Psyche Shield (18 page)

“Matthew’s pretending to be nearly recovered, but he’s not.
He should still be on crutches, but he’s too proud to do it when anyone can see
him. His bones need a couple more days to mend after you crunched them in half
with your big teeth. Right now they’ll snap right in two with one good whack.
Sierra’s leg is mending cleanly despite everyone’s attempt to keep her on her
feet instead of in bed where I put her.” Amy’s typical hot-headed response had
turned into a full-blown rant, and it ended abruptly. Normally she threatened
her patients in a constant effort to keep them down long enough to heal. This
time her voice dropped in fear.

“Every one of our best fighters is injured, and we’re facing
a Pack War. We need you better so you can protect us. That’s why I ride you
guys so much. I’m not trying to make you weak. I’m trying to get you back to
top form. Even Sadie is so wrung out and run down she smells funny, and a
stressed Mage sounds about the same as an injured Wolf. You need to get better
because we need you strong. Especially now. Let me take care of you so you can
take care of us.”

Billie didn’t say anything at first. She searched Amy’s face
thoughtfully and rested her cheek against my head. She didn’t like admitting to
any weakness and hid the extent of her injuries every time. I knew better. She
hurt so much I could feel it through our connection. “You’re right.”

She twisted and pulled her shirt up to show Amy her left
flank. The Medic’s eyes narrowed while Sierra’s widened. Everyone else wisely
held back shocked reactions, and I craned my neck to see for myself. The bruise
across her flank had worsened since I’d seen it the night before, spreading and
deepening alarmingly.
What happened?
I asked her.

“It happened when I jumped the fence earlier.” she explained
to Amy and me, hiding her discomfort with the vulnerable display. Amy’s speech
sounded too much like the one she gave me, and it made an impression. “I felt
something give, there was a sharp pain, and after we got home I noticed this.”

Amy inspected it and prodded the area with her fingers. “You
probably ruptured the kidney. You definitely ruptured something. It could be
worse. You’re not weak from blood loss. It will get worse if you don’t take
care of it.” She’d warned Billie this could happen but refrained from saying
so. “Food and rest. No alcohol until you’re 100%. Let others do the fighting
until that’s better.” She didn’t want to abandon her packmates, and Amy noticed
her resistance. “Beta, internal bleeding can be deadly, even for a Wolf as tough
as you. If you take care of it, you’ll be back in fighting form a lot sooner
than if you don’t. You too Sadie. A day in bed would do both of you a world of
good.”

Billie set her wine glass down but didn’t go to bed like Amy
wanted. “Oh. My. Gosh!” The Medic’s fire surfaced again. “I’m prescribing a day
in bed together and you don’t want to do it. What’s wrong with you?”

Billie turned to me with a sparkle in her eyes. “She didn’t
try to tell us what we can or cannot do in bed this time.”

“Why would she? It didn’t work before. I’m ready when you
are,” I told my mate.

“Stay as long as you want. You know where the spare bedrooms
are if you want to use them,” she invited the Wolves as we headed for the
stairs.

I will keep watch, Muzi. Your packmate sees your need
clearly. Sleep, rest, and enjoy undisturbed time with your mate. I will keep
watch until you rise on your own tomorrow.

“Thank you, Muso.” I smiled at the leggy Wolf still curled
by Sierra’s side.

Once in our room, we quit denying our fatigue. Billie grimaced
in pain as she stripped. She’d aggravated her knee injury too, and with no one
else watching, she let herself limp on the swollen leg.
That looks nasty.
Why don’t you let Amy look at it?

If it’s not better tomorrow, I will
, she promised.
“Right now I want a hot bath. Join me?”

“That sounds perfect. I think Amy would approve. We can keep
each other from falling asleep and drowning,” I replied and began stripping.
She watched as my clothes hit the floor, and I warmed at her suggestive look.
Falling
asleep isn’t going to be an issue.

Nope.
“She approves,” Billie grinned, hearing the
Medic’s reply from the floor below.

“Is there no such thing as privacy in this house?” I joked,
wishing they couldn’t hear quite so well.

“Phil says that’s a strange complaint from someone who can
read minds.” She started the water and climbed into the tub, beckoning me to
join her. I followed, settling in front of her and leaning back gently.

I couldn’t come up with a reasonable argument and conceded.
“He’s got a point.”
You’re in a lot of pain today. Is this comfortable?

She shifted my head over a few inches.
Now it is. I
wasn’t ready to go running across fields and jumping fences. But I wasn’t about
to leave Amy at Graham’s mercy.
We relaxed as the hot water rose around us.

I know what you mean.
Lazily, I ran my hand across
her good leg while she combed my hair through her fingers, the intimate contact
easing my tense muscles even more than the hot water.

A thought came to her excitedly.
Can you raise an
illusion so they can’t hear us?

I chuckled.
Yes, but I doubt I can hold it during the
best parts.

Right now I just want to sit and talk anyway. Are you
upset that I didn’t defend you in front of Jason?

I’m confused. You’ve always been ultra-protective before.

She stretched her sore knee while she explained.
He
declared you Pack. He had every right to rip into you for disobeying orders. As
Beta it’s my duty to stand by him.

That part I understand. But you didn’t flinch when he
threatened me. That gets your hackles up every time.
She could tell it
didn’t offend me. I usually understood Billie’s reactions through our
connection, but not this time. Some parts of Wolf culture still baffled me.

You’re Pack now. If you were Wolf, he’d have knocked you
around for what you did. That’s normal conflict resolution for us. You’re not
Wolf, and you break easier than we do. He’ll keep his reprimands verbal.

Is this Pack hierarchy stuff instinctual for a Wolf?
Everyone seems to accept it naturally, and it’s not natural for me.

Yes and no. Part of it is instinctual and part of it we
have to learn. Wolves and Humans don’t challenge Jason like you do. Maybe your
instincts are different than ours.

I’d never thought of myself as an instinctual creature like
the Wolves.
Maybe. A few months ago, I would have run from him.

You’re more confident now, and rarely scared.
She
stroked my neck, and I closed my eyes in bliss.

I’ve changed a lot
, I admitted.
Sometimes I look
back and can’t believe how different I am.

She smiled, and I could sense her approval of the changes
she saw in me.
You don’t freeze when threatened like you used to.

I replied with a wry chuckle.
I’d never move if I did.
Death threats come more often than meals these days. That’s saying a lot. I’ve
never seen so much food go in and out of a home. At least Jason’s not serious
about killing me anymore. He’s all bark now, right?

She laughed out loud, drawing our guests’ attention.
Jason’s
never all bark. But no, he’s not serious about killing you. Not anymore.

That’s nice to hear.

He’s starting to see you as an asset instead of a
liability. You pissed him off today, but you also proved your value. He won’t
forget it.

Do I need to make things right with Jason? Should I say
something to him?
She heard my reluctant willingness to apologize.

She gave the answer I hoped to hear.
He cares more about
what you do than what you say.

I won’t be disobeying his orders again. Unless Kato tells
me to, of course.

She groaned. Gods,
I hope Jason never catches me in that
lie. I can’t believe I just said that. I may not be lying to him directly, but
I’m keeping important information from him. It’s the same thing. When he finds
out, he’s going to let me have it.

Another showdown?
I asked in concern.

She replied instantly and grimly.
No. If he wants to kick
my teeth in for lying to him, I won’t fight back. I’ll deserve it.

I turned my head to look at her gravely.
I don’t want to
watch that.

She sensed my protective side surfacing.
If it happens,
love, you can’t interfere in any way. No matter how it looks, he would never
take it too far.

I didn’t know if I could trust my reactions and didn’t
answer right away.
Historically I don’t think clearly when someone’s
threatening you.

She grew agitated at my response and placed a hand urgently
on my cheek.
Promise me you’ll never interfere between me and Jason. No
matter what. Promise me.

I promise.
I reluctantly gave her my word and
deliberately turned my thoughts elsewhere. They drifted to the earlier
confrontation and Amy’s reaction to me afterwards.
I thought the aversion to
mental contact was about trust. Amy trusts me, and she still found it
offensive. What am I missing?

Billie stayed silent for several long moments.
I’m the
wrong person to ask. I’ve never had anyone in my head other than you, and it
feels like you belong in here.

I’ll ask Amy.

Do you remember Penelope from the Pack Meeting?
I
recalled the Wolf who asked to go with the Humans. Her anxiety stood out even
before Jason sent her children away.
Her mom said she’s not herself. There’s
reason for it. Her ex is causing problems, and he’s done it before. He’s a real
piece of work. But it concerns me. Would you have noticed if she was collared?

I’m not sure how much I’d notice without reading someone.
I can think of reasons why it would get past me, but I don’t think she is. She
barely noticed me at the Pack Meeting. Another Mage would have been very
interested. How worried are you?

Not worried enough to ask you to read her. Next time you
see her, will you look as closely as possible without disobeying Jason?

Absolutely. I’m ready for bed. Are you going to soak
longer?

Not without you.

We settled comfortably under the sheets, Billie’s arm
wrapped around me. Her breath fell warm on my neck, and I started to drift off.
Behind me, Billie spoke without warning. “Only if you’re talking about me.”

“What?” I only woke part way, and her words confused me.

“They asked if talking would keep me up.”

“Oh.” I began to drift off again.

“Let’s discuss it tomorrow.” She spoke again.

“What’s going on?” I asked, bewildered.

I felt her grin behind me. “Amy says ’Gotcha.’ They’re
messing with you. We do that to them all the time.”

I chuckled and scooted tighter against Billie. “Good night,
everyone.”

Chapter 11

Billie’s clear green eyes met mine when I woke.
She’d kicked the blankets off again and stroked my back gently.
Good
morning.
I leaned in closer to kiss her softly, and her breasts moved
against mine.

With a sigh, I remembered our houseguests.
We’re not
going to have any privacy for a while, are we?
I complained.

Probably not.
She pulled me closer and nibbled on my
neck anyway. I gave in, forgetting the Wolves in hearing distance until a moan
escaped my lips.

Ugh. I can’t. I’m sorry, but I am not used to it.
I
pulled back reluctantly.

I can make you forget they’re here.
She grinned
wickedly, gripping my ass with one hand, her fingertips coming perilously close
to starting something I wouldn’t be able to stop.

I know you can
, I laughed out loud.
Keep your
hands to yourself, or I’m going to spend the next two days blushing.

I don’t need my hands
, she declared, licking her lips
while her eyes roamed my body.

Okay, that’s not making it any easier
, I grinned,
tempted to give in and forget about my packmates downstairs. The idea of facing
them afterwards made my face burn, so I didn’t.

Does that mean I can use my hands?
Her eyes lit up.

You’re incorrigible!

She paused, listening and smiled wide. “Be safe and stay
together,” she replied before explaining. “William’s here. They’re going to
visit Ruth.”

I sensed Kato duck out the back as the rest of the Wolves
left by the front door. Suddenly we had the house to ourselves, and I covered
my reddening face. “They just bailed so we can fuck, didn’t they?”

“Yep,” Billie grinned mischievously. “They’re good friends.”

“I’m going to be blushing all day.” I looked into her eyes
and melted.

“It’ll be worth it. I promise.” Without a reason to hold
back, I let myself forget about everyone else.

With one hand on my lower back, she pulled me close and
buried her lips in my neck. I gripped her hair and arched my back, pressing
myself into her. Her nipples hardened against my skin and I pressed my thigh
between her legs. Her hand moved between my legs. Stroking me softly at first,
she suddenly pulled me tighter, pressing a finger into me so that I called out.
She panted as my thigh rubbed against her.

Her groans rumbled against my throat, and I wanted her
tongue in my mouth. Pulling her head back, I met her eyes. They burned with
green fire, and I buried her mouth in mine. She continued working her hand
between my legs, holding me tight. Through our linked minds, I enjoyed both her
arousal and mine. I knew what she wanted and gave it to her, pressing my leg
upward to increase the pressure against her clit. She pressed another finger
into me, thrusting rhythmically. I couldn’t reach with my hands, so I touched
her with a thought. She felt my fingers rub her clit as if really there and not
one of my mental tricks.

I entered her with faux fingers and together we exploded in
orgasm. Instead of slowing, we pressed on harder, taking the climax to a higher
level. I still held her by the hair, and she pulled out of my grip. Burying her
face in my chest, she used her thrusts to push me upwards until she could reach
my breasts with her mouth. Her mouth found the delicate skin between my breasts
and euphoria passed through my entire body. She felt it too. We rode the climax
until I thought I’d pass out. Slowly it waned, and we collapsed, panting and
sweating.

She smiled broadly. “No one gets me going like you do.” Her
eyes traveled down my body in the way that always left me feeling like she’d
caressed every part of me. Her gaze settled on the brilliant bruise on my
thigh, a sense of wonder filling her as it did every time she thought about it.
Gently she touched it, and an electric current raced through me.

Ever since I came here I’ve heard what this is like. This
connection that’s closer than partners and stronger than Pack.
I heard the
unspoken melancholy that came with her awe.

I wish we could tell them too.

It deserves to be celebrated.
Her thoughts sounded
wistful.
I want to announce it to the world, and we can’t even whisper it.

They know we’re mates. Jason’s even using the word now.
We know and Kato knows that I carry your matebite. That’s more than I hoped
for. I never dreamed this was possible to begin with
, I told her
contentedly.

We probably still have some time before they come home.

Another bath?
I suggested, and she liked the idea.

* * *

When Sierra and Amy returned, they found us in the
backyard basking in the afternoon sun. Billie ate heartily from the leftovers
in the refrigerator. The swelling in her leg had improved a little, but she
felt depleted from her injuries.

“Hiya!” Amy bounced through the back door, even more chipper
than usual. Sierra loped behind her, looking like she desperately wanted a
properly working leg.

“Hi, yourself,” I greeted the pair.

Billie scowled, always the protector. The threat posed by
the Montana Pack in her injured state enhanced her grumpiness when it came to
her packmates’ safety. “Are the two of you alone?”

Amy plopped in a chair and kicked her feet up on the table.
“Nathan and Phil dropped us off. Don’t worry, they made sure we got safely
inside before driving away. I had flashbacks of my first boyfriends and half
expected my dad to meet me at the door to smell my breath.”

Sierra dropped her crutches on the ground and sank to the
grass, rubbing her itching leg while she elaborated. “They’re taking Kathryn
home. She has some work for them on her property.”

Satisfied with their precautions, Billie mellowed once
again. “Nathan’s settling into life as a Wolf quicker than I thought he would.
He’s going to be ready to be on his own very soon. He and I should start
training again, though. When I’m fully recovered, of course,” she added for
Amy’s benefit.

The Medic appraised her Beta. “How are you feeling?”

“Better,” she answered automatically, and I mentally
challenged her to be honest with the Medic. She pulled the robe aside so that
Amy could inspect the bruise’s progress. I noticed everything but the bruise
and smiled at the memory of our morning.

“It’s better. Not good and not ready for you to do much, but
better. And your ribs?”

Billie didn’t answer right away, and I showed her my own
concern.
Amy’s right. We need you back in top form as quickly as possible,
and Amy can help you get there. I think you’d rather friends and family see
this than the Montana Pack.

Her new resolve to be honest with Amy didn’t come easily.
She removed her robe entirely, allowing the Medic to inspect her injuries in full.
Once I’d claimed Sierra as family, she’d begun to let down her guard a little.
She only did that with her closest friends. She wouldn’t have shown this level
of vulnerability to most of her packmates, let alone a strange Wolf passing
through her territory.

Sierra gasped at the swollen leg and extensive bruising on
Billie’s body. In addition to the deep purple blotches on both flanks, bruises
of all colors littered her ribcage. A yellowing bruise where Jason’s foot met
the side of her knee explained the torn joint and broken bone. I ignored the
injuries, and whistled my approval.

Amy poked and prodded, somewhat pleased with what she found.
“It looks like you’re done bleeding internally, but it could start again if
you’re not careful. You’re down to just a couple broken ribs that you reinjured
since we got home. They’re starting to heal up. The jaw is doing better than
anything. That knee looks worse than it is, and unless you’re lying about how
much it hurts, your leg isn’t broken anymore. It’ll be good as new soon if you
take care of it, but one good kick and you’ll be sharing Sierra’s crutches.
Take it easy, and no fighting if you can help it. Even Matthew’s in better
shape than you.”

Billie slipped her robe back on. “I don’t have the luxury of
taking it easy, Amy. You know that.”

Amy argued right back. “You can until you don’t have any
other choice. I’m not complaining that you got hurt again because you were
helping me and Sadie. But the door to your Jeep works just fine. You don’t have
to leap out of it. If nothing’s happening, rest and eat. Unless someone’s going
to die if you don’t stick your Beta butt in the middle of it, let Jason and
Matthew handle it.”

She didn’t want to sit on the sidelines while others jumped
into the fray. Normally I kept this kind of argument private, but not that
time. “Could you best Matthew right now? Honestly, could you beat the third
best fighter in the region with these injuries?” She didn’t answer. “That’s
what I thought. We don’t have the luxury of you staying injured any longer than
necessary. I know you need to look strong so everyone feels safe and Graham
thinks twice about trying anything. But if the shit hits the fan, we need you
to actually be strong.”

She finally conceded. “I’ll take it easy as much as I can. I
won’t stay put if I’m needed.”

“Good enough for me,” Amy declared.

Sierra still couldn’t believe the extent of Billie’s
injuries. “I thought you said the fight happened a week ago.”

“You should have seen her a week ago,” I replied.

“Your Alpha doesn’t look this bad. You really won?” Sierra
asked in awe.

“Jason recovered more quickly. We’re nearly equal in a
fight. I got lucky.” Billie doggedly supported her Alpha, knowing full well
Jason hadn’t completely recovered, and she’d surpassed his ability.

“You’re lying,” Sierra said boldly, a telling display of
comfort from the reserved Wolf. “But I admire loyalty.”

“Show me a Wolf who doesn’t,” I commented offhandedly.

“Adrienne.” Billie and Amy spoke at the same time. I snorted
in agreement.

Sierra held back her own laughter and asked, “Which one is
she?”

“At the meeting?” I replied. “She was the one standing as
far away from me as possible, pretending I didn’t exist until I turned my back.
Then she was dreaming about my funeral and how to celebrate it.”

“Tall brunette? Blue shirt?” Sierra asked without
hesitating.

“Damn, she’s good,” I replied, thoroughly impressed at her
observational skills.

“What happened between you two?” she asked curiously.

I glanced at Billie and frowned at the memory. Her actions
still irked me on several levels. “She came to my workplace and gave me an
ultimatum. Get out of town or I’ll kill you. In public and without the Alpha’s
permission. It was very John Wayne.”

“Oh! Wow!” Sierra showed her astonishment. Adrienne had
broken two of the most important Pack rules in one swoop. “What did Jason do?”

Billie recalled the situation and answered tersely. “She
threatened my mate, so I took care of it. She hasn’t stepped a toe out of line
since.”

“I wouldn’t be too sure of that,” Sierra replied impulsively
and then stopped herself, feeling like she’d spoken out of place. Billie cocked
her head questioningly, a few red curls falling from her clip to frame her
face. She’d become comfortable enough with us to speak her mind but questioned
the wisdom of it afterwards. “I don’t know anything. It was just an impression.
I thought she was up to something.”

Amy waved it off. “Adrienne’s always up to something.
Usually it’s about a man. Sometimes a married man. She sticks to domestic
troublemaking.”

Sierra nodded neutrally, unconvinced. “I have a question. Do
any of you work?”

I grimaced at the topic. “Not anymore.”

“What happened?”

“Cassandra happened. After I scared the shit out of Gary, I
knew things were about to explode. I left in the middle of a shift and skipped
town because a pack of Wolves wanted me dead. There’s no doctor’s note for that
scenario. When I returned, I didn’t have a job anymore.”

“That would be hard to explain.” Sierra gave me an
empathetic look.

Amy enlightened us as to why she had such an unusual amount
of free time. I’d wondered too but hadn’t asked. “I took some personal leave.
Too many injured Wolves to spend my time on an ambulance right now.”

Billie answered for herself and others. “I’m the CPA for
Richard’s law firm. I’ll catch up when this is all over. Jason runs a security
company that employs some of the Wolves, like Phil and Matthew. He can free
them up quickly if they’re needed. We’ve become pretty independent.”

“That must be nice. Most of us have regular jobs in the
Human world.”

“It’s easier to stay hidden this way. What do you do?”
Billie asked.

“I hike around the wilderness and file reports to the US
Forest Service on my findings.” She quirked her mouth. “There’s more to it, but
that’s what it feels like most days. It keeps me outside.”

“And away from people?” I probed with a knowing smile. I’d
grown accustomed to showing my perceptive nature. Before my life with Billie,
I’d carefully avoided showing how much I noticed or what I could do. I still
hid the extent of my abilities, but not nearly as much as when I lived among
Humans. My mental powers bothered many of the Wolves, but we were figuring it
out openly.

Sierra nodded cautiously, uncertain how much she should say
or wanted to say. “Yes. I have a pack, but I don’t spend a lot of time with
them. I’m too disruptive and I think they know I’m doing it somehow. I hope
that changes.”

“It will.” I showed my confidence. “You really don’t see
your improvement?”

“It’s easier when Kathryn or Kato are around. I don’t know
yet how I’ll do when they’re not.”

“Anyone feel like explaining?” Amy interjected, unable to
figure out the topic let alone follow the conversation.

Sierra glanced questioningly at me. I apologized. “Sorry, I
should have asked before I brought it up. It’s not a big deal anymore.”