Chapter 35: D Day

BORIS

Johannes is on edge, and I can’t figure out why. He’s been restless in my mind for the past few weeks, unable to explain his unease. This has left me irritable and quick to anger.

I find my parents in the living room, snuggled up together. I take a seat across from them.

My father straightens when he sees my troubled expression. “What’s wrong, son? What’s bothering you?”

Lyric, too, sits up and reaches for my hand. Our wolves are twins, a complex situation. Sadie and Johannes were created together, even though Lyric is my father’s mate. That’s the Goddess’s doing!

“I’m not sure. Johannes has been…restless? Disturbed? I can’t even name these emotions! They’re starting to affect me. We dream of fire! We dream of flames in the sky! It’s…unnerving.”

“Has the Goddess said anything to you about it?” Lyric asks.

“Nothing! That’s what’s so infuriating!” I growl. “If she would just communicate with me like she does with Willow, things would be so much simpler! Instead, she gives me visions that I have to interpret!”

I stand and start pacing. “Half the time, I can’t even tell if these visions are literal or symbolic!”

My father turns to Lyric. “Has she shown you anything?”

“No, nothing. It’s been quiet. So, this must be a personal vision, Boris. Not a pack vision. This is something that pertains to you alone! Do you sense danger? Or peace from this fire?”

“It feels like…a purification, almost. A sense of wholeness. But…not quite. I’m drawn to the fire, but I won’t be burned. I’ll be complete.”

A gentle smile spreads across her face. “It’s about your mate, Boris. The Goddess is showing you her promise fulfilled. Be patient. You’ll see. She will be revealed to you soon.”

“Do you think that’s what it is?” my father asks her.

“Think about it, my love. How did your wolf feel when you were coming to America to see me?”

My father laughs. “Nervous as hell! He was restless! Then when we saw you on the TV screen, I knew I needed to be where you were. I needed to meet that beautiful woman and claim her as mine. My wolf claimed you before we even scented you.”

“I believe the Goddess is giving Johannes a taste.” She giggles. “A small preview of how powerful your mating will be. How in sync the two of you will be. Already he is feeling her emotions without even knowing who she is. Embrace them, Johannes. Show Boris what she feels so he can help her.”

Lyric looks into my eyes to speak to my wolf. I feel him settle and lay his head on his paws.

“I… I heard from Willow. She’s planning to attack the vampires tomorrow night. I’m leaving in the morning to join her. I need you, Dad, to stand in my place to protect the pack. Lyric, you will be his second as I’m taking my beta and Lira with me. We may need medical assistance on the field and Demitri will have the hospital staffed and ready. But knowing my sister, the only real casualties will be the vampires. She’s a force of nature.”

Our parents grin.

“She also has the real vampire king by her side,” Lyric says. “I don’t foresee too much damage on our side. Andrei is very powerful. Now that he’s mated to his true mate, he’ll be unstoppable.”

I nod, bid them goodnight, and head upstairs to my room. Now, I’m looking forward to the dreams of fire. I want the fire to cleanse me and prepare me for my mate. I can’t wait to meet her and make her mine, whoever she is. I’ve waited a long time for her. I’ll wait however long it takes.

WILLOW

I’m in the middle of training when I feel him. Genisis starts jumping around and yipping in my head. With supernatural speed, I’m in his arms, my legs wrapped around his waist. He laughs as he stumbles back to avoid falling, holding me tight. Our lips meet in a heated kiss!

“Woman,” he growls, “you almost knocked me on my ass.”

“It’s all good. It’s a workable position. I like being on top.” I smirk against his lips.

“Hmm, I like it when you’re on top too.” He starts walking with me still clinging to him like a monkey. “Tent?”

“Over there.” I point over my shoulder. We head in that direction, and I link Jenna and tell her, no interruptions until further notice.

He sets my feet on the ground and seals the tent flap. Then we both start undressing. Quickly! I push him onto his back on my cot and climb on. I lean down and capture his lips, giving them a little bite. “I’ve missed you! Sleeping without you was awful.”

I move down his neck and lick his mate bite. It sends shivers through his body. I rub my core against his hard erection. He moans against my neck and bites into my shoulder just enough to break the skin. Then he licks it as a small amount of blood rises.

“Goddess, woman, you taste so good!” Next thing I know, I’m being flipped onto my back and he’s over me. He takes a nipple into his mouth and pulls it with a hard suction, causing my back to arch up into him. His fingers are busy with the other nipple.

“Andrei!” I pant. “Please!” I beg.

“Please what, my beloved?” he growls into my stomach as he moves down my body. Soon his lips are wrapped around my clit and my hips rise up to meet him.

“OH!” I moan loudly. “So good!” His tongue flicks my nub, and I immediately climax! Holy crap, how did he do that?

He hums as he drinks down my essence then moves back up my body and plunges into me hard and fast. He sets a relentless pace, but I’m all for it! “Oh…oh! Again! Just like that!” I scream into his shoulder. He thrusts into me and then…together we tumble over the edge into bliss.

“My woman,” he says into my neck. “I love you, Willow. More than I ever dreamed possible.”

I cuddle into him and hug him tightly to me. “I love you too, Andrei.” I breathe him in and kiss his chest above his heart. “We need to finish training. We take them down tonight. Are you ready?” I look up into his white eyes.

“I feel so powerful. More powerful than I’ve ever felt before. I’m certain it’s a blessing from the Goddess. I can sense the energy building up within me. I’ve been keeping my beast in check. He’s itching to reclaim his throne. We’re ready to crown you as our queen.”

“I don’t need a crown; I just need to be yours,” I reply.

“And you are, my love. Always and forever.”

He then moves over me, making love to me gently this time.

A while later, Andrei and I emerge from my tent, our hands intertwined and smiles plastered on our faces. Jenna giggles at the sight of us, and Alpha McCall grins.

“King Andrei, always a pleasure.” He extends his hand to my mate.

Andrei returns the greeting, and we make our way to the fire. We settle down as Rueben and Jenna serve us breakfast and coffee.

Just as we get comfortable, the sound of a helicopter fills the air.

“That must be Boris. He mentioned wanting to be here when we spoke yesterday.”

“I’ll get more coffee ready,” Jenna says, walking off with a smile.

Soon, my brother and Otto join us. I hear a squeal and know that Lira has come with them and has reunited with her mate, Eros.

I grin and hug both my brother and Uncle Otto. “Jenna’s making fresh coffee. Are you guys hungry? We have scrambled eggs, potatoes, and bacon.”

“I’ll get you both a plate,” Reuben offers.

“You’re looking better than I expected, brother!” I remark. “From the sound of your voice on the phone, I thought you’d be exhausted.”

“I slept better last night than I have in a long time. I’m ready for this. Let’s bring the fight to them. Let’s restore the rightful king to his throne and heal.”

Boris actually sounds like his old self. The rest has done him good. I smile at him, then turn to my mate with an even bigger smile.

“I’m so ready to get this over with and move on,” Andrei says, squeezing my hand.

I look up and see Selma standing just outside our circle. It’s a good thing it’s daylight. The vampires will be asleep, hiding from the sun.

“Victor, I need you to take both Beth and Selma to the pack holding cells. I’m not sure when we’re leaving for the caves, but I don’t want them to have a chance to warn Ivan about our attack,” I say.

“Yes, Willow. Consider it done,” Victor replies.

I sit back and watch as two sentries approach Selma, take her arm, and lead her away. I hear Beth yelling as they are both taken to the pack house and put in the holding cells.

Andrei gives me a questioning look.

“The spies?” he asks quietly.

“Exactly.”