His eyes turned flinty, a muscle in his jaw ticking. But instead of rising to the bait, he drew in a slow breath and said in a lethally calm voice, “I will do anything to keep you safe. Even if it earns your hatred.”
The quiet declaration took some of the wind out of her sails. Katy searched his stoic face and saw the maelstrom of emotions he was barely keeping leashed. Fear for her warred with desperation to protect her, even from herself.
Katy’s anger deflated, leaving her tired down to her bones. She understood his terror of losing her all too well. Because the thought of losing him after just finding each other gutted her as well.
Rubbing her throbbing temples, she said wearily, “I get why you’re scared. But you can’t ask me to trade innocent lives for my own, Gage. Either choice ends in a pain I can’t bear.” Her voice broke on the admission.
“This path Lola suggests might break the spell, or it might fail and cost you both your lives. Magic this twisted is unpredictable.” His eyes flashed. “We will find another way that doesn’t put Lola or you at risk. You must trust me in this.” Gage’s severe expression softened. Reaching out, he gently drew her into the shelter of his powerful body. His large hand cupped her jaw, tilting her face up to meet his intense stare. “You bear a heavy burden, Little Wolf. Do not add guilt to it needlessly.” His thumb brushed away an errant tear. “We cannot control what others choose to offer, only what we accept. Your friend acts from love, even if it is misguided.”
Katy nodded, drawing comfort from his nearness. If only she could stay here in the shelter of his strength and forget about vindictive snake kings and impossible choices. She sagged against him, soaking up his warmth and strength. Then she buried her face in his neck, breathing in the scent of cloves and pine.
“Forgive my harsh words earlier,” Gage rumbled, regret lacing his gravelly voice. “Watching you in such torment, I just…” He shook his head helplessly.
Katy lifted her head to meet his pained, green eyes. “I know,” she whispered. “But we have to trust there’s a way where everyone wins. We can’t lose hope.”
“Whatever comes, we will face it together. You won’t carry this alone.” He pulled back just enough to meet her eyes. “But I swear to you now, I will not allow your life to be traded, come hell or high water. We will find another way, even if I must tear apart the veil between realms. Your fate is with me, Katy Dire. Never doubt it.”
His fierce conviction, the glint of violence in his eyes, should frighten her. Instead, it fortified her flagging spirit. Gage would move heaven and earth before losing her. For the first time, she truly understood the intensity of having a wolf for her mate.
Katy traced the hard line of his jaw tenderly. “We’re in this together then, Gage No-Last-Name.” She echoed his words back to him. A watery smile broke through her turmoil. “I guess I won’t be checking out permanently after all. You’ll just have to put up with me a little longer.”
Emotion clogged her throat. Standing on her tiptoes, she brushed her lips over his in a feather-soft kiss. His arms tightened, keeping her close as the kiss lingered, speaking what they could not—that they would face whatever came side by side and somehow find a way through the shadows, together.
When she pulled back, blinking away tears, Katy managed a tremulous smile. “Can you give me a few minutes to finish talking to Lola? I need her to understand.”
Gage nodded and stepped back reluctantly. His hand lingered a moment, squeezing hers. “I’ll prepare us some lunch. You need to keep your strength up.”
His protectiveness made her heart twist even as it warmed her. She watched him disappear down the hall before taking a bracing breath and unmuting the phone.
“Still with me, Lo?”
“I’m here,” Lola said softly. Katy could hear her friend’s remorse and knew her anger had faded. “I’m sorry. I’m just desperate not to lose you.”
“No more reckless talk about sacrificing yourself,” Katy said sternly. Then her voice gentled. “We’re in this mess because of Azure’s selfishness. More sacrifice just adds to the pain.”
“You’re right. I hate feeling so useless.” Lola huffed a weak laugh. “This mate bond is turning me into a crazy lioness.”
Katy smiled sadly. “Love makes us all a little crazy sometimes. We’ll figure this out, but the right way.”
She heard Lola take a shaky breath. “I trust you, Kat. Just don’t give up, okay? We’re going to find a way to save you all.”
The fierceness in her friend’s voice brought tears to Katy’s eyes. But she blinked them back, clinging to Lola’s faith.
They’d walk through this valley yet. Katy just prayed that when they reached the other side, no one else would have to be lost along the way. What she didn’t tell Lola or Gage was that she was still prepared to give up her life, if that’s what it took to save the innocent women who’d been forced into this life.
Gage stared out the window of the cabin he’d called home for nearly a century, but his focus was far from the beautiful landscape beyond. His mind kept replaying the moment Otto told him Katy had to sacrifice herself. Then the resolve he saw on her face when he’d confronted her about it. The despair and acceptance in her voice tore at his soul. She would willingly give up the precious gift of life because her heart was too damn big. And though she didn’t know it, because he hadn’t bothered to mention it, as her mate, he could feel her emotions. So while she told him she trusted him to find another way, he still felt her resolve to give up her life if it came to it.
And he, the mighty Dire Wolf, the last of his kind, could do nothing to stop her. Never had he felt so powerless. Gage was a protector, a warrior. Fighting impossible battles was in his blood. It’s what Dire Wolves did—they laid down their lives for the ones they protect without hesitation. But how did you fight for someone determined to become a martyr?
“I know you’re hurting. I can feel it. Why can I feel what you’re feeling?”
Gage turned at the sound of her voice. Katy stood just inside the bedroom door, outlined in soft, fading light. After they’d eaten, she’d taken a nap on the couch in the living room. Gage hadn’t wanted to disturb her, so he’d come to the bedroom to brood.
“The same way I can feel whatyou’refeeling,” he said gruffly.
Surprise and embarrassment flashed in her eyes before changing to the sorrowful resolve he’d come to know too well on her beloved face, making his heart seize. Gage crossed the room in an instant and pulled her fiercely into his arms. This was so new to him. The miracle of a mate. Something he never thought he would deserve or want. To have her in his arms was beyond words. He found that when he was in her vicinity, he just couldn’t help himself. He needed to touch her.
“We’re mates, destined by Visata,” he told her, even though she already knew that part. “Not to mention I’m a Dire Wolf, which changes things for us. I have always been able to morph into my beast. A blessing from our Creator because my kind protected the shaman. But that doesn’t mean our mating won’t give me other abilities. I just don’t know what those might be.” He ran a hand down her back and felt her shiver at his touch. “For the moment, we can add ‘feels each other’s emotions’ to that list. And it means that we will most likely have supernatural abilities that others do not.”
