Read Hecate's Own: Heart's Desire, Book 2 for Free Online Page B

her. She looked very much
at home now, unlike when she’d first become Chris’s mate. She’d fought their
mate bond with everything in her, only giving in when it appeared Chris’s life
was in danger. “Sort of like a male Elizabeth Taylor.”
    Chris rolled his eyes. “Mom would have a fit. And when Mom
has a fit, I hide under the bed and pray for the apocalypse. That I have a
chance of surviving.”
    Zach tried to hide his yawn. “Where’s Daniel?”
    “He had to run home to take care of something work related,
but he’ll be back in a few hours.” Lana frowned at him. “You want to take a nap
until the rest of the pack gets here?”
    Zach blinked at her, grateful beyond belief for the
suggestion and the concern behind it. His brother had truly lucked out in the
mate department. “Please?” It felt like all the pressure he’d been under since
Annabelle Evans had banished him to Cleveland was suddenly lifted from his
shoulders.
    Fuck, it was good to be home.
    “I think we need to discuss what happened.” Chris had his
big-brother hat on, and Zach wasn’t sure he was going to leave. “I want to know
exactly what happened.”
    Lana smiled at Zach, holding up her hand and stilling the
protest he’d been about to utter. “I’ve got this.” Lana got to her feet. “Chris?
I’m going to be in our bedroom, naked, in the next ten seconds.” She darted out
of the room and ran for the stairs, her laughter tinkling in her wake.
    Zach’s jaw dropped open.
    “Hell. Bye, bro!” Chris dashed off after his mate, her giggles
suddenly cutting off.
    Zach pulled one of the soft decorative pillows over his head
and hoped their antics didn’t keep him awake. When he heard Lana squeal he
started to laugh.
    When it cut off abruptly, he held the pillow even tighter
over his face.
    He could understand the sudden loneliness that hit him, but
it wouldn’t do for anyone to find him crying.

Chapter Four
    Darkness would be a blessing. Too bad they’d chosen to
light a fire.
    Zach could barely see. His eyes were swollen shut. He’d
howl, except he was muzzled. His paws were bloody from trying to scrabble free
of the cage the men had put him in. A chain had been locked around his neck
with a silver collar, enchanted to be unbreakable even by magic, hobbling him
in place. He’d tried to turn back into his human form, but it was magically
sealed to keep him wolf until they were ready for him.
    He was helpless to save her.
    A dark altar had been placed right where Zach could watch
the horror unfold. A hooded man stood over a naked woman, bound to the altar
with silver, enchanted chains. Blood stained that silver, a mark of the
sacrifices that had gone before. He could see the woman straining at her bonds,
her wrists chafed raw from the cuffs.
    A knife flashed into the air. The chanting increased in
intensity. The foul language seared his ears. Below the girl, the runes on the
altar glowed a vicious green. They were going to sacrifice her to the dark
powers, and there was nothing he could do about it.
    The girl turned her head and pleaded with her eyes for Zach
to save her. Zach increased his struggles against his bonds as he realized just who was strapped down on the altar. He renewed his struggle to get free
of his bonds, ignoring the blood that littered the grass beneath his feet.
    He couldn’t let those bastards kill Jo.
     
    “Shhh.”
    The dream faded, leaving Zach feeling somewhat queasy. What
the fuck?
    “Is he asleep?”
    Zach kept his eyes closed and his limbs loose. He didn’t
want to give away that he knew his brother Daniel was close.
    Payback time, asshole. Daniel tortured him
incessantly. Zach had his own way of getting some of his own back.
    “I don’t know. He’s been through a lot and looks like hell.
Maybe we should just let him rest.” Gareth’s worried voice came closer.
    “Why the hell would we want to do that?”
    Thanks a lot, Daniel.
    “Fine. You wake him up then.”
    And that’s why Gareth’s