Laura
The closer wegot to my family’s almost derelict cabins, the less guilty I felt. If what Oz and Ace had said was true, and I was inclined to believe it was, then these people weren’t my family at all. They had snatched me from my family so they could use me when I was older. And I had grown up believing them. I had given up my entire life to care for them, and for what? For lies about duty and family.
As if he could read my mind, Oz’s giant wolf bumped his shoulder into me, drawing my attention back to him.It wasn’t for nothing, Laura. You were meant to be here, and I was meant to save you.
I did a double take, my sudden halt making the leaves crunch under my booted feet. The animals in front, both wolf and lion, turned, their lips drawn back over their teeth. Had Oz really just read my thoughts and answered me? All whilst not being able to talk?
His laughter filled my head.It’s a mate thing, and only while I’m shifted. You’ll get used to it.There was a pause.Ace wants to know how much further.
Less than a mile, just after the stream up ahead.I mouthed the words even as I thought them. And Oz grinned with his wolfy lips, flashing deadly teeth at me. I wasn’t afraid though. He had a beautiful animal to go with his beautiful human form.
I need you to hide, ok, Laura? I don’t want you anywhere near what is going to happen. Hide and don’t come out until I tell you. You stay hidden no matter what you hear or see.
There was a strong note of command in his voice. One that I was powerless to fight against. I nodded, pouting, I didn’t want to stay hidden like some defenceless damsel in distress. I wouldn’t be much help, but surely I could do something to help? It was my fault Lainey had been taken. The least I could do was...
The thought trailed away as a shadow passed overhead, moving much too fast to be a cloud. My eyes turned upwards and through the canopy I could just make out a massive figure. Bat-like wings blotted out the weak sunshine, and I sucked in a breath.
A dragon. An honest to God dragon. I should have been terrified, but strangely felt totally at ease.
A pack fell from the sky, landing in front of Oz with the smallest of thumps and for a second I stared at it, confused.
“Clothes and weapons.” Oz stood in front of me, back in human form. “We can’t be seen in these woods as our animals.” He pressed an almost chaste kiss to my lips. “The dire wolves aren’t enough of a threat to risk it.”
“You are going in as humans?” I wanted to beg him to change his mind. The dire wolves were more of a threat than he could know. They might not be strong or have the same training as Oz and his men, but a cornered animal was a dangerous one. And they were desperate with it.
“Yes, Laura. Are you worried about me?” Rough fingers smoothed down my cheeks. My lips parted in a sigh. “I’m glad you are worried, but you don’t have to be. We are very good at what we do. Now turn your back so the others can shift and dress.”
I did as he asked. Maybe another woman wouldn’t have. How often did one get to see three perfectly sculpted male forms after all? But Oz was the only man I wanted to see naked ever again.
It didn’t take them as long as I thought it would, only a few minutes before Oz’s hands were turning me back to face them all.
Ace was checking his weapons, his face purposely turned away. King grinned at me, securing his body armour as he did so.
“Hey, Laura.” He gave a cheery wave. I waved back. It was absurd. They were shifters and had been animals only moments ago, and yet one that turned into a lion at whim was waving at me like an excited schoolboy. “It’s good you’re not freaking out,” he added. “Bodes well for Oz.”
“Ok, enough chit-chat. Hide your woman, Oz. It’s time to move out.”
Oz nodded once, obviously much more comfortable taking orders than I was. I bristled. I wanted to argue back, stamp my feet and tell them I wanted to go with them, but something in Oz’s face made the words die in my throat.
He led me a little off the trail, his eyes scanning every which way until they found what he was looking for. He pointed. “There, against that tree. The underbrush is thicker there, so you won’t be easily seen.” His hands cupped my face. “You need to stay there, Laura. Promise me. I won’t be able to concentrate if you go running off.” His eyes flicked towards the sky, and it was clear he could see something I couldn’t. “Ash will watch over you.”
“He’s not fighting?”
“No, not this time. If Lainey is badly hurt, we will need to get her down the mountain quickly, and flying is the fastest route.” The way he said it made it sound like being flown down the mountain by a dragon was a common occurrence. And maybe it was in his world.
“And Leo?” I had noticed King's twin wasn’t with them as well.
“Running ops. This mountain is closed to the public.” He grinned. “Like I told you, Laura. We are very good at what we do. Now, go, hide.” He squeezed my ass one more time. “The next time I see you, all this will be over, and we will be able to start our new life together.”
Crouching in my hiding place, I watched him slink back through the trees, or at least I tried to. Within seconds, he had disappeared. It was like magic. Except I knew it had nothing to do with magic and everything to do with skill.
