of the details than she did, so there was no reason to lie. Still, it felt odd to share secrets with a cat.

  “Landon has been keeping Lexxie informed and Lexxie tells me. It’s too dangerous for Landon to call me directly.”

  “Have they made any progress?”

  A faint smile curved his lips and Heather realized she hadn’t answered his original question. “His shifts are still spontaneous. Or actually he can intentionally shift into a wolf, but he has no control over when he shifts back.”

  “That would be…inconvenient.”

  “To say the least.”

  “How long have you known Lexxie?” His lips finally parted as he assembled her sandwich.

  She wasn’t fooled by his casual tone. There was a wealth of meaning in the question. “We grew up together. She’s like a sister to me.”

  He glanced at her, eyes suddenly vivid green, before he turned back toward the counter. “She’s quite a character. Very talkative.” He crossed the kitchen and handed her the plate supporting a massive sandwich then returned for his mug of hot chocolate.

  She laughed. “Are you going to help me eat this?”

  Pulling out the stool next to hers, Jake joined her at the bar. “You said you were hungry. Satisfying appetites is what I do.”

  “So I’ve heard.” She quickly took a bite of the sandwich to hide her smile.

  “I was talking about the tavern.” He ran his index finger down her arm, drawing her gaze back to his face. “What were you talking about?”

  Awareness arced between them, tense and electric. She’d felt this crackling pulse before but it had never been so powerful. “Lexxie mentioned your fondness for casual relationships.” She tried to minimize the inference but suspected it was too late.

  His brows arched then he raised his mug to his lips. After taking a nice long sip, he licked the residue and looked into her eyes. “And Lexxie is a dependable source for information?”

  Damn. She really didn’t want to go down this particular road. Admitting she knew what he and Lexxie talked about made her look like a coconspirator. She wasn’t here to be seduced. Was she? She took a deep breath and whispered, “She has a tendency to exaggerate.”

  He chuckled and took another drink. “Oh I don’t know. Sometimes her observations are surprisingly insightful.”

  “You don’t know her as well as I do.” She swiveled toward the bar and picked up the other half of the sandwich.

  He watched her eat as he sipped his hot chocolate. She could feel his
gaze on her but didn’t look at him. She was only here for one night. It didn’t make sense to start something she wasn’t prepared to finish. Jake was tempting as hell. She was the first to admit she was attracted to him, but indulging that attraction was just plain foolish.

  “Will any of the other packs offer you shelter?”

  Rather than carelessly dismiss the possibility, she took a moment and ran through the various packs. Her father was network Prime, which meant he was the most powerful canine alpha. “There are two pack alphas who resent my father’s power. They might be willing to shelter me just to spite him.”

  He shook his head. “You’d be right back where you started. Any of your father’s enemies would force a mating bond or worse.”

  “All the other packs are either loyal to Father or fear him. Either way, they’re not going to help me.”

  He was silent for a moment as his gaze searched hers. “And there isn’t anyone you would consider accepting as your mate? Even if your father didn’t approve of your choice, it would defuse the situation.”

  She pushed the mostly empty plate aside and picked up her mug. Old wounds ached, threatening to break open and bleed. “I… No, there’s been no one since David.”

  His head tilted and his brows scrunched together. It was obvious he wanted to delve deeper into the subject. Instead he asked, “Are you defined?”

  She shuddered so violently a few drops of hot chocolate rained down on her legs. “Y-yes.” He didn’t know. There was no way he could know her secret. He was asking why she didn’t mate with the man who defined her. It was common practice.

  “You weren’t defined by your fiancé?”

  “My definition was…complicated.” She didn’t say more and he didn’t pry. But the question unleashed a maelstrom of emotions and memories. Her definition had been every bit as traumatic as what nearly happened tonight. Even six years after the event, she felt ashamed and confused every time she thought about Carlos.

  “I think we should call Landon after you’ve had a few hours of sleep. He’s your brother. Besides, he’s already on the outs with most of the wolf packs. What does he have to lose?”

  She finished her drink and set the mug on the bar. None of this was Jake’s problem, so why did his suggestion sting? “I’m not sure where I’ll go, but I won’t stay more than one night. I appreciate your hospitality and I won’t impose more than I already have.”

  He caught her hand and waited until she looked at him before he said, “I’m not trying to get rid of you. I know you’ve been through hell tonight. I’m just trying to figure out how to help you.”

  “You’ve been wonderful. I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t agreed to help me.” She eased her hand out of his and slid off the stool. “I’ll see you in the morning, or later in the morning.”

  “Rest well.” He gathered the dishes and headed for the sink.

  She hurried out of the kitchen and picked up the overnight bag before heading upstairs. It was probably overkill, but she felt safer on the second floor. It was too easy to smash in a window and drag someone out on the ground floor.

  A hallway branched off to the right, a railed gallery to the left. She paused.

  “First bedroom on your left has its own bathroom. That’s probably your best bet.” Jake stood in the living room, looking up at her. He had a dishtowel draped over his shoulder and still managed to look like the proverbial bad-boy fantasy.

  “Thanks.” She ran her fingers along the polished railing, struck again by the mansion’s elegance. One wall in the living room was dominated by the largest flat-screen TV she’d ever seen and another contained floor-to-ceiling windows. Everything was orderly and immaculate, as if it were never touched. She was rapidly getting the impression that Jake didn’t spend a lot of time here.

  She walked into the bedroom he’d indicated and shut the door. Moonlight spilled in through a gap in the curtains so she didn’t bother locating the light switch. She dropped the bag to the floor and sat on the edge of the bed, feeling empty and numb.

  The first few hours after her shift had been consumed by instinct. She thought of nothing but escape, cared only about survival. But once she lost the hunters and found herself literally surrounded by shit, headed in an unknown direction, her emotions surfaced again. Rage, frustration and loss had twisted through her like tentacles. Even trapped in her wolf form, she’d ached with the need to release the pent-up feelings. She’d whimpered and moaned, expressing her sorrow the only way possible.

  Now she was capable of crying but the tears wouldn’t come.

  It didn’t matter. Crying never solved anything anyway.

  She kicked off her borrowed shoes and was about to crawl into bed when someone knocked on the door. Padding to the door, she eased it open and found Jake holding a black t-shirt.

  “Thought this would be more comfortable than trying to sleep in what you’re wearing.”

  She took the t-shirt and smiled. “I appreciate it.”

  “Then I’ll see you in the morning, or later in the morning.” He loitered in the hallway, as if he were as reluctant to leave her as she’d been to leave him.

  Ignoring the tantalizing impulse to grab his hand and pull him into her room, she offered him a halfhearted wave and firmly closed the door.

  Chapter Three

  Lexxie leaned against the tree trunk, hoping Nate had forgotten she was there. He’d ordered her not to leave almost an hour ago but hadn’t so much as looked at her since. The clearing was basically deserted. The bonfire had been reduced to smoldering embers and only four vehicles remained along the tree line.

  Nate stood near the fire pit, arms crossed over his chest. Two of the hunters had just returned and Nate wasn’t pleased to see them. She didn’t know the blond, but Braden Montego’s long dark hair and piercing green eyes were unmistakable. She could hear the rumble of Nate’s voice but couldn’t make out his words. Unlike some Therians who could augment their human senses, she wasn’t able to control a partial shift. She was either all wolf or all human. There was nothing in between.

  “You’re a useless coward!”

  Nate raised his hand to strike the blond but Braden caught his forearm.

  “We didn’t give up.” Braden faced her, so his voice carried better than Nate’s. “We lost her. It happens. We’ll regroup and start again in a few hours.”

  Nate jerked his arm out of Braden’s grasp and took a step back. “She could be three states away by the time you wake up and her trail will be completely cold.”

  “You said she hadn’t been defined. So how the hell did she shift?” Braden fired back.

  The blond seemed interested in the answer but he’d eased back a few steps, taking him out of Nate’s reach.

  “She did this once before.” Nate dismissed the issue with a wave of his hand. “It doesn’t mean she’s been defined.”

  “Then what really happened the night Carlos died? You told everyone he turned feral after he defined her. If he never defined her, what made him attack?”

  “I don’t know,” Nate snarled. “None of this helps you find her.”

  “I want a mate defined with my own blood. If that ship sailed, I’m not interested in finding her.”

  “There’s a seat on the Alpha Council for the man who claims her. Pass the word. I want this settled today,” Nate snapped, clearly agitated by the other man’s objections.

  “You don’t have that authority! Alphas are chosen by their packs and only alphas can sit on the council.” Braden sounded as angry as Nate. And Lexxie wasn’t sure who to root for.

  “I’m network Prime. I can do whatever the hell I want. If the rules don’t allow for what I have in mind, I’ll change the goddamn rules! If you don’t have the balls for this sort of thing, then withdraw.” Nate snarled again, the sound even more animalistic. “There are plenty of others willing to prove themselves.”

  “There are others willing to use your daughter to secure honors they haven’t e
arned.”

  They were toe-to-toe, shouting at each other. The blond man crept toward the vehicles. Apparently he’d lost interest in the conversation and the other two didn’t care enough to stop him.

  For a long moment Nate and Braden just glared at each other. Lexxie thought the argument was over then Braden asked, “What’s this really about? Why are you so desperate to have Heather mated?”

  Braden was right. Pride and anger explained Nate’s initial reaction, but offering to rewrite the network charter made him appear desperate and unstable.

  Nate turned his head and looked at her. Guess he hadn’t forgotten her after all. Again she thought he wouldn’t answer. But a tense moment passed and then he turned back to Braden and explained, “Tonight gave people the wrong impression. I’m not trying to get rid of Heather. I’m trying to protect her.”

  “Protect her from what?” Braden sounded skeptical and Lexxie was right there with him. How did offering Heather to the winner of a challenge protect her from anything?

  “She’s in danger and the only thing that will make her safe again is if she’s securely bound to a Therian male.”

  “That didn’t answer my question.” Braden crossed his arms over his chest, looking every bit as stubborn as Nate. It wasn’t surprising that Braden couldn’t be browbeaten by Nate. Braden’s pack was larger than Nate’s, though not nearly as affluent. Still, many thought Braden would make a better network Prime. Whispers had circulated for years hinting that Braden would challenge Nate, but to Lexxie’s knowledge the challenge hadn’t been issued yet. “Why is she in danger?”

  Nate waved away the question. “The only person who needs to understand the details is her mate. Go find her and I’ll tell you everything.”

  “Tell me everything and I’ll decide if she’s worth finding.”

  “Hunt or don’t.” Nate shrugged but his eyes gleamed in the moonlight. “It’s your choice, but the details are for her mate.”

  Without revealing if he would continue hunting or not, Braden walked to one of the remaining SUVs and climbed in. Nate watched him leave, gaze narrowed and hostile, then he shook his head and stalked over to where Lexxie stood.