Twice Shy

the way just in time to miss a blast of energy erupting from the wizard's hands. Then Alexander was that almost invisible again.

Jonas leaped for his back, worried only fleetingly as his teeth sank into the blackness. The illusion dropped so fast Jonas almost lost his hold, disoriented. The hesitation nearly cost him everything. He was amazed at the strength of the wizard, who dropped desperately to knock him off his back. Then there was nothing but a human cry of pain as Jonas's teeth closed over his jugular. Nothing but the sound of gurgling death when he ripped it out.

He shifted as he dropped the wizard. Spit blood out of his mouth, then wiped it away with the back of his hand. Zach joined him as Gabby ran out of the house, shaking and panicked.

“Ethan?”

He didn't smell Ethan's death in the air, but that didn't mean he wasn't in trouble. “We'll find him. Go get Mick.”

She took off up the trail. Zach jerked his head to where the trees were thickest.

“This way.”

It only took a few minutes to find Ethan. He was unconscious, pale but breathing. Jonas slung him over one shoulder and followed Zach back to his house, where a crowd had gathered inside. He wasn't surprised Gabby and the others had beat him back to the house. Jonas carried him to the living room and laid him out on the couch, where Elspeth approached and looked him over.

“Knocked out by a blast of magic. He'll be fine in a few days,” she gently told Gabby, who'd knelt by his side and taken his hand, refusing to be moved. “He'll be more comfortable at home in bed.”

Jonas stepped forward to lift him again, but Zach and Caleb stopped it. “We'll handle it. And get all our women out of your hair,” Caleb joked, his critical eye sweeping over Dane also. “And the boy. Grab your things.” Harper, looking pinched and worn, jerked forward. “Why?”

“Don't worry, little one,” Zach said. “He'll be safe at our house.” Mick stood behind her, his hands massaging her shoulders, and she nodded, relaxed at the comfort given by her mate. Jonas felt something tighten, then snap in his chest. Emotion overwhelmed him. He couldn't speak as everyone left. Didn't know what to say when it was just the three of them alone. It was Harper who broke the spell. With a cry, she pulled free of Mick and rushed to him, clinging around his waist.

“What is it, darlin'? What's wrong?”

Chapter Eleven

She shook, but it wasn't until she looked up at him that Jonas realized it was with fury. “If you ever scare me like that again, I swear I'll rip your heart out.” That seemed a little extreme under the circumstances, especially coming from his gentle-souled mate. He looked over her head at Mick and cocked an inquiring eyebrow.

“Gabby was pretty freaked-out when she came to get us.” He shrugged one shoulder, but Jonas knew he wasn't as unaffected as he appeared. He seemed to vibrate with pent-up energy. “We didn't know until you walked out of the woods with Ethan that you were safe.”

Harper's hands fisted in his shirt at the base of his back. “I mean it, Jonas,” she said fiercely. “Never again.”

He held her tighter, sliding his hands up and down her back in an effort to comfort her. He kissed the top of her head and looked up to meet Mick's gaze.

“Let me make it up to you,” he whispered, letting the desire, the love he felt for them color his voice.

Mick didn't budge, and his arms were crossed over his chest. “Is this a breakthrough, then? Something has changed?”

He laughed. “You mean other than I've been an idiot?” That startled Harper enough that her scent changed with it, the anger finally leaking away. She leaned back in his arms. “You'll have to explain that. Now would be a good time,” she said tartly.

She amazed him. So vibrant. Full of life. His. “Why did I ever think you were submissive?”

Mick finally moved, hands dropping to his sides as he strolled closer. “Oh, she has her moments, don't you, sugar?”

“Um.” The scent of arousal spiked, lush and tangy in the air, on his tongue.

“We're talking about Jonas right now.”

“Later,” Mick murmured against her nape. “He's not going anywhere.”

“No, I'm not.” Not now. Not ever.

Harper escaped from their arms and retreated a few feet, switching her gaze back and forth between him and Mick. He groaned when he got a good look at the mutinous, stubborn look on her face. She pointed a shaky finger in his direction.

“I have questions you two need to answer. I'm new here. Not a werewolf. I'm flying blind, and sometimes I get the feeling you prefer it that way.” Well, hell. “That's not true. I just forget that you don't know our world like…” He almost said like Liza, but something told him that would be a mistake.

“We can answer questions just as well naked, sugar,” Mick drawled, his voice deep and sexy and coaxing, rushing to Jonas's rescue.

Harper wasn't being deflected, however. One eyebrow cocked, she switched her attention to Mick. “Maybe the more answers I get, the more skin you'll see.” He jerked at the tone of her voice, felt the subtle flare of magic she used to infuse it with a sultry invitation to sin. “Not fair,” he croaked.

She shrugged. “Neither is you keeping me in the dark. I'm here for more than sex, aren't I?”

Finally, he could retreat into irritation. This emotion shit sucked. “Of course you are,” Jonas snapped.

Mick sighed and gave him the baleful look that seemed to scream you damned idjit. This was his worst nightmare. Outnumbered. Hell, he'd said he wasn't going anywhere. They knew how he felt. Why did he have to put everything into words?

He was so much better at action. He almost said all that. He almost stomped out of the room. One look over and he knew Mick was his usual calm, or maybe resigned, self. He didn't expect Jonas to do anything but avoid