Chapter 697 Chapter 697
Deva hurried and got dressed. She could feel the cooler air now. Soon enough, they’d be back in the snow. She looked behind her and then all around, checking for any scents that didn’t belong out there. Going for a run, even a short one, felt rejuvenating. Taggart had been grinning when he came back too, so she had to figure it was like that for all shifters.
She turned slowly to check the direction she’d come from. How did those being held survive not shifting? She’d been there when collars were taken off some of the men’s necks. There were scars, almost as if they’d tried to shift, and the collar cutting into their neck stopped them.
Deva couldn’t even stomach the thought of never being able to shift, and her cat was in full agreement. How did those being held cope with it?
She heard a noise behind her and spun around to see Taggart standing a few feet away.
He held up his hands. “I walk loud so I no scare you.”
She smiled. “Thank you.”
“What trouble you? You has the line again.” He touched his own forehead to show her where.
Heaving a loud sigh, she glanced in the direction of the van.
“They sleep now.”
“I was just thinking about those we’ve found that haven’t been allowed to shift and how hard that must be for them.”
He clicked his tongue. “Is hard for them, I think.” He came closer, a look of compassion on his face. “I think too that the animal in these peoples know what happens, and as one they do what they has to and survive it.”
She realized he was right. Her cat would do whatever was necessary to make sure Deva was okay. “That’s true, I suppose, but it’s no way to live. None of them should have to go through that.”
“Is true is no way to live. Is why they has you and me and Alliance teams to save them and end it for always.”
She nodded.
“You feel better?”
“A little. As much as anyone could about all of this.”
Taggart came over and took her hand. “I no care for any one for now. Just care that my beauty Deva is okay.” He lifted her hand and kissed it softly.
Deva had to tell her animal to behave when she moved closer to the surface. With the girls sleeping, this might be the only chance she’d have to talk to him.
“The line is back.” He said with a slight smile. “Is no kissing mate for Taggart this night.”
Deva grinned. “I’m concerned and have a few worries.”
“Worried for peoples saved?”
She shook her head. “No. Well, them too, but I’m talking about you and your lifestyle.”
“I? Is no style to life. I go here, do this, then go to there and do more until I all done.” He shrugged.
Deva processed what he said. “I think that’s part of the problem. To help others, you’ve traveled the world and put yourself at risk doing it—and now you’re being hunted.”
He searched her face for a moment. “I no travel whole world. Some parts of. I can no turn my head and no help peoples that can no be free.”
Deva sighed. “I know. I get it. I really do. I’m just—” She bit her lip, trying to think of how to say it in a way he couldn’t logic his way out of.
Taggart took her other hand and squeezed them both. “Just say words you think, Deva. You no has to worry Taggart will be upset for you say them.”
She held his look and could see his concern. Nodding, she blew out a slow breath. “Okay. We’re mates.” Good start, she thought. “I don’t know if you’ve had any contact with someone who has lost their mate—but I have, and it’s awful. They’re hollow without them. I don’t want to end up like that.” She took a quick breath. “You want babies and a house in the woods—but you take so many risks that someday, I’m afraid, is going to catch up to you. I couldn’t live through not knowing what continent you’re on or if you’re coming back or…”
“Slow. Slow. Slow.” He hissed out a breath. “Is so many word. All very fast.” He gave her a wide-eyed look. “I no understand all the words, but I get to have picture of what you say.” He put his finger under her chin and tilted her head up. “Say what Deva want, okay? Tell Taggart what you needs to no has this worry.” He nodded a few times.
She closed her eyes for a second and then looked at him. “I know you have to help. I feel the same, but you don’t have to take all the risks now. There are at least a hundred members on the Alliance teams to work with. It’s not up to you now.” She paused to see if he was understanding her. “If we’re going to become mates—eventually—you can’t hop across continents anymore.”
His eyebrow quirked as he looked at her. “You want me stay in this country is what you say?”
She’d said more than that, but it was a start. “Yes. You can’t take so many risks.”
“I understand.” His expression was so serious she believed him. “I think on this very much for Deva. I talk to my men on this no hop across continents now.”
It sounded completely ridiculous the way he said it, but she’d take it because he was at least listening to her concerns. “Thank you.”
“Is okay. I no use your words when I talk to men. They see Taggart as a—one of the bunny rabbit then.” He gave her a small smile.
“I don’t think everything translates well, so yes, use your own words.”
He bobbed his head a few times. His expression was more relaxed now. “Is English words. They no make sense.”
Deva grinned. “I’m starting to see that.”
He bent his knees, so they were face to face. “I so lucky man to has no just beauty and fierce mate. She be much smart too” He watched her for a second more. “Now is good for to take kisses before girls be looking?”
Deva gave him an amused look and ran her hands up his chest to rest on his shoulders. “Is good time.” She mimicked his accent.
“Ah, sassy, too. I forget.” He wrapped his arms around her and then straightened his legs, picking her up. “I so, so lucky man.” She watched the humor in his eyes change to a smoldering look just before his mouth touched hers.
Her cat was thrilled with the closeness. The gentle persuasion of his mouth sent heat through her, causing her animal to react. Deva gasped and broke the kiss when the image of her biting Taggart and marking him flashed through her mind.
Taggart placed soft kisses along her jaw and then throat.
Deva’s animal wanted her to mark him. Not later, but now. She ran her tongue over sharp teeth and hissed out a breath. “We should get going.” She whispered into his hair. He smelled so good, like virility and sin, she thought.
He nuzzled her throat. “Yes. We go. You tempt much, and I no want to rush you.” He said something softly in his own language, and it sent a shiver of need through her. He could have said he was taking the garbage out for all she knew, but it sounded sexy and so dangerous for her resolve to ensure this man wasn’t going to run off and get killed if they were completely mated.
Taggart lowered her to the ground and released her. “Go now before I changes mind.”
She walked toward the van with legs of jello and went around to the driver’s side. If she had a steering wheel in her hand, she wouldn’t be able to climb onto his lap—because, at this moment, she wanted to.