Remi narrowed his eyes. “Your wolf is restless,” he commented. “What is his problem?”
I pressed the tip of the bottle against my mouth and shrugged. “Who fucking knows? You know how these beasts behave. They can be just as unpredictable as women.”
Remi stared at me until a thread of discomfort wound itself around my neck, but suddenly, his focus sharpened, and he smiled.
Remi rarely smiled, or at least that had been true before he found his Sasha.
I bristled.
“Sasha is calling for me, and I must go before she makes me suffer tonight.” He announced. He held up the gelato.
“You have not suffered one night in the past month,” I hissed. “Ask me how I know this.”
Remi growled before leaving me alone in the kitchen.
The minute he was gone, I was thinking about Shenique. The argument with my brother had riled me up, and now, I wanted to know, more than anything, what plan the woman had up her sleeve.
I also wanted to touch her body again.
She said she would come back, and I wanted her to come. In fact, I fucking dared her to do it. She was feisty, and defiant, and belligerent, and hostile. I had no idea why, but one thing I did know, was that I had just the weapon to tame her; and this weapon was made of fleshly steel.
A vision of her attempting to break into the house flashed into my mind, and I saw myself accosting her, subduing her with my cock. I’d carry her to my bedroom. She would not resist me. Then, I would put her in my custom bed and consume her body. When I had kissed her in the vineyard, sexy whimpers and moans were extracted from her throat. I could only imagine the sounds she would make if I was buried inside of her.
Fuck!
I stomped to the fridge and pulled out leftovers. I prepared myself a plate and inhaled it, hoping it would settle the ache inside of my stomach, but even when I had finished, it was still there. I needed to sleep this shit off. If she was going to come back, I would need to wait. Even though my wolf and I were capable, there was no way I would seek her out.
I laid in my bed, staring at the ceiling. Father had hired a famous Italian artist to decorate it. There were cherubs and angels, clouds and constellations. Normally, after a grueling day, settling down to see this marvel would assuage me, but tonight, it was not working.
I pressed my eyes closed, hoping to find respite, but suddenly, the sounds of my brother’s mate crying out in pleasure pierced the silence. I gritted my teeth and flipped over in the bed.
I sent him a thought: ‘You and your mate are keeping the entire house up! You need to soundproof your fucking room!’
Of course, he did not respond. The message probably did not even reach him.
I sat up in the bed and dropped my head into my hands.
We must find her, my wolf insisted.
I huffed. He was pressing me, and I was caving. It is past midnight.
What is your point?
I ran my hands over my face and sat upright.
The animal was right. There was no way I would sleep with all of this racket, so I might as well do something meaningful; something that would take the edge off. I threw my legs over the edge of the bed and ripped my hands through my hair.
Suddenly, I jerked to a sitting position and sniffed. There was no way I would mistake the aroma, no matter I had only encountered it hours before.
She has returned, I thought to myself.
I hopped off the bed and rushed over to the window. It was dark outside, but the sliver of a moon allowed the stars to be center-stage. Their dim glittering light showered over the property, but it was not enough for me to see anything without the help of my wolf.
He pressed against my skin, itching to be released. For now, I would only need his sight. My corneas burned and my sight sharpened, but I still did not see the woman. I scanned the premises before casting my gaze further.
That was when I saw her. She had not even reached the property yet, but her essence inebriated me, that anger and rage... and yearning.
My jaw tightened and my mouth filled with saliva. An animalistic lust cloaked me.
Let us get her, my wolf insisted.
I paused, but it was only for effect. Even if I wanted to, there was no way I would be able to stay in the house knowing Sasha’s sister had defied my order to stay away; knowing that there was another chance to look into her face.
I marched out of the room. Just this once, I’d let my wolf run the show.
Nine
Shenique
‘Fiction and Reality’
I’d marched through the vast property earlier that day with confidence. The luxurious mansion was jutting in the distance, and my eyes had been fixed on it as I made my way to the front entrance. But at night, everything looked and felt different. The only source of light was being provided by a lopsided moon, and abnormal sounds swirled and echoed around me.
I was a city girl, and the only sounds I was accustomed to hearing at night were sirens and screams associated with domestic violence incidences. Hooting owls and the flapping wings of black birds didn’t resonate with me, and anxiety seized me.
Still, I marched ahead, determined not to be put off.
Fuck Julian!
I had been ruminating on it for hours, the way he’d abandoned me and led me to believe that he was in my corner, yet the minute he decided the mission was not worth the effort, he’d bailed.
I wasn’t sure if Vince or his brother were wolf shifters, but it didn’t matter. Julian was so caught up in his fairy tales, it was impossible for him to distinguish between fiction and reality. It had been his coping strategy in foster care. We each had needed a way to escape. For me, it had been taking responsibility for my sister’s wellbeing, and for Julian, it had been fantasy.
This was not fantasy, it was my life. And my sister’s life, and if he wasn’t going to help, then I didn’t need his ass.
I trudged ahead, tripping over a fallen branch lying hidden in the shadows. I stumbled, but steadied myself. A chilling breeze whipped through my curls, and I warmed myself by rubbing my hands over my arms. It was cold, but I also recognized that the temperature wasn’t the only thing that had my skin tingling. I was now well past the boundary of Vince’s property, and there was no doubt in my mind, he was anticipating my return. I knew this because I’d told him I was coming back, and he didn’t need to be a wolf shifter to detect my presence.
Vince was a wealthy man. Surveillance cameras were most likely fitted high in the tree branches. In fact, there were probably guards with guns patrolling the area, waiting for my arrival.
But I was ready for Vince. He’d snatched my knife earlier, but that didn’t mean I didn’t have other methods up my sleeve. I hadn’t taken ten years of Judo for no reason, and it wouldn’t be a thing to subdue him, even if only for long enough to get away from him.
I gripped Loveless and marched deeper onto the property border, and suddenly, the hooting and flapping sounds ceased, but only for a second. In an instant, a flock of dark fowl launched into the sky and flew towards the clouds, looking like a thick, black blanket. Then immediately, the sound of dashing footsteps erupted close by.
I spun around, eyes stretched open. My head swiveled, as I tried to gain my bearings. Immediately, I got into fighting stance.
The sounds grew louder, closer.
Whoever was in the area, there was more than one of them.
Suddenly, the swoosh of a forceful presence whizzed by me, and knocked me off my feet. I crashed against the ground and a red-hot pain forced my teeth to clench.
When I looked up, terror paralyzed me at the sight of a ragged, gray wolf glaring at me in the darkness. Its eyes glowed like fierce lightbulbs, and there was no way I would miss its sparkling white teeth.
Was this Vince?
In an instant, I was reconsidering the things Julian had tried to tell me. Maybe he had been right about Vince. Maybe he was a man who could change into a wolf, but if it was him, he should ha
ve been bigger than this wolf was.
Suddenly, seven more wolves approached and they eased their way towards me, taking slow, calculated steps. The sounds of their snarls and barks rang my ears.
No, this wasn’t Vince. This was no less than a pack of wild, rabid wolves, and no amount of Judo in the world would subdue these animals.
A shriek flew from my mouth and I shoved my body backwards, but the more I moved away, the more the creatures advanced. To my horror, they had formed a circle around me. I was about to be their prey. I was about to die.
I scrambled to my feet and tried to make a mad dash into the trees, but before I could even increase my pace, the wolves were on me. The animal lunged at me, striking me with its extended nails and searing pain blinded me. I screamed and swatted blindly, but the more I fought, the more I was sliced. Stinging open wounds ripped across my arm, and the wolf’s mouth opened, just as its companions bounded over to join the fray. The wolf tore Loveless from my neck and for a moment, everything went silent, except for the sound of the amulet crashing on the ground, somewhere in the grass.
Then, another slice tore my skin, and I screeched in agony. A red curtain of pain obscured my vision, but not enough to miss the other wolves closing in on me.
I coiled on the ground waiting to die. My teeth clenched and tears of blistering pain stung my eyes.
Suddenly, a piercing howl ripped through the trees, and a splash of hot blood and fur splattered across my face. A hulking black shadow cut through the darkness, and one by one, the wolves dropped to the ground, torn and lifeless, until there was only one remaining.
I tried to scream, but the sound dried up.
Now, growling and howling grated my ears. The two animals glared at one another, but the one who had killed the others was massive.
It was also alone.
The wolf that had attacked me had come in a pack. I wondered where this one’s group was, but from the way it appeared, it didn’t need one. I could make out its imposing silhouette. It looked like the Prince of Wolves, and its eyes were glowing like dying embers in a fireplace, a deep shade of...
I gasped, but before I could finish the thought, the fight had started. The smaller wolf lunged at the newcomer, its teeth wrapping around its neck, but the alpha wolf shrugged it off and it slammed into the grass. Without delay, the wolf with the glowing gray eyes tore into its enemy. Its limbs were severed and gaping holes were ripped across its body, until there was no way to identify it.
Within minutes, the fight was over, and now, the alpha’s eyes were pinned on me: a stony, steel gaze that looked like they belonged to someone I had recently acquainted.
The creature huffed and drew closer.
My sight was clouded with horror as pain from my lacerations debilitated me. My head got light and vomit made me lurch forward. The world turned upside down, and I gasped, trying to snatch chilly air into my lungs, but all I could taste was blood. And then, everything went black.
Ten
Vince
‘Delirious’
She had passed out.
Good, I thought to myself. It was the very least she deserved, especially after I warned her about the wolves roaming the property at night. I had told her not to come back, that it would not be safe, and she had not listened, and now, she was lying in the dewy grass, wounded by rogue wolves. Her willfulness and disobedience would be the end of her, but as I stared down at her, panic riddled my body.
Fucking female!
We must save her, or she will die.
I huffed and condensation fled from my nostrils. The animal was right. In fact, the thought of her dying rattled me to the core, and as I looked at her, my back heaving, fur standing on end, my mind raced. I scanned the area, taking note of the dead wolf carcasses. There were nine of them. Had I arrived even a second later, Shenique would have been annihilated.
My wolf growled, making the low-lying leaves flutter. Hurry up and do something!
I stared at the woman, catching the glow of my burning eyes on her brown skin. Her chest was rising and falling, but it was very slow. Wounds covered her arms, and her black dress was almost shredded. And then, there were the lacerations on her leg.
My heart cinched and my jaw pulsed. I padded over to where she lay and licked her wounds.
She did not move.
Urgency jolted me. Quickly, I shifted back into my naked human form. The cold air nipped at my skin, but adrenaline nullified its effects.
I sent a message to Remi, hoping he had finished rutting his female and had not yet started round three. ‘Have the resident doctor come to the cottage’, I requested.
I waited for his response, praying that he would not ask any questions. He did not need to know about what had happened. I would handle this, without his or Sasha’s knowledge.
He responded in my head. ‘What has happened? Are you all right? Fratello...’
‘I am fine,’ I assured him. ‘One of our men was wounded by rebels. I would like to have him tended to.’
‘At the cottage?’
‘Yes.’
Silence.
I closed my eyes, pinched the bridge of my nose.
‘The resident is on his way.’
My shoulders dropped. I looked up at the sky and stretched my neck, before gathering Shenique into my arms and hurrying in the direction of the cottage, which was on the other side of the property.
SHENIQUE WAS LYING in the bed, tucked under the covers. I had placed her there and removed her clothes. The doctor had instructed me to do it, and now I was trying not to stare at her bronze skin and the luscious curves, which ebbed and flowed like tantric waves; but I could not stop myself. Now, my eyes were drawn to her face, taking in the soft lines of her mouth, before dipping to the curve of her chin. Memories of the kiss we had shared and how delicious she tasted flooded my mind.
How could a female this stubborn be so beautiful? I would need to tame her, especially if I was going to find out the plans she had up her sleeve. I had been thinking about it as I laid in my bed, listening to Remi and his mate fucking. I wished I could be happy for Remi. It was obvious he had found true love, but that love had stolen the most important thing I owned. I only had one brother, and we had been through everything together, including the murder of our biological family. I could not allow him to be taken away, and if Shenique had a plan...
Did the doctor give her the special remedy?
My wolf’s question jerked me out of my ponderings and forced my eyes towards the resident, who was packing gauze and medical supplies back into his bag. “Did you... give her the special remedy?” I asked, furious that I was allowing my beast to run the show. I was barely better than Remi.
“Yes,” he answered, zipping the bag shut. “Her wounds were severe, but the special concoction will stop the infection and speed up the healing process. She is going to be delirious when she comes to,” he informed me. “She will not know where she is or what has happened.”
“Good,” I snapped. “She does not need to know what happened. She does not need to be more traumatized than she already is.”
The doctor continued. “She will need to rest, but she will be fine in a few days.” He paused. “It was a good thing you stumbled upon her.”
That was what I had told him happened; that I was going for my nightly run, when I’d seen the commotion.
“Had you not been in the area, she would have died,” he said.
“Yes, I know.” My heart jerked.
The doctor headed for the door. I watched him for a second, before my eyes were drawn back to the beautiful woman.
Ours.
I followed the doctor to the exit and he turned to face me. “Shall I have a few of the female attendants at the house come and care for her?”
My wolf barked. No!
“No,” I answered. “I will make sure she is all right.”
The doctor nodded and started to leave.
I beckoned him. “Do not tell anyone that she i
s here,” I warned him. “I will manage this myself.”
He looked at me, as if waiting for more information, but I offered nothing.
The doctor dipped his head respectfully. “Very well,” he consented.
“I will call you if I need more supplies, but if you have given her the special medicine, I expect she will be fine very soon.”
My wolf yipped.
The doctor finally left, and a heavy silence dropped into the room. I stared at the door, before passing through the small foyer and back into the bedroom.
Of course, Shenique was still there. Her face was twisted in pain, and every now and then, she’d quake, as if a surge of agony was shooting through her naked body.
I walked toward the bed and stared at her.
“I told you not to return, and you did not listen. Now look what has happened,” I whispered, frowning.
She grimaced, eyes still closed. Even in her sleep she was defiant.
I approached the edge of the bed and sat down, pushing rogue curls out of her face. Her hair was messy and tangled, and beads of sweat dotted her brow.
Suddenly, Shenique began to moan, but they were not the same moans I had drawn from her hours earlier. These moans were shrill and torturous. Something was assaulting her in her sleep. For a second, I wished I could read her mind and feel her emotions, but there would be only one way to make this happen.
Claim her, my wolf insisted.
I started to scold him, but then, Shenique released a piercing scream that shattered the silence. She thrashed in the bed. Her arms were flailing as if she was in a street fight. The covers flew off her body and she kicked her legs.
“No,” she shouted, punching the air.
I dodged her fist and tried to stabilize her, but I was wary of her wounds. Gently, I pressed her against the mattress.
She screamed again, as if unaware of my presence. “It’s Gerald!” she was shouting. Tears leaked onto her cheeks as she struggled against me. “He’s coming, I told you he would come back!”
Loveless: A BWWM Wolf Shifter Romance (The Alpha Series Book 2) Page 7