Wolves' Bane (The Order of the Wolf, #3)(85)

All sound evaporated around me. All feeling, gone. He slanted his lips over mine, their fullness encasing my mouth as he darted his tongue between my lips.

He released my bound wrists, moving his hand to cup my butt as his other stroked the curve of my breast, his tongue plunging into my mouth, tasting me.

The wound to my ribs pulsed, matching the throb of my sex as Lazarus continued to kiss and stroke me. But the pain from my back brought stabbing reality to my mind, slicing through the haze of Lazarus’s magic. Tugging at the cloud of desire. And then I remembered.

Cal. My Hunter. My lover.

I realized what I must do. I reached up to stroke the nape of Lazarus’s neck, my fingers dancing a familiar pattern over his flesh. He moaned against my lips, tasting me even as his body began to slump.

His lips broke free from mine, his eyes wide, fighting against the impossible, before sliding closed. His body grew totally void of strength and I cradled him as he fell, letting the momentum carry me down to the ground with him landing in my lap.

I let my shoulders slump, feeling suddenly exhausted and as I lifted my gaze I found Cal staring at me, his mouth open as if to speak. He held a wolf down, pinning the giant beast in a submission hold that I recognized. The beast thumped and growled, struggling to get free as Cal continued to gawk at me, seemingly lost in my gaze.

With a curt shake of my head, I reached along the graveled ground, my fingers splayed and stretched to grab my dagger. As my fingers brushed its hilt, I sucked in a deep breath. Despite the aching of my broken ribs, I pushed my hand farther out and finally grasped it. I rested for a moment, knowing my body was busy healing my wounds, quickly knitting me up with the help of Cal’s Hunter bond, but the pain still took my breath away.

As I turned my eyes to Lazarus, I felt the strange sensation of sorrow cloud over my pain. Staring down at such a beautiful, sleeping man, I found it hard to believe how evil he was. But he was evil. And I had to put an end to it all. Without another moment’s hesitation, I plunged the blade home, slicing through the expensive suit that Lazarus wore, offering no protection to the bite of silver that entered his chest and went straight to his heart.

Lazarus’s eyes flew open, a silent scream on his lips as his body died. He could do nothing. It was already too late.

The fighting suddenly stopped. His pack, sensing their leader’s demise, looked from one to the other, seemingly confused, disoriented. One let loose a mournful howl that sent a chill rushing down my spine. The rest followed suit, and then all gathered themselves and took off, leaving the Hunters looking around in bewilderment. That is until their individual gazes fell on me and Lazarus, my hand still clenched on the handle of the blade.

Cal ran to me, easily lifting Lazarus off my lap so that he could haul me to my feet. He wrapped his strong arms around me, careful not to squeeze my injured ribs.

“You did it. Morgan, you did it.” He was happy—I heard the hope, the love. When he pulled away to look down at me, he was smiling. “I thought he had you. I thought you were enthralled.”

I didn’t smile back. The pain from my wound hurt again, now that the adrenaline was gone, a scathing cut across my back from Cal’s sai. “I put him to sleep.”

Cal stared down at me, looking dumbfounded and clearly speechless for a moment, the strangest expression on his face. “That…well, that was brilliant! Of course. But why didn’t you tell me? Why didn’t you let me know that’s what you had planned?”

I licked my lips, my mouth suddenly parched, my body humming with exhaustion. “I didn’t tell you because I didn’t know.” I frowned. “I almost gave in to him, Cal.”

Cal’s wrinkled brow matched mine. “But you didn’t in the end, Morgan. You didn’t give in.” He smiled softly. “Now we can go home, build a life without this hanging over us. Lazarus is dead.” He ignored the scowl that tugged on my lips, the denial shadowed in my eyes. But when he moved to embrace me again I stepped away from him.

“I’m not going back to the mansion with you.”

Cal’s smile faded, his lips parted to speak.

I raised my hand to stop him, my fingers resting on his lips. “I’m not going back with you.”

“But you have to, Morgan. We can’t leave the Order. I’ve taken a vow of loyalty.”

I nodded. “Yes, you have and you’ve proven your loyalty.” When his frown deepened, I sighed, letting my hand fall back to my side. “But I didn’t take any vow and I won’t. I can’t live in a house where everyone wanted me dead.”

Lance came to us then, forcing us farther apart with his presence. “Andrew is missing.”

“Dead?” Cal asked, his eyes never leaving mine.

“Ken saw him dragged off by two of the wolves. He said they made a killing blow to the neck, but we can’t be sure.”

No one needed to say it, they all just knew. There was a chance that Andrew was dead. There was also a chance that Andrew would end up like Jimmy. A werewolf with intimate knowledge of the workings of the Order.

Cal nodded even though no one had said anything. “We have to get back to the compound. See if Kelly is okay.”

Lance motioned toward the vehicles. “We need to get Rachel to her home.”

I shifted my gaze to the SUV. “I’m coming.”

Lance frowned. “Of course. I’m sure she’ll react better if she has a friend with her.” He patted Cal on the shoulder as he turned to walk away. “We’ll be back in a few.”