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  Bound to Them

  Witches of Rose Lake, Book 4

  Lia Davis

  Bound to Them

  © Copyright 2020 Lia Davis

  Published by After Glows Publishing

  PO Box 224

  Middleburg, FL 32050

  AfterGlowsPublishing.com

  Cover and Formatting by Glowing Moon Designs

  All rights reserved under the International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, organizations, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Warning: the unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

  AfterGlowsPublishing.com

  Contents

  Introduction

  1. Brooke

  2. Brooke

  3. Brooke

  4. Brooke

  5. Brooke

  6. Brooke

  7. Brooke

  8. Colton

  9. Brooke

  10. Brooke

  11. Brooke

  12. Brooke

  Witches of Rose Lake

  About Lia Davis

  The Collective World

  Also by Lia Davis

  Bound to Them

  Witches of Rose Lake, Book 4

  I’ve been on the run and underground for too long.

  I’m Brooke Walker, witch/wolf hybrid and tracker for Sunshine Lives.

  I've been off of Harrison's radar since I mated with the twins: Reid and Raven. The bond between us gives me a false sense of protection. However, I’m still looking over my shoulder. Because one day my past will catch up to me.

  When I learn my father has control of the council and Harrison is the one being hunted, a new fear rises within me. The evil ex-councilman is desperately looking for the relics to complete a spell that could save all paras or curse them.

  I contact my Source to confirm the information that could send me on the run, again. He wants to meet in person. He’s always been an informant. No name. No face. When we finally meet, he reveals secrets I’m not ready for.

  Including the fact that he’s my third mate.

  Brooke

  One year ago

  The crack of gunshots echoed around me, ricocheting off the tree trunks as I ran through the forest with no set destination. Well I had a final destination and it wasn’t my grave.

  Although I hadn’t planned to leave so soon. At least not until I knew more about Sunshine Lives, the human-run organization that aided in hiding hybrids like myself and keeping them off the council’s radar. According to the magical council, hybrids were dangerous and needed to be put down.

  Hence why I had Hunters chasing my ass. And I’d keep running, leading the assholes far away from my sister and the Carter Moon Pack. My heart broke in a million pieces for having to leave Cassia behind, but it was the only way to keep her safe and get the Hunters off her trail. We knew the day would come that we’d separate. It was the only way. Together, we were too powerful and like a beacon to the Hunters.

  I screwed up royally by going outside of the protective wards of Pack land and was noticed by the Hunters. Now my sister and the wolf Pack that protected us the last few years were in danger. I had no choice but to run.

  Jumping over a fallen tree, I used my heightened senses and speed to stay far enough ahead of the Hunters where they couldn’t catch me but not too far where they think they lost me. The last thing I needed was for them to turn back toward the Carter Moon Pack. They would surely tear the pack apart searching for Cassia.

  Not today Hunter freaks.

  I had a plan…sort of. I was going to find Sunshine Lives HQ and join their fight for taking down the cruel bastard that the head of the council—Harrison Beck.

  The smell of fresh water met my nose while my elemental magick tingled with awareness. My lips lifted in a slow, wicked smile. I could control all things water and the weather. It was all part of my witchy side. My speed and super-senses came from my wolf half. I was a deadly combination of magick and beast.

  Another gunshot sounded much too close behind me. Pushing my legs to go faster, I raced ahead the turned right at the next large oak, going off the main trail. I’d hoped to slow the fuckers down while I formed a plan on where the hell I was going. At least where I was going to lead the Hunters.

  I may be a wolf, but that didn’t mean I had a good sense of direction. Damn.

  I had planned to hop on a bus in a few months, but the Hunters had tracked me down right outside of Pack territory. I needed to shake them off my trail before I made the trip to Sunshine Lives’ HQ in California. Leading the bastards to the organization would be counterproductive. Not to mention, dumb as fuck.

  I skidded to a stop as a large leopard jumped down from a tree a few yards ahead of me. The large black and gold spotting beast snarled and crouched as he stalked closer. My heart lurched in my throat and I called my magick from deep inside me. It warmed and simmered just under the surface while spreading out to my arms and hands, waiting for my command.

  My sensitive hearing picked up on at least three sets of footsteps behind me, closing in. Luckily, we were close enough to the stream I could pulled from it. Raising my hands, I called to the water. The leaves in the trees above us shook and the wind picked up. The water from the stream raced toward me, stopping a few inches from my body. Then I swirled my hands in front of me, making the water spin into a large sphere.

  The leopard’s eyes widened, and he backed up while crouching low and growling. That’s it, kitty, be afraid. When the other Hunters rushed through the thick brush, I broke off pieces of the liquid sphere and formed arrows with the water, making them solid spears of ice. Each arrow pointed at a Hunter while the sphere spun in front of the evil spotted kitty.

  The leopard tried to move, but my ball of water followed him.

  The click of a hammer being cocked snapped my attention to Hunter with midnight black hair and eyes just as dark. Our gazes locked as he aimed right at me. Bastard. A fierce growl erupted from me and I screamed as I pushed all my energy outward. White light blasted from me, shooting out in all directions, and the water arrows jetted forward as if they were shot from an air bow.

  At the same time the dark-haired Hunter pulled the trigger. I wasn’t fast enough. The bullet hit my shoulder, throwing me back. I landed on the ground and slid several feet until my head hit something hard. Pain erupted in my skull and the edges of my vision darkened. I heard footsteps close by and growling of a wolf. No. I had to get up. Had to move.

  Rolling to my side, I pushed myself up and stumbled to my feet. I only made it a few steps before collapsing to the ground. Then darkness pulled me into to sleep.

  Soft peeping was the first thing to reach my senses as I regained consciousness. Upon opening my eyes, I was thankful the lights were dimmed because my head pounded like someone was sitting on top of it, hitting it with a hammer. Right, I hit my head.

  After the fog of sleep slipped away, a flood of memories filled my mind. Instantly, I felt my shoulder, remembering I’d been shot. When there was no pain, I glanced inside a shirt that didn’t belong to me and frowned. The wound was completely healed. That meant a Healer had sped up things or I’d been out for a few da
ys.

  Fear caused me to sit upright, making my head throb a little more. Fuck. I pressed my palm to my forehead and gently rubbed. The pain in my skull eased a little. I glanced around the room and noted it was a bedroom with one very small window toward the ceiling.

  Where the hell was I?

  “Welcome to Sunshine Lives.” A male voice drew my attention to the door.

  Holding my magick in check, I studied the male for a long few moments. He had short black hair and the palest blue eyes I’d ever seen. And he was a wolf. My own wolf recognized his right off, which worried me. The she-wolf was intrigue by the male.

  Forget it, girly. Now wasn’t the time to make friends with random strangers. Especially with the possibility that they could be working for Harrison.

  The wolf standing in the doorway entered the room and his scent drifted across the room wrapping around me like a physical hug. Vanilla spice with a hint of sandalwood.

  Mine.

  Oh fuck no. I didn’t need a mate, especially a male I didn’t know and who could turn on me. “Who are you?”

  He crossed the room to me. Instinct made me reach for my blade, but it wasn’t there, of course. The blade wasn’t my only weapon, so I readied my magick by calling it to the surface.

  The male stopped and held up his hands, apparently feeling the low hum of my power. “My name is Reid and I mean you no harm. I found you in the forest and brought you here.”

  Narrowing my gaze, I studied him. He was telling the truth. I knew that because his scent didn’t change, indicating a lie. I’d been on the run for so long it was hard to trust new people. Even while living in the Carter Moon Pack, I found it difficult to connect and trust.

  Trust came so much easier for Cassia because she was a Healer. She could actually see into someone’s soul and know if they meant harm or not. I didn’t have the same abilities. “Where is here? You said Sunshine Lives, so I’m in California?”

  “No.” Reid shook his head and took a careful step forward as if testing to see if I’d strike out at him. When I didn’t call my magic back, he closed the distance to the bed. “We’re still in Nevada. This place is a safe house for Sunshine lives and warded. If you are feeling up to it, we can leave within the hour.”

  Leave? “Where to?”

  He reached for my head and I grabbed his wrist. One dark brow rose while the corners of his lips dipped into a frown. “I want to check your wound. You hit your head pretty hard.” Then his gaze dropped to my shoulder. “I was surprised at how fast you healed once I got the bullet out.”

  Had Cassia known I was shot? We weren’t twins but had a connection and bond like most magickal twins had. We could communicate telepathically and use each other’s powers. It was odd but useful. I must have pulled from her healer abilities while I was out of it. Healers couldn’t heal themselves, but she could since that I was injured and sent her healing power through our bond.

  Releasing Reid, I pushed him out of the way as I stood. The room spun and I reached out for the closest thing to steady myself. That thing was the hot wolf next to me. He responded instantly by wrapping an arm around my waist and pulling me close. “Where are you going?”

  I glared at him and tried to pushed him away. I didn’t like the way my body responded to his touch, to his heat that seeped into my soul. “I need to pee and I need to get the hell out of here. The Hunters will not stop until either I kill them, or they kill me. I prefer option number one.”

  When his loosened his hold, I stepped out of his embrace and waited for the dizziness to fade away. How hard did I hit my head? Why hadn’t I healed my head? Something was wrong.

  Getting a good look at the room, I noticed it was a studio apartment. The bed was positioned in the corner by a large picture widow that was covered in faded green drapes. The floors were a fake wood laminate, but it was clean. In fact, the whole place was tidy. It might not be a five-star hotel, but it held a cozy, safe vibe. Yet, Reid said it was a safe house.

  I stretched out my senses, opening up my witch powers. The apartment, no the whole building was warded by several layers of protection magic. Relief flowed through, relaxing me a bit. At least Reid had taken me somewhere safe. Wherever there was.

  If he were a Hunter, he would have killed me before now. Maybe he could be trusted. Besides mates couldn’t hurt one another without also hurting themselves. Not that I was admitting to being his mate.

  Damn, I didn’t need more complications.

  I made my way into the bathroom. Once inside I left the door open so I could ask him questions as I inspected the wound on my head. It was about an inch long and hidden in my hairline. “Do you work for Sunshine Lives?”

  He stepped into the doorway and leaned against the frame, watching me. “Yep. I’m a hybrid like you.”

  Cutting him a glare, I studied him. I didn’t sense anything other than a wolf inside him. “Hybrid?”

  One corner of his sexy mouth lifted while his blue eyes flashed brighter—his wolf looking out at me. “I was born to a witch and a wolf. I took my mother’s side of the gene pool. My twin is the witch.”

  “A twin, huh.” I poked at the head wound. It’d heal on the surface but was still tender. At least I didn’t bleed out. Maybe that was why I hadn’t healed all the way. The healing power would have stopped the bleeding and focus on the more critical injuries.

  Reid moved farther inside the bathroom, making the already small space seem smaller. “Thomas sent me to find you and your sister. Where is Cassia?”

  “She’s safe.” I stared at my reflection in the mirror, not trusting myself enough to make eye contact with the wolf next to me. My long curly blonde hair was an unruly mess and appeared tangled in places. Great, it’d take me forever to get the knots out. Unless… “I had a backpack on.”

  Reid darted out of the bathroom and returned a few moments later with my pack. I took it and dropped it on the counter. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  Digging out a pair of jeans and a black tank top, I placed them beside the pack then found my toiletries. I lifted my gaze back to Reid, who watched me with intense interest. I considered telling him to leave but I still had questions. “I’m going to shower and ask you questions.”

  His blue eyes sparked with desire and I fought a groan. Why in the hell did I have to meet my mate while on the run from Harrison’s crazy-ass Hunters? Because the Fates were bored. That had to be it.

  He stepped closer. “We could conserve water and shower together.”

  Holding up my hand, I shook my head. “Not today, wolf. And before you ask, yes, I feel the mating pull. If you haven’t noticed, I was almost killed and captured. And even though this place has wards, I don’t trust that the Hunters can’t find a way through them.”

  He folded his arms over his chest. “I agree. However, we are safe for tonight. I killed the remaining Hunters when you were shot, then covered our tracks. Then I had a team come in to set a few false trails using your scent. I bought us some time. You’re welcome.”

  I gaped at him. The cockiness in his tone made me want to punch him. However, the confidence in his words eased my urgency. “Who is this team?’

  He removed his shirt and tossed it to the floor behind him, then leaned into me. My pulse increased and liquid desire flooded my body, making me ache in places I didn’t think could ache. A low chuckle escaped him as he stepped back. I watched how his muscles flexed and rolled as he bent to turn the shower on.

  “What are you doing?”

  He straightened and wicked smile lifted the corners of his lips. “Turning on the shower.”

  Smart ass.

  When he unbuttoned his pants and pushed them down over his hips and farther, I gasped and shook my head. “I didn’t say you could shower with me.”

  “But your scent betrays you.” He chuckled and tested the water.

  The scent of his arousal filled the bathroom and I glanced down at his boxer briefs. His erection was impressive a
nd my pussy ached. I groaned in frustration. I didn’t need a mate!

  Damn wolf.

  2

  Brooke

  Reid stepped into my personal space and wrapped his fingers around my neck. Lust sparked inside my core making every inch of my body blaze like it was set on fire. He dipped his head and buried his nose into my neck. I hitched a breath as he pressed his very naked body to my still clothed one.

  A groan stuck in my throat as he slipped his free hand under my shirt. Then he spoke in a growled whisper that almost made me come. “You’re mine and I’m going to have you.”

  Fuck yeah. Wait? Why was it a bad idea to mate? Oh yeah, I have a horde of Hunters chasing my ass.

  Flattening my hands to his chest and flexing my fingers against his soft, heated skin, I pushed at him but movement was weak. I was weak. The desire and overwhelming need to claim him was winning over logic. Like my will at the moment. Then again, being bound to my mate could help rather than hinder. Bonded mates were more powerful and worked as one.

  Reid could help over turn the council with me, safe my father from his captivity, and overturn Harrison’s control.

  Just then he bit the curve of neck where it met my shoulder. A flood of pleasure and passion washed through me.

  Reid stepped back and pulled my shirt and bra off. Then he worked on my jeans. After pushing the denim over my hips, taking my panties with them, he slipped his fingers through my folds. My body jerk and hips bucked at the sensations. My insides lit up like football stadium at a night game.