“Oh, fuck. What did you do?”
“I told her she was mine and tried to kiss her. She was mad as hell.”
“Jeeze, Elias, I’m not surprised. You have some serious ground to make up, dude. Do you want us to be there when you get home?”
Elias watched his very own sleeping beauty. Her slumber was fitful, as though caught in a nightmare.
“Thanks, Mat, but I think it would be better if you stopped by tomorrow. She’s being brave, but she’s stressed out.”
“Understood. Stay safe and we’ll see you tomorrow.”
When Elias parked up, he placed Mila on the ground. He called to the plants around him. Brambles and other deadly species. They immersed his pickup truck until it was invisible to the human eye. Mila murmured, and her eyelids started to flutter open. He placed a hand on her forehead and sent her into a deep sleep. He realised he’d need help.
“Mathis, can you help me please?”
“You beat me to it, Elias. Have you parked the truck in the usual place?”
“Yeah, thanks. She’s sleeping soundly now. I used my powers, so she won’t wake up. I’ll need you in human form to ease her onto my back once I shift.”
“On my way.”
Elias waited on the forest floor with the sleeping form of Mila on his lap, cradled in his arms. She murmured and nestled into him. His heart felt squishy with many emotions. He planted a kiss in her hair and drank in her scent. Right then, it was all wildflowers and sweet feminine musk.
“Aw, how cute. Cupid finally caught up with you, man. If you pissed her off that much, it’s a good job she’s asleep right now.”
Mathis stood watching him with a shit-eating grin on his face.
“Thanks for the vote of confidence, Mat. I’m just glad she can’t see your skinny, naked body right now. That would send her running back to her home,” Elias teased.
Mathis was anything but scrawny. As tall as Elias, his muscles bulged more than his brother’s. Most of his body, apart from his face and neck, was covered in tattoos. He walked over to his brother.
“Wow, she’s beautiful. And the poor woman is stuck with you for eternity. I’d like to see how she reacts to you when she finds out.”
“You’re not helping, Mat,” Elias warned.
Mathis only laughed harder.
Elias smiled with male satisfaction and stroked her soft face. “Yeah, she’s stunning. And stubborn, feisty, and hard to fool.”
Mathis threw his head back and roared with laughter. “Oh, hell. Sounds exactly like Lily. We’re going to be in so much trouble if we piss the two of them off. Anyway, enough of that. Put her down and shift.”
Elias did as he was instructed, but couldn’t help the warning bark to his brother when Mathis picked her up to put on his back. He secured her with some rope so she didn’t slip off. Then his brother shifted and the two of them headed deep into the forest. A part of the forest which was protected by magic and many other shifters.
After shifting back to human form, Mathis headed back to the home he shared with Lily. It was little over ten minutes away. Close enough if they needed one another and far enough to afford the brothers their privacy. Mathis would ask one of the other shifters to grab Mila’s belongings and drop them off.
Elias had three bedrooms in his home and he placed Mila in the room next to his. After removing her shoes, he covered her with a duvet. Placing a soft kiss on her forehead, he moved to the door.
He turned to watch her sleeping peacefully, leaning against the doorjamb. “Rest easy, honey.”
He closed the door softly and flopped down on his own bed to grab some much-needed sleep after the extremely eventful day.
Chapter Five
Mila awoke to the smell of bacon cooking. Her tummy rumbled its demand to be fed. After throwing up her stomach’s contents yesterday, she was empty. She attempted to sit up and almost wished she hadn’t. Her head started to spin, and she flopped back down. A groan came from her and she rubbed at her temples. It was then she realised she still wore her clothes, minus her footwear. Her belongings now sat in a corner of the room. There was a light rap at the door.
“Come in.”
Elias appeared with a gorgeous smile on his face, holding a tray in his hands. He approached her, put the tray on the floor, and sat on the edge of the bed. “Hey. How are you feeling?”
She groaned and sat up. “I feel like I’ve got a hangover, without the alcohol. I dread to think what I look like.”
“You look beautiful.”
“Elias, if you’re trying to make me feel better, it isn’t working.” Mila put her head in her hands.
He took her hands away and cupped her face between them. “Honey, you’re stunning. Even with your bed hair.”
A deep chuckle rumbled up his chest, his brown eyes alive with mirth. Mila couldn’t help but join in with his laughter. She fell silent, deep in thought.
“What is it?”
Glancing at him, she saw the concern and apprehension in his expression. “How did I get here? I remember falling asleep in your truck and then nothing until I woke just now. And I get the feeling you’re holding out on me somehow.”
“Please don’t be mad at me. I did something without your permission. In my defence though, you were asleep.”
“Depends on what that something is.” There was an edge to her voice.
So much had happened, and she really wasn’t certain how much more she could take. Her senses told her Elias would never harm her. Not intentionally anyway.
“The part of the forest we’re in now has never been accessed by hikers, or forest rangers. The trees are too dense. There are wards put around it, which deter anyone from coming out this far. I drove into the forest as far as I could, about an hour’s drive from your place. Me, and others of our kind, can call on Mother Nature to aid us when we need it…”
He paused, his face screwed up in concentration. Mila could see he was fighting with the explanation. So many questions rose up, but she understood she had to be patient and waited for him to continue.
“My vehicle is camouflaged by undergrowth, including poisonous plant life. And a little magic. I’ll explain it all later. I promise.”
“What? Are you insane? There’s no such thing as magic.” Her head started to throb with a migraine.
Before she could prevent him, he placed his hands on either side of her head. She felt a warming sensation and her headache vanished.
“How did you do that? Was it Reiki healing? Once I get a migraine, it’s there for days.”
“It’s a kind of healing power, but not like any you know. I had to go the remaining miles to my home on foot…”
“Did you carry me? What do you mean healing power? God, how far away from civilisation are we actually?” she interrupted.
“Mila, I realise this is all difficult for you. But I can assure you the beings living here are way more civilised than the humans living out there.”
He waved his hand dismissively towards civilisation. She’d offended him somehow and felt guilty.
“Sorry.” Mila squeezed his arm.
Elias picked up her hand and kissed the back of it. “Me too. I get a little touchy when I think how civilised people, like Drake, are supposed to behave.”
“So,” she said, hoping to sway him away from the likes of Drake. “Tell me more. If what you say is true, then you have one hell of a lot of convincing to do.”
A sweet smile crossed his expression. “Using a little magic, I helped you to stay asleep. The journey may have been a little weird for you.”
“Weird how?”
He fiddled with the edge of her duvet before looking at her thoughtfully. “In a way, yes, I did carry you, but I needed help. I called to Mathis, my brother, to assist. Because the terrain is difficult to travel in human form, I needed to shift. In order to do that, my brother had to secure you to my back.”
Her head spun. “What do you mean by that? Are you on drugs or something? First
you bang on about magic and now you’re telling me you’re a shifter.”
Mila rose from the bed and headed over to her belongings. She had to get away from this nut job.
“Mila, what are you doing?”
She held up her hands to ward him off. “You’re messing with my head. For all I know, it was you who broke in to my home. Then you had an excuse to kidnap me and do who knows what with me. I bet you even looked at the type of books I read. Just because I like paranormal romance books, doesn’t mean I believe any of it.”
His expression was filled with hurt and a little anger. He strode over to her and grabbed her by the shoulders, forcing her to look at him. Mila now felt more than a little frightened. She had no idea where she was, or how far away from the well-travelled forest paths his home was located.
“This is not a joke, Mila. All of this is true. You have no idea the amount of danger you’re in right now. I’m the one whose role it is to look after you now.”
She shrugged out of his grasp. “Right now, I don’t know what to believe. But you’re scaring the holy crap out of me!”
* * *
Elias’s temper was wearing thin. It was an irrational way to feel, but he honestly didn’t know how to explain it to her. Because she was his mate, he could sense all her emotions and it was confusing the hell out of him, too.
“Come with me,” he ordered.
Not giving her time to protest, he led her down the stairs, out of the back door, and into his garden.
“W… what are you doing to do to me?”
She sounded absolutely terrified. Fuck. No one told him being mated was going to be this difficult.
“Nothing, but this is the only way I can think of to show you I’m not lying to you.”
He sat her down on one of his garden chairs and shifted. Mila sat perfectly still, her mouth open wide and her eyes sporting a shocked expression. With slow movements, he stood in front of her, like he had outside her home. She slowly shook her head from side to side.
“This isn’t happening. No. I don’t believe it. I’m dreaming.” She moaned as though in pain, tears tumbling from her eyes.
“Honey, it’s not a dream. I’m here and I’m very real.”
Her eyes widened even further, and she clasped her hands over her ears. Standing up, she headed for the front of the house, panicked whimpers coming from her mouth. Elias swore, and still in deer form, he chased after her. She headed for the thick forest in blind panic. He heard her scream when she fell. His heart ached when he found her huddled on the ground in a small ball.
“Please don’t be scared of me, Mila. I’m your mate. I could never hurt you.”
“Then why are you doing this to me? Have you given me drugs?”
“No, Mila. I haven’t given you anything. I understand this is a difficult way to discover everything. I… I don’t know how else I could have explained it to you.”
Her tears subsided and she slowly rose to her feet.
“Can… can I touch you?”
“Of course.”
Elias stood very still while she approached him. Tentatively, she stroked his flank. Her gentle touch was like heaven. Gaining more confidence, she moved to study his face. Her mouth formed an O as realisation dawned.
“You’re the stag I saw when I helped that calf… and the same one outside my house. Oh, God.”
She clapped a hand over her mouth.
“What, honey?”
“I’m communicating with you telepathically.”
* * *
Mila’s mind felt like it was being pulled in several different directions simultaneously. If it wasn’t for the fact she could physically reach out and touch the stag, then she really would have thought she was going mad. And as for the telepathy… this was all going to be so hard to process.
“Can you change back in front of me?” She felt she had to speak the words out loud.
“Um, I can, but there is one huge problem with that. Not for me, but for you.”
He sounded embarrassed, which intrigued her.
“Why?”
“Because when shifters change back to human form, they’re always naked.”
Her cheeks flamed at his words. “Oh, right. So, what do we do now?”
“We’ll go back to the house. You stay in your bedroom until I’m dressed.”
“Okay. I can do that.”
Walking back to Elias’s home while he was in stag form was the craziest thing she’d ever experienced. And if she was honest, she still expected to wake up at any moment. They didn’t utter a word while they walked. Once they returned, Mila scurried quickly back to her room, slamming the door shut behind her. She stared at the breakfast he’d brought her which had now gone cold. Her stomach rumbled with hunger.
“Can I come in?” she heard him ask.
“Sure.”
Elias now wore a tight red T-shirt and the same obscenely tight jeans he’d worn when she first saw him. He really was hot, but she wasn’t going to let him know that… at least not yet.
“Thank you for the compliment.” He grinned.
“How did you…? Oh, no. You can read my mind.”
Elias chuckled and moved to her. “I’m flattered and I didn’t really read your thoughts, you transferred them to me. Don’t worry. I can help you control them.”
She flopped down on the bed and sighed heavily.
“Can I?” Elias indicated to the place next to her.
She nodded, glancing down at her hands which rested shakily in her lap. He picked up one and held it in his huge, warm, calloused hand. Instantly, everything felt safe. Warm. Cherished.
“Mila, there’s so much to tell you. And, honestly, I don’t know where to start. But I meant it when I said you’re mine, and I’m yours, too. Not the right explanation, I know.”
Her heart melted a little, her anger towards him fading. Being this close to him made her head spin in a very pleasurable way, and she now regretted not allowing him to claim her lips. Her stomach rumbled again and she glanced with regret at the tray Elias had brought in for her. There was bacon, eggs, mushrooms, toast, croissant, coffee, and fresh orange juice. Plus, a small glass with multicoloured wildflowers in it.
“I’m so sorry you went to all this trouble and now it’s gone cold. I love the wildflowers, too. Thank you for being so thoughtful.”
Elias took her chin in his hand and turned her until her eyes locked with his. Such beautiful soft brown eyes.
“I have plenty more. Come on,” he said, getting up from her bed. “Let me fix you another breakfast.”
After sitting at the kitchen table, watching him prepare more food—he wouldn’t allow her to help—her hunger almost overwhelmed her. He placed more food on the table. Not waiting for a response from him, she proceeded to demolish most of the food in front of her. She drained the orange juice from her glass while Elias studied her closely. Colour covered her face.
“Sorry, I’m starving, and I really enjoy my food.”
“Don’t be sorry. I love to see a woman who eats more than just a lettuce leaf. It’s great that you have a good appetite.”
“Hmm, I always have.”
A sexy grin appeared on his face. “Good. Because I love to cook.”
“So do I. And thank you for the flowers, too. They’re really pretty. I love wildflowers.”
Was that a blush she saw on his cheeks?
“Did you want more explanation about how you got here? I know it must seem a little surreal to you right now.” A wry grin appeared on his face.
Mila laughed. “I have so many questions for you that you may run and hide deeper in the forest to get away from me.”
He held her by the arms, his eyes searching hers. It was an intense few seconds which had her body trembling.
“You are mine, Mila. I will protect you. Answer any questions. Always be there for you. You must remember that.”
There it was again, mine. Such an innocuous word, but it held such passion and mean
ing. She swallowed loudly. If anyone else had said mine to her in that way, it would have angered her. But not this time. Not with Elias. All her instincts cried out to always be his.
“Um, right. Would it be okay if I shower and change my clothes? Maybe then we could talk some more?”
He kissed the tip of her nose. “Of course. You have an en-suite bathroom off the bedroom you slept in. There are fresh towels in there, too. I’ll leave you to get sorted out. Then we’ll talk some more, okay?”
“Okay.”
He took the flowers from the tray and placed them on her bedside table. Mila held his hand. Elias looked down at her with such devotion in his eyes that she almost cried.
“Mila?” he asked softly.
“I… I just wanted to apologise for being such a bitch. But you still have a lot of explaining to do.”
He placed gentle kisses on the back of her hand. “Honey, you don’t have to apologise. I’ve been an ass and could have handled it better. I’m your mate. It’s my vocation in life to protect and care for you.”
Her eyes fell to his lips; hunger gnawed at her insides. A hunger to have him kiss her. Dear God, her body felt as if it was going to explode. Pulling in her lower lip with her teeth, she let it go slowly. Elias watched her movements and she examined his pupils while they dilated. He got up quickly and headed for the door, leaving her confused.
“Have I done something wrong?”
“Mila, I want you so bad right now. The pull of mated couples is hard to resist. If I kiss you, there will be no turning back.”
“What if I don’t want you to turn back?” She gasped. Where had that declaration come from?
He gripped the door handle tightly. Mila watched as the muscles in his arms tensed. “You need to know exactly what you’ll be committing to before this goes any further. Take a shower and then I’ll explain everything to you.”
The smile he threw her way was encouraging.
“Sure,” she responded.
Wild Desire (The Protectors Book 1) Page 4