Collaring the Saber-Tooth Page 5

  “We were betrayed.” Akaos moved next to them and wiped the tear that fell. “It was someone I trusted. I’ve been trying to think, who it could have been. I keep coming up with the same answer.” She banged her head against Warden’s chest and her fingers dug into his waist.

  “I don’t want it to be, min kammerat,” Maya mumbled the last part, my mate, in Dutch. Her emotions a mess, but she knew they would protect her.

  Her mother had told her, once a female meets her soul-bonding partner, every time she stepped into his arms it was if she’d come home. Her mother hadn’t been wrong. Even with Warden, his arms felt like a safe haven.

  “Sabrina,” she snarled, and rested her head on Warden’s chest. “I found her in an alleyway almost dead on my trip to Maine. She was a Snow Leopard, and someone had tried to skin her alive. She is the only female who did not stay here with us after she’d healed.”

  Warden slowly lowered her to the ground. She took his hand and Akaos’ leading them down the hall towards her family. Anthony, Lacey and the other girls all turned to stare at them when they entered the family room.

  “We can’t stay here tonight. Gather what you need and lock up what you can’t take. We will be staying at…” She stomped her foot and snarled. “Damn it, she even knows our backup houses! God, I’m so stupid!”

  “Hush, all of you can come back with us. The main house has plenty of rooms. Isn’t that right Anthony?” Akaos brushed her thick mane of hair to the side and kissed her cheek.

  “Stop, min kammerat. I have to concentrate.” She stared at Anthony. “The truth and don’t say what he wants to hear, Anthony, because we don’t want to throw someone out of their rooms.” Her mate nipped her shoulder.

  “Hey stop. You know he would say anything to agree with you. Plus, we wouldn’t feel right if we were displacing someone.” She squeezed his hand.

  “We have plenty of rooms and security is tight. No one will bother you, I promise.” Anthony smiled. “I have to admit it is strange seeing him like this.” Both he and Lacey stared at Warden.

  “Lacey, this is Warden. It seems Akaos isn’t my only mate. I have three.” Both of them gasped and turned to Akaos.

  He nodded. “Warden is also my bonded along with Tesuss. I’m sure all of you will meet him soon enough.

  Maya took in her sisters. All of them were frowning and staring at her men. “Yes, both of these men are my mates. My cat accepts them as I hope all you will, since they will be with me always.” She waited and sighed when all of her friends nodded.

  “Okay, we’ll meet in front of the garage. Anthony, what happened with Tim? We need to make sure our vehicles are not carrying a transmitters or something?” She tried to disentangle her fingers from Warden and Akaos, but both of them refused to release her hands.

  “I’m not going anywhere,” she whispered to Akaos who just brought her hand up to his mouth and nipped her finger.

  “But we hold on to what is ours and you are ours.” Akaos said before he gave the okay for Anthony to speak.

  “Tim has already been taken back to our home base. We have enough vehicles here to transport you and your family. No one will need to drive. We have to leave soon, it’s getting late,” Anthony said, walking towards the exit.

  “Wait you didn’t tell me shit! What? How? Not that much time…” Maya looked up at the cuckoo clock and she moaned.

  “Damn, we’re not going to get any sleep tonight, unless…” Maya grinned. “Akaos, can you get hold of Dan and have him meet us out here around three in the afternoon. That way it will give us some time to sleep. I also need to go through my files...” They released her hands as she turned and took off down the hallway to her sleeping quarters.

  Both men crowded after her, with Akaos on the phone arranging for Dan to meet them out here the next day. At five foot three her two men towered over her, protecting her.

  As soon as she reached her private wing, the smell almost knocked her over. She hadn’t been up here in three days, sleeping downstairs in her tree after each hunt.

  Her hand trembled as she reached for the door to her bedroom. “What did they do now?” She slowly opened the door to her room. She covered her mouth with her hand, but couldn’t help the small cry that came out.

  Warden wrapped his arms around her and picked her up, swiftly taking her out of the room while Akaos entered by himself.

  “They’ll pay for this. I promise Cat de mica. What do you need in here? I’ll go inside and get it. You don’t need to go in there.” Warden rubbed his hand up and down her back while he held her with his other hand.

  She wrapped her legs around him and laid her head onto his chest, trying to bury her face closer to drown out the stench of death.

  She shook her head. “Why did they have to kill her? There are so few of us left. I keep the girls personal folders up here. There is a safe…” Maya couldn’t let them win. She slowly lifted her head up and patted Warden’s cheek.

  “I have to do this.” And lowered her legs to the ground, her head rested against his

  stomach now. “But would you stay close, please.” She looked up at Warden, then at Akaos who frowned at her.

  “You should allow us to do this. We’re here to help.” Akaos pleaded.

  “You have helped me more than you will ever know, both of you.” Maya whispered.

  Chapter Five

  Akaos and Warden stayed close to Maya as she moved around her bedroom and gathered her things. He’d called a crew and they were on their way to take care of the dead woman on Maya’s bed. Randolph would suffer greatly for what he’d done. Not only hurting those around them, but touching what belonged to him.

  There was no mistaking his stench was on her, but they hadn’t wanted to say anything, to hurt her any more. Maya sighed and made her way back to them with two full bags in her hands. “I’m ready. Everything else is ruined or has their stench on it and right now I don’t want to smell any of it.”

  Maya stared at him, then at Warden. “I know you can smell him on me and I’m sorry. He moved so fast, like you do. I should have been prepared. I knew he was old and powerful, but I was stupid. I thought I could handle him, Akaos, and I was so wrong.” She shook her head and stared down at the floor.

  “For the first time in a long time, I feel useless. How am I supposed to protect my sisters, my friends? If another one of them…” He stopped her words with a finger to her mouth as he took one of her bags.

  “Little Cat, did he hurt you?” He lifted her chin with two fingers.

  “Not physically, not this time, but I still feel dirty. Let’s go, I want to soak in a nice hot tub. All of a sudden, I’m real tired.”

  Maya didn’t say a word as they made their way down to the large foyer. She looked around and frowned. “Where’s Eden?” She gazed over at a small dark-haired woman.

  “She won’t come. Eden locked herself in her room. I can hear her pacing back and forth inside, but she won’t answer me.” The woman was close to tears, but her twin hugged her and held her.

  Setting her other bag down, Maya looked at Akaos, then at Warden. “I have to get her to come. She’s new here. I don’t want to leave her alone.”

  He nodded. “Go, but take Warden with you. I don’t want you left alone again. I’ll get everyone in the right cars. If you need me, you can call to me. We’re always here,” Akaos said the last part in her mind.

  She nodded and leaned into Warden’s body as she led him through the complex. “I know, but I’ve always been by myself. It will take time to get used to this.” She moved out of his sight and all he wanted to do was pick her up and take her away from all the pain.

  “When we get all this settled, the three of you can take me to California. Would love to do the Hollywood thing, plus I’ve been meaning to check out a few leads I’ve had.”

  Akaos inhaled deep, the smell of the water, and the cool air was cleansing to his soul. Yes, this little place she called home was nice. He smiled at Anthony.

&
nbsp; “She thinks of going to California to follow some leads.” Akaos stretched and cracked his back.

  Anthony laughed. “Like you guys are going to allow her to go?”

  Lacey snarled behind them, while Maya came back into the room, a very small woman very close to her side.

  “Actually, they have no say in what I do.”

  “ I have a few houses on the outskirts of Shasta, California. Yes, I think we all need to go and enjoy the mountain. I’ll talk to Dan tomorrow. A good week there will clear our heads.” Maya patted the small woman, Eden’s arm. Warden stood behind them in a protective stance.

  “There is someone all of you need to meet.” She turned to Eden.

  “It will be good for you to get away from here. Just remember, Eden, these men are the good guys. Any time you are scared, call to me and I’ll come, no matter where you are. That is why I always request us to bond.”

  She hugged the woman who was scared and huddled in her arms. “You go with Lacey. She has agreed to room with you tonight, and Eden…” She whispered in her ear. “She is a great listener.”

  Eden nodded and took Lacey’s hand. Both of them got into the Hummer, but not before Lacey turned to look at her. “Are we still going tomorrow night, well tonight?”

  She hissed. “Shit, I forgot. Of course we’re going. Turtle has lied to me for the last time, but I don’t think we need to take the other girls. Just inform Opal, and the three of us will deal with him. I think Dan needs someone to arrest and Turtle has been getting too brave lately.”

  Lacey laughed, and even Eden smiled. “You are just plain evil, but I love it. Although I don’t think your mates are going to like it too well. You know how much Turtle worships the ground you walk on.” Lacey wiggled her eyebrows before she shut the door.

  Maya laughed. “Just wait Lacey, payback’s a bitch.” She looked over her shoulder at her men and they both smiled at her as if they knew something she didn’t.

  The Hummer drove away and Anthony’s limo pulled up. He opened the door for them, a large smile on his face. “This is going to be a very interesting ride home.”

  Her laughter was flirty and she roughed up Anthony’s red hair, but Warden latched onto her hand and squeezed.

  “There will be no touching other males.” Akaos tried to put a teasing tone into his voice, but even she heard the snarl from them both and busted out laughing.

  “Oh, you are going to love Turtle!” Maya slid into the limo and he shook his head.

  “Why do I get the feeling I’m going to have to drain this Turtle?” Akaos grumbled and slid into the limo next to his mate as Warden sat on her other side.

  Anthony laughed and sat across from them. “Have you told the others that you have found your partner?”

  It was the first time his brothers had been mentioned in a long time. He shook his head. “No, but I’m going to have to inform my family of the news soon. Especially since Warden is here with us.”

  Anthony whistled and sat back. “Having four of you around was heavy, but the whole family.”

  He studied Maya. She was staring out the window. “All twelve of you are brothers, right?” She turned and smiled at him.

  “Yes.” He lifted her and placed her on his lap. “But don’t think I forgot about this, Turtle. Now, what are you planning for tomorrow night, or rather, tonight?” She squirmed on his lap, her round rump moved around till she got comfortable.

  Warden reached over and grabbed her legs, putting them on his lap as he started to rub them.

  She moaned and fiddled with the button of Akaos’ shirt. “Turtle is really pretty cool. He knows everyone, and I mean everyone.” Her gaze met his.

  “He runs the streets for our kind. Yes, he’s a pimp, but he does it to protect these girls. They would have sought out another pimp if he hadn’t stepped in. You know how many of our women need to, well you know. Anyway he has been helping us. He’s sort of my ears, but lately he’s been a little pest. It’s time to put him in his place.”

  Akaos captured her hand and kissed it. “And what has this pest been doing? Anthony, do you know of this Turtle?” He kissed her hand and looked at Anthony.

  “I don’t know how she deals with him. The man has not taken a shower in a year, he stinks, and he is a letch. Do you really believe what he tells you?” Anthony’s words and facial expression held contempt for the man.

  She stiffened in his arms and turned to glare at Anthony. “He’s a pig shifter, what do you expect? Are you going to hold it against me because I’m a saber tooth? As far as information, he has been right on when he does give me something. Don’t discount the smaller man, because it is the smaller one you have to worry about most. Now, the only thing that annoys me with Turtle is he has a little crush on me and it can be a pain in the ass. Hell, the man gets a hard on when I walk into the room.” She shivered.

  Next to him, Warden stiffened and snarled, but she just reached over and patted Warden on the shoulder. Little did she know, Warden was on the verge of taking her right there in the car.

  “He might be gross, Anthony, but he has saved many women our kind who have been turned away from your doors,” Maya snapped.

  Akaos held up his hand before Anthony could respond. “Don’t you think that was a little harsh? I’m sure Anthony hasn’t turned any of our kind away. Why would you say that?”

  Maya leaned back and looked up into his gaze. “You can go through my memories right?”

  He nodded, not liking where it was going.

  “Then I suggest you take a closer look. Try November fifteenth.” She dared him with her gaze and words.

  Closing his eyes, he slowly and carefully moved through her memories until he came to that day. What he saw shocked him so that he was once more staring at Maya. “Has this happened many times?” He glanced at Anthony who shook his head.

  “He can read my mind too?” Maya snarled when Anthony shook his head.

  “No Maya, I just showed him what I saw. There had to be at least ten women there looking for help.” He rubbed his head.

  “I don’t know how this can happen. I’ve always made sure there were homes for our people.”

  She sighed and patted his chest as she laid her head on it. “That night was a bad one. To be fair, I don’t even think Anthony knew about that night. Turtle called me and Lacey to help him. Something horrible happened at the Dragon House. The females didn’t feel safe and several of them had been attacked. Each of my girls donated blood that night and the tension was great. As if…” Maya sat up straight. “As if something… I need my phone…” She patted her shirt and pants till she found it.

  * * * *

  Maya couldn’t believe she hadn’t thought of this before, but she needed to brainstorm with Lacey. “Come on Lacey, answer your phone.”

  “You know you’re going to see her in a few minutes.” Akaos grinned and looked out the window. “We’re here now.”

  She smiled. “How was I supposed to know that?” Maya went to jump out of the limo when both Warden and Akaos held onto her. “Maya you’re old enough to know better. How did you survive without scanning?” he snipped and she glared at him.

  “Excuse me? One, I’m supposed to be with my mates, so I should be safe. Two, if it’s not safe out there, then why the hell did you bring my family here?” She squirmed out of his arms, but once outside she wished she was back inside the limo.

  The place was enormous. From what she could tell with her night vision, stonewalls surrounded the place. Armed guards patrolled everywhere. Men stopped and stared down at her family as they exited their cars.

  As if on cue, her sisters moved to her side surrounding her, ready to attack. “This is not a warm welcome, Akaos.” She hissed.

  Guns were pointed at them. “I trusted you. We would have been more prepared at home. No wonder half of the female vamps leave your homes. I’ve got that warm, cuddly feeling. Don’t you, Lacey?”

  She snorted and hissed. “Yeah, real cuddly, but I usua
lly don’t cuddle with my dinner and right now I’m about ready to have me some fine raw meet.” Her hands turned to claws and her eyes changed to that of a cat.

  The night air grew warm, even the insects stopped their buzz as if a great danger was upon them, and then she saw him. The man, the warrior, the Ancient in all his glory, her man stepped out of the limo and power poured off him causing those around them to drop to their knees before them. Her Akaos.

  “Never point a gun at my family, and these are all my family.” He turned his gaze on her, his eyes glowed orange as he held out his hand. “Come to me, Maya.”

  Now was not the time to test him, but he sure was pushing her buttons. She snarled, but slowly moved towards him, with her family following close to her. She stepped into his arms and knew at once this was but a small ounce of his power.

  “Min kammerat, you are taking undue advantage here.” She scrapped her fangs over the bare skin of his chest. Warden moved in next to them and stepped behind her, protecting her.

  Akaos arms enclosed around her and he rested his chin on her head. “That might be so, but I will not trust your life with these morons. She is mine, be warned now. You aim a weapon at her or harm her or her family I won’t hesitate to kill you.” Each one of his words was like the sting of a whip. The men around them backed away from them and her sisters.

  Anthony stepped out of the limo and shook his head. “You are not making friends, Sir.”

  The snarl came from deep in his chest as it shook under her head. Both he and Warden turned their attention on Anthony.

  “I’m not here to make friends. Just because you’re family, do not push me Anthony. How are your men going to act when my brothers come? And they will be here.”

  He bent down and scooped her up in his arms. “Lacey, bring the girls. All of you can bunk down in the suits reserved for my suites. It will be easier, and Maya would be more comfortable having you around. Is this okay with you?” Akaos glanced down at her and she smiled, nodding. She rubbed her cheek against his chest.