Dreamer Read online

  Brenton Halloran stood to the side. While he was fairly new to the pack, he had some experience as an Alpha and Rhys valued his opinion. He’d proved himself invaluable and Rhys was glad to have him.

  As the group talked amongst themselves, devouring the beignets Reagan and Amanda had whipped up, Rhys’ eyes landed on the newest addition to their inner circle.

  Brianna Ferreiri. The female who had been Kylian’s lead mage. The one who’d helped almost destroy their world. She was also Makenna’s sister and the final point of their triad.

  Though Brianna had ultimately aided them in destroying Kylian, in Rhys’ mind she was still a wild card. After the battle, she mostly kept to herself, rarely coming for meals with the pack. She’d refused to move into the main house when Makenna offered. Though she did join the warriors on the field to train and spent time with her sisters working on strengthening their power. Makenna had suggested blooding her into the pack, thinking that might help her sister integrate and become more comfortable. Rhys hesitated to do that, and for good reason.

  Still, if she was part of the pack link, they could better tell her intentions. As it was, the only time they were linked was when the females united their magic. Then it was because they were fighting or closing a portal, so there wasn’t time to look deeper. Whatever was buried inside of her, whatever plans she had, remained a mystery. But the darkness in her eyes worried Rhys. Because of that, he kept a guard on her at all times, though at a discreet distance.

  He held back a sigh and blocked his thoughts from Makenna. She swallowed her beignet, chased it with that ferociously strong chicory coffee she loved, and shot him a sharp look. Rhys met her gaze head on. She’d felt him close off and she was pissed. So be it. Now wasn’t the time to talk about his worries over Brianna. He needed Makenna’s head clear for the topic at hand.

  Sloane Beirne and the beasts he was unleashing into this world.

  For every beast they destroyed, two more appeared. For every portal they sealed, another tore open. If they didn’t find Sloane soon, Rhys didn’t want to think about the carnage that would quickly grow to apocalyptic proportions. He’d been diligently looking for the rogue warrior. Though only he and Bowen knew of the true lengths he’d gone to in his quest to find his former friend. He kept the details locked up tight in his mind. There was no point in worrying his pack, his family, any more than they already were.

  At that moment, Adrianna, a tiny seer, ran in the front door, followed closely by her loud and muddy brothers. Rhys chuckled. The little girl wore a small crown on her dark curls. She was just as filthy and loud as her brothers.

  Since he hadn’t called their meeting to order yet, Rhys rose from his chair and grabbed Adrianna as chubby little fingers reached into the always full cookie jar. He adored each pup in his pack and always tried to give them special attention. It wasn’t hard, as there were so few of them. He planned to remedy that soon by adding a few of his own. If Makenna was amenable. A pang hit his chest at the memory of the fear in her eyes when he’d mentioned it yesterday.

  Rhys tousled Adrianna’s hair. “How on earth have you three managed to get half the swamp’s mud on you so soon this morning?” He tugged an ebony strand. “And isn’t it a little early for cookies, wee princess? We just finished breakfast.”

  She leaned back, perfectly at ease in her Alpha’s arms. The little imp gave him a look like his senses had taken a flying leap. “It’s always time for cookies, Prince Rhys.” He laughed at her name for him. Curls bounced as she shook her head in sympathy of his stupidity.

  Rhys made a face as if he were thinking hard. He cast a glance at her brothers, who stood frozen in the middle of the kitchen. Caught in the act of cookie thievery, their faces said they expected punishment. He gave them a grin and they visibly relaxed.

  He turned back to the little seer in his arms. “Well, then by all means, don’t let me interrupt.”

  He moved to put her down and she grabbed his cheeks with both hands. When she got that faraway look in her eyes, he knew she was about to tell him of a vision. The room quieted as others noticed. Makenna came to his side, running soothing fingers up Adrianna’s back.

  The girl met his gaze. “You will find the man with the monsters.” She tilted her head and her voice sounded more like that of a wise elder than her normally angelic voice. She leaned in and whispered. “Be careful. Not everybody is what they seem. Your answer will come from within.”

  Rhys took a breath. “What does that mean, little one?”

  Adrianna shook her head and her sweet little voice was back. “Don’t know. That’s just what I know.” She jumped down, grabbed two cookies, and sprinted out the door, leaving her brothers to fend for themselves.

  At Rhys’ nod, the boys grabbed their own treats and hightailed it out the front door. Rhys stared after them, Adrianna’s words ringing in his head. He turned back to the now quiet table. All eyes were on him, most filled with concern. Rhys ignored them, turning his attention to Brianna. At his harsh stare, she tilted her head. Rhys didn’t know exactly what gifts she possessed, so he slammed shields around his mind.

  While he’d been the one to suggest they could save Brianna, he’d always had his doubts. After the things she’d done, Rhys couldn’t believe such an overwhelming change could happen overnight. Brianna may be let in on a few strategy sessions, but she didn’t attend every meeting. It would stay that way until she proved she was worthy of their trust. After the little seer’s words, Rhys doubted that would ever happen.

  “Rhys?” Makenna caressed his back. She leaned against him, her next words only audible across their bond. “We can ask her to leave the meeting. I believe she’s changed and wants to help, but if you’re worried, I’ll back your play.”

  He smiled. Trust. It’d taken he and his mate so long to get here. That she had such faith in him humbled him.

  Rhys pulled her to his chest as the others went back to their conversations. “I appreciate that, love. But it won’t be necessary.” He glanced at Brianna. “We’ll continue watching her.”

  Makenna nodded. She kissed him until he was two seconds from throwing her over his shoulder and heading upstairs to their suite. When she backed away, she grinned. Devilish. The woman was going to kill him.

  There’s no other way he’d want to go.

  He moved to the head of the table and the room quieted again. There was no sense putting it off, so he opened with a bang. “We’ve gotten report of the first human casualties due to the beasts.” Tension billowed in the room as he gave the news he and Kenna had received from a scout this morning.

  Trystan straightened. “How many?”

  Rhys raised his chin. “Five. That we’ve found.”

  The words dropped like a bomb. A sharp inhale cracked the silence. From Brianna. Rhys’ head snapped up as Makenna’s did.

  Rhys leaned against his fists on the table. “Brianna? Something to add?” He felt a quick pulse of what could be guilt from her. He needed to know why. What was she hiding?

  Brianna shook her head. “No. I just—I figured Sloane would send them after us.” She straightened, shutting down any emotion. “Why would he bother with humans?”

  Rhys tilted his head, diving deep into her psyche. Nothing. She was shielding, and well. “Maybe he’s moving forward with Kylian’s plan to wipe humans from this realm. But while Sloane may have set the beasts free, he can’t control them. They simply want to destroy and feed.”

  He felt Makenna’s shiver and subsequent rage. She’d been raised human. In her mind, they were still her people. Rhys covered her hand with his and gave a comforting squeeze. She clung to him. For all her power, all the portals they’d closed, she felt like she’d failed them. Should’ve protected them. But this wasn’t her failure.

  Rhys raised his head. “Bowen, have you figured out a way to isolate and track the portals without us having to wait for scouts to stumble upon them?”

  Bowen shook his long brown hair. Makenna always said he looked like Jesus. The thought almost made Rhys smile, until he saw Bowen’s frown. “I am making progress, but it is slow. There are simply too many. Their signatures are congealing, throwing off any locater spell.” Bowen glanced at Makenna. “I have Labeaux and his people working on it as well.” His gaze went to Rhys. “They also have teams out to locate and close them.”

  Rhys paced. His wolf clawed at his insides, wanting out to find Sloane. As did his raven. The god roared, both at the cowardly attacks by Sloane, and the fact he was hiding things from his goddess. He wasn’t on board with Rhys’ plan to keep Makenna in the dark about his additional efforts to find Sloane. But there was no choice. The means he used were too dangerous. If Makenna were to be involved, as she would want to, it could lead Sloane straight to her, or give him access to her magic. He couldn’t risk it.

  Bowen’s sharp eyes met Rhys’ as if he knew what the Alpha was thinking. Maybe he did. None of them had any real idea of the power that flowed through the mage’s veins.

  Rhys looked out the window at the pups playing in the yard, some in wolf form, some as their human counterparts. There was that twinge in his chest again. He needed to make the world safe for them. Even though they were warriors. Or rather, would be one day. All he could do was protect them and teach them to be the fiercest fighters in existence.

  He let out a breath. “Keep at it. Talon, double the scout teams looking for portals and whatever they’re spitting out.” He faced the group. “Trystan, keep in contact with Labeaux and keep me updated.” The male nodded once. “Also, be sure you’re making your presence known among the pack. Soothe any fears and make sure they’re mindful of the additional threats as they run and hunt or go into the city.”

  Trystan wrapped himself around his mate and Amanda cuddled
into him. “Will do. They’re chomping at the bit for a fight, rather than worried. It’s been several months since most of them have seen a good battle.” He winced as he took in Amanda and Makenna. “Sorry.”

  He need not have worried. The women seemed to be dealing with what they’d had to do in the last battle. At least, from what he got from Makenna, it appeared she’d dealt with it. As he observed the flicker of pain in her eyes before she hid it, he made a note to check in with her about that. Again, he’d focused on the threat and not his mate. He’d see that didn’t happen again.

  Rhys took Makenna’s hand and drew her out of her seat and to his side. Pleasure filled him as she slid her arms around his waist and burrowed into his side. “Stay watchful and ready. Especially you three.” He gazed at Makenna, Amanda, and Brianna. His eyes narrowed a bit on the last, making a silent point. “The Triad must stay united and strong if we’re to win this.” With a nod, he dismissed them and the group scattered.

  Makenna sighed heavily and stared out the window. He wondered if she was thinking the same thing he did as she watched the little ones. He could only hope.

  Ready for a happier subject, he turned Kenna to face him, keeping her tight in his arms. “When this is over, I want to take you away. A belated anniversary trip.” He wished more than anything he could whisk her away now. But they had a pack to look after. While Fianna Prime was strong, they needed their Alphas at a time like this.

  She smiled, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. He couldn’t sense what was bothering her and that worried him. “That sounds freaking amazing. I could use a break.” Her eyes wandered back to the pups. She shook away whatever dark thoughts shadowed her expression and kissed his chin. “I should get out to the training field. Trystan wanted me to demonstrate some techniques with throwing knives.”

  Kenna tried to extricate herself from his arms but he kept a firm hold on her.

  “It can wait.” He bent, tossing her over his shoulder. He gave a hard smack to her luscious ass and she squealed. Rhys ran his hand over her jean covered backside. “I need to be inside you.” He smelled her arousal spike and grinned. “After all, we need to get to work if we want to fill this house with pups.”

  Makenna stiffened almost imperceptibly. Worry spiked in his heart until she relaxed. As they ascended the last set of steps to their suite, he let his fingers drift down, drawing circles on the tops of her thighs and then delving toward her warm center. She gasped and squirmed against him. When he set her on her feet and slammed the door behind him, her face was flushed and her eyes heavy lidded.

  They’d never make it to the bedroom.

  Rhys dove, taking her to the floor. As they rolled around, divesting each other of every piece of clothing, his soul settled.

  This was what he’d always dreamed of. A loving mate, a real home, and the possibility of a family in his reach. He ignored the foul wind blowing in his ear, whispering that it could all come crashing down around him. That Sloane could be just as much of a threat to his world as Kylian was. If that was the case, he’d fight with everything he had to ensure those he loved stayed safe and their kingdom remained intact. He’d lost so much already. He wasn’t letting Kenna or anyone else he loved slip away. He couldn’t survive another loss.

  So he’d hang on to the dream with all he had.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Not Strong Enough

  Talon sidled up to a sweaty Reagan as she stepped away from her downed opponent with a satisfied smile. The tall, red haired siren was the embodiment of grace and calm. But damn, she was lethal. Her show of brutality had Talon ready to drag her into the woods and have his way with her.

  That familiar pang in his chest stopped him.

  The poor wolf who’d bitten off more than he could chew peeled himself off the ground and nodded to her and Talon before strutting off to find his next sparring partner. In their pack, there was no shame in being beaten by a female. Hell, they could be more fierce than the males. Strong, solidly built, and lithe, they were legend. Stories of female warriors were told around fires by voices filled with awe. Then again, they were led by a ferocious warrior goddess and her mate.

  A goddess who just happened to be his little sister. He couldn’t be prouder. He was overjoyed to have her back. Brianna too. He just wished Bri would let herself become a true part of the pack as Makenna had. The thought crossed his mind that neither one of them would’ve been through what they had, never would’ve been separated from himself and Amanda, if he’d done his job as their protector.

  “Are you gonna just stand there and stare at me all day?” Reagan grinned as she took the bottle of water another female wolf handed her. She sucked it down.

  Talon couldn’t stop himself from watching the way her delicate throat worked as she swallowed, or the drops glistening on her lips when she pulled the bottle away. Shit, he had it bad. He’d tried to stay away from her for so long. Now that he’d let himself get close, it only made things worse. As he’d known it would.

  Again, he was letting down one of the people he’d been created to protect.

  He let his trademark impish grin slid across his lips, hiding his pain like he always did. “Well, when the view is this spectacular...” Talon closed the distance between them as Reagan’s cheeks flushed from more than her recent exertion. He leaned in, his mouth close to her ear. “Why don’t we find somewhere more private and you can show me more?”

  She pushed at his chest. But she didn’t look away quick enough to hide the pain riding her smile.

  Pain that was his fault.

  Suddenly, Reagan tilted her head to stare directly into his eyes. “I’d give you everything in a heartbeat.” Her words cut to his heart, sliding in and burrowing deep. She bit her lip and averted her gaze, pretending to watch the sparring matches going on around them.

  He’d love to erase her pain. He wanted nothing more than to bury himself deep inside her and claim her as his. To take everything she had to give and reciprocate in spades. She was the one thing he wanted most. And that was only to be expected.

  Reagan was, after all, his fated mate. The one female made just for him.

  But he couldn’t take her the way he wanted. Couldn’t let things go so far as to bring their bodies so close to being one. Because if he did, it would only hurt both of them more than they already were.

  Talon cleared his throat and smiled again, brushing away the moment. He took the knife from her hand and sheathed it at her hip. He jerked her to him. “I’d settle for a taste of you. It might tide me over.”

  Why he kept torturing them both, he’d never know. He couldn’t stay away from her. He was greedy and it was cruel. Or maybe he was just weak. He’d certainly proved that in other aspects of his life. He just needed whatever part of her he could have before he had to cut ties for good. A time that was coming soon and shadowed his every thought.

  He lowered his lips to her neck, not caring who saw them. Wolves were affectionate and thrived on touch anyway, so chances were no one was even paying them attention. Reagan melted into him. She grabbed his biceps. She let out that sigh he loved as he gently bit down before raising his head.

  “What do you say? Are you done here?” He tilted his head toward the training field.

  She nodded. He took her hand and they practically ran to the house. His enhanced senses picked up a couple chuckles. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Trys give him a thumbs up. He ignored it all, every sense he owned focused on his mate.

  The mate he could never claim.

  Tossing that thought away as they flew up the stairs, he pulled her to a stop at the landing. “Your room or mine?”

  “Yours is closer.” Her voice was breathless. Wanting.

  He could assuage part of that want.

  Talon kept a tight hold on her hand as they ran to his room. Once they were inside, he slammed the door shut. Reagan slipped from his grasp and backed away. Not in fear. No, her emerald eyes sparkled with fun.