by M H Soars
He disappears inside the first room to his left. I stop at the door, only sticking my head inside. It’s a small bedroom with a queen-sized bed covered with a light blue bedspread, no frills. The furniture is modern, all white and sleek. There are two nightstands, one on each side of the bed, and a dresser with a mirror above it.
“You have your own bathroom. There are towels in the cupboard.” Tristan turns to me, making room so I can enter.
My gaze darts around, but only because I want to look at anything but him. I hug my middle as a sense of uneasiness takes hold of me. So many life-altering moments are happening in such a short period of time that I barely have time to process everything.
“How long am I going to stay here?”
“As long as needed. I promise you’ll barely see me.”
I finally glance at him, furrowing my eyebrows a little. “You defied the alpha, your dad, to protect me. I don’t get it.”
Tristan doesn’t say a word. Instead, he keeps staring at me with his intense grey eyes that seem to be brewing a storm in them. Fiery energy unfurls in the pit of my stomach as I fight the incredible pull that’s urging me to take a step closer. My heart flutters inside my chest, as if it were a hummingbird instead of a muscle. My mouth goes dry, and I feel a little dizzy. Holding on to the doorframe is a necessity to keep standing upright.
“What’s going on with me?” I whisper.
“You’re feeling it, too, aren’t you?”
“Yes. What is this? I felt the same with Dante before…” My eyes widen at the same time I cover my mouth with my hand. “It can’t be. Is this…” I take a deep breath, trying to control my emotions. “Is this imprinting?”
“Probably.”
“I don’t want to imprint on you!” It’s almost a whine. I hold the doorframe tighter, leaning against it as well. I feel suddenly feverish.
“You don’t want to imprint on me, but you have no problem imprinting on Dante or Sam?” Tristan’s voice sounds more like a growl.
“They weren’t assholes to me when I had barely turned into a shifter.” I rest my face against the cool wall, needing some relief.
“Tell me how you feel right now? Sick?”
I nod, unable to speak.
Tristan closes the distance between us, and all the muscles in my body tense. I suck in a breath when he touches my face, my mind and my heart starting a war with one another. I want to give in to the overwhelming feeling that’s demanding I accept Tristan’s proximity, but my mind won’t let me.
“That’s how I felt for the longest time, but maybe not as bad as you.” His thumb caresses my cheek, and I let out a whimper.
“You don’t like me; you never did. And now there’s this weird bond between us. How is this fair? Where’s the free will to walk away?”
“I never said I didn’t like you.” His eyes drop to my lips, and my tongue darts out without me willing it do so. Fuck, now my entire body is betraying me.
“I don’t want to feel this way. How can I make it stop?”
“Don’t fight it,” he breathes out, his voice rough, needy.
“You mean give in?”
“Yes, would that be so bad?” Tristan’s eyes have turned molten, filled with raw lust. And I’m not immune. There’s a sudden throbbing between my legs now, and I feel like the worst person in the world that I’m willing to toss away my pride for a taste of him.
“Yes, very bad.” I take a step closer, and Tristan takes it as a sign that I’m done fighting.
With a gentleness I wasn’t expecting from him, he brings his lips to mine, just a soft brush at first, before his tongue pries my mouth open. I let go of the doorframe to clutch his steely arms, feeling his strength down to my bones. With a groan, he deepens the kiss, taking proper possession of my mouth. Liquid fire surges from within, spreading through my body at the speed of light. The dizziness is gone, but my head is still fuzzy for entirely different reasons.
Tristan’s hands run down my spine until they’re resting on my butt cheeks. When he squeezes them, I jump, my legs going around his trim waist. I let out a moan of delight when my core presses against his erection, and then it’s game over for me. My mind is still rebelling a little, but I shove those pesky thoughts to a dark corner and forget them for now. I’m letting my body take control.
Tristan takes a few steps back. Before I know it, we’re toppling over onto the bed with him between my legs. I don’t know what’s making me hungrier now—his hands exploring my body or his mouth devouring mine. There’s tugging and pulling until there are no barriers left between us. I have no clue how we managed to get rid of our clothes without breaking our kiss. It’s almost like we’re too afraid that if we break the connection, reality will come and ruin this moment for us.
There’s definitely a sense of urgency between us, as if we’ve been denying our cravings for far too long and now it’s do or die. There’s no hesitation on Tristan’s part when he plunges fast and deep inside of me, his wide girth filling me completely. We don’t need foreplay. I arch my back and cry out, loving the sensation of him, the sure away he takes possession of my body.
“Fuck, Amelia. You’re so tight,” he says between kisses and grunts.
In answer, I squeeze my internal walls. As impossible as it sounds, I feel Tristan getting even larger inside of me. Then he hits my G-spot, and my body simply melts under his. I scratch his back with my nails, then I bite his lower lip until I taste blood on my tongue. The pain only spurs him on, and he keeps pumping faster and faster without saying much besides incoherent words. I honestly can’t think of anything to say either, not since my brain has turned into mush. All it can process right now is the amazing tension that’s building between my legs.
With a loud roar, Tristan’s entire body tenses before his warm seed fills me. That sends me over the edge as well, and I end up howling as I come hard and fast.
It takes a few minutes for my breathing to return to normal after such an earth-shattering orgasm. Tristan has rolled off me, and he’s now lying by my side, staring at the ceiling and breathing hard.
Without the lust and the crazy impulse to jump the guy’s bones, I’m run over by an intense sense of shame. Heat spreads through my cheeks, and without being aware of doing so, I make a disgruntled sound in the back of my throat. I attempt to get out of bed, but Tristan touches my wrist, holding me in place.
“Wait.” He rolls onto his side, and I face him. “Was I too rough?”
The muscles around his mouth are tight, and his eyebrows are furrowed as he watches me closely. I don’t squirm under his scrutinizing gaze; on the contrary, I stare deep into his eyes as well. The angry storm is gone from them. In its place, I read genuine concern there.
“No, you weren’t.”
His eyebrows furrow deeper, as if he doesn’t believe me. “I tried to go easy, but…” He shakes his head. “It was so damn hard. I never imagined it would it be like this.”
“What would?”
“Mating.”
Guilt sneaks into my heart swiftly as reason returns with a vengeance to the forefront of my mind. Groaning, I throw my legs to the side of the bed, then rest my elbows on my knees, hiding my face between my hands.
“What’s wrong?” He touches my back, and the pleasure it gives me only works to double my guilt.
“I can’t believe I did this to Dante.”
“Ah, so that’s what this is all about. You’re still attached to your human monogamy traditions.”
I shoot a scathing glare at him from between my fingers. “Wolves are monogamous. At least that’s what I thought.”
Tristan leans on his elbow, watching me with the hint of a smile on his lips. I don’t want to feel anything more than annoyance for him right now, but my heart has other ideas. It beats out of sync, giddy as hell. Tristan’s post-sex looks are not helping either. His hair is a wild mess, and his lips are red from all the kissing. He’s never looked sexier, and I have to fight the urge to kiss him again
.
“True, but haven’t you realized yet that you’re not a regular wolf?”
“So now you’re also buying the Mother of Wolves theory?” I ask, suppressing a shiver when I remember the dream. What if I am her?
“You’ve imprinted on Dante, me, and my guess is also on Sam. If you weren’t different, we would be at each other’s throats because, like you said, wolves don’t share.”
“So, you’re saying if I went and slept with Dante or Samuel, you wouldn’t mind?”
Tristan watches me for a couple of beats without saying a word, then he reaches over and runs his fingertips down my arm. Goose bumps break out all over my skin. “As much as it surprises me to admit it, no, I wouldn’t mind. Does that mean you’re the legendary Mother of Wolves? I don’t know. I’ve never believed in that story.”
“And what are your thoughts regarding the great wolf apparition in the forest? You saw it too, right?”
He nods, then glances down. “This is Crimson Hollow; there’s a lot of weird shit in this town.”
“Weirder than shifters?”
He raises his head. “Yes, much weirder. Speaking of which, I need to see one of those characters.”
“Who?”
Tristan hops out of bed. He doesn’t answer me right away, so I press him. “Tristan?”
He bends over to grab his boxer shorts from the floor, pulling them on as he answers. “Zeke Rogers. He owns the—”
“Zeke’s Sweet Treats, the bakery shop,” I finish his sentence. “Are you saying he’s something other? I used to go there with Grandma all the time.”
“Yes, he’s something ‘other’ all right. But you should rest a bit. I’ll be back soon.”
I jump out of bed as well. “No way, Jose. I’m coming with you. I’m done being kept in the dark.”
Chapter 26
Red
I couldn’t go out in public after my sexy time with Tristan without showering first, even though I had cleaned up the remains of our ‘mating’. So I took the quickest shower known to man, afraid Tristan would just leave without me. Surprisingly, he waited, but the hard set of his jaw told me he wasn’t happy I was coming along.
“So, what are we now? Mated?” I ask on our way to the bakery. Then I immediately pretend interest in the people nearby us. Zeke’s establishment is on the other side of the square, so we’re walking there instead of driving.
“Yes.”
“Am I mated to Dante, too?”
“Yes.”
“Are you going to only answer my questions with monosyllables now?”
“I’m all about efficiency.” He doesn’t glance my away, but at least the corners of his lips twitch up.
“Are mated wolves like married couples?”
“In a sense.”
“So it means we tell each other everything, right?”
Tristan stops, shifting toward me. “Where are you going with this?”
Crossing my arms, I glare at the man. “What exactly is Zeke and why don’t you want me to tag along?”
Tristan runs his hand over his head. “It’s not that I don’t want to tell you what he is, Amelia, but Zeke is, well, I don’t want him to know about you.”
“Why not? Is he dangerous?”
“He’s an imp, okay?” Tristan says, a little exasperated. At least he didn’t bark at me like he used to.
“An imp?” My eyebrows arch. Shit, there is a lot of weird crap in this town for sure.
“Yes, an imp, the lowest type of demon there is. They’re tricksters who usually prey on the weak. Most supes dismiss them of no consequence.”
“But you don’t.” I narrow my eyes.
“Nope.”
“Why exactly are you going to see him? Is this about the hunters or the wolf apparition?”
“The hunters. I’d never mention the apparition to anyone, and you shouldn’t either.”
Biting my lips, I look around me. That entire episode still freaks me the hell out, and the last thing I want is to discuss it with anyone.
“I don’t plan to,” I say. “So, what do you want to know about the hunters? Do you think they weren’t regular humans?”
“I don’t know. We found a small device embedded on the rogue who attacked you. I showed it to your friend Peter.”
“Oh?” I can’t help the surprise in my tone. “I didn’t realize you knew Peter from before.”
Despite the current subject and the gravity of the situation, there’s a hint of amusement in Tristan’s expression.
“It’s safe to say I know most of the inhabitants of Crimson Hollow. Perks of being born and raised here.”
I pinch my lips before I reply, “Well, you didn’t know me.”
“Touché. Anyway, Peter has helped me before with computer stuff, so I knew there was a chance he could help me identify the type of object we found.”
“And did he?”
“He thinks it’s something used to control small animals.”
My heart begins to drum faster inside my chest. The ramifications are terrifying. If what Peter suspects is true, no shifter is safe. Tristan’s somber expression tells me he feels the same way.
“How does Zeke fit in all this?”
“My father wants to be certain there’s no trace of magic in the device.”
My mind is going at a hundred miles an hour. Hunters in possession of high-tech controlling devices, weird magic going all around. Why would Grandma not stop me from moving here? Why couldn’t she let me live my life in Chicago, blissfully unware that mythical creatures and monsters exist?
Because apparently, I had a destiny to fulfill. Bitterness pools in my mouth when I think that she most likely faked being sick. I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to forgive her, even when I’m used to my new supernatural life.
“Okay, let’s go then.” I take a step forward.
“Oh my God! Red, you’re alive!” Kenya stops in front of me, appearing out of nowhere, then proceeds to engulf me in a bear hug. Her arm grazes the bandage on my shoulder, making me wince a little. It’s strange I had forgotten all about my bullet wound when Tristan was buried deep inside of me.
“Kenya, what are you talking about? Of course I’m alive.”
She eases back, still clutching my shoulder, to peer into my eyes. “I’ve been calling and leaving messages, but you seem to have forgotten about me.”
I rack my brain, trying to remember when the last time I spoke to her was. She turns her attention to Tristan, who’s standing a little stiffly next to me.
“Oh, hi, Tristan. Long time no see. How are you?”
“Very well, Kenya. I trust you and your mother are also well?”
“Oh, very much so.”
Kenya looks at me, then back at Tristan. “Hmm, were you guys going somewhere?”
I open my mouth to say yes, but Tristan beats me to the punch. “Not at all.”
“In that case, do you mind if I steal Red? I’m meeting a few of our friends at Jerry’s diner.”
“Kenya, I—” I start.
“You should go, Amelia. I’ll catch up with you later.” He waves goodbye and quickly crosses the street, unware of the glare I’m throwing at his retreating back. I can’t believe he just ditched me.
Kenya grabs my arm and swings me around. “Red, are you hooking up with Tristan Wolfe?”
“Uh…” I feel the blush rush to my cheeks, and Kenya doesn’t miss a thing.
She claps her hands together. “Oh my God. You are sleeping with him. You have to tell me everything. How did you meet? When did it happen? No wonder you weren’t answering my calls. I’d pull a disappearing act as well if I had that hunk in my bed.”
Shit. Lying is futile, but I can stall. “I’m not going to dish out the dirty details of my love life out here on the curb.”
“Fine. We’re already late anyway.” She laces her arm with mine. “That’s why I was calling you in the first place.”
“So, who’s going to be there?” I’m glad that f
or now, Kenya has dropped questioning me about Tristan.
“You know, the usual suspects. Leticia, Sonya, Paul, Felix.”
“Not Peter?” I ask, hoping the answer will be negative. He’s the last person I want to see right now. I can’t deal with his unrequited love while I’m juggling three men already. Plus, I know he’ll have a thousand questions about my fake job at the compound.
“No. He had to work. He did say you were working for Dr. Mervina now. Was that how you met Tristan?”
“Yes, that’s how we met.”
“Funny. I never pegged him to be interested in college students. I’ve always heard he preferred older women.”
Kenya probably didn’t mean her comment to be malicious, but jealousy grabs my heart in a vicious hold and won’t let go. I can’t deal with the image of Tristan hooking up with any other women. But at the same time, a great sense of insecurity drops over my shoulders, making them sag with the weight. I’m not the most experienced lover. Had he thought I sucked? I’ve only slept with three people my entire life. Ugh, and let’s not dwell on the fact that the second person was his brother. It will take me a long time to get on board with this crazy idea of sharing the bed of more than one man.
“I know nothing about his past conquests,” I grumble.
“Hey, girlie. I didn’t say that to upset you. Those old hags have nothing on you.”
She laughs. Despite the turmoil in my chest, she even gets a giggle out of me. I’ve missed my best friend and her contagiously happy disposition. We’re still laughing when Kenya pushes the door of the diner open. She waves at the big group sitting all the way in the back in the biggest booth the place has.
“Look who I found.” Kenya points at me.
“Hey, it’s the runaway birthday girl.” Felix laughs, raising a milkshake glass in my direction. Jerry’s doesn’t serve alcohol, but they have the best burgers in town, so it’s a good trade-off.
“I didn’t run away. My stupid dog did.” I slide in next to Sonya, noticing for the first time that there’s a new face in the group.