Shifter's Revenge (Alpha Lineage) (10 page)

She molded herself to him even as he tried to push her away. A bullet from one of these rifles would tear right through him and into her.

“Donavan
, tell them to step back.” Gavin yelled out. “He isn’t trying to hurt us. He found one of the fuckers that tortured Kera. Sick fuck is dead now thanks to him.”

“What about this one?” a soldier kicked at
Matt’s lifeless body.

“Same.” Maddox called out. He looked over at Gavin and hated everything about the male. How the hell did he know about what happened to Kera when he had to pry the information out of her for three weeks?

Kera panted while she rested in his arms obviously weak from exerting so much energy to fight him. He reached in front of her to her wrists and broke the claps on the cuffs to free her restraints. He wasn’t sure how she had held so tightly to him during the chaos when her back was to him. It took a strong will to overpower him and for a moment he wondered if he hadn’t been the one holding on to her.

When the last echo of metal crashing to the flooring of the vehicle quieted he looked to Nick to judge his reaction to his vicious behavior.

Nick nodded and touched his throat to signal that he had been affected by the truth command. A wave of guilt clawed at his belly as he asked one more question before he released him. “Did you help?”

“No.” Nick answered truthfully.

“
Dimittere
.”

The soldiers piled the two dead shifters into the back
of the van and shut the door. Kera’s stomach lurched at the sight of blood sprayed against the window. Gavin had led them out of the back after they realized it was useless to try and restrain them. Obviously from the time the soldiers had arrived to the moment Maddox exacted his revenge on the men that tried to rape her, proved that the shifters weren’t a danger to them just yet.

Kera refused to let go of Maddox even though it seemed just as unlikely that he would let go of her. They were piled into a different van and were allowed to sit unrestrained with a group of shifters that still had their wrists bound by large shackles. Once on the move
, Maddox motioned for a few of the shifters to be released. Those who arrived with Rayland were left in their measly shackles so that they would have to exert a little effort to do anything to harm them.

As everything started to settle down again Kera leaned against Maddox’s chest and shut her eyes. She was positioned with the small of her back snugly tucked between his thighs. His arms were wrapped around her securely. Once she leaned back he hung his head to rest his cheek against hers. Considering he was so much bigger than her
, she should have adjusted herself so he was more comfortable, but she refused to move.

The hand he had offered her previously had been an absolute shock to her system. Kera had resigned herself to the fact that she had lost him. Sitting now in his arms was the furthest thing she expected
with the situation they were currently in. For a moment she had started to question his motives but quickly squashed the doubt. There wasn’t any room for that inside of her. She was full of rushing emotions she didn’t yet know how to deal with.  Now that the worry for Maddox’s safety had worn off she was struck with overwhelming shock after witnessing the deaths of two living beings. She wanted to be tuff and just accept the fact that they had assaulted her. She wasn’t sure which hands or even which nasty comments belonged to whom. She only remembered the violation of the act and the fear and pain that followed.

It disgusted her. She felt dirty and used just remembering their rough palms caressing and grabbing at her body.
Did she want them punished? Yes! She had left for that very reason. Was she comfortable that Maddox was the one to kill them? No.

Kera wouldn’t wish that type of burden on anyone. He had
frightened one so badly that he panicked and caused the human soldier beside him to shoot him in fear. The other had been subject to interrogation that no one could withstand sealing his fate. She shuttered and shivered causing Maddox’s arms to tighten around her. His breath caressed her cheek when he leaned in to speak into her ear.

Are you afraid of me now?

Kera sighed as she remembered the last time he spoke so softly into her ear.
If you run from me again don’t bother coming back. There won’t be anything left for you to come back to.

He placed a small kiss against her ear as he waited for her response. His arms tightened even further around her causing her to sigh with contentment.
I’m afraid for you.
She whispered truthfully.
The burden of someone’s death never goes away.

It was even more painful for her now that she had seen the extents her mother had gone to keep her safe. At the cost of her own life.

You loved your mother.
He whispered softly.
Matt and Heath betrayed the pack and me by teaming up with Rayland and going after you.

But they’
re still family.
She felt things from him that he wasn’t admitting. His heart pounded in an uneasy rhythm. The subtle scent of guilt coated his skin. Fang pointed these things out to her as she sat with him. The benefit of instinct was slowly becoming second nature.

“Why do you align yourself with a traitor young alpha?” a shifter
constantly present at Jason’s house broke them out of their conversation.

Kera pursed her lips together at the name he branded her with. She met his eyes just as Maddox straightened behind her.

“Esteem of an Alpha must mean nothing to you.” He growled the words behind her.

The man before her averted his eyes as anger raged up inside of him. “If you and this female are what I have to look forward to then having an Alpha isn’t what it used to be. Your father has weakened every day since he lost his mate and your choice for a replacement is ridiculous. I am more inclined to follow Rayland than I am to accept a boy who runs from his
duty and returns with a witch attached to his dick.”

Kera’s face flamed. Not once in all of this mess had she considered the implications her actions had on Maddox. It was too late to fix the past. What could she do to ensure his future? She felt the growl in his chest before he spoke. She rested her hand on his knee and squeezed. “He’s right Maddox.” She told him at the same time the man focused his hazel stare on her. “I was wrong many times. I put you in danger and I allowed the pack
to use me to split apart.”

A radio buzzed beside her and Donavan’s voice spoke for all to hear. “They are communicating below the level of human ears. Record everything.” He commanded.

Kera pursed her lips and refused to go on. The rest of the drive was in silence. They arrived at the same compound that she was kept in just days before. Her heart hammered in her chest as Gavin opened the doors and motioned for those who were unbound to follow.

Maddox pushed her off him and grabbed the man they argued with in a restraining hold. Nick subdued the other man inside the van and took cues from Maddox on when to exit the vehicle. Kera watched Jason
appear with Rayland’s arms bound behind his back and wondered if they had communicated the plan at some point and she missed it or if they just thought the same thing at the same time.

“There’s our little kitty cat.”
The man who worked in the kitchen called out to across the lot.

Kera saw Maddox’s eyes narrow before she swung her gaze
to the man. “Hey,” She waived at him. “I think we’ll need a lot more raw steak if you piss off any of these boys.”

The cook’s eyes widened. “So they’re like you, huh?” he tilted his head at Maddox and
smirked at Gavin. “So she wasn’t shacking up with a joker like you after all. I recant my earlier disappointment in your choice of men, Kera.”

She moved beside Maddox and felt him tense beside her. She figured she would have to explain herself to him next time they were alone together.

As they filed into the warehouse and down the stairs next to the elevator, Kera counted only five men who were bound and seven shifters on Jason’s team. It was strange to her that they ended up bringing exactly seven each. Was the meeting at the warehouse that morning orchestrated on a larger scale than she was aware of? Had the split left only seven standing shifters on each side? How many had died so far?

They were led past the long hallway leading to from the elevator to the room she had originally been held. Each of the men was deposited in their own cells. Rayland took up residence in the same one she had slept and ate in for the better part of her time here. He spun in a small circle and drew in a deep breath. “I take it you are more like your mother than I originally thought.” He smirked evilly at her.

Kera rushed to the bars and gripped the metal in her hands. “You killed her you son of a bitch.”

Rayland’s eyes narrowed. “She killed herself by meddling.”

Kera shook her head furiously as Maddox and Jason came to stand beside her. “I watched you chase her down.”

“Kera,
” Maddox spoke softly and wound a strong arm around her waist. He pulled her grip free from the bars as he backed her away.

Jason stepped in front of her cutting Rayland from her enraged stare.
“What have you done brother?”

Rayland just laughed.

When he couldn’t get anything out of him, Jason pulled at the bars and laughed mockingly. “Looks like these humans have become smarter than we thought.” He rapped his knuckles against the bar again before he spun on his heels.

“Humans?” Donavan muttered in offence.

Kera turned to him in sudden shock. She hadn’t realized he was there, watching her outburst. She leaned against Maddox’s chest and felt lethargy worm its way around her body as the rage dissipated. Instead of energizing her, his skin seemed to sooth her until her eyes began to grow heavy. Her feet tangled together to in an effort to follow him when he moved too fast for her to keep up.

Maddox straightened her and tried again but Kera couldn’t seem to move faster than a snail. He knelt down and pulled her legs from under her so he could carry her. Kera wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face against his shoulder. “I’m about to pass out.” She whispered.

Maddox met her sleepy gaze and his mouth quirked to the side. “Too much for one day?” He joked in a hushed voice.

“
Mmmm…” Kera mumbled. She looked up at him through the thickness of her lashes and hoped she didn’t look ridiculous. Her energy was shot just like every muscle in her body. If the spell didn’t do it to her then her anxiety had. Combined, she was surprised she was still coherent.

In the comfort of Maddox’s arms she let her eyes fall close. She heard broken speech about where to sleep and what they were going to eat. There was a heated conversation between Jason and Donavan about the extent of cooperation he was willing to give to the government. Kera swore she heard threats from both sides but couldn’t retain much of what was going on outsid
e of Maddox’s hold. Sudden quiet a few moments later had her jerking in his arms.

“Shhh.” He murmured. “This room smells like you. Is this where you stayed?” Kera felt her head wobble as she tried to open her eyes and answer.  He continued like he hadn’t expected her to. “
I take it they also kept you here just in case you needed back in your cage. Maybe I should get one like that so you can’t escape me.”

He laid her gently on the bed. When he stood and severed all contact, Kera forced her eyes to open. “Don’t.” she pleaded.

Maddox tilted his head at her in question. His foot worked at the heel of his boot as he pulled his shirt over his head. His eyes flew back to hers as he kicked off his other boot and stepped to her. “I’m not leaving your side while we’re here Kera.” He pulled her shoes off and tossed them on top of his before he climbed over her and molded his body to her back. “You sleep and I’ll keep watch. I wouldn’t want that idiot Gavin coming in here thinking you’re fair game.”

Kera smiled slightly as her eyes drooped closed. “No one compares to you Maddox.”

“Let’s see if you’re saying that when he goes too far and I have to teach him a lesson.” He leaned down and kissed the back of her neck.

Kera shivered
at the feel of his lips. She wished she wasn’t so exhausted. There was so much to talk about. So much to experience. She closed her eyes and wondered what had changed from the moment at the warehouse when his eyes screamed that he hated her to the car ride when he reached out for her. Her eyes flew open at the memory of blood spraying the window. Kera had tried to keep her eyes off the gore but the initial impact was heinous.

He stilled beside her and she knew it was because he smelled the fear seeping from her skin. “They deserved it Kera.”

She squirmed against him to break his death grip on her so she could turn over. Relief flickered deep in his ice blue eyes when she looked at him instead of running away. “Are you ok?” she asked.

Maddox
furrowed his brows for a moment in thought. “I’m not sure how I feel.” He mumbled. “Why don’t you get some rest and we’ll talk about it later.”

Kera searched his eyes for a moment before she conceded.
Her eyes closed when she laid her cheek against his chest and wrapped an arm around his waist. It took her mind a few moments to go blissfully blank as she listed to his heartbeat and fell asleep.