Alpha Instinct: A Moon Shifter Novel (28 page)

He frowned when he saw her standing. “What are you doing up?”

“I’m fine. I’ll need help getting the whole way there but I’m healing nicely.”

“I’m sorry I couldn’t stay with you.” His voice was ragged.

She took a step toward him but he quickly covered the distance. “Connor, you’re the Alpha. I get that. If I’ve made you feel like you’ve abandoned me or whatever, I swear I didn’t mean to.”

He cursed under his breath. “It’s not that, Ana. You
never
ask for help. I’m worried that I won’t be able to tell when you really do need me. You’re too … too …”

Too stubborn, pigheaded.
Oh, she’d heard it all before from her father. Some days she wondered if he’d have preferred a son to her. She gritted her teeth, waiting for the lecture. “Gonna finish that thought?”

“Too good for me,” he muttered.

The softly spoken statement made her jerk back in surprise. “Wait, what are we talking about here?”

His green eyes were shuttered as he turned away and stripped off his shirt. “I need to change, but then we’ll head over there. Liam is helping your sisters with Alicia’s body.”

“Connor, you can’t keep shutting me out like this. I’m not used to asking for help but that doesn’t mean you can shut me down every time I ask you a simple question. You won’t tell me why you left, you won’t tell me why you and Liam have been arguing, you held back the existence of the cubs, you won’t even discuss the possibility of
not
going after those assholes who shot me and I have to find out from your brother that he thinks his mate is a human. I know that last one isn’t even a big deal, but it’s like you don’t want to actually talk to me about anything. You just want someone to warm your bed!”

“You know that’s not true. And now’s not the time.” He didn’t turn from the open closet door as he pulled a black sweater from it and tugged it over his head.

Anger burned hot and wild inside her and the fact that he passively stood there only stoked the fire more. “Yeah, well, when is the time? You want me in your bed but you don’t want me to be your mate in every sense of the word. If you want this thing between us to go anywhere, then you better get used to sharing things with me because I’m not going to be someone you sleep with but get nothing else from.”

When he didn’t respond, she scowled at his backside. She’d agreed to a lot when he’d come to her ranch, offering his protection. Was it really too much that she wanted him to open up to her a little? Her parents had shared everything with each other and she wanted the same thing. Connor might not love her, but she knew he cared for her. And maybe with time … She shook her head as traitorous tears pricked her eyes. If he couldn’t even open up to her about simple stuff, then they had no future. She shoved all her feelings for him back inside.

He started to take off his pants so she stalked from the room, knowing it would piss him off.

“Ana,” he called out.

But she ignored him. Despite the discomfort she hurried down the stairs and grabbed her coat on her way out the front door. Her entire body ached and screamed at the quick getaway she’d just made. She knew she should take it slower and wait for him but right now she wanted him as annoyed as she was. She slammed the door behind her and felt irrationally pleased at the booming sound it made. Before she’d taken three steps, however, she felt the whoosh of the door open behind her and Connor scooped her up in his arms.

She tried to struggle against him but fresh splinters of discomfort coursed through her. Every second that passed she gained strength, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t painfully sore.

“How do you think it will look if you show up hobbling without my help?” he asked through gritted teeth.

“I don’t care how it’ll look.” She glared at his profile because he refused to make eye contact with her. His jaw was clenched tight and that pissed her off. What did
he
have to be so angry about? He was the one holding stuff back from her. Not the other way around.

“Damn it, woman. Now isn’t the time.”

“Then tell me when
is
the right time. Keep pushing me away like this and I hope you don’t ever expect more than a temporary mating. I will never be your bondmate if this is what I have to look forward to.” Her words were harsh and drew the reaction she expected.

He glanced sharply at her. The hurt in his eyes surprised her, however. Still, he said nothing. And that hurt her worse than the physical pain humming through her.

As they neared the field next to the barn, Ana shoved aside her anger at Connor when she saw all her packmates standing somberly around the funeral pyre. “Will you put me down?” she whispered to Connor. She didn’t want everyone to see her like this. Now of all times she needed to appear strong.

He did as she asked but didn’t remove his arm from around her shoulder. Despite her anger at him she was grateful for his strength and show of unity. No matter what, it seemed she could count on him for at least that. Even though her parents had loved each other, if her mother had disagreed with her father he’d given her the cold shoulder until one of them caved on an issue. Connor was so different in that respect. Leaning against him, Ana wrapped her arm around his waist and used him to support her.

Vivian came to stand by her side immediately. Wordlessly she grabbed Ana’s free hand and gripped it tightly. Ana squeezed back, knowing this was hard on the little she-cat even though she hadn’t known Alicia. Hell, dealing with death was always hard for their kind, regardless of species. Despite the few angry humans who thought shifters were evil and planned to take over the world, their numbers were so few they were technically bordering on extinction. They were increasing every day, but it was one of the many reasons the Council had decided to come out to the world. For the most part they could now live and procreate without worrying about hiding or moving every couple years. With the advancements of satellites, government agencies becoming more intrusive in civilian lives and even social networks, it had been harder and harder to keep the fact that they didn’t age at the same rate as humans a secret anymore. The world was just too connected. Despite their longevity, every time one of them died the grief spread throughout the entire pack with a vengeance. It was another reminder how small in number they were and how fragile their lives could be.

As they all gathered around the funeral pyre where Alicia’s naked body was draped in the standard sheer burial cloth, Isabel pulled the burning torch from its stand and lit it under the body. She placed it back in the holder, then went back to stand with the rest of her sisters.

The flames licked high into the darkening sky, painting it a bright orange. Sharp and intense, the colors mimicked the sad yet angry mind-set of the mourners. Despite Ana’s desire to stay away from vengeance she knew that once the pack discovered who had done this, blood would be spilled.

One by one each pack member walked up to Isabel and her sisters and gave them comforting hugs and kisses. Their funerals were different from that of humans. No flowery speeches were given, no eulogy. They simply embraced one another and after the flames died down they scattered the ashes of their loved ones. Their bodies burned much quicker and easier than humans. Something different in their DNA. Some thought it was barbaric, but they’d come from the earth and that’s the way they returned. With no barriers and no urns used to save the remains.

Ana wasn’t sure how much time passed but eventually Connor, Liam and the rest of the males started the process of scattering the ashes.

“I don’t know if I can take much more of this,” Carmen murmured as she wrapped her slim arm around Ana’s shoulder.

Ana pulled her younger sister into a tight hug. “I’m so happy you’re all right.” She kept her voice a whisper. A trickle of shame surged through her because she was grateful her own sister was alive. It wasn’t that she wished her cousin dead instead, but the relief that Carmen was safe was almost overwhelming.

“I’m still weak but better than Teresa.” Carmen’s voice was just as low.

Ana felt another pair of arms wrap around her from behind and knew it was Noel without looking. “I swear if anything ever happens to you two …” Noel shuddered and Ana mirrored the reaction. Her sisters had been her lifeline after their parents died. Even before that, actually. Ana had loved her father but he’d been a hard man and part of her thought he’d always wished for a boy. Whenever he’d gotten into one of his lecturing moods, the three of them had always stuck together.

A piercing scream ricocheted through the air, pulling them all apart. Ana swiveled toward the sound.

It was Isabel. Her face was ashen and she pointed toward the barn. A few of the horses whinnied loudly, and though it was dark Ana could see the outline of at least four wolves. By the time she realized what was going on all the men had moved into action.

Connor rushed at her, his jaw set in a firm line. “Take all the women and cubs back to the main house. I’ll send a couple of the males to guard the house, but we’ll take care of this.”

“We can help.” Noel stepped forward.

“Now,” he barked.

If Ana hadn’t been injured she might be tempted to argue, but he was right. They needed to get the majority of the pack inside. If mass pandemonium followed it would be better if they were all in one place. She wasn’t sure what was going on, but if Taggart wanted to separate any of them now would be the time. And she refused to let that happen.

“Come on.” She grabbed Vivian’s hand and started helping her sisters herd everyone inside.

Connor looked back at Ana as all the women hustled together. He hated leaving her but she was with her sisters. They were all protective and he knew they wouldn’t let Ana out of their sight.

The wind shifted and a familiar scent rolled over him. It wasn’t Taggart but the wolf he’d visited the ranch with earlier. He was hiding somewhere in the forest. The smell was too distant.

He pointed at Nathan and Aiden. “You two, guard the main house with the women.” Then he swiveled toward his brother. “Liam, you’re with me. Everyone else, fan out and do what you do best.” He didn’t need to give more orders than that. His men knew how to handle themselves. It soothed him to have two of his men guarding the house but the wolves here tonight wouldn’t get that far. He’d make sure of it.

The seven of them started to fan out while Nathan and Aiden headed for the house. Connor stayed trained on the barn. Two wolves stood by the entrance and something told him there were more inside. Waiting. And definitely more waiting out in the fields.

When it came to numbers, Taggart’s pack was bigger than his. For now. That would change soon, though. Not that it mattered. All his guys were trained warriors. And a hell of a lot older and stronger than anyone in Taggart’s pack.

Without pause he underwent the change.

His sweater and pants ripped as his bones shifted. The cracking and breaking was painful as always but gave way to a rush of adrenaline. As his bones and joints realigned he growled deep in his throat.

If Taggart wanted to bring the fight to them, that was fine. From a tactical standpoint, home turf was better anyway.

Let’s take the two by the barn,
he projected to Liam.

My thoughts exactly.
Liam howled loudly, sending an eerie vibe through the night air. With the exception of their eye color, he and his brother looked almost exactly alike in wolf form. Liam had the same black coat but his golden eyes glinted dangerously, echoing Connor’s own rage.

Connor knew there were other wolves out there watching and waiting, but he had to trust his pack enough to watch his back.

The two wolves didn’t move as he and his brother zeroed in on them. Just bared their teeth like inexperienced fighters. He glanced to his left and found Liam directly next to him, ready to attack.

Without having to give any direction to his brother, Connor went for the gray wolf on the left. The fight was over before it started. He could see it by the way the young wolf hopped and danced around like a crazed boxer.

Connor crouched low and started to circle the wolf. Out of the corner of his eye he could see Liam doing the same thing to the other one.

Part of him felt pity because he knew these wolves were following their Alpha’s orders, but he didn’t feel so bad he’d let them kill him or his brother.

The gray wolf lunged once and Connor darted out of its way. He could hear the sound of its jaw snapping against air. If he could tire the animal out or make him see it was a losing battle, maybe it would run off. Though he doubted it.

Swiveling, he faced off with it again. Behind him the horses still whinnied loudly. Next to him, his brother and the other wolf still circled each other.

Keeping focus he crouched lower and waited for an opening. The other wolf wasn’t jumping around as wildly now but still looked antsy. It bared its teeth and lunged at him again.

Connor dodged away and sank his teeth into the animal’s side. Not as hard as he wanted, but he drew blood and pulled away fur and skin. The coppery taste in his mouth made his animal side hungrier.

The gray wolf growled in pain and lunged at him again. This time Connor didn’t retreat or dodge. He extended his claws and slashed at its face with his paw.

The blow was harder than a punch. Connor had a lot of strength, and unlike regular wolves lupine shifters were more in control of their blows.

When the animal hit the ground, Connor jumped on top of it and bit its neck.

Hard.

It didn’t even get a chance to cry out as he broke through its spinal cord and ripped its head off. Instead of piercing his claws through the animal’s chest and heart, he preferred taking the head. It sent a message. The acrid scent of blood rolled over him.

He’d sensed the fight in the young animal. It wasn’t going to stop until it killed something. Sometimes Connor hated his human side. If he let his animal side completely take over while fighting, there wouldn’t have even been a fight. He’d have just killed the wolf without guilt.