Roland considered his leader. With his dark auburn hair and permanently gold eyes Nafarius was a supreme leader. He was tall with broad shoulders, a narrow waist and long legs. He stood several inches shorter than Roland but Nafarius was not one to be intimidated. After a moment Roland gave a barely perceptible nod then turned and made his way into the mountain.
Nafarius watched after his friend and once he was sure that the Roland was secure within the mountain he moved to round up the rest of the pack. Messengers needed to be sent to neighboring packs, the guards changed and updated and the women made aware of what was going on. With plenty to do, Nafarius set off to find Sam. Talking to her always seemed to help him organize his thoughts and often times she saw things he did not. She was also likely to know the right things to say to Roland.
Roland waited just inside the mountain, his tall form hidden in the shadows until Nafarius left the clearing. Slipping out of the mountain and into the forest was easy and it didn’t take long for him to pick up on Natasha’s scent. He knew where they had been picking berries and once there it was a simple matter to follow. There were only four of them, Natasha, Nicholas and two others and they were moving fast. Dropping on to all fours Roland changed into animal form and burst through the trees. If he kept to a brisk pace he was sure to catch up to them before dark.
“Let me go!” Natasha struggled and pulled at the rope binding her hands in front of her. Digging in her heels she tried to slow them down. She knew it was no use trying to stop them. Nicholas had set a brisk pace but instead of heading north they were going south. She wasn’t sure what he had in mind but it couldn’t be good. Her hope was to slow them down enough to allow Roland and the others to catch up. If Nicholas was able to reach his destination there was no telling what he would do.
Norman, the werewolf holding her leash gave a sharp tug that nearly pulled her off her feet. Catching herself she glared at his back wishing she were stronger. Norman was by far and away the largest man she had ever seen. He stood well over seven feet tall and was built like a brick wall. Most people cleared a space when he came through. It wasn’t just his size that intimidated but the way he looked at you with those cold dead eyes. He was vicious and a brut but that didn’t stop her from trying.
Nicolas walked on ahead paying her no mind. He was deep in thought about the events to come and couldn’t be bothered with her complaints. He had been watching Natasha and his brother for the past two weeks. Not only had his mate deserted him but his brother had managed to lure away his entire pack. It was an insult he couldn’t stand for and he had quickly made plans for their destruction.
It was time to end this. Nicholas had known all of his life that he would never succeed as long as his brother was alive. It was as if the gods had deemed only one brother good enough and it was time to show them just who that really was. Nicholas had spent much of his time trying to please those they worshipped but he soon realized that as long as his brother lived he was doomed to failure.
Once he had taken care of Nafarius he would take over the surrounding packs and rule supreme! It was only a matter of time, and a little planning. He had already figured out how to lure his brother out into the open. He knew Nafarius well and he knew that if any member of his pack was attacked he saw it as a personal assault. Nafarius also saw it as his sacred duty to protect all under his rule. Nicholas knew that Nafarius would be headed this way just as soon as he learned of Tasha’s abduction. Never mind that she was his mate. Nafarius obviously saw her as under his protection. His younger brother had a soft heart and in the end that would be his downfall.
Natasha was scared. She’d never seen Nicholas like this before. He was usually explosive, lashing out at anyone and everyone that crossed his path but he had yet to really look at her. She had picked up his scent immediately and after stashing Joseph in the bushes set out to lead him away from the child and her pack. With his larger size and superior speed it hadn’t taken him long to catch her. He caught her in a flying tackle but unlike before he refrained from striking out at her. He just sat there and waited until Norman and Rufus had caught up bearing the rope. Even the way he looked at her had sent chills down her spine. It was as if he didn’t really see her.
It was getting dark when they finally made camp. Nicholas ordered a halt and they quickly went about building a fire. He seemed unconcerned about the fact that they were trespassing upon another pack’s lands and insisted that they build a fire and eat some freshly cooked meat.
Natasha eyed him cautiously as he approached. “You must be hungry. Here, eat this.” He handed her half of the roasted rabbit Norman had caught earlier. Reaching out he brushed her hair back from her face. “I know it wasn’t your fault. These things are beyond your control. But once I kill Nafarius you will no longer be under his influence and you can again come to me.”
“What are you talking about?” He was crazy. The realization hit her with such clarity that she was surprised she hadn’t seen it before. He’d always been violent and abusive but nothing like this. He was delusional and she wasn’t sure which was worse. At least before she knew what to expect but now Nicholas was unpredictable and that made him even more dangerous.
“It doesn’t matter, I know you don’t understand but I do and I forgive you.” Nicholas smiled and pulled her into his arms. “And now that you’re back I can once again make you my mate.”
Natasha paled and struggled to get off his lap. “I will NOT mate with you again. You’re crazy! You think that all you have to do is kill Nafarius and everything will be fine?” She stood shaking with fear and rage but there was no way she would willingly lie with him again. “First of all, you don’t stand a change against your brother. He’s ten times the man you are!” Natasha didn’t stop at the warning anger she saw gathering in his eyes. She was done backing down. “And another thing, I don’t love you! I never have and I sure as hell don’t want to be your mate! I’ve found someone else, someone that knows how to treat a woman, how to care for her without hurting her.”