Page 43 of Frost and Fate
His honey-fire eyes questioned her for only a beat before he let his wolf free. The black fur glistened as it emerged from Darren’s form. Placing two hands over his back Nova began to let ice coat his every strand of fur, creeping its way across his back. When she was done he looked like an icy porcupine.
She pointed to the oncoming hoard and then, with some humor, commanded, “Shake!”
Understanding lit up his eyes and his wolf was off in an instant. She watched it scale piles of fallen victims, over debris, and past entangled fighters. He came to a screeching halt as the horde came into range. With a violent shake, an arsenal of icy points plowed into the group. A large number dropped to the ground. It worked!
A soft muzzle nudged Nova’s right hand. She looked down, surprised. Maple eyes glowed up at her, and unruly, slightly curled brown fur covered the unfamiliar wolf’s body. She knew those eyes, that curly hair—Aaron. The wolf was looking from her to Darren and back again.Oh.He must have seen Darren shaking off the shards of ice and come to do the same. He nudged her hand again.
“Sorry,” she muttered, realizing it must be frustrating to not be able to communicate clearly in wolf form. She placed a hand atop his soft, thick fur. Ice bloomed from her fingers and quickly coated the brown wolf. He took a few steps to adjust to the weight and feel of the ice, and then darted in the direction Darren had gone. The two wolves passed each other as Darren’s black wolf headed back to Nova.
The other lycans began to pay attention, calling out to her. She coated fur in ice, and slid frozen weapons in the direction of any lycan in human form who could wield one. The high body temperature of the lycans meant they quickly burned through their frosty axes and swords. Nova was working overtime. She began to feel drained and depleted. Her arms were heavy and her body began to feel cold within.
Darren’s wolf watched her intently. She couldn’t tell what he was thinking. He darted away and into the entrance of the complex, and just as Nova was beginning to think she had used up her powers completely, a wave of warmth and energy surged through her. She turned to see Laurie, her blonde brow furrowed in deep concentration. She gave Nova a small smile and nod. Lance’s wolf circled Laurie protectively. He did not look one bit happy about this arrangement.
Darren returned to Nova’s side, ready for another round of ice. She called upon her powers and this time they returned. The wolves, lycans, and Chosen made an impressive team. The number of Collectors began to dwindle. They were winning! Nova felt reinvigorated as she scanned the battlefield. They may really pull this off.
Nova’s feeling of warmth and security was torn away when a concussive energy wave knocked everyone, wolves, humans, and Collectors alike, to the ground. The group looked up, dazed and confused. Near the edge of the melee, atop a heap of bodies, stood three figures. The first was an old man with deep wrinkles and dark sunken eyes. A smile pulled at the corners of his thin cracking lips.
“This fruitless battle ends now.”
Nova’s body tensed as he spoke. She knew exactly who it was. The man from the warehouse. Creedin stared at her from across the vast space. Next to him was a large hooded figure. Nova was unable to see his face. In front of the hooded man stood the small frame of Aria. The hooded stranger towered over the petite lycan. A long silver blade gleamed off of her pale throat.
Gideon was the first to stand. He had shifted back to his human form and stood unmoving. Power flowed freely from the Alpha. It felt suffocating, making it hard to stand back up. The second to rise was Leah, followed by Lance, Darren, and Lucas. Nova could see why each had a prominent place in the pack. It took longer for the other pack members to fight their overwhelming urge to cower under the Alpha’s power and rise up.
Darren, having shifted back, took a protective stance in front of Nova. Gideon took several steps forward but Creedin held a bony finger in the air.
“Uh uh uh, Alpha. Each step you take brings your precious sister closer to death.” Creedin snapped his fingers. Nothing happened. He looked sidelong at the hooded figure. Nova could sense his anger. Creedin snapped again, and this time, the hooded man pressed the long blade against Aria’s soft flesh. She winced as blood trickled down the front of her neck and chest. A shimmering veil caught Nova’s attention as Romani appeared by Aria’s side. The Traveler made a grab for the woman but Creedin had anticipated his move. With one forceful push Creedin threw Romani’s body off the mound and slammed him head first into the concrete. Romani’s body lay completely still.
“Stop this!” Gideon roared. “What do you want?”
Creedin sneered. His blackened teeth and split lips made Nova’s stomach turn. “I was hoping you would ask. I do believe it should be quite obvious what our desires are at this point.”
Nova couldn’t see past Darren’s broad body, but she knew the Collectors’ leader had now turned his gaze on her. Her suspicions were confirmed when a deep growl emanated from Darren’s chest. When he spoke his voice was low and surprisingly controlled. “You will not lay a hand on her.” Every muscle in Darren’s body appeared tense.
Creedin folded his arms in boredom. “Well this will be an easy choice. The Alpha’s sister for your pretty little Celestial. I’ll even help to speed up your decision.”
Nova’s heart lurched and she peered around Darren. The man turned his gaze away from her and back to Aria. The usually gorgeous brunette looked absolutely furious. “Not a fucking chance,” she spewed out and spit right in Creedin’s face. Creedin recoiled, wiping his face clean. When he turned again his eyes had a new hardness to them.
“Very well,” he said in a low, menacing voice. The hooded figure began to raise the knife once again but Aria was faster. She turned her head to the side and quickly ducked under his arm. With lightning speed she reached out for the wrist holding the blade. Just as she grasped his arm, the man’s second hand thrust forward. Aria shrieked as her delicate wrist snapped in two. His large hand gripped her neck, pulling her up.
“Stop!” Nova yelped. “Let her go. I’ll come with you.”
Darren whirled on her. “No!” His eyes blazed. “What do you think will happen once they have you?”
“This is my decision. I can’t let them kill her.” She touched his cheek. “I love you.”
“Nova—”
“I said I’m going!” she cried, louder, turning to face Creedin. A figure appeared to Nova’s right. A cold hand wrapped around her arm and Darren’s face slowly disappeared. When Nova could see again, she was facing the crowd, standing atop the same mound of bodies. Creedin stood to her left, the hooded man to her right. The creature who had teleported her kept a dark hand wrapped around her upper arm.
Aria’s eyes went wide. “Nova—no!” But it was too late. The last thing Nova saw as she shimmered into darkness was Darren running toward her, his eyes desperate and wild, before the pack—and everything she loved—disappeared.
ChapterTwenty
Darren’s breath was warm on Nova’s skin. His mouth moved effortlessly down her neck, suckling and nipping her tender flesh along the way. A warm hand reached under her dress and Nova could feel herself getting wet. Darren traced circles around her clit with his thumb before slipping first one, then two fingers inside of her. She gasped as he began to stroke her in all the right ways. She pushed her hips up to meet his strokes, practically begging him to go deeper, faster. He growled in response and pulled down the top of her dress, exposing her breasts.
Darren’s mouth was warm as he took a nipple gently between his teeth. Nova’s hips bucked up in response. Darren sucked and licked at the exposed bud. The sensation drove her wild. The various stimulation was almost too much. She was getting close, so close. Her breath became erratic as he brought her closer and closer to climax.
Darren murmured in her ear, “You’re mine, Nova.” She gasped as she found herself right on the cusp of an orgasm. “Say it,” he growled and worked her insides even harder, rougher. It was glorious.
