Xan's Feisty Mate (9 page)

Lyric scrubbed her own and then dried them before answering. “Okay, maybe an alpha bitch, but I think we should get to pick her. Remember, whoever he chooses becomes our alpha as well.”

There was no way she was interfering in the love life of Kellen. Lyric smoothed her hands down her figure, making Breezy wish she was a little more lithe like her new sister-in-law.

“You’re gorgeous, you know that right? My brother is lucky to have landed you.” Her eyes held truth and sincerity.

Breezy opened her mouth and then shut it. What would it have been like to have grown up with another sister? Having had only two brothers who were twins, and so connected, she’d felt like a third wheel all her life. Her father, Shaw, and Parker loved her, but they’d had a turbulent relationship once her mother had been banished.

In the mirror her eyes reflected the pain of memories.

“What did I say?” Lyric asked.

Although she’d shared her past with Xan, doing so with others, even Lyric, wasn’t something she was ready to do just yet, maybe never. “It wasn’t you, it was something from my past.” She shook her head. “Let’s go get something to eat. I know there’s food in the kitchen that we can cook up.”

“Oh, yeah. Deep fried anything we could want.” Lyric held the door open.

“Hey, I love anything you can bread and throw in a vat of grease. Hence my ass and hips.”

Lyric snorted. “Oh palease, you have a body I would love to have. All curves and shit. Don’t make me kick your ass.”

“Let’s agree to disagree then, cause you have all those damn muscles and still manage to have curves. I swear I work out and still can’t get rid of the badonk.” The look Lyric gave her said she thought she was just this side of nuts.

As they walked back out, they were met by a strange wolf. Lyric came to a stop, making Breezy bump into her. “Excuse me, the meeting is in the main clubhouse.” They’d gone to the ladies room in the back, closer to the bar area since the kitchen was back there. She refused to flinch at the mean look the female gave them. It was one of loathing, and something Breezy couldn’t put her finger on.

“I didn’t want to interrupt the menfolk, you know how they can get.” She stared at them unblinking.

A touch of uncertainty entered her. She reached for Xan on their new mental path. “
There’s a strange female back here. I don’t pretend to know all the members of the pack, but even Lyric doesn’t know this bitch.”

She waited for him to acknowledge her call, but was unable to sense him. A dark veil covered the link that should be open. “Look, we were just getting ready to head back to see if the guys were ready to roll. Wanna come with us?”

“As a matter of fact I was just going to see if you two could help me. I’m moving into one of the suites and could really use some help.”

Doubt was a living breathing beast in her head.

Lyric took a step back, her hand pulling Breezy with her. “Sure thing, darlin. Rowan will help, too.”

The stranger sighed. “Lord, Sandy swore this would be easy. Two blonde bitches with more tits than brains.” She stretched out one arm, her fingers morphing into claws.

Breezy knocked Lyric away. “Run for help, Lyric.”

She opened her mouth to argue, but Breezy had to focus on the fight in front of her. The hallway didn’t allow for more than the two of them to maneuver much. If Lyric could get to the guys, and she held the strange wolf hostage, then they might be able to find out who was orchestrating the attack.

“That was too easy,” the wolf said moments before she pulled something out of her back pocket.

“You realize you’re surrounded by my pack,” Breezy said coolly. “You really picked the wrong place to attack, girlfriend.” Breezy lunged for the hand holding the odd looking weapon, a sudden jolt, followed by numbness entered her veins. Oh, god, this couldn’t be happening to her.

“Well, she did have something right. You are dumber than a box of rocks, but you weigh a ton.”

“Who is this she bitch?” Her slurred question went unanswered as she dropped to the ground. The woman didn’t try to stop the decent as she fell, her face slammed into the ground next. The pain hurt like hell, and she knew it would leave a visible mark, but she was sure nothing broke. A smirk on the chick’s face was the last thing Breezy saw.

****

X
an jumped up at the sight of his sister running into the meeting room. Her tan face unusually pale. “What the hell happened?” He looked behind her, searching for his mate.

“There was a shifter girl in the hall. I didn’t recognize her. Neither did Breezy. We thought I should come get one of you to come check her out. Breezy’s detaining her.”

Xan’s chair flew back as he stormed out, followed by Kellen and several others. A barked order to several wolves to stay and guard the front fell from the alpha.

The hall was empty, the sight of the exit door with light filtering through as if it hadn’t been closed, filled him with worry.

Lyric whimpered. Xan ran the last few feet, bursting into the parking lot, red taillights could be seen leaving. “You did the right thing, coming to get us.” He heard Kellen assure her while he looked left and right for his vehicle.

The large XV Assault sat where he’d left it, his keys were out before he reached the driver’s door, with Kellen hot on his heels.

“I’m riding shotgun, but don’t get us killed.”

Xan’s lips lifted in a snarl. “The only ones bout to get dead are the ones who took my mate. Don’t think to hold me or my wolf back, Kell, alpha or not, I will kill all who are in that rig.” He revved the engine, then took off without another word.

“I feel you, man.” Kellen buckled up.

He didn’t think Kellen did, but he kept quiet, focusing on finding Breezy. Their connection was new. “Can you reach her through the alpha link?” He clenched his jaw, hating that he couldn’t connect with her. Either she was unconscious, or he didn’t want to think the alternative. His Breezy was too strong to be anything other than unavailable momentarily he promised himself. However, Kellen had a link none of the others had.

A furrow wrinkled Kellen’s brow as he attempted to communicate. “I can’t link with her, but she’s alive.”

Xan let out a deep breath. That was good news. Surely, they needed or wanted her alive. Racing down the road, he spotted the vehicle that had peeled out of the parking lot. “Hold onto something. I’m going to ram it.”

“Do you think that’s wise, or should we follow and see where it takes her?”

He barely controlled the snarled curse. Kellen was the alpha, but Breezy was his mate. “No,” he barked. “We don’t know how many are wherever they are taking her. I trust you and I can take on the world, but I won’t put her life at risk.” Without another word, he accelerated, coming up next to the smaller vehicle. A petite brunette drove the nondescript car, wide startled eyes turned to their vehicle.

“Get close and I’ll jump. No need to ram the car and possibly injure your mate.” Kellen growled.

The alpha already had the door open, his large body hanging out. In the next moment he’d launched himself out and onto the roof of the car.

His heart nearly stopped at the sight of the car swerving, barely missing a tree before coming to a shuddering halt. Xan executed a U-turn, blocking the small car’s only chance of escape, but from the looks of the torn off roof, he shouldn’t have worried.

Kellen in a half shift was a sight to behold, or fear, depending on which side you were on. The cowering shifter in the front seat Xan dismissed, his entire being aimed at his unconscious mate in the back. His wolf growled at the scent of her blood, the sight of her bruised face had him swinging in the direction of the young woman hanging in Kellen’s big fist.

“What did you do to her?” Her defiant look and pressed lips had him snarling.

Kellen shook her, holding his free hand up. “Leave her to me. Grab your mate.”

With care, he inspected Breezy before gathering her close to his chest. Flickering amber eyes stared up at him, and then closed on a soft sigh. “She’s been drugged would be my guess.” He looked around at the destruction of the vehicle Kellen had caused. A wrecker from their garage pulled up. Bodhi and one of Rowan’s Phantom Team members hopped down.

“Let’s get this piece of shit loaded before the locals come out and start sniffing around.” Bodhi nodded at the roof lying several feet from the vehicle.

Tay clapped his hands together, a pair of gloves on his large hands. “Yeehaw, I like how you boys handle shit.”

Xan ignored them both, carrying Breezy back to his XV. “Kellen, that piece of shit is not riding in my rig. I’m liable to kill her if I have to share an enclosed space with her.”

With a nod, Kellen flung the woman in question over his shoulder, she’d either passed out, or Kellen had knocked her out. Xan hoped he hurt the bitch. When Breezy woke, he’d let her have a swing at the she-wolf.

Rowan’s truck filled with his sister and brother-in-law drove up. “Damn, how fast does that thing go?” Rowan asked.

Lyric looked at the female hanging over Kellen’s shoulder, stomped over to where she hung, and grabbed a handful of the hair covering her face. “I bet she’s not alone.” She looked around. “We’re sitting ducks out here, boys.”

Rowan’s big body covered her back. “My mate’s right. Kellen, throw the trash in the back and we’ll meet at the club. I’m assuming Xan isn’t feeling like having that shit in his rig.” The statement had Kellen raising one impervious eyebrow, but he was already moving toward the large truck.

Lyric went to climb in back, but Kellen shook his head. “You ride up front with your mate. I’ll sit back here with this one.” He climbed in, easing the wolf in next to him.

Xan looked at his own vehicle and at Breezy in his arms. “Tay, you ever want to drive a machine like this?”

“Boy, you just made all my Christmas wishes come true.” The giant of a man walked around to the driver’s door.

He glanced a cautious look over at Tay. The man seemed stable enough, but what did he know other than he was a member of his brother-in-law’s team. “I’m not above gutting you while you drive if you fuck with my baby. Remember you have precious cargo, and I don’t mean me.” He looked down at Breezy in his lap. He couldn’t bring himself to put her down just yet. Maybe never, or at least until she woke up, and demanded he allow her to walk for herself. Even then, he didn’t think he’d be able to let her out of his sight in the near future, if ever.

“Don’t you worry none. I’ll get you both back safely. After that, can I take this bad boy for a little drive?” Tay turned in a wide circle, bouncing over the curb.

“Not today.” Xan growled, stroking a finger down Breezy’s uninjured cheek.

“We’ll figure out who she works for and stop this shit. Woman or not, she is the enemy.” Tay’s grip on the steering wheel turned white.

Xan was barely holding onto his control by a thread as they arrived back at the club. The lot was still full of cars. The large iron gate with the club logo that was usually left open, had been pulled shut after they’d left, but now Coti and Kayan stood waiting for their arrival. As they rolled up, the two men maneuvered it open, waiting for Xan and then the other vehicles to enter before closing it soundly. For now, the Iron Wolves Club was closed for business.

His mate’s steady breathing, and heart beat reassured him she was fine. His wolf whined in his head when they couldn’t connect with her. Damn it, he’d promised to always protect her. He’d failed.

“Don’t beat yourself up. None of us saw this coming, and you had five, six if you count Rowan, trained professionals right under your roof.” Tay murmured.

A quick glance at the other man told Xan it wasn’t a boastful mention, but fact. Only he’d forgotten they were also in the place filled with shifters, which meant they all should have noticed when an unknown wolf entered their territory. He said as much, but Tay shrugged his massive shoulders.

“Y’all allow humans and shifters alike to come and go. She was female, and therefore not looked upon as a threat. You and your boys need to stop thinking that way. From my experience, women can be just as devious, if not more so than some men. Now, don’t get me wrong. I love me the ladies, but I’d never forget they would just as soon cut your cock off if they had the notion or were of the mind. Clearly, she was ordered by someone who knew you lot thought women were lesser than the males.” Tay shut the vehicle off, turning to look at Xan. “Am I right or wrong in that regard?” He looked down at Breezy.

Xan couldn’t deny the fact they tended to think the women weren’t as strong, but his sister had proven she was more than capable of protecting, and even saving herself with the help of her mate. However, fact was the men were the stronger, and larger of their species. Fuck, he raked a hand through his hair, and then got out after making sure it was safe.

Laikyn, one of the females he hadn’t seen in years stood near the door to the underground apartments. “Hiya, Xan. I’ve set up a small room so I can look her over. Sort of a triage if you will.”

He inhaled, the smell of antiseptic clung to her. “I just arrived last night when I saw you guys tearing out of here. Aaryn filled me in while you were gone. Kellen can scan me, or you can. However, Aaryn already did. I have my doctors license and been practicing for the last two years in Kansas City. I just came back for a visit. If you don’t want me to look at her, at least lay her down and let someone else check her out.”

The fiery little redhead stood toe-to-toe with him, only coming to his shoulders, but she didn’t back down. He gave a nod, shouldering his way into the room she indicated. It had been a guest room, but the improvised space had the table in the center with a comforter laid on top. Xan lay Breezy in the center, a moan coming from her as he did. “Breezy,” he whispered.

“Where am I,” she lifted her hand.

He caught it before she could touch herself, bringing the tips to his mouth. “We’re at the club. Let Laikyn look you over.”

She tried to sit up. “Lake is here?” Her amber eyes looked around.

“Yep. Looks like I’m just in time to say congrats, and scold you for getting yourself in trouble.” Green eyes flicked to Xan and then Breezy.