Infinity Unleashed (7 page)

Boulder’s wolf growled, fighting the urge to rip Torch apart. “My mate is dead! And you’re telling me to calm the hell down?” Eyeball-to-eyeball, Boulder realized that something about the way Torch looked at him was different—off.

“Dead? You really can’t sense her?” Torch blinked hard as if mentally struggling. “She’s alive. Mason took her.”

This news hit Boulder hard with relief and fear. “So let’s go get her.”

Torch watched with him with impatience. “You’re too close. You can’t even sense her. It’s time we cut our losses and run.” He nodded toward Kara. “Let her and Maxim find and retrieve her.”

Boulder shook his head with rage, struggling with the truth. “Don’t give me that shit. Remember what happened years ago? The tide’s turned. I was behind you then, for better or worse. I’m asking the same from you now.”

A vein along Torch’s jaw pulsed angrily. “And do you remember how long we searched?” His were eyes filled with pain. “Too many long, agonizing days and nights and we still never found her,” he spat.

“Fucking wolves!” Kara snorted with disgust. “Save the damn theatrics for later. Right now she’s probably confused, hurt, and vulnerable.”

Boulder and Torch watched with annoyance as she went straight over to the ravens sitting in the tree. She tilted her head and stared at them while they croaked frantically. She turned, looking at Boulder and Torch with impatience.

“The ravens tracked Mason and Infinity from the air but lost their trail when they took a jet.” Kara walked over to them with worried eyes. “His location is the least of our worries. Getting her back without starting a war with the Immortals, well, that’s where things will get really tricky.”

“I don’t give a shit about starting a war with Immortals. He’s got Infinity and I’m getting her back,” Boulder barked before walking away.

Torch lunged forward, grabbing his arm. “The hell you are.”

Boulder looked down at Torch’s hand pointedly. “Do you want that?”

“You’re an ass.” Torch reluctantly removed it. “Our job is done. They hired us to protect her during the concert and get her home safely. That’s it,” he said with a strained voice. He glared at Kara with distaste. “Let the Valkyrie get her precious daughter back.”

Boulder’s big apple-green eyes went wide. “Are you out of your damn mind? She’s our mate. We fight for what’s ours.”

Torch sucked in a breath as he looked at him. “You’re the one who can’t sense her, Boulder,” he said with a darkened expression.

They both clearly knew what this meant. Torch exhaled, shaking his head. “That means that she’s yours, not mine,” Torch said briskly.

“Let’s go get her.” Boulder’s heart lurched with both happiness and sadness. He was happy that she was his to claim yet sad that Torch would never know the completeness of having a true-mate. It was bittersweet.

Torch nodded over at Cruz. “We can’t go starting a war with the tigers without cause. We have a responsibility to our team—our pack.”

“You damn prick!” Kara stepped forward with outraged eyes. “Infinity is more than a worthy cause, Torch.”

He looked her up and down with disdain. “For you, but not for us. You contributed to this bullshit by hiding who she really is." He stormed away. "If Mason wants her, then he can fucking have her. I’m out.”

Boulder’s muscles jumped and twitched and fingers clenched. “You fucking walk away from this and I’m done.” He growled. He meant it. He and Torch were like brothers, but for Torch to turn his back on Boulder’s true-mate was unforgivable. This not what wolf-shifters did… especially pack mates.

Torch skidded to a stop, levelling him with an icy glare. “What do you mean by done?”

Boulder locked eyes with him. “You know exactly what I mean. She’s mine and you allowed her to be taken by Mason. You are duty bound to help me get her the fuck back.” He crossed his arms, widening his stance. “Now let’s be perfectly clear, brother. I will get her back with or without your help, but I hope to God that you don’t make me do that, because if that happens”—he paused briefly before frowning—“I’m turning my back on you and the pack… forever.” This was his solid promise.

Torch’s lips curled upward. “You’ve got to be fucking shitting me.” He stomped back, getting in Boulder’s face. “If this is about getting a piece of ass, then I promise you that I’ll move heaven and earth to find you a she-wolf, but this shit cannot continue. We have lives to take care of and a business to run.”

They were nose-to-nose, huffing and rearing to shift as Cruz looked on anxiously, knowing that conflict between the leaders had the potential to break the pack forever.

“Fuck you, Torch,” he spat. “I’m going to get my woman back.”

“Dammit, Boulder! We are this close to getting our official pack status. You’re going to fuck it up. You’re not even thinking about what you’re asking us to really do… declare war on the High Council.”

Boulder snarled. “I swear if you don’t back the hell up, I’m going berserk on your ass, and to hell with the consequences.”

Kara sighed heavily. “Will you two stop? This problem is easily solved. I’ll request an emergency meeting with the New York Other Council and we’ll get their approval to stage an attack against the Degrassi pride.”

Torch scoffed. “Are you out of your damn mind? The Council will never sanction that shit. No one wants to go against Glen.”

Kara’s violet eyes flashed angrily. “I do!”

“Then you do it. Go toe-to-toe with him, but leave us out of this shit,” Torch barked.

“Speak for yourself, Torch.” Boulder hissed then looked at Kara. “I’m in.”

Torch threw his hands in the air. “I’m so done. This shit is suicide.”

Kara glowered. “We have time. The High Council will wait to intervene on the tiger-shifters’ behalf, but this is a no-go if we don’t get the Other Council’s blessing to go against the Degrassi pride. Without it, the Others will see us as another threat. And we need allies, not more enemies.” She sneered. “As much as it annoys me, we have to play the political game and not ruffle feathers, at least not yet.”

Cruz stepped forward. “Has anyone even thought about the fact that none of us has pull with the Other Council?” he stated flatly.

Kara arched a brow. “Let me worry about that. In the meantime, work your connections for any information on where Mason took her.”

Boulder looked at her coldly. “You do realize that once you open this door, Infinity will never be safe?”

Kara laughed bitterly. “This was bound to happen. She can't help who she is… and neither can you.” She looked at him coldly. “Besides, I’ve held my tongue for far too long. I’ll do whatever I have to in order to get my daughter back… alive.” She dusted off her clothes, then nodded over to the waiting SUV. “Shall we go raise some hell, wolf-shifters?”

The cold wind changed, sending the scent of copper, blood, and tiger through the air. Boulder tilted his head, staring intently toward the thick trees
covered with moss
. He felt his wolf prowling, readying to shift. Finally, he would have someone to take the brunt of his pent-up aggression.

He smiled coldly when Factor, his lead tracker, emerged from the woods, pulling a tall, muscular man who was struggling and snarling. The energy between Torch and Boulder thrummed with tension when they realized who the man was. It was none other than Nick, Mason’s second-in-command and best friend.

“You damn bastard. You betrayed her!” Kara screeched at Nick as she tried to run past them, but they both blocked her path, but not for her safety. With a silent nod at each other, they agreed that Boulder would take care of Nick. Nick was huge, but Boulder was bigger.

“We have her now, and Mason’s never going to let her go,” Nick yelled, struggling to get out of Factor’s grip, but Factor was unyielding with the gun he pressed to the man’s temple. “By the time you find her, she’ll be mated to Mason and under his control. She’s…”

Boulder had heard enough, and with pure brute force, he slammed Nick against a tree, crushing his throat with sheer brutality. Torch, Cruz, and Factor watched with bloodthirsty smiles, enjoying Boulder’s attack.

“You took my mate!” Boulder roared, unrelenting with his hold on Nick’s larynx.

An evil smile broke across Nick’s face. “I’m enjoying seeing you suffer, wolf. And you’ll suffer even more when Mason claim’s your
mate
.” He croaked.

Boulder smashed Nick’s head against the tree so hard that bark went flying.

“Where’s Infinity?” Boulder spat at him.

Nick spit in his face. “Fuck you, wolf. I’m not telling you shit.” He sneered, spitting blood in the air with every word he spoke.

Boulder’s apple-green eyes were like glaciers. Infinity already had major trust issues, and with Nick and Mason’s ultimate betrayal, she was probably confused and scared. He wanted to hurt them like they hurt his woman.

In a low voice, he dished out Nick’s fate. “Tonight you will die. I am going to make you regret betraying my mate. And when I watch the life drain from your body, you better beg the Immortals for mercy on your pathetic soul.” He banged Nick’s head. “Now, when I let you go, I want you to run… and run fast because your worthless life will end in the next couple of minutes.”

Boulder released him. Nick didn’t waste any time and tore through the woods with clothes sailing through the air, preparing to shift.

Boulder ripped off his pants and dress shirt within mere seconds, instantly shifting into his wolf. Howling, he took off running through the woods. His wolf wove through the trees, scenting his prey. He stopped, bending low against the moss-covered ground, hearing Nick’s low roar in the shadows. Racing at full throttle, he took off toward his kill. The image of Infinity’s face raced through his mind, fuelling his fury and the need to avenge their betrayal. He wanted Mason’s blood coating his tongue, but Nick’s would suffice… for now.

Fearlessly, he bounded into the shadows, and the white
tiger roared loudly, backing up a few steps. The thrill of the hunt raced through his veins. He knew the tiger felt his eminent death. He padded toward Nick, growling menacingly. The tiger roared as if provoking his wolf to attack with haste, but his wolf was smart. He wanted no mistakes. He wanted Nick to die a slow, painful death.

Circling Nick, Boulder bared his teeth. Moving forward, he snapped, ripping off a huge chunk of Nick’s fur. Blood sprayed onto the ground. Nick whined in pain but did not retreat. The huge tiger advanced with speed, snapping at his body. Teeth sliced Boulder’s flank as blood and fur flew in the air. His wolf stayed strong, refusing to let the burning pain detract him from his goal. He leaped forward, his teeth clamping onto Nick’s pelt. He roared, trying hard to shake Boulder off, but he held on, sinking his teeth even farther into the hard tissue.

Nick tried to maneuver away in a tight circle, a fatal mistake he realized too late when he toppled onto his back, baring his throat and stomach. Smelling victory, Boulder went to release his hold. Nick, in a final attempt for his life, snapped his teeth. Boulder struck fast, sinking his teeth into Nick’s neck. Blood ran into his mouth as he tore into the fur and tissue. He worked slow, tearing Nick apart until his target stopped moving. Releasing the tiger, he stepped back, waiting for Nick to transform into his human shell.

His wolf howled, signaling his team that the deed was complete. Nick was dead. Biting back the discomfort from the shift, he transformed slowly. His bones altered, cracked, and realigned as skin replaced fur. He howled again with sadness. Nick’s death was not enough, confirmed by his inner beast scratching at him, agitated, telling him to find his mate
now
.

CHAPTER 6

New York… Friday

“So what brings the Valkyrie to this side of town?” Selena said without looking up from scanning the reservation list. “Slumming?” Selena’s head snapped up, giving Kara the onceover.

Kara sighed dramatically before narrowing her violet eyes on Selena. “What can I say? I’m a glutton for punishment.”

“And I know how much my brother loves punishing you,” Selena responded cheekily before walking around to hug Kara. “Welcome back to Cortez’s den of sin. And how are you going to serve him?”

Kara smiled, hugging her back quickly. “I’m not back. I’m here on business.” She stepped back quickly, smoothing down her sheath dress.

“Uh-huh.” Selena flipped her jet-black hair while giving Kara a sceptical stare. “Just don’t destroy the restaurant. Last time, we had to shut down the restaurant for a day to repair the mess you two made.” She clucked her tongue. “All that blood and destroyed fine dinnerware. Why can’t you two just have make-up sex like regular couples?”

Kara grunted with displeasure. Her last showdown with Cortez left her more broken—emotionally and physically—than she cared to admit. “We’re not a couple anymore, and when we were together… it damn sure was not like any
regular
couple that I know of.”

“Exactly.” Selena arched a well-manicured brow. “True-mates are very rare. Maybe you shouldn’t be so quick to throw away what you two have.”

Kara gave her pissed glare. “And maybe you should stay out of my fucking business, Selena,” she barked, losing a little bit of her signature cool.

Selena’s eyes narrowed. “Never. We’re friends… despite your attempt to distance yourself from me because of him.” Her eyes filled with hurt before she smiled sadly. “Despite his faults… he loves you and you love him. How hard is it for you two to work this shit out?”

“I don’t want to talk about this,” Kara responded through tight lips. She couldn’t deal with the truth of the rotten hand she’d been dealt. She turned on her heels and began to walk away. “No. You know what? I do want to talk about it.” She turned back to look at Selena. “You want to keep it real, then we will. The only thing your brother and I can do without killing each other is fuck.”

Selena shrugged. “And what’s wrong with that?”

Kara looked at her incredulously. Selena was just as warped as her brother. “Cortez and I are like oil and water. We don’t mix.” Selena stared at her silently. “He’s a ruthless killer who kills for the sheer joy of killing. I cannot be with someone like him. Shit! I left that life years ago and I’m not going back… ever.”