Destiny's Choice (8 page)

Roan
r
emov
ed
the pair from the wall, ke
e
ping
them suspended in mid-air. Then he slowly began to choke them using a thin tendril of his power. The sounds of gasping and sobbing did little to sway Roan to any sort of compassion. Even their strug
gling was dismissed. But then, a
familiar
aroma
wafted across his senses. He looked over to see his
True
Mate
standing in the doorway with a small smile on her face.

  If it wasn’t for the scent of gardenia’s and a summer storm breaking through his rage, he would have gleefully killed Ian and Lillah. As it was, he stopped before they could breath their last, letting them drop to the floor in a heap as he continued to gaze at Rivera.

“We really need to work on your social skills.” She shook her head as she
walked toward him. There was not an ounce of fear or dismay coming from her as she moved into his arms, snuggling close.

“I’ll endeavor to try harder, sweetheart.” He leaned down and kissed her soft lips as a choked laugh sounded behind him. The other sounds of coughing and retching were ignored.

“What was that,
Steven
?”

“Oh, nothing. Just a little dusty in here.” He coughed again, though it came out more like a snicker.

“See what I have to put up with, sweetheart?” He sighed like a man greatly put upon. “No respect, even from my personal guards.” He smiled down into her green and amber eyes.

“I’m sure you’ll find something to make them realize their error in judgment.” She giggled.

He pretended to ponder the thought for a moment. “Actually, I might have just the thing.” He turned toward Mikeal and
Steven
, humor animating their features. “If you two would be so kind as to gather up the trash and secure it. We wouldn’t want to loose it between here and Montana.”

“We hear and obey, Alpha,” Mikeal intoned as he and
Steven
bowed low then proceeded to do as asked.

“Jackasses.”

That earned him a snort, though he wasn’t sure from whom.

Of the very few who knew of his Alpha power,
Steven
and Mikeal never let him feel as if he were any different from any one else in the Pack. To them, Roan was just another Lupus. Albeit, a strong one, but still just a Lupus. That thinking and their loyalty had kept the two by his side for nearly a decade. They were also good friends he could count on to keep him grounded or let him do what needed to be done.
He couldn’t have asked for more from the two.

Shaking his head, he pat Rivera on the back. “Come on, sweetheart. We need to eat then you need to rest. Our flight will be leaving early in the morning.”

“Alright. But I really don’t feel too hungry.”

He steered her toward the door, grabbing her bag on the way, and out the front door where his black Land Rover was waiting in the drive.
Once he had her ensconced in the passenger seat and buckled in, he stowed her bag in the back, climbed in the driver’s seat, and they were off.

“I know you may not feel like eating, but a little something on your stomach will help. Even if it’s just some soup and a sandwich.”

“I don’t know. I’m just…I’m just really tired right now.” She sighed as she laid her head back against the head rest.

She didn’t need to tell him, he could feel it. She was emotionally rung out and hanging on by a thread.

“That’s fine. How about you take a nice long nap after we get to the cabin then I’ll wake you for a late dinner?”

“Sounds…sounds good.”

Wrapping her arms around her middle, she began to tremble
.
T
he bond he shared with her
told
him she was close to crashing.

“Just a little farther, sweetheart.” He laid a hand on her thigh, feeling the tremors shake her body. “Hang on just a bit more, alright? Just a bit more.”

She
clenched
her jaw as
she nodded a
nd
slowly rocked back and forth in her seat. Tears were starting to course down her pale cheeks.

When he finally pulled into his drive in front of his cabin, he barely had the Rover in park before he jumped out and raced to the passenger side door. Yanking it open, he had Rivera in his arms in moments.

“You can let it out now, sweetheart. You can let it go.”

With a keening wail that sounded as if it had been torn from the depths of her soul, Rivera lost it.

Never had Roan heard such pain, felt such sadness and grief. It was as if Rivera was filled with sorrow and anguish, all of it slowly pouring forth with each tear, each sobbing wail. Witnessing his
True
Mate
s pain was a punch to the gut for Roan. All
these years and she had hurt
alone. No one around, not a single soul to ease her suffering. Not even
the ones who were supposed to care for her.

“Never again, sweetheart.” He made that vow with a kiss to her honey blond head. “Never again.”

From that moment on, Roan would make sure that her life was filled with happiness, joy, and yes, even love. For even though he knew  little of h
er personally,
or
of the life she’d
lived after breaking away from her parents, what he did know, he liked. And truthfully, she was just the kind of woman he always went for.
Strong, resilient, determined. It wouldn’t be hard for Roan to fall for her,
True
Mate
or not. And they had plenty of time
for such feelings to develop
.

All cried out, Rivera was limp in Roan’s arms. She was emotionally spent and barely conscience. Cradling her close to his chest, he used his power to open the front door to his cabin and carried her inside, kicking the door closed with his foot.

“Neat trick,” She slurred.

Roan took her to his room. “I thought it more of a curse growing up. But because it’s the sign of the next Alpha, I was trained from an early age to control and harness the power.” He went to his bed and laid her down gently, making sure she was comfortable.

“Those fools have no idea, do they?” He
r
voice was soft and raspy,
her
dual colored eyes
were
red rimmed
,
and puffy. She was enchanting.

“No.” He smiled grimly as he sat beside her hip. “My predecessor’s
never saw the need to flaunt such power. The position itself was more than enough. But
,
the world and the Pack has changed. More so than even I thought.” He let out a deep sigh. “Boone and the ot
her two are young, barely over
a century old. They’ve received their positions because of birth or a family member stepping down. Neither of them has had to fight, physically or otherwise, for what they have. They’re also low in power and strength. Because of this, they think their position and wealth will give them what they lack.”

“Sounds like a human failing.”

“It is. But we’re not human, never have been. And
our history has showed us just what happens
when a Pack member crosses that line
. Boone and his buddies need to be reminded of that.
” He tenderly touched her cheek
as
her eyes clos
ed
with a small smile.

“Try not to make a mess.”

He grinned. “I’ll try, but no promises.”

She nodded sleepily
. Her
eyes still closed
,
her breathing began to even out in sleep.

Getting up slowly, Roan pulled the blue cashmere blanket from the foot of the bed and laid it over his
True
Mate
. “Only happy dreams from now on, sweetheart.” He placed a soft kiss on her forehead
then left the room.

As much as he wanted to
lie
beside her, there was one more call that needed to be made. One that had been put off for too long.

Going back out to the Rover, Roan grabbed Rivera’s bag then got out his cell. Pressing a number, it rang only once before it picked up on the other end.

“Yes, Alpha?”

“What’s new, Dane?”

“He’s gone too far this time, Roan.” Dane’s already deep voice was gruff with anger. “Boone’s fascination with a litt
le slap and tickle is one thing.
Hell
, who doesn’t like it rough every now and then? But Christ…”

Knowing he wasn’t going to like the answer, Roan asked, “How bad is the woman hurt?”

“She’s dead, Roan.
Nearly torn to pieces.
”

It took all of Roan’s considerable willpower  not
to
give in
to his anger. He slowly counted to ten, breathing deep and even until the rage passed to a simmer. When he was sure he could speak without growling, he continued.

“How?”

“He went feral.
Tristan and Cole have been keeping tabs on him like you wanted. So
,
when he left last night and picked up the hooker, they followed him to a sleazy motel and waited for him to finish. Kyle and Morgan showing up an hour later set off all kinds of warning bells. Cole got pictures and Tristan got video of the three carrying out a body covered in a bloody sheet. It was dark, but you can still make it out on the photos and video.”

“Tristan and Cole follow
ed to
w
h
ere they took the body?”

“Yeah. They made a note of where it was dumped and took more pictures and video.”

“The motel room?”

“Tristan and Cole went back to clean what those three idiots missed and to get more evidence.”

“Good.”
Taking another calm breath, Roan
made a decision. “It’s time, Dane.”

A startled gasp sounded over the line. “Are you sure, Roan?”

“Positive. You know my father wanted this, but there was never a right time. Boone committing murder of a human has
definitely
changed that. Plus
,
other news.” He then went on to tell Dane about Rivera and all that entailed.

“Congrats, Roan.” Dane’s deep voice conveyed his happiness for Roan. “You do know that Boone and his cronies will use her un-shifted state against you. The asshole won’t be able to help himself.”

“I’m not worried about it. She’s my
True
Mate
. Besides, murdering a human and the consequences of that will be enough for him to deal with. Whether or not my
True
Mate
can shift is none of his concern.”

Dane snorted at that. “No doubt. So, did you get it?”

“Was there any
question?”

A whoop of laughter rang out over the line causing Roan to smile.

“Any problems?”

“Hardly.” Roan chuckled. “The IRS doesn’t
fool around when money is owed.”

Dane laughed. “You
going to wear it when we’re all there to witness
you giving
Boone and the Montgomery’
s
theirs and
raking Kyle and Morgan
over the coals?”

“Hmm, that sounds like an excellent idea. I’
ll even have Sasha wear hers.” Nothing like a united front.

“Man, the looks on their faces when they see both torques will be priceless.”
Dane’s voice was gleeful.

“And I expect all of Omega Squad here in the states to be at the Montana house. You can contact the others in Europe, Australia, and Japan and give them the heads up.”

“Alright, Roan. But…are you sure? Really sure?”

“All of you have hidden in the shadows long enough, cousin. It’s past time you came into the light.”

A whoosh of air sounded loud in Roan’s ear. “Okay, we’ll be there. I’ll call the
Squad leaders for Europe, Australia, and Japan tonight.”

“Excellent. I’ll have a conference call set up for them when the time comes. And make sure you bring everything on Boone and the boys. Wouldn’t want him to think I’m ignorant of just what he’s been up to.”

“You got it. And…thanks.”

Roan smiled. “See you in the morning, cuz.”

Dane chuckled. “Yeah, yeah.” He then hung up.

After Roan put the phone in his pocket, he went back into the cabin wearing a big grin. Putting Rivera’s bag inside the door to his room, he checked on her, making sure she was okay,
and then
went to the kitchen. His
True
Mate
would be hungry when she woke up and he wanted to make sure she ate.
After h
e set
out the ingredients for meatloaf and creamed potatoes, he got to work.