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  Giving the signal to stop for the day, they both stood, hands on knees, panting.

  “Tomorrow, Parrish, you’re going to spar with Jace.”

  Parrish nodded. Dane would have preferred Kaitlyn to spar with Parrish first since she was experienced in teaching martial arts, but he got the feeling that Parrish would freak out having to hit a female. It’d probably change when the female doled out more than Parrish was ready for, and Kaitlyn would show no mercy, but Dane didn’t want any setbacks. He’d get Parrish used to sparring with someone else, then bring Kaitlyn in and work his way up through the more experienced Guardians.

  Dane clapped him on the shoulder. “Before we clean up, I want you to answer one question.”

  Parrish tensed, sensing Dane was asking for more than a training question.

  “Can you talk?” Dane knew they’d asked Parrish this before, but it was shortly after he’d arrived at the lodge, when questions about his past were answered by moaning from the fetal position.

  Paling even more than normal, brushing his white-blond hair behind his ear, he finally nodded.

  Dane gave a curt nod. “Go eat. Tomorrow we train, and you can help me get ready for Bennett’s mating ritual.”

  Relieved there were no follow-up questions, Parrish loped off. Dane planned on one question at a time until he felt Parrish could handle more.

  Heading to the kitchen himself to grab some food, Dane thought about what needed to be done for the next night. Mating rituals were more a party for the guests than for the couple. The couple usually left to be by themselves while the guests joined together in revelry.

  If Dane helped prepare, then that was less time he had to hang around his cabin being avoided by his mate. What Irina did, typing away in that office, was unknown. Even before computers, she was always typing. Now it was nonstop and she’d become quite the techie.

  She’d said she’d come tomorrow night. Probably not just for Bennett, but to keep up appearances that while she was a hermit, there was nothing wrong with their relationship.

  What a time to make that claim. They’d get to witness a couple deeply in love start their life together while their bond crumpled under the tragedies of the past.

  Chapter Two

  I know what you are.

  Irina read those words over again. She was cruising through her emails, replying to fans, when this gem popped up, sent from Lycabyter29. Another user name and Irina would’ve ignored it, but the name conjured up shifters and vampires alike. Maybe the sender meant computer byte. Maybe the sender liked the play on words. Maybe. Or maybe “Lycan biter” was literal.

  Damn. Sitting back in her chair, staring at the words, her mind whirled. Should she reply? Ignore it? The sender said what, though, not who.

  Deciding on the reply option since she replied to all of her fan mail, she sent back a question asking what he had meant. Or she, it could be a woman.

  Noting the time, Irina decided to continue working on her newest novel. Opening up the document and finding where she had left off, she groaned. A naughty scene. The past had been revisiting her too much lately and not the bad part. Her mind had been prodding her with memories of how good it had been between her and Dane. Then after watching him yesterday, she had to sit down and write a sex scene.

  No way to the end but through. Irina dived into the scene, using those conjured memories to fuel the passion between her characters. At least she could write them a happy ending, if not one for her herself.

  Saving her work and backing it up, she faced reality. Time to get dressed for Bennett and Sarah’s mating. For her, that meant just changing into a different sundress. Just as she finished, she heard Dane go into his room to clean up and change, so she checked her email again.

  Lycabyter29 sent her a picture of a wolf howling at the moon. Swallowing hard, Irina couldn’t do more than stare at the photo for several minutes. Finally, she hit reply:

  And what are you?

  “All set?” His deep rumble scrambled her thoughts, making her frantically exit out of her files. None of the Guardians knew what she did with her time. At first, she didn’t think they’d approve of it. Mostly she was afraid Commander Fitzsimmons, or her duty-bound husband, would report her to the council and they’d order her to stop. Then what would she have to do with herself for the rest of her long life?

  “Yes, I’m ready.” Turning with a hesitant smile to cover up her fluster, she caught her breath. He wasn’t dressed much differently than usual—black slacks that enhanced his tapered hips and muscular thighs and a nice viridian shirt that brought out his vibrant green eyes, the fabric accentuating his broad shoulders and wide chest.

  She flushed under his perusal sweeping her body. This was nonsense. They’d been together so long, his attention shouldn’t affect her. But it did and she felt like it had been an eternity since she’d had any sort of attention from him.

  At one time, they didn’t just mind-speak, they shared their sight. Only strong, well developed mating bonds allowed that. They barely spoke words to each other anymore, much less shared a mental connection. How long had it been since they’d been in each other’s mind? Decades?

  Walking side by side in silence they reached the mating ceremony shortly before it started. Irina forced herself to be present, she owed it to Bennett. He’d been through so much and she’d been wrapped up in her own misery that she’d been of no use to him. Not that he’d have wanted her help. The rift between Bennett and Dane had been severe after Dane killed Bennett’s human wife when she had betrayed them all.

  Her dear wildling Mercury, the lost boy she helped nurture into a strong male, had helped Bennett through the loss of his wife until he found Sarah, a mate to be proud of, and who finally healed his wounds completely.

  Speaking of Mercury, she hadn’t been there for him, either. He came to her once, shortly after he met Dani, distraught with unfamiliar feelings. The conversation was going well until it wasn’t, and she pretty much kicked him out. It was still hard for her to be around Mercury and Dani. Not because seeing them happy with a bouncing bundle of joy bothered her. It was the fear and knowledge of how easily it all could be ripped away that scared her. In truth, she’d rather not get attached and save herself the heartache of what-ifs.

  Cheers rose as Bennett and Sarah sealed their bond in blood and Commander Fitzsimmons presented them with their mating gladdus, the ceremonial dagger used to bind the couple. Much like Mercury and Dani, Bennett and Sarah grinned and shook hands greeting everyone before running off to their cabin to hunker down for a long night of passionate lovemaking.

  Irina sighed wistfully watching them go and didn’t miss Dane’s scrutiny. Turning away, she started back to the cabin.

  “Irina, I’d like you meet Parrish.” Dane called to her.

  The last thing she wanted was an awkward meet and greet. Of course she’d heard about the boy, but she’d been mulish. She hadn’t learned sign language and avoided crossing paths with him. It was a crappy move, but it was a matter of time before someone thought foisting the boy on her would be a good idea. After all, she’d taken the wildling, Mercury, under wing and nurtured his human side until he was a capable shifter. However, if she couldn’t communicate with Parrish, then it wouldn’t happen, and she wouldn’t have to emerge from her emotionally protected cocoon.

  Forcing a pleasant smile onto her face, she turned and stretched out her hand to shake the teen’s. His grip was hesitant, his gaze downcast, and she felt like shit. This was a damaged young boy, and he made all of her maternal instincts fire up.

  Irina couldn’t help herself. She brought her other hand to grab his, encasing it in both of hers.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Parrish,” she said warmly, meaning every word.

  He looked up to meet her eyes and opened his mouth to say something, but slammed it closed, gaze dropping to the ground.

  “Are you okay?” Concern filled Dane’s voice.

  The boy nodded, still not raising
his head. Irina was not a short female, but Parrish was still much taller than her and she could see indecision in his downcast eyes.

  “Go to the party, Parrish,” Dane ordered, trying to prod the kid to socialize. “Eat a ton of food, have fun, and be ready at our normal time tomorrow.”

  Parrish turned to go, then turned back to Irina and made a quick motion with his hands before he darted off.

  “What was that?” Irina asked Dane. Note to self, learn sign language.

  Dane’s considering gaze followed the young male. “He said, ‘don’t go alone.’”

  *****

  A week had passed since the mating and Dane worked up to two questions a day. Parrish fielded them well, albeit hesitantly: he quit talking about five years ago, he had no siblings, his mom was alive, his dad dead, and yes he had a special ability. Now it was time to move forward.

  “We need to talk.” Dane had waited until after Parrish was done showering before making the announcement. They’d wrapped up early and Dane knew the boy suspected why, by the way he dragged himself to go the showers.

  Folding himself down on the bench in the locker room, Dane remembered a day not long ago when he had a long talk with another shifter in this very room. Kaitlyn made the decision that day to join the Guardians. If the locker room intervention worked for her, maybe it would work for Parrish.

  “Let’s just start with you telling me what you’re comfortable with telling me.” There was no reason to beat around the bush. Either Parrish would talk or he wouldn’t, and neither one wanted to prolong it further by playing twenty-one questions over the span of several days.

  Parrish grabbed the side of the bench and rocked back and forth staring at the ceiling. Dane was afraid he was losing him again, but on closer inspection it seemed as if Parrish was considering where to start. Finally, Parrish released his hands and started talking.

  I have premonitions.

  Not a surprise. It was a theory Rhys and Dane had been tossing around after a tidbit an Agent tossed their way. It’d been weighing heavily on his mind, that the boy had passed a warning to Irina. But why, and about what? Shifter seers were rumored to have been very fair in coloring and very, very rare. Parrish fit the description, and Sigma must’ve know what he was. Regardless, he was so young and inexperienced, Dane doubted Parrish even knew what his warning was about.

  They come out through my voice.

  Shit. No wonder he never said a word. He’d risk spewing visions about every person he attempted conversation with.

  “Can you talk at all without telling fortunes?”

  I used to.

  “When?”

  Before Sigma took us.

  Huh. Us. That was the first Dane heard about others with Parrish. Had they been killed?

  Silence passed with the minutes while Parrish was deciding what to say. Dane hoped he’d elaborate on the “us” part of the story.

  Can I tell you more tomorrow?

  Dane resisted a sigh. They’d definitely made more progress and he could be patient, but dammit, he didn’t want to be. For a moment he let himself wish he didn’t have to use his immense patience with Parrish, on his mate, or on every other aspect in his life.

  I’m sorry.

  Hell, now Dane felt like crap. His selfish emotions spilled over to this young kid who’d been severely traumatized and was finally trusting him enough to come out of his shell.

  “It’s not you, Parrish. My mind was reflecting on other things.” It wasn’t a complete lie. The situation with Irina had been getting under his skin lately. “Of course we can talk more tomorrow.”

  After Parrish left, Dane sat staring at the wall. He could go home and see if Irina was around, maybe try to talk to her. They’d gone years and years doing a good job ignoring each other and would’ve kept it up, but all the mating rituals in the last year left them surrounded with happy couples blissfully in love, and it sucked.

  Each mating ritual brought back memories of a much younger Dane, facing a fresh-faced Irina, her long golden hair flowing down her back, those cornflower-blue eyes beaming at him in adoration. The day of the ceremony had been the best day of his life, and the night of the ceremony had been meteoric. He and Irina had been compatible in so many ways. Their bond had grown so strong, their telepathic communication had been like a video between them instead of just words. He was the consummate leader while she nurtured and cared for those under his command, a true mother to the pack. She’d been an even better mother to their son. Dane rarely allowed himself to think about Kade anymore, or the baby they lost in the attack who hadn’t stood a chance at life.

  Dane heaved himself up. He wouldn’t allow himself to think about it now, either. It was time to run his wolf and go for a swim.

  Chapter Three

  Lycabyter29 was a problem. He just declared his undying love for Irina in his latest email.

  Crazy fucking vampire, if he really was one. He was dangerous even if he was just delusional in his conclusions. Unfortunately, except for the true mate part of his claims, he’d been spot on about what she was. And he wanted to meet her.

  Irina hadn’t responded to any more of his emails, was still deciding what to do. She’d become pretty computer savvy, holed up in the little cabin in the middle of nowhere, but she couldn’t hack computers and track her cyber stalker. But she knew someone who possibly could.

  Letting herself into the lodge, Irina hoped she wouldn’t run into anyone. She was enough of a hermit that they’d question what she was doing there and, while she knew they’d all find out soon enough, she strived to keep her private life private.

  Heading down a long hallway to Dani’s office, Irina’s nose twitched. It smelled like someone had sex recently. Her lips quirked unbidden as she remembered those days after Kade was born when her and Dane would couple together anytime and anywhere possible. She waited for the familiar heartache that began after she thought of her beautiful little boy, but it didn’t come. Strangely, Irina found herself pleased that Mercury and Dani were making time for themselves. They’d both come so far and it’d been way too long since this pack had young to care for. It was time.

  Knocking lightly on the office door before she walked in, Irina stopped to take in the office setup.

  Dani swung around in her chair, astonishment lighting her face. “Irina!” She made a move to stand, but Irina waved her back down.

  “This is amazing.” It was all Irina could think of saying. Monitors spread across Dani’s desk in one hundred and eighty degrees. The surrounding woods, the area around the cabins, and various points in the lodge transmitted on the screens.

  On Dani’s desk were schematics for numerous weapons. From the sketches it appeared she collected traits from each type to make specialized weapons for the Guardians. Irina’s heart sped up. That would be awesome. In fact, as much as she liked writing about Westerns, she was working on a new Steampunk series, and she would love to bounce ideas off Dani.

  “Isn’t it?” Dani’s voice sounded as excited as Irina felt. “I’m getting the system set up to send me updates when there’s activity in the trees. I’ve already programmed my phone to be able to see views of each screen so I don’t have to be tied to the office quite as much.”

  “Do you have another room where you try out those?” Irina gestured to the drawings on Dani’s desk.

  “Oh, these are just ideas. I would love to bring them to fruition. Commander Fitzsimmons gave me the go ahead. I’ve just been so busy setting up all this stuff and upgrading it.”

  Ah yes. The disturbed Guardian who had been killed while he was trying to slay Dani had done a good job of getting the pack situated in West Creek and installing their security. Although, much of it had been geared toward his interests of spying on them for the council. When Dani joined the pack and took over technical security, she gave it a much needed overhaul.

  “You’re working on some new concepts?”

  “Yeah. I figured it’d be a good way to use Dante’s
naptime.” Dani’s face filled with maternal pride as she glanced over to the little playpen that held her sleeping son.

  Irina had avoided looking in that direction, not sure how she’d react to the little guy. Since he was still sleeping, she didn’t have to worry. She wanted to ask her questions and get out of there before he woke.

  “I won’t keep you long. I just have some questions about email addresses.”

  Dani tilted her head in interest, no doubt wondering what a recluse like Irina did with email addresses. The older Guardians probably remembered the days when Irina had boxes of her electronics shipped to wherever they were residing. Since they’d been here, technology had become more streamlined that she didn’t need near the amount of equipment she used to.

  “What do you need to know?”

  “Can you track one?”

  Dani frowned, thinking for a minute. “I can try. I’ve dabbled in it a bit, and I’m getting better at hacking, but I’m still pretty novice. What’s wrong?”

  The young woman would make inquiries about Irina’s request, and frankly she was glad. It meant Dani’s priority was pack safety. “Nothing yet. But he’s sent me some emails that make me think I should look into him more.”

  “What kind of emails?”

  “Ones that make me think he knows of our world. Here’s his address.”

  At the name, Dani raised her eyebrows and almost whistled but glanced quickly over to where her son slept, stopping herself. “Is he making threats?”

  Irina shook her head. “No, but he’s getting pushy. He wants to meet and I’m afraid when I don’t acquiesce, he’ll cause trouble.”

  Nodding in agreement, Dani typed away, already working on the address. “How did he get your email, anyway?”

  And here was the moment Irina was dreading. “I do some online work and keep an email for business.”

  Dani stopped what she was doing and faced Irina. “What kind of work?”

  Irina hesitated, knowing this was the end of her secret career. “I’m a writer. Romances mostly, Westerns.”