She frowned. “Toby, I’m sor—”

  I put a finger to her soft lips. “Don’t say it. You apologize too much for things out of your control. I’m just glad you can shift. If you couldn’t…” I shuddered. We all knew one more un-shift likely would’ve killed her. “Are you hungry? Brick and I are cooking more meat.”

  “You think I apologize too much?”

  “It isn’t a big deal, sweetness. Let’s get you something to eat.”

  “I’m actually full. We came across a… snack.”

  I wiped a drop of blood from the corner of her mouth. “I can see that. Come on. We’re celebrating.”

  Soleil ran over, eyes wide and mouth gaping.

  “What’s the matter?” I exclaimed.

  She studied Victoria. I looked at her, but didn’t see anything wrong beyond her being tired, but that wasn’t unusual after shifting—especially with as often as she’d been turning into a wolf. It was like she was trying to make up for the missed full moons.

  Soleil put her palms on Victoria’s face. “Something’s wrong with your essence.”

  My stomach dropped. “What do you mean?”

  “I’m going to need to drink some to find out.”

  I pulled Victoria closer. “She just shifted. Let her rest.”

  Soleil turned to me and narrowed her eyes. “You don’t seem to understand the severity of this. The fact that I can see something wrong without drinking any means there’s real trouble.”

  Victoria turned to me, her eyes wide. “What could it mean?”

  Chapter 73

  Toby

  I kissed Victoria’s cheek. “Let’s find out. You’ll let her inhale your essence?”

  “Drink,” Soleil corrected. “I drink essence.”

  She stepped closer to Soleil. “See what you can find out.”

  Soleil put her hands on Victoria’s face again and closed her eyes. Her wings burst out of her clothes, tearing the fabric. The massive wings flapped back and forth as Soleil opened her mouth. The familiar purple mist swirled from Victoria’s mouth into Soleil’s.

  My heart pounded, wondering what the valkyrie would see. Another threat on my love’s life?

  Soleil’s eyes flew open and they turned into an electric shade of green as she continued drinking the essence. She closed her mouth, sending the purple mist back into Victoria. They both snapped back their heads.

  I put my arms around Victoria to steady her. Soleil’s eyes continued growing brighter for a few moments until her wings disappeared. She blinked a few times and her eyes slowly returned to normal.

  “What is it?” I exclaimed.

  She stared at Victoria. “Run.”

  Victoria gasped.

  “From what?” I demanded.

  Soleil turned to me, her face paling. “Your essence is off, too.”

  “What—?”

  She put her palms on my cheeks, closed her eyes, and opened her mouth. Her wings flew back out and my eyes shut on their own. I felt the pull of my essence leaving my body. The silky swirls ran up my throat and out of my mouth. My entire body relaxed nearly to the point of going limp, but I managed to remain standing.

  Eventually, my essence snapped back into my body and my strength returned. My eyes shot open. Soleil’s eyes were fading from electric green to a normal shade of green.

  “What did you see?” Jet asked. When had he come over to us?

  Soleil, wide-eyed, looked back and forth between Victoria and me, stopping on Victoria. “You have to get away from here—now.”

  I grabbed Soleil’s shoulders. “What’s going on?”

  She gasped for air and stared at me. “The short story is that your father’s pack wants her. They’re hunting her. You’re their point of reference—a homing beacon, if you will. Something to do with your bloodline. She’s in grave danger, and the farther she is from you, the better.”

  Rage ran through me. “You’re sure of this?”

  “Essence doesn’t lie. It can be vague, but it doesn’t lie.”

  Everything spun around me. “How far off are they?”

  “I don’t know. The both of you are marked—but hers will go away as soon as we get her away from you.”

  I clenched my fists. “I’m going to kill my father with my own two hands.”

  “Great,” Soleil said. “I suggest doing that after Victoria is in hiding.”

  “I’ll get you far away,” Carter said.

  This was getting better by the moment. I shook my head and then gained everyone’s attention by whistling. “Pack meeting now. We’re going inside.” I turned to Soleil. “We’ll discuss this as a pack.”

  Everyone grumbled, but headed inside.

  “Why are we breaking up the party?” Bobby asked.

  “Because something more important came up,” I grumbled.

  Victoria slid her hand into mine, and we hurried inside the mansion. My mind raced and fury built up. I had known better than to think things could go back to normal while my father and his pack still lived and breathed.

  We gathered around the large kitchen table. I led Victoria to my spot at the head of the table then I paced, having too much nervous energy to sit. Once everyone was at the table, I went over what Soleil had found. Then I turned to her. “Did I miss anything? What else did you see?”

  She frowned. “Just that they’re on a mission. They intend to torture her to make you suffer.”

  “Why not torture me?” I exclaimed.

  “They know that would be easier on you.”

  I threw my hands in the air and paced faster. “You can’t see anything else?”

  She shook her head. “If I drank the essence of one of them, I could find out a lot more, but I can only get so much from you two. You’re marked. She’s in danger. They’ll surely find her if she stays near you.”

  “So, they’re coming after me?”

  Soleil nodded. “To get to her.”

  I stopped pacing and stood taller. “Good. They’ll have to fight me. I’ve already killed my father once, so I can do it again. And this time, the other side won’t open up since it’s been permanently sealed. He’s going to stay dead. She can stay here, hidden when they arrive.”

  “You’re putting her in danger. Kill them first, and then bring her back home.”

  I spun around and punched the wall. “I won’t allow them to drive us apart again!”

  Jet glanced at Soleil. “Do we have time to sleep on this? Make a decision in the morning?”

  Soleil shook her head. “They’re growing closer—I can feel it. They’re also greater in number than us. We’re definitely putting her in danger if she stays.”

  A mixture of strong emotions ran through me. Obviously, I didn’t want to put her in harm’s way, but I also couldn’t let my old pack get in between us again. “You don’t think I can protect her?”

  “You have the strength, but not the numbers. They have a larger pack than you, and given how much both of your essences are affected, you’d practically be handing her over to them if she stays.”

  “I’ll take her,” Carter said.

  Of course he would. Why had I ever agreed to bring him into the pack? Maybe it was time I stopped being such a nice guy.

  “I know plenty of local hiding spots those wolves will never find,” Carter insisted. “Plus I can shift whenever she does.”

  “Ow.” Victoria rubbed her side.

  I swore. “We’re stressing you out.” I turned to Ziamara. “Take her up to her room and help her relax.”

  “And pack,” Soleil added.

  “Just relax.” I rubbed Victoria’s shoulders and kissed the top of her head. “Don’t worry about any of this. We’ll figure something out.”

  Ziamara got up and waved Victoria over. They headed toward the stairs in silence.

  “Let me take her,” Carter insisted. “I know of a place where magic won’t work.”

  I arched a brow.

  “If she’s there, locator spells won’t work.”

  “Then I’ll take her. They’re using me as the homing beacon.”

  Carter shook his head. “It’s owned by bear shifters, and they hate werewolves.”

  I gave him a double take. “There are werebears in the area?”

  “Obviously. Where there are bears, there are shifters.”

  “Why do they hate us?” Jet asked.

  “Because werewolves haven’t been careful around the humans. Every person has heard of werewolves, but how many know of bear or jaguar shifters?”

  I gritted my teeth. He had a point—not that my pack and I were like the typical werewolves. “You can’t take Victoria there. She’s a wolf, remember?”

  “They’re protective of females,” Carter said. “It doesn’t matter the species.”

  My brows came together. “That’s rather convenient.”

  Carter rose. “What are you trying to say?”

  “That it sounds like you’re pulling all this out from your arse.”

  “You think I’m spewing hot air?” he exclaimed. “I’m trying to protect her from your pack.”

  I marched over to him, stopping only an inch from his face. “This is my pack—my only one. Never forget that. I haven’t been a part of the other pack since they killed Victoria.”

  “Okay. Doesn’t change the fact that I can help her.”

  Gritting my teeth, I stepped back and looked around the table. What would Victoria think?

  “We need to listen to Soleil,” Brick said. “No matter who goes with her, she’s better off far away if your father has his mind set on torturing her. We know he’s headed this way.”

  Soleil nodded. “I’ll go with her.” She turned to Brick. “You should come, too.”

  “That goes without saying, but I also think Carter should come. She needs someone who can shift when she does.”

  I hated that everyone else could leave with her, except me. But at least she wouldn’t have to go with Carter alone. I glared at Brick. “You really think so?”

  He nodded. “I can’t shift when she does unless it’s at the full moon.”

  “Well, it’s up to her. If she doesn’t want to go, then I’m not going to force her.” I paced, my mind spinning out of control.

  Brick got up and stood in front of me. “You don’t think she should go?”

  “I don’t know what to think other than I want to be the one with her, but obviously, that can’t happen.”

  Carter stepped closer to us. “The bears’ anti-magic area is the best place for her. They created it for those who are in danger from those who possess deadly magic.”

  I glared at him. “I’m going to talk with her and let her make the decision. Does anyone else have anything to add before I present her with all the facts?”

  Everyone shook their heads. I stormed up the stairs, taking deep breaths, trying to calm myself. She was already upset and on the verge of shifting for the second time that evening. I couldn’t allow myself to be what sent her over the edge into another shift. She needed a break.

  Once upstairs, I paced in the hall for a few minutes until I’d calmed myself down enough that I was sure I wouldn’t upset her.

  In her room, soft Celtic music played, and Ziamara was painting Victoria’s toes a lavender color that matched half of the things in the room. I sat on the bed next to my love and put my arm around her.

  She leaned her head on my shoulder. “How did it go down there?”

  I filled her in, taking all the stress out of the discussion we’d had. “So, what do you think? Do you want to risk going to the bears’ anti-magic area, knowing they hate werewolves?”

  Victoria bit her lower lip, appearing deep in thought. “Carter is sure they’ll protect me?”

  “He says they’re very protective of females—it doesn’t matter the species.”

  She laced her fingers through mine and gazed into my eyes. “Maybe that’s what I should do. What do you think?”

  My insides twisted. I didn’t want her going anywhere with Carter, but her safety was what mattered. That and the fact that I trusted her wholeheartedly. It was the jaguar I doubted. His feelings were clear every time he looked at Victoria. “I just want you safe while I remove my old pack from the earth.”

  She squeezed my hand and pressed herself against me, her mouth almost touching mine.

  My pulse raced. I could feel her every curve as her breath tickled my lips.

  “Done,” Ziamara rose. “I’ll give you two some privacy.”

  I scooted away from Victoria and turned to Ziamara. “What do you think about all this?”

  She smiled sadly and pulled some rainbow hair from her eyes. “I think you two have been through more than enough. Enjoy every moment together before we have to face the next traditional pack.”

  I took a deep breath. “That’s what seems to make the most sense.” And unfortunately, so did sending the one person who could shift at will along with her. I would just have to swallow my pride since I trusted Victoria. I turned back to Ziamara. “When you go downstairs, can you tell Soleil, Brick, and Carter to pack? I want them to take Brick’s SUV. My father likely hasn’t seen it, but they probably know what the other vehicles look like.”

  She nodded and left the room.

  Victoria turned to me. “Brick? But the bears hate werewolves.”

  I took her hand and kissed her knuckles. “He can make sure you arrive there safely and return to tell me.”

  She ran her fingertips along the stubble on my jaw. “I wish it could be you.”

  “Trust me, so do I.” I pressed my mouth on her soft lips, taking in her sweet scent and taste, committing them to memory. I’d need to hold onto those while we were apart. She nibbled on my lower lip. I pressed her against the headboard and drew myself into the kiss. She gripped my arms and I flexed. Victoria ran her hands over my muscles and down my sides. Her touch tickled on top of my thin shirt, and I shuddered.

  Her fingers wrapped around the hem of my shirt and pulled it up toward my chest. I cleared my throat and sat back. “As much as I want this, we really should get you ready to go.”

  She frowned. “You’re right. I hope you’re going to plan our wedding while I’m away.”

  The corners of my mouth twitched. “I think I’m going to be a little busy trying to save your life by killing my father—again.”

  “Then I guess that’s up to me. I hope they have wifi in that anti-magic area.”

  I gave her a quick kiss. “I have a feeling that’s going to be the least of your concerns, sweetness.”

  Chapter 74

  Victoria

  I lugged my overstuffed suitcase down the stairs.

  Jet arched a brow. “Moving out?”

  “Funny.” I pulled the handle out and wheeled it toward the front door.

  He came over and took it from me. “Let me.”

  “Thanks.”

  Jet hefted it up. “What’s in here? Bricks?”

  “No, he’s out in the car.”

  “Good one.” Jet opened the front door and headed outside.

  “There you are.”

  I spun around. Toby stood in the doorway between the hallway and the kitchen. He came over and wrapped his arms around me. “Do you have any idea how much I’m going to miss you?”

  “As much as I’m going to miss you?”

  “Maybe. I wish you didn’t have to go.”

  I smiled sadly. “The good news is that after this, all of our enemies will be dead. There’ll be nobody else interested in stopping our wedding.”

  “We can hope.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  He ran his thumb across my mouth. “Only that it always seems to be something.”

  “And look how close we are. The only thing standing between us now is your father’s pack. It’ll be easy-peasy.” My voice caught, knowing it would probably be anything except easy. “Right?”

  “Don’t do this. Don’t cry.”

  “I have no intention.” Yet tears stung my eyes. “But I don’t want to leave you.”

  “We’ll get through this. Soleil will suck the essence out of anyone who tries to hurt you.”

  “I know.”

  The front door opened. Jet came in and glanced our way. “Brick’s ready. Everything’s packed.”

  “Thanks, Jet.”

  He gave a slight nod. “Hurry back. Ziamara isn’t happy about being the only girl again.”

  “Remind her that on the full moon Ember will be human. She won’t be the only one then.”

  “That’s when Zia usually sleeps.”

  “I’m sure you guys will figure something out. Maybe we’ll even be back before then.”

  “Just stay safe.” Jet surprised me with a hug. “Toby isn’t the only one who’s worried for your safety.”

  I returned the embrace. “That means a lot.”

  “Come on.” Toby pulled me toward the door. “I don’t want you anywhere near here when my father’s pack arrives. They’ll sniff around your room, pick up your scent, and go after you. There’s more of them than us. We need to expect that one or two might run off after you.”

  “Will they be able to find me if I’m in that anti-magic place?”

  “You should expect it. There’s nothing magical about our strong senses.” We hurried outside and to Brick’s black SUV. He and Soleil sat in the front. Carter was in the back, sliding his finger around his phone.

  Toby turned to me. “About Carter—”

  “You have nothing to worry about. He respects my feelings for you. I know he bugs you, but—”

  “Actually, I was going to say I trust you completely. I even trust him. He’s given me no reason to doubt his word. His main concern seems to be keeping you safe, and for that I’m grateful. I wish I could go with you, but since I can’t, I’m glad there are three people going who have your best interests in mind.”