Astoria rolled to his feet and leapt. A piercing pain exploded in his side as Sasha realized the man had a weapon in his hand. It had to be a small knife to be concealed so easily. As the scent of his blood hit the air, Sasha knew too late what Astoria was doing. He was going to drive the changelings into a blood frenzy. With so many around, Sasha would be torn to shreds.

  Nate’s wolf erupted as Rick and the others from their Rebellion group moved to block Sasha in, trying their best to stop the onslaught of changelings advancing toward them.

  “If any one of you comes after him, I’ll come after you personally and tear you from limb to limb,” Rick said in a tone that brooked no misgivings about his sincerity. “Control your damn beasts and back off!”

  A few didn’t listen. They charged toward Sasha. But he wasn’t one to hide behind a woman’s skirt. He took all three changelings on, putting them down before they even began. But the fighting had increased the flow of blood from his wound. A few more changelings stepped in Sasha’s direction. He knew he couldn’t defeat the immense number surrounding him. Nate grabbed him and hauled ass to the Yukon, throwing Sasha inside before taking off. “That little weasel stabbed me.” Sasha glanced at his hand that had been pressed against the wound to see the crimson color staining his skin. “I’m going to fucking kill him.”

  “Rick grabbed Astoria as I pulled you to the truck. He won’t be getting away. Shift and heal, then we’ll go back so you can rip his throat out.”

  Sasha did as his mate suggested, letting his leopard out so he could heal. Just as soon as he was back in form, he was going after that aggravating pest.

  Rick threw Astoria down to the ground in disgust. “If you were a worthy alpha, you wouldn’t have pulled that pussy-ass move.”

  “What do you know about being worthy?” Astoria shot at him.

  “You’re a half breed just like Sasha. Do these people know it was your father who started this war?”

  How in the hell had Sasha let this man live for so long? Being around him for thirty minutes, Rick was ready to shoot him between the eyes. “Nice try, but word got around pretty damn fast about who started this. Our species—most anyway—judge me for who I am, not who had a hand in creating me.”

  “You’re all half-breed freaks!”

  Rick had to pull Astoria away when two bear changelings growled and headed toward him. “You really are suicidal. I’d kill you myself, but I’m pretty sure Sasha would be pissed at me for taking away something he is going to take such pleasure in himself.” Letting his wolf slide behind his narrowed eyes, Rick gave Astoria one last look before walking away. There were a few men on the leopard so he wouldn’t get away, but if Rick didn’t get away from the prick, there wouldn’t be anything left for Sasha to kill.

  He wasn’t sure why, but some people still amazed him. He should be numb to people like Astoria. Lord knew the war had opened his eyes and exposed him to treachery and deceit. But maybe he wasn’t as jaded as he thought he had become. That thought settled a part of him that Rick worried he had lost—his compassion and humanity. But it was still there, still intact.

  He might be willing to give a piece of those up just to strangle Astoria to death. Seeking out his mate, Rick spotted Dorian with Miguel and Benito. They were over by the car Benito had stolen, all three talking amongst each other.

  As Rick approached, he saw Miguel favoring his right arm, his left hand placed gently across the elbow. It bothered him to know the enforcer may never gain use of the limb again. Right now, Bryson wasn’t sure. He said that Miguel could gain the strength back, or it could be lost forever. It was a wait-and-see game.

  “What are you fellas talking about?” Rick asked as he stepped up behind his mate, needing the grounding, the touch only Dorian could give to sooth the turmoil inside of him. His mate settled his back into Rick’s chest, the heat and scent instantly calming his werewolf.

  “About tomorrow night,” Benito answered as he stood next to his cousin. Rick could see Benito reaching toward Miguel and then letting his hand fall short. The hesitation told Rick that Miguel didn’t want to be touched right now. His injury was something Miguel was going to have to work out inside his own head. There was nothing anyone could say right now to help him until Miguel came to grips with what might be.

  “What about it?” Rick wrapped his arms around Dorian’s shoulders and rested his chin on his mate’s dark brown hair. “We go in, take the troops out, and try to gain entrance into the White House.

  Easy as pie.”

  Benito gave Rick an unbelieving stare. “Easy as pie?”

  “Somewhat,” he added, trying to lighten the mood of the three men. They were going into the heart of Washington under the darkness of night. Rick knew it wasn’t going to be easy. Nothing had been easy in the past eighteen months.

  Dorian stirred in his arms, twisting until he was facing Rick. His lips were slightly parted as he gazed up with those Peruvian-brown eyes. Tracing his thumbs over arched eyebrows, Rick stared in wonder at a man who could destroy him with one word, one touch, making his soul weep for all eternity if he ever lost the wonderment in his arms.

  “What is it, gatito?” he asked, his throat constricted as he thought about tomorrow. There were so many possibilities that could take place, so many outcomes. If there was one wish that could be granted to him, it would be the promise that his mate survived.

  It was a selfish wish and he knew it. There were so many more lives at stake, so many deaths that were going to occur. The losses were going to be heavy, staggering. There was no way to prevent them when fighting for freedom.

  Dorian buried his face in Rick’s chest, as if he knew Rick’s exact thoughts. His mate could probably scent his unease, his worry, but it seemed they were of one mind right now. Dorian’s fingers gripped him and Rick soothed his mate by running his hands over the smaller man’s slim back.

  Benito and Miguel stood there, watching Rick with his mate, both of them holding expressions of solemn concern. Every changeling gathered in the open expanse of the field knew they might not make it home, yet they had come, ready to fight and lay down their lives for what they believed in.

  Rick spotted the red Yukon off in the distance. How did he know Sasha wouldn’t stay gone long? The leopard alpha was nothing if not persistent. Even a wound wasn’t going to keep him from taking care of business.

  And right now, Astoria was his business. Rick understood the need to squash any and all who thought they could challenge him, but no one would think anything of Sasha taking a few hours to heal.

  As the truck grew closer, Rick could see the firm set of Nate’s jaw. He wasn’t happy to be back so soon. His jade-green eyes were livid.

  “I’m not going anywhere near that man,” Benito said as his eyes trailed the progress of the Yukon. “He looks like he is about to tear something or someone apart. Maybe he’ll kill Sasha and we won’t have to suffer his arrogance any longer.”

  “Fat chance,” Miguel said. “We’re more likely to grow a second head before Nate hurts his cat. Besides, Sasha may be mated to the guy now, but he still isn’t anyone to cross.”

  Rick listened to the banter and knew Miguel was right. As mad as Nate was, he wouldn’t hurt a hair on Sasha’s blond head. Nate looked at his mate the same way Rick gazed at Dorian, with total and utter love-struck eyes.

  “I sure as hell wouldn’t want to be Astoria,” Dorian commented.

  “Sasha looks just as evil.”

  “They make one hell of a team,” Benito said. “Toss in Selene and there is a nightmare I wouldn’t want to face in a dark alley, or even a well-lit one.”

  That was why Rick had Nate and Selene as his top enforcers. To trifle with them was asking to be killed. Everyone in Shelton and the surrounding counties knew the two enforcers’ reputations and steered clear of both Nate and Selene

  “Oh shit,” Benito chirped when Sasha climbed out of the truck, slammed the door, and headed over to where Astoria was being watched.

  Setting Dorian aside, Rick followed. He wanted to make sure no one interfered. If Astoria did some underhanded shit again, Rick wanted to get Sasha out of there before the changelings attacked.

  Nate apparently had the same idea because he was hot on Sasha’s heels. The enforcer looked like he was chewing nails and ready to swipe anyone’s head from their shoulders if they breathed in Sasha’s direction.

  “Get the fuck up!” Sasha shouted at Astoria as he strode angrily closer. “Let’s finish this.”

  Astoria was on his feet, the changelings guarding him moving aside. “You ran like a little bitch,” the leopard taunted.

  “And you fight like one,” Sasha countered before swiping his claws out in front of him so fast that Rick almost didn’t catch the move. Astoria was down on the ground once again, cursing as he held the side of his face.

  The changelings moved closer in at the scent of blood, but Sasha yowled at them in such a demonic tone that they took a step back.

  “He’s mine!”

  Stumbling to his feet, Astoria shook his head, wincing before standing straight up. “Is that all you have?”

  Sasha grinned at the man. “I’m going to fight you like a man and then kill you like an animal.” Just as the last word left Sasha’s mouth, he threw a punch that had Astoria staggering backward. The leopard alpha took a boxer’s stance, feet apart, hands in front of his face.

  Astoria tried to box the alpha, but he was no match. Rick wondered how the man had thought he could challenge Sasha. But then again, if Rick had to guess, Astoria hadn’t planned on fighting.

  He thought by announcing Sasha’s lineage, the others would attack and do the job for him.

  Damn, had he been wrong.

  Sasha threw a few more jabs at Astoria and then swung his right arm upward, catching the leopard under his chin and sending Astoria clear of him with the impact. Goddamn! Even Rick felt that punch in his jaw.

  “Now I’m done playing with you,” Sasha said as he circled around the fallen leopard, his eyes flecked in yellow and his canines exposed. “You wanted to make me bleed so I would be devoured?”

  Rick stepped forward but it was too late. Sasha used his claws to slice at Astoria, opening the man in so many places that there was no way they could keep the changelings from attacking. Some people might view what Sasha had done as wrong, but Rick knew that if Sasha hadn’t put the man down, Astoria would have been back, killing Sasha from behind.

  That was a coward’s way of handling things.

  Rick turned, walking away from the scent of blood. For once, his werewolf wasn’t interesting in eating the carnage. His mind was too focused on tomorrow and getting out alive.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Remus still wasn’t sure why Rick had chosen him and Marco to be by his side. By now everyone should know he sucked at breaking into places. His track record alone should have Rick making sure he was as far away from the front line as possible. He had always been cool with the alpha, but this situation called for more than getting the occasional information on what was happening.

  Remus missed his reporting days. This new job sucked.

  “Just stay by my side and watch my back,” Rick instructed as he spoke to the group surrounding him. Remus was standing there, Marco leaning into his side, his arms resting on Remus’s shoulders.

  His best friend had always relaxed like this with Remus. Now that they were mated, he wasn’t sure how he had missed the subtle hints the man had been giving him all these years. God, he was so thickheaded.

  “I still don’t get why you need us,” Marco said and then quickly lowered his head. “Not that I’m arguing your decision, alpha.”

  Remus slid his hand into Marco’s, giving it a slight squeeze for reassurance. There was nothing wrong with what Marco had just asked, and it only echoed Remus’s exact thoughts.

  “I need men I can trust at my back,” Rick answered. “I’ve known Remus a long time, and since you are his mate, I’m going to trust you.”

  Remus knew the impact of that statement. With everyone and their mother betraying the werewolf, it was surprising the man could trust anyone. If it had been Remus leading the Rebellion, he would have tossed everyone around him out and done things himself. People who should be trusted couldn’t betray you if you worked alone. At least in Remus’s opinion.

  “I’m not asking you to throw yourself on a grenade,” Rick continued. “Just make sure no one comes at my back while I search for the president.”

  “That’s if we can even get in there,” Dorian pointed out as he crossed his arms over his chest and leaned into the side of the truck.

  “I’m pretty sure the White House is locked down tighter than Fort Knox.”

  “If we don’t find a way in, gatito, then this is over, for all of us.”

  Rick looked around the group, his expression grim. “If we fail, then our race falls into the hands of humans, and so does our fate. No offense to the humans who are helping us, but I’d rather decide what’s best for me, not the politicians.”

  “Yeah, because they’ve been oh so nice to us thus far,” Remus said. “Their hospitality is top shelf.” He remembered his days in the detention center and felt his stomach clench. He had gone through hours and hours of torture with those mad scientists. Dying would be a kinder fate than letting those men get their hands on him again. He still had very bad nightmares about his time in the clinker.

  Marco began to rub his cheek over Remus’s shoulder in a catlike gesture. Remus knew he was giving off bad vibes as he thought about what had happened to him. His mate was trying to comfort him.

  Remus wrapped his arms around the slim man and laid a kiss on his forehead.

  “Everyone has their assignment,” Rick said. “We strike in less than two hours. I’m not sure how long we’ll go undetected, though.”

  They had made it into Piney Branch Park without being seen, but Remus knew they weren’t going to be here much longer before the troops discovered their presence. They were only three and a half miles from the White House. The rest of the Rebellion groups were scattered in the other parks, or anywhere they could stay out of sight.

  Remus’s heart was beating faster as the time drew closer. He noticed Rick talking quietly with Dorian, Nate with Sasha, Brooke with Deluca. It seemed all the couples were in inaudible conversations.

  Pulling Marco away from the others, Remus placed his hands on the side of his mate’s face. “I want you to listen to me carefully.”

  Marco tried to pull his head back, but Remus held fast. “Don’t do this, Remus. Don’t give me an if I die speech. I can’t deal with that. I’ve waited too long for you to be mine.”

  Remus shook Marco lightly, pinning his mate with a glare.

  “Listen to me, Marco. If shit goes badly, I want you to run, do you understand me? Get the fuck out of here as fast as you can. Go to my place—”

  “No,” Marco whimpered.

  “Go to my place. In my bedroom closet, there is a loose floorboard. I have twenty grand stashed there. Take it and go into hiding. Do you understand?”

  Tears fell from Marco’s pretty dark eyes as he clasped his hands over Remus’s. “I’m not leaving you, Remus. You have been there my entire life. I–I don’t think I can keep going without you.”

  Remus rubbed his thumb over the moisture on Marco’s cheeks, kissing his mate on the lips and then pressing his forehead into his mate’s. “You are a hell of a lot stronger than you give yourself credit for. You’ll survive, baby. I have faith in you.”

  “I love you, Remus.” Marco wrapped his arms around Remus’s waist, hugging him so tightly that he could barely breathe. Remus stroked his hand over his mate’s hair, glancing all around, wishing things were different.

  But they weren’t and they both had to face the cold, hard reality that a lot of people, including themselves, might not make it out of here alive. The humans were not going to let them just march onto the front lawn of the White House and demand an audience with the president.

  It wasn’t going to be that easy.

  A heavy weight hung in the cool, night air. Remus could feel the resignation all around him that the changelings knew some were going to die. It was like a blanket of fog that shrouded the urban area, a downhearted feeling coming off of their species hiding in every part of the city. Tonight blood would be shed and bodies would fall, screams would rent the air as gunfire became the foremost sound in the night sky.

  And through it all, Remus would pray in fervor that Marco survived—that his mate wouldn’t become one of the fallen. He hugged his mate closer, closing his eyes and whispering the first prayer of many that would be chanted tonight.

  “It’s me they want,” Rick said as his hands caressed Dorian’s face. “Promise me you won’t try anything heroic.”

  “And you don’t become a fucking martyr,” Dorian said in a teasing tone, but Rick could hear the tightness closing his mate’s throat. The man was trying to hold it together, using banter as a way of dealing with the impending fight and unknown outcome. Dorian gave Rick a crooked smile, one that always made Rick feel as if fate had blessed him with the most tenderhearted and bravest man on the earth. “Been through a lot together, huh?”

  “And we’ll be through a lot more together, gatito. You haven’t run in your werewolf form through the Great Oak Forest. You haven’t been alive until you know what that feels like. Our ancestors owned that and so much more. The Great Oak Forest used to be thousands of acres until urban development moved in and nearly wiped it out. But when you run, you can still feel their presence running alongside you.

  It’s magical.”

  “I can’t wait,” Dorian said as he twisted his hands in his shirt, glancing down at his feet. “It sounds wonderful.”

  Rick used his index finger and thumb to tilt Dorian’s head back, staring deep into Peruvian-brown eyes, eyes that he had grown to love so much that his heart ached every time he looked at his mate. “I know this is not the life you would have chosen for—”