AllFreeNovel
Share Us
They needed her. Not wanted her. Not just accepted her.
They needed her.
She took the first step toward them and they rushed to her. The scent and feel of their love surrounded her, behind her the awareness of her mate and their bond strengthened her.
She had always belonged, she just hadn’t realized it. And now she belonged as she’d never imagined possible.
Catarina Graymore, Breed, mate, daughter.
Loved . . .
And complete.
• • •
Beyond the meeting room Cullen Maverick stood behind the open door, propped against the wall, arms crossed, his gaze on the abstract pattern of the composite cement floor.
He was a Bengal Breed, but he couldn’t smell the emotions and bonds, connections and fears that he knew would be drifting from the room. He couldn’t touch the earth and connect to it, feel its warnings and sense it moods as other Breeds. He was in the dark where the gifts and talents of his race were concerned. He hadn’t even been able to mate the woman he’d loved to save her from the illness that decimated her body.
As a Breed, he was a failure. Recessed where the Breeds inner gifts were concerned.
He was as strong as any Breed, as intelligent, though in different areas, as Gideon, or Graeme, he reminded himself. Dr. Foster hadn’t expected twins from the embryo he’d mutated with animal genetics and select human DNA. He’d definitely not expected a defective Breed. He was probably lucky they hadn’t killed him at birth as they did others.
He was still alive though, and still defective despite Graeme’s mocking references to his stubbornness in keeping the Tiger restrained. His genetics weren’t restrained. They were simply too weak to do him much good. Definitely too weak to have done his wife much good.
“You’re pensive again,” Graeme murmured as he stepped from the room, no doubt to give his mate a few moments alone with her parents. “Blaming yourself again, Cullen?”
The somber question had his head lifting. For one, Graeme wasn’t being mocking where his brother’s recessed abilities were concerned.
Cullen simply stared back at him, refusing to answer.
“You won’t believe me.” Graeme sighed then. “But she wasn’t your mate. When you find your mate the stranglehold you have on your abilities won’t be able to hold them in check any longer.”
Cullen stared back at his brother as he let a mocking smile tilt his lips. “Want to know how I know you’re wrong?” he asked Graeme.
“How?” his brother asked softly.
“Because when she died, I would have died with her if I could. If I hadn’t sworn to watch after Cat and Honor, if you had done your fucking part and stepped up instead of spilling blood across a dozen nations, I would have joined her. That, brother,” he sneered, “is how I know you’re wrong. She was my mate, and I couldn’t save her. There’s no stubbornness on the face of this earth that would have kept me from doing that if it were possible.”
Rather than arguing with his far too superior, arrogant brother, he straightened and stalked through the rows of desks and Breeds manning them to the elevator that led to the main floor and the exit he sought. He had work to do, cases to finish. Just because he had no life outside his work didn’t mean others didn’t.
Watching him leave, Graeme let a satisfied smile curl his lips.
“Why do you think I didn’t let you know I was near, brother?” he murmured beneath his breath, regret and knowledge filling the heavy sigh he let free. “Stubborn fucking Breed. Looks like big brother’s going to have to fix it for you.”
That was okay though, he thought in satisfaction. Big brother was going to like interfering in the little brother’s life. He all but rubbed his hands together in glee. This was going to be fun. Then an odd thought crossed his mind, bringing a frown instead as he turned and shot his mate a curious look. He couldn’t hide his machinations from her, she’d really kick his ass if he did. But he wasn’t one hundred percent certain she would go along with it.
He grinned and turned from her quickly. He’d convince her. She was convincible. He just had to explain it the right way, use the right words, so to speak.
Oh yeah, this was going to be fun.
• BREED TERMS •
Breeds: Creatures of genetic engineering both before and after conception, with the genetics of the predators of the Earth such as the lion, tiger, wolf, coyote and even the eagle added to the human sperm and ova. They were created to become a super army and the new lab rats for scientific experimentation.
The Genetics Council: A group of twelve shadowy figures who funded the labs and research into bioengineering and genetic mutation to create a living being of both human and animal DNA, though references to the Genetics Council also refer to affiliated political, military and Breed individuals and groups.
Rogue Breeds: Breeds who have declared no known loyalties and exist as mercenaries following the highest bidder.
