Wild Desire (The Protectors Book 1) Read online

  She sat down at one of the chairs around the kitchen table. He knelt on the floor between her legs, his hands resting on her knees. “Right now, though, I need to know why you’re so emotional. It’s not only the vision, is it?”

  “No,” she responded in a timid voice.

  Her cheeks burned, and she gazed out of the window.

  “Look at me, honey.”

  When her eyes locked with his, he was mesmerised at how the three colours swirled in their depths.

  When she’d been silent for too long, he squeezed her legs gently. “Come on. If you don’t tell me, it’ll only fester.”

  “Okay. Now if this doesn’t scare the crap out of you, I don’t know what will.”

  She became silent again, as if warring with her emotions.

  “It can’t be that bad. Tell me, Mila. Please?”

  Mila ran a hand across her eyes. “I saw Lily and Mathis sharing that private moment when we first got here. It was when he put his hand on her stomach, I…”

  “You what, honey?”

  Mila held the tip of his chin in one hand. “I realised, in that moment, that I want to have your baby.”

  A loud roar of triumph rang out inside his mind, both animal and man elated by her admission. His lips found hers and kissed her until she sighed. Elias broke first, his eyes searching hers.

  “You’re not mad at me? Or… wanting to break up?”

  Her words made him sad. “Get up, Mila.”

  When she stood up, he took her place and sat her on his knees. “Why on Earth would I be mad at you?”

  Looking down, she twiddled her fingers. After a short while, she gazed back at him.

  “Well, we haven’t known each other very long at all. After we first had, sex I tell you I love you. And now, just a few hours later, I admit that I want to have your babies. Most men would have freaked out and headed for the hills by now.”

  A low warning growl left his throat and she whimpered.

  “Listen carefully to me, Mila. I am not most men. The bond we have is unbreakable and will only become stronger. It makes me so happy that you want to have kids with me. I feel I could take on the world right about now.”

  “Oh, I honestly… Sorry, I’ve lost the ability to form words.”

  He laughed when she blushed. “What you’re experiencing is all very normal for our kind. I can’t wait until your belly is big and round like Lily’s, knowing it’s our child growing inside you. And until then…”

  “Until then what?” she whispered.

  “Until then, I’ll make sure we have plenty of practice.” He laughed wickedly.

  “You’re so bad, Elias.” She hopped off his lap and proceeded to help with lunch preparations.

  He stalked after her, turned her around, and kissed her until she trembled against him.

  “I may be bad, but you love it.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  As early evening approached, the two couples headed for the gathering. Mila’s nerves were closing in around her. She wondered what they would think of her. What if it all went horribly wrong and they decided to banish her?

  “Stop worrying. They will all love you.”

  “It’s okay for you, Elias, but this is a huge step for me. A short while ago, I was heading back to my home after being away for years. The biggest concern I had was starting my new job. And also, a few days earlier, I wasn’t a shifter’s mate who had the power of sight.” She huffed a frustrated sigh into his mind.

  “I understand it’s all a bit overwhelming for you, but it’ll be okay. No one bites… apart from me when I get you home later.”

  He sent a naughty chuckle inside her mind which left her wanting and needy.

  “Stop it, Elias. I’m jumpy enough.”

  A few minutes later, they came across a large clearing. A beautiful wooden building stood at its centre, and outside she could see a barbecue area. The smell of food teased at her nostrils. Children ran around playing and adults were mostly seated on picnic tables close to the hall.

  “How is this not visible from the air? And the smell of food and people talking,” Mila asked no one in particular.

  “Supernatural beings, with supernatural powers. We can cloak heat signatures, noise, and smells too,” Mathis replied.

  “Mila!”

  She glanced up in time to see Maddie running directly at her. Mila knelt and gathered the girl into her arms. She smelled of fresh meadows and sunshine.

  “Hi, Maddie. Good to see you again.”

  “Will you come with me? I want you to meet my friends.”

  Maddie grabbed hold of Mila’s hand, giving her no option but to follow. Turning to look at Elias for guidance, he grinned and nodded. Everyone turned to look at her, although no one said anything. Her nervousness elevated until, all at once, she was surrounded by children. Most were Maddie’s age, some a little older.

  “Mila is Elias’s girlfriend,” Maddie announced.

  The boys groaned at the word girlfriend, while the girls became giggly. Mila sat on the ground with them.

  “Hi, everyone.”

  “We’re building a den over there.” One of the boys indicated to just beyond the treeline. “Will you help us?”

  Mila smiled. “Sure. My dad helped me to make one when I was about your age.”

  They headed over to the treeline. Questions came at her from all directions, but instead of finding it unsettling, it relaxed her. She loved working with kids.

  * * *

  Elias felt a sense of pride when the children accepted her. It overwhelmed him with love, his heart hammering inside his chest. That woman, his woman, was going to make an incredible and loving mother to their children someday.

  “This is a good sign, my friend.”

  Elias smiled. Evan was one of his closest friends, a bear shifter, and they’d been through a lot together over the years. Still unmated, he was notorious for being a bit of a player, but he could sense his friend longed to discover his mate.

  “Yeah,” Elias replied, his eyes firmly fixed on Mila and the children. “They all seem to gravitate towards her.”

  “Hmm. Could also have something to do with Maddie telling everyone how she saved her that day.”

  Elias’s thoughts turned back to Drake and how he’d almost run the girl into the ground when she was in her shifter form. Then they changed to how he’d desecrated Mila’s home, and he growled.

  “Hey, dude. What’s up?”

  “Drake. That’s what’s up, Evan. That asshole needs to be dealt with.”

  He went on to describe what Drake had done at Mila’s home, and how he’d chased Maddie.

  Evan let loose a low whistle. “Jesus, that is so fucked up. The guy is insane. Like, off the scale crazy. I think you’re right, Elias. He’s trying to mark her as his. Are you sure it’s a sensible thing for her to be working as a ranger?”

  He shook his head. “Not really, but she refuses to back down. Stubborn, feisty, passionate, and maddening as hell… I could go on.”

  Evan threw back his head and laughed. “Yeah, and you love her.”

  His friend turned thoughtful.

  “She’s out there, man, I just know it.” Elias clapped him on the back.

  “We’ll see. So, come on. Introduce me to her.”

  They headed over to where Mila was helping to construct the den.

  “Elias, can you help us?” one of the older boys called out.

  “Not just now, Sean, but at the weekend I’ll bring some of my tools and we’ll work on it then. Time to pack up now, guys. I have to introduce my mate.”

  “Awesome. Thanks, Elias. Mila is cool,” Sean announced as he walked past the men.

  “Honey, I’d like you to meet my oldest and closest friend, Evan.”

  Mila walked over to them, with Maddie clinging to her hand for dear life. She caught sight of her parents and ran toward them. The love of his life looked adorable in that moment. Her eyes alive with happiness while she watched Maddie.


  “Hi, Evan.”

  Evan pulled her into a huge hug. Elias had to stifle the warning growl. He realised Evan was only being friendly, but he couldn’t help himself.

  “How is someone so beautiful mated to this guy? Bears are much better, baby,” he teased.

  Elias loved the way Mila’s cheeks flushed deep pink at Evan’s words.

  “NO.” Mila’s strangled cry shocked both men.

  Then her eyes went blank and she started to slip to the ground. Elias picked her up into his arms and headed for the building, with Evan close by his side.

  “What’s wrong with her?” Evan asked.

  “I’m not sure. Wake up, honey. Can you hear me? Evan, can you get Lily and Tia for me?”

  Evan headed out. Lily was their most powerful seer and Tia’s healing abilities would come in handy. Elias sat on a chair, cradling Mila to him. What had she seen about his friend that made her react in that way? Whatever it was, it must have been powerful. He laid her down on a sofa in the corner of the hall and waited.

  * * *

  “She’s coming to. Give her some space please.”

  Mila heard Lily’s voice. It sounded as though she was in a tunnel and the voice was far away. She felt a warm, soft hand on her forehead. Energy filled her, leaving her calm. The first person she saw when she opened her eyes was Elias. His face was troubled, although he seemed relieved when she woke. She tried to sit up.

  “Easy, honey. Let me help you.”

  Elias assisted her to a sitting position. When her eyes focused fully, she was embarrassed to see several people hovering by the entrance to the hall as well as Elias, Evan, Lily, and another woman around the sofa.

  “What happened?” she asked. Her throat felt dry and raspy.

  “Here,” said the other woman with coffee-coloured skin and dark brown hair. “Drink this.”

  She handed Mila a glass containing a deep green liquid. It tasted wild and sweet and instantly refreshed her.

  “Thank you.” She handed the glass back to her.

  “Did you have a vision about me?” Evan asked apprehensively.

  Mila nodded, the vision slowly returning to her. “Do you have a mate?”

  “No. No one will have me.” Evan was attempting to joke, but Mila could sense his emotions were choking him.

  “Lily, I’m not sure what I’m allowed to tell people when I see things. I told you, but…” She rubbed her head and whimpered.

  Elias sat next to her, rubbing her back with gentle caresses.

  “Whatever it is, Mila, I’d like to know,” Evan interjected.

  Mila looked from Lily to Elias for confirmation.

  “Tell him,” Lily urged.

  She patted the seat beside her and Evan sat down. Mila took his huge hand in hers and squeezed gently. “I saw your mate. It was all hazy, but I just know it’s her.”

  “Is she close by? Will I see her soon?”

  “I don’t think she’s here and I’m not sure where she is right now.”

  “What exactly did you see?” Elias asked. “Can you describe it to us?”

  “Yes… I think so.”

  Still holding Evan’s hand, Mila closed her eyes to focus.

  “There’s a fence. A really high fence. She’s looking for a way in and it’s dark. Night time, I think. There are bolt cutters in her hands. She’s cut through the fence and is now heading towards a large building. And she’s keeping to the shadows. Whatever she’s doing, she doesn’t want to be seen.”

  Mila paused. There was perspiration beading on her top lip and forehead. This was more difficult than before.

  “Let your mind relax. Don’t force the vision. It’ll play back to you. Try and pause it. It’s a bit like a recording,” Lily advised her.

  “Okay, she’s reached the building. No one’s around and she’s going to an elevator. She’s using her finger to do something… a blue light is coming from her hand. The lift has opened. It’s going down, down, very low underground. Several floors, I think.

  “She’s reached her destination and she’s out. God, she’s got several weapons with her. Guns, knives, and some kind of machine gun. There are people, animals, all in cages in what appears to be a kind of laboratory.”

  In the background, she heard Elias swear softly. The next part of this vision was new, an extension of her initial one. How she knew the woman was Evan’s mate, she had no idea.

  “She’s walking down a long corridor. It’s deserted, although I think she’s being watched.”

  Her breathing started to elevate as though she was the woman in the scene.

  “Brother and sister,” she murmured to herself.

  “What do you mean?” Lily asked her.

  “She’s going to try and rescue her brother. I can’t see him, but I know who he is. Oh, no.” Her panic started to rise, and her breathing got heavier.

  “Should she stop? She’s getting distressed,” Elias said.

  “She’ll be okay. You must allow her to continue or it’ll make her worse. Don’t ask her any further questions, either,” Lily replied.

  This was surreal. The conversation around her was like background noise whilst her vision continued to unfold. A man jumped her from behind. At least she thought it was a man. And then she saw his hands were, in fact, huge claws. His features were distorted, as though they were constantly shifting from human to a type of animal. The woman had no time to react when the man caught her from behind.

  Suddenly, the scene changed. The woman was brought into a room where another man and woman were situated. Mila gasped. The image of the male was hazy, but the woman was easily recognisable. It was Mila.

  How did this happen?

  Elias looked at her with concern and more tears fell from her eyes. How could she tell him that danger was coming her way?

  “Whatever you saw, Mila. You must tell us.”

  “Elias, the place I described. You know it?”

  “Yes. I’ve been there.”

  “Where is it?” Mila asked, even though she knew what was coming.

  “It’s the facility where I was held prisoner.” A tortured expression covered his face.

  Mila bit back a sob. Evan swore loudly. Then Elias grabbed her by the shoulders.

  “Who is the woman’s brother, Mila?” Elias’s words were laced with fear and trepidation.

  “Danger Man, the conspiracy theorist I met,” she answered softly.

  “Did you see anyone else you knew?” Elias urged.

  Turning to face him, more tears leaked from her eyes. “Yes. Me.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Elias felt his entire world implode around him as Mila’s vision unfolded. Her last admission that she was also there sent him raging. A loud roar came from him and he felt his muscles contract. The desire to hunt Luther and Drake Scott down and squeeze the life from them was all-consuming. He pulled Mila to him and crushed her against his chest. Tremors of fear and anger coursed through him.

  “He’s not getting you. I won’t let this happen.”

  Loud swearing came from Evan who paced up and down the hall. He was clearly distressed by not only hearing the revelation he had a mate close by, but also because she’d put herself in danger.

  “Elias, you’re smothering me. Let me go,” Mila complained.

  He did as she asked. Her eyes were a little wild, but she didn’t look afraid.

  “He’s not having you. This cannot be allowed to happen.”

  “Elias.” Lily’s voice cut through his fear. “It may not even happen. It’s just a version of the future. But now we know, we can be more vigilant. What puzzles me more…” she paused, tapping her chin thoughtfully. “… is the fact that not only did you have a vision, but it appears you can read the thoughts of those that you see.”

  “Hmm, her gift of sight is more powerful than any I’ve seen for many years,” Tia agreed.

  Evan turned to face them. “If my mate was using that kind of power to open a lift, she has
to be an Elemental.”

  Everyone stilled.

  “They are very rare. The only other Elemental I know is Sven.”

  “Who’s Sven?” Mila asked.

  “He’s a Supernat who lives with another Protector community not too far from here. If the Scott family discover this woman’s powers, she’ll be in even more danger,” Mathis stated grimly.

  Elias turned to face Mila. “You are not going to work as a forest ranger. I forbid it.”

  Mila’s expression turned murderous. Everyone fell silent.

  “Give us the room please,” Mila ordered.

  When the door shut, leaving them alone, Elias was unprepared for Mila’s anger.

  “Don’t you dare tell me what I can and cannot do, especially in front of others. I might be your mate, but I am not your possession. As far as I was aware, free will is not illegal. I am going to do it whether you like it or not.”

  Mila pushed up from the sofa and moved to the other side of the hall. Her anger was almost a physical presence. He stalked after her, pushing her against the wall.

  “You are mine, Mila. My mate. My life. It is my duty to protect you.”

  Her eyes hardened and her breathing elevated. Her cheeks were bright red, and she trembled. Mila balled her hands into fists and punched his chest hard several times whilst she ranted at him.

  “You need to remember, Elias, that you are also mine. My mate. I have a duty to protect you, too. It’s a two-way thing.”

  She grabbed the front of his T-shirt in her hands. Her expression had softened, eyes filled with unshed tears.

  “I know you spoke that way because you’re scared. Jesus, I’m frightened, too. So much happening in such a short space of time. The woman’s brother is a friend of mine. A conspiracy theorist who suspected Scott Tech’s facility for a long time. He vanished into thin air one day. If he has already been captured, he’s been there a long time.”

  Elias closed his hands over hers, which still clung to his T-shirt.

  “Honey, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you, but if Drake gets his hands on you…”