Mary thought back to her fae friend, Juliet, and how she’d recently gotten swept up into a vampire’s life. Brannick was a good, honorable man, just like Fergus and Juliet was a powerful fae woman who fell hard for the man. Fergus was right. The couple had definitely shared powers and still did. They were also deeply in love. In fact, Mary felt certain she’d learn of an engagement any day now.
Was this to be Mary’s path as well, to hunger for a man outside her species, maybe to even be with him permanently?
She shuddered and shook her head. She’d shunned Savage because of how her sister had died and because there were more murders and uprisings in Savage than any other territory in Five Bridges. Wolves were violent.
Yet, she couldn’t turn her back on Fergus. She would do what needed to be done, at least for right now. Sydon had a reputation as a man full of perverse, evil intentions. He ran a rogue pack, serving as their alpha, and had set his sights on taking over another pack.
Sydon had already tried to kill Fergus by puncturing his heart with a skewer. He’d do whatever he had to do until he accomplished all his goals.
Mary knew how the packs worked. Sydon, having defeated Fergus in the dominance battle, had a right to become the pack alpha. Even the Savage Pack Council would be forced to uphold his claim, regardless how many of his wolves he hurt in the process.
She cringed at the thought of any of the female wolves being forced to work the Savage Strip sex clubs. They’d be pumped full of amber flame first, of course, a drug that would make them more than willing to do what they were told.
Drawing a deep breath, Mary closed her eyes and took Sharon’s suggestion. She used her fae senses to reach into the future. What came to her was a sensation of profound movement all around her. That’s when she understood she was experiencing a wolf reaction, not fae at all. She stayed with it, holding the wolf energy close as she focused on the immediate future.
After a moment, images of Fergus came forward. She sensed that at least for the next night, she’d be hea
ding into Savage, a place she’d never wanted to be. But her life right now appeared to be entwined with his, much like the intricate three braids he wore.
Opening her eyes, she glanced down at the nightgown in her hands. Maybe it was a fae instinct, or perhaps just a womanly one, but Sharon was right, Fergus would love her in it. She felt something else as well, that she would love wearing the silky gown for him.
He’d been her lover in the dreamglide. She could feel it now, how close they’d been and why she’d raced across the room and hugged him, why he’d called her ‘Sweetheart’.
Knowing he would need her over the next few hours, and that she intended to accompany Fergus back to Savage whether he liked it or not, she stood up and let the towel fall to the floor. She knew this wouldn’t just be about the pleasure of sex but about connection. In that sense, she was taking a huge forward step.
Slowly, she slipped the nightgown on.
CHAPTER THREE
SITTING ON THE side of the bed, Fergus stared at the cell Warren had provided for him. He’d just spoken to his fellow alpha and had learned the horrific state of his pack.
His ribs felt crushed all over again.
He had to challenge Sydon, the sooner the better. The bastard was planning on shipping off several of his female wolves to the Savage Strip sex clubs tonight.
Fergus knew Sydon. He wouldn’t wait. It was clear he had big plans to rule the territory probably with the help of the cartels and the Gordion Pack was his jumping off point.
He sat on the edge of a wing chair, his towel still wrapped around his waist, damp hair down his back. He glanced out the window. Time was not on his side. He couldn’t leave until full-dark. But as soon as he was able, he’d fly to Warren’s compound. He and Warren would work together to oust Sydon.
Mary’s voice entered his mind. Fergus, I’m coming with you tonight.
Fergus frowned. Her words made no sense and her voice, even telepathically, carried an edge. What do you mean, you’re coming with me? To Savage? His territory was the last place Mary ever wanted to be.
You’ll need me tonight. So, as soon as the sun drops below the horizon, you can fly me over. I assume you’ll be meeting up with Warren and laying out your strategy for retaking the Gordion Pack.
Fergus stood up. He was thoroughly confused. What the hell had gotten into Mary that she was insisting on joining him? And why was she telling him what she planned to do instead of asking?
He left the guest room, headed down the hall and found the door to the master bedroom open. He moved straight in and laid out his thoughts. “You’re not going to Savage. I’m planning on a coup and you’d be … in the … way.” His voice trailed off as Mary emerged from the bathroom. She wore a sexy nightgown so sheer in places he could see her nipples. They were peaked, a sight that aroused him, to say the least.
His eyes widened. “What the hell are you doing?” He lifted his arm, gesturing to her nightgown. “I mean, what is all this?”
Mary’s eyes glinted. “I’m supposed to be with you. I don’t understand why and remember, you’re the one who found me in your dreamglide so don’t pretend for a second that you’re an injured party here.” Her lips quirked.
“I’m not injured, I’m confused. What’s changed? I don’t get it.”
She moved a few steps closer to him, her scent riding him hard. He loved the way she smelled, her fae femaleness with a hint of rose and yarrow beneath. He could see that she was offering sex, but he needed to know what she meant by it. He didn’t want any misunderstandings between them.
“Are you remembering our time together right now?” He asked.