Jaguar's Judgment (7 page)

Jared growled. “Explain for us who don’t speak your language.”

“Service your mate and allow her to take everything she needs from you, including your blood.” Sven left the doorway.

Dani stood. “Call me in the morning with an update.”

When the front door opened then closed, Jared lowered his gaze to Sable. Uncertainty stirred, and for the first time since she’d returned to him, his jaguar was quiet. Damn cat.

“Untie me.”

His cock jerked to attention at the rough purr of Sable’s voice. After doing what she asked, he tore off his shirt and let the cotton drift to the floor. Meeting his mate’s hungry stare, he snapped the button of his jeans.

Sable growled and crawled toward him. She waved a hand and both of their clothes vanished. “I don’t have the patience for your teasing.”

“Good. It’s been too long.” He gripped her by the upper arms and tugged her to her knees so they were eye-to-eye.

She leaned in and bit his lower lip, drawing a groan from him. Need and raw passion heated his body from the inside out. Threading his fingers into her hair, he pulled, exposing her neck to him. “I will mark you all over your body.”

Her nails pierced his shoulders. “I need you inside me, now.”

The intoxicating need rolling off her enhanced his own. With a growl, he snaked one arm around her back and lowered her to the bed. He ran his hands up her legs to cup her sex. She was wet. He groaned and settled between her thighs.

She lifted her hips and began fingering herself. His cock grew impossibly hard at the erotic sight. Gripping her wrists, he pinned her hands above her head and thrust inside her. A cry of pleasure ripped from her lips.

They moved in unison. Pleasure bounced between them in a magickal wave of raw passion, pushing them further over the edge.

She wrapped her legs around his waist, increased the tempo, and sank her fangs into his shoulder. He roared when pain shifted to pleasure as she sucked and took the blood she needed that he hoped would counteract the virus.

As if sensing where his thoughts were headed, she clenched her pussy around his cock. Heat raced through him like a wildfire out of control. His balls tightened and he tried to hold off the orgasm. Once she released her hold on his shoulder and screamed her release, he followed with one of his own.

****

Hours and many orgasms later, Sable laid curled into Jared’s side, loving the feel of his arms holding her so tenderly, especially after she’d used him as a feeding trough. His neck, shoulders, chest, and back were littered with bites. She’d worried at first that she took too much blood from him. The stubborn male wouldn’t let her worry about him.

At least the worst of the heat cycle was over and she wasn’t going to turn into a crazed mutant.

“Savannah will come to kill me.”

Jared hugged her tighter. “I’ll call Blaine and Luna in the morning. You will not fight alone.”

“I don’t deserve you.”

“Maybe.” She pinched his side, making him grunt then chuckle. “I’ve seen inside your head, and the mating bond shows me the truth of your nature. It’s different this time.”

Glancing up at his profile, she frowned. “How so?”

He lowered his blue gaze to hers. “Because you are completely open to me now. Thank you for that.”

Crawling up his chest, she framed his face with her hands. “I want to do it right this time, something I should have done fifteen years ago.”

He kissed her softly and quickly. “Get some rest. I have a feeling tomorrow is going to be a hell of a day.”

“Good night, my mate.” She settled back down beside him, a sense of peace settling into her heart. The love she’d once felt for Jared was stronger than she’d remembered.
Gods, keep us safe in the upcoming battle.

Sable woke to birds singing outside the bedroom window. Light filtered through the tattered curtains, spilling across the bed. With a groan, she rolled to her stomach and pulled the covers over her head. She barely remembered Jared moving her to the room before the Healers showed up. Yet, the whole night was a blur.

One thing that was clear was the memory of the look on her father’s face right before he was burned alive. Worry, concern, and relief flashed in his features. She swore she’d heard him say, “Thank you” in her mind. For a breath of time, she’d seen the man he’d been before greed and rage consumed him.

The covers were jerked off of her and she squeaked, “Hey!”

Jared leaned over her, his brows dipping as he studied her. “You good?”

She smiled, knowing he was asking how she felt about killing her father. Jared had never been the type of male to coddle others, but he did have a compassionate side. She would have him no other way. “Yes, surprisingly, I am.”

He held her gaze for another few moments before surprising her with a quick kiss on the lips. “Get dressed. We have company.”

Instinctively, she reached out her senses to see who was there. She relaxed when she recognized Blaine’s and Luna’s energy but tensed as she felt her sister’s and son’s. “Why are Ana and Nigel here?”

“Because they are both as hardheaded as you.” He straightened and turned toward the door, but she saw the hint of a smile before he left.

She watched his backside as he made his exit. Flashes of their tangled bodies from the night before made her smile. Absently, she touched the trail of bites down her throat to her breast. However, her newfound happiness soured as the weight of what was to come settled on her. Savannah would avenge her mate’s death in a fit of rage. That much Sable knew of the woman who’d birthed her. Because they were too much alike when it came to protecting what belonged to them. Right then, Jared, Ana, Nigel, and everyone in Ashwood, if they’d have her, belonged to Sable. And she’d die protecting them.

Slipping out of bed, she dressed and then entered the living room, noting there were a couple of males she didn’t know. Nigel was the first to see her and ran to hug her tightly. Squeezing him back, she took in his scent, which was mixed with Ana and so many others from Ashwood. That pleased her jaguar. “Gods, I’ve missed you.”

Nigel pulled back with worry in his blue eyes. “Grandfather is dead?”

Sable glanced to Jared, then back the Nigel. “Yes.”

Her son hugged her to him again. “You did what needed to be done.”

When had he grown up? Stepping out of his embrace, she took his hand and led him to the sofa. “You shouldn’t be here. You should be in school or hanging out with friends.”

Blaine pushed off the wall he leaned against. “I’ll take him back to the den with Luna and me. My father, on behalf of the Council, said you are pardoned, your crimes forgiven.”

Sable nodded. “Savannah may already be headed here. She can track me better than I thought. It’s not like a normal mother/daughter bond, though.”

“She tracks you through your magick,” Luna said.

Sable supposed. It did make more sense. “Has anyone gone to Felix’s camp?”

“Travis went out there last night after Jared called.” Blaine raised his hand and added before Sable could respond, “We don’t need the human authorities involved. Plus, as I understand the heat craze too well, you weren’t in the best of moods and the fire you started was out of control.”

Sable averted her gaze to watch the flame flicker in the fireplace. “Were any innocents hurt?”

Blaine shook his head. “No, but we can’t confirm that Savannah is alive.”

“She’s alive.” Sable spoke softly, hating that she was still connected to the female despite never bonding with her like a child who grew up with her mother.

Luna walked over to her. It was hard not to look at the beautiful, petite redhead with an Alpha’s power. “As I understand it, you were two when the Council locked her away. That was plenty of time to form the bond. The question is, Sable, what are you going to do about your mother?”

Nigel squeezed her hand in support. She’d never held the truth about his grandparents from him, and she wasn’t going to begin now, either. Straightening her spine, she met the wolf Alpha’s gaze. “I’d like to say I will kill her, but I’m not sure if her power equals mine or exceeds it.”

Movement from Ana caught Sable’s attention. The other female lifted her chin. “If we combined our magick, we could kill her. Robyn said all witches, half-breeds included, have a weakness to iron.” She reached into her coat and pulled out a dagger and a Glock. “These are for you. The enforcers’ bullets are coated in iron.”

Sable gaped at her sister. The confidence and strength swirling around Ana renewed Sable’s own faith that she might live to see the end of the war. “What about Nigel?”

“Mom, I’m old enough to take care of myself. Plus, Blaine said I can enter the junior soldier training camp in the spring.” Nigel smiled and puffed out his chest.

Fear gripped Sable’s heart and squeezed. “No.”

Blaine stepped in her line of sight and held out his hand, palm up. “In Ashwood, our junior soldiers train to fight and protect those less dominant. They are not forced into the program, nor are they abused like Felix did to his youth.”

Sable glanced over the Alpha’s shoulder to Nigel. “It’s true. Bryce says a lot of the exercises are like games meant to challenge our animals while the others work on strength and problem solving.”

Focusing back on Blaine, she relaxed. “Sorry.”

“When you’re in the den long enough, you’ll see that our submissives and youth are valued above everything. After all, they are the heart of the Pack.” He raised a brow, and she noticed his hand was still extended to her.

Confused, she stared at it until Jared stepped up beside her, lifted her hand, and placed it inside Blaine’s. Jared leaned his shoulder into hers. “It’s a sign of trust between the Alpha and a newcomer. Just go with it.”

A moment later, Luna placed her hand over Sable’s. “Welcome to Ashwood Falls.”

The power from both Alphas whirled around their hands then traveled up her arm to her heart. This was the secret Felix had searched for. Love and protection kept the Pack healthy and safe. Something her father had lost when his mate was taken from him. Then again, Sable wondered if it was Savannah who’d poisoned his heart.

Blaine was the first to break the contact. “So, what’s the plan?”

“I’m not sure. I mean…okay, let me think.” Sable paced to the window beside the front door. “Savannah will be pissed I killed Felix. She will destroy everyone in her way to get to me, so Ana and I will take the front line.”

When she glanced over her shoulder, she saw Blaine nod one time and point to the males she didn’t recognize sitting quietly at the kitchen table. “Tanner and Kirk will follow your lead and have a small team of their own.”

Jared stepped closer to her. “I’ll join their team.”

Sable met his stare but shook her head. There was no use talking the stubborn male out of it. “Has Jared filled you in on the new mutants?”

Luna tsked. “That they appear stronger and able to fully shift into human and their animal.”

“My guess is Savannah added her blood to the serum. Not sure what other alterations were made.” Sable pursed her lips. Anger rose up. The drooling, hairy beasts were one thing, but to have the blood-thirsty bastards in human form was dangerous for shifters and humans.

“First we take care of Savannah, then worry about the leftovers,” Blaine said and took Nigel’s hand. “See you at home.”

When Luna moved closer and linked fingers with Blaine, they dematerialized. Sable took a deep breath. “I will sense my mother a moment before she takes form.”

Tanner stretched as he stood. “We have a few running the area. Others are taking up post around the den.”

“Are we just going to sit back and wait for her?” Ana asked.

Sable sighed. “No, we need to get this over with. I can call her out and hope that she is still weak from the fire.”

Jared placed his hands on her shoulder. “Then do it.”

Closing her eyes, Sable calmed her nerves as she concentrated on her mother and made the call.
Mother, I’m waiting. Face me for your chance to avenge your mate’s death
.

****

It took Sable’s mother about thirty seconds to make her appearance. Her magick was a little weaker, but Sable suspected heartache and rage fueled her power. Whatever, Sable was ready.

Beside her, Ana linked their hands together and squared her shoulders. Her magick ran free around her. Taking that as a cue, Sable lowered her shields to allow her own power to run wild.

Savannah narrowed her eyes and fisted her hands at her side. “You think to overtake me with your magick and your minions?”

“Yes, I do.” Sable answered loud enough for the enforcers to hear her. “This must stop. You have to be stopped.”

“Never.” Savannah thrust out her hands, sending a ball of energy toward them.

As one, Sable and Ana threw up a force field, deflecting the energy ball. Behind the witch, mutants charged from the trees. Enforcers jumped from the branches, ready to take them.

“Ready to end this?” Ana asked with her hand over her gun in her thigh holster.

Sable gripped her own gun. “On two, shoot her ass. On three, fire a large, lethal energy ball at her.”

“You got it.”

One.

They pulled their Glocks and aimed.

Two.

They fired, hitting Savannah in each shoulder. The witch screamed and crumpled to her knees.

Three.

Sable and Ana combined their magick, rolling it into a large spear of power, then thrust it at Savannah. The ball hit her in the chest. She met Sable’s gaze and snarled, “Bitch,” before dropping to the ground in a lifeless heap.

Sable stared, shocked at how easy her mother went down.

“She wanted to die,” Ana stated with little emotion in her voice.

Sable nodded, not questioning her sister’s comment. After all, Ana had the ability to look into others’ souls and see what most couldn’t. “She wasn’t my mother.”

A calm Sable hadn’t felt before settled over her. For the first time in her existence she was free to live, free to have a family of her own without the fear that her children would be forced into becoming assassins for a power-greedy, insane rogue.