by Tia Louise
Jim’s voice is empathetic, and I’m pretty sure he’s feeling sorry for me. That almost makes me see red. I do not need anyone feeling sorry for me.
“Thanks, but I’ve got other plans.”
My other plans find me in a low booth at Vider’s Pub polishing off my third Irish Car Bomb and setting up for number four. It’s a stupid way to behave. Trust me, I’m aware how stupid I’m acting. Mercy doesn’t owe me anything. We haven’t made any commitments. From the start I’ve made it clear I’m not sticking around, and besides, I’m ignoring the given: She comes from money and prestige. Of course, she’s dating some Armani-wearing wank with manicured nails.
A pretty waitress with cute blonde curls sets a pint of Guinness and a shot of whiskey in front of me. “Expecting friends?” She leans against the side of the wooden booth and gives me a smile.
“Nah,” I say, lifting the shot glass and dropping it straight into the stout, which I immediately pick up and drink fast.
“You’re new in town.” She watches me curiously. “Just passing through?”
Half-way through the pint, I take a break and set it down. “Yes.” I say emphatically. “I am just passing through.”
She nods. “I get off at two if you’re looking for company. Pretty harvest moon tonight.”
“So I heard.” I lean forward heavily on the table, rubbing a hand over my face. “I’ll have one more of these then I’ll call it a night.”
“Oh, well, okay.” A note of disappointment is in her tone. It causes me to look up. Again, she gives me a sweet smile.
She’s not a bad looking girl. Light blonde hair, bright hazel eyes. She has nice, big tits. Yeah, I’m a dog, I checked out her tits with her standing right in front of me. Guess what? She didn’t seem to mind.
“You sure you don’t need a little company?” Her hip is against my seat back, and she rolls toward me slightly, giving me a better view of her assets. “I’ll shoot you a text when I’m done.”
Nothing. I feel absolutely nothing for this sexy woman hitting on me. My dick has called it a night. I realize I’m leaning toward her and catch myself, straightening in my seat.
“I take it back,” I say, suddenly tired. “That was my last one.” Reaching in my pocket, I pull out two twenties and place them on the table. “Thanks for your help…”
“Bridgette.”
“Bridgette. Thanks for your service.”
“I didn’t get the chance to do much.” Standing, I rise to my full height in front of her and her jaw drops. “Seriously? You have to go?”
Patting her shoulder, I nod. “Yes.”
I’m out the door before this has the chance to go any further. I’ve already gotten mixed up with one female in this town. I’m not looking for another one. That is, if my body were even interested. I can’t decide which is more stupid, getting drunk to forget about Mercy or allowing myself to feel so much for her in the first place. How did that happen?
I’m walking home in the darkness, only it’s an extremely bright night. Looking up, I see what Jim was talking about. A perfectly full moon is straight up in the sky. Thanks to Mercy’s text, that first night in the meadow drifts through my mind. I remember vividly the moment she shifted, and I saw her beautiful body for the first time completely nude. The moon was much smaller then, but I can still see that silvery light touching her nipples. God, she was so fucking beautiful.
She stood and walked straight to me bathed in the light of our beautiful moon. I’m at my apartment when I realize I’m sporting a semi. Seems my dick has not called it a night. It’s just decided to wake up for only one person.
“Forget it, buddy,” I growl. “I’m not playing games with Mercy Quinlan.”
Yes, I’m talking to my dick. You might be a drunk fuck if…
Good thing I’m at my apartment. Time for this stupid-acting shifter to call it a night.
If identifying the thing stalking Mercy’s house is why I’m here, I’m not going to solve that mystery in my current condition. It’s time to stop acting like a jealous boyfriend, wrap that shit up, and get back on the road.
10
Fated
Mercy
Welcome home, Dylan. I haven’t seen my sister in a week, but really, who gives a shit? She doesn’t call or even message me. She simply shows up back at home, and sends Hayden to fetch me for dinner as per usual.
Forget whether I have plans or not. Forget last Thursday was one blow up followed by an even bigger one. Forget everything I’ve said. None of it matters. Her decree for my life is the only important thing. On top of all that, making me hate her even more, she’s screwed up my situation with Koa.
He might be down on his luck for now, but he’s proud and he’s a fighter. He won’t put up with flaky behavior for one minute, and I’ll be lucky if he’ll even listen to me tomorrow. I wish I could go to him tonight, but that’s a gamble I am not prepared to take. I have to put that situation on pause until tomorrow.
Smoothing my hands down the front of my silky red dress, I inhale deeply and prepare to face the queen. My hair is up in a loose ponytail, and I’m wearing a gold cuff on my wrist and gold hoop earrings. Thursday night dinner is a formal occasion.
Standing at the top of the double stairs, I glance out the huge windows at the enormous harvest moon. It’s glowing orange and big as a planet over the rolling hills. The high-pitched howl of a wolf sounds from a distance, and I feel my insides pull. I should be out there on a night like this running and dancing, feeling the energy of our celestial mother surging in my veins.
Instead I’m trapped in this plush prison. But not for much longer! That thought gives me a little encouragement. With a sigh, I start down the stairs.
Everyone’s in their places around the table, salad course almost finished. I’m taking longer and longer to join them these days.
“Gorgeous as always,” Hayden says with a smile, standing as I cross the room to my assigned seat at his side. “You never fail to steal my breath.”
“Thank you, Hayden,” I say without enthusiasm.
Dylan doesn’t rise. “Glad you decided to join us,” is the closest to a greeting I get from her.
Suddenly, I feel wicked. Whether it’s the moon or the way I left things with Koa, something inside me snaps. “I almost changed my mind. It’s so gorgeous tonight, I almost decided to ditch and dance naked in the moonlight.”
That got a rise out of her, even if it only came in the form of a deep scowl before she took a long sip of wine.
“That would be something to see, I’m sure.” Hayden laughs, clearing his throat. “You are such a spirited little thing.”
God, he’s infuriating. They all are. Picking up my fork, I stab my salad a few times, glancing at each of them. Only Hayden seems to be engaged tonight. Penny seems more nervous than usual, and Grant hasn’t looked up from his plate. I assume he’s on a tight leash after his slip last week. Dylan just looks disgusted as always.
“How was Chicago, dear?” Penny’s voice wavers.
Dylan inhales and straightens in her chair. “Something of a letdown. I didn’t accomplish what I’d hoped.”
“You know what they say,” A gleam is in Hayden’s pale blue eyes. “Win some, lose some.”
“Not you, Hayden,” Dylan’s tone is uncharacteristically bitter toward him. “Never you.”
He leans back in his chair, examining a manicured nail. “I do seem to be incredibly lucky in that regard. It can cause lesser people to hate me, I suppose.”
“Or! It could be that attitude right there,” I say, still enjoying my wicked streak. “That makes them hate you, I mean.”
His blue eyes cut to mine, and instead of anger, a sly grin curls his lips. “So spirited. I don’t remember you being like this last full moon.”
Something about the way he says it creeps me out a little. Still, I would never let Hayden Cross think he got under my skin. “Must’ve been the humidity last month. Or maybe it was the heat.”
“I see… prefers cooler temperatures.” He says it as if he’s making a mental note, and I mentally note how thankful I am when the servers appear with our entrées.
A plate holding a tiny bird surrounded by what look like tiny cabbages is set in front of me. Once the servers depart I start to giggle.
“What the hell is so funny, Mercy?” Dylan snaps.
“I’m just wondering when the Lilliputians are going to come out.” Picking up a Brussels sprout with my fork, I wave it over my plate. “Ooo, I’m a giant! I’m going to eat this tiny cabbage!”
“Are you drunk?” Her voice is sharp, and I press my lips together to stop a laugh.
Reaching for my wine glass, I take a long sip, fixing my eyes on her in a decidedly rebellious way.
Hayden watches the whole thing, that stupid grin curling his lips. Just then SMASH! Penny’s water glass falls over, sending a flood of liquid across the table. We all stand up quickly, stepping back from the mess.
“Oh, my god!” my aunt wails as two servers rush in with towels.
“I’m glad to see nothing fell apart while I was out of town.” Dylan’s tone is icy. “I apologize, Hayden. It seems everyone’s out of sorts this evening.”
“Never a dull moment,” he says under his breath. “No matter. Perhaps we should call it a night. I’m sure you’re tired from traveling. I’ll be back next week to settle our affairs.”
“Next week?” The near-shriek in her voice snaps my attention to her.
She quickly suppresses her flash of panic, but my wicked humor is forgotten. I’ve never seen my alpha sister react to anyone that way.
Hayden is unmoved. A slim hand is on his hip as he gestures toward Grant. “Yes, Dylan. It’s time. Come, Grant.”
With that, they stride out of the room, straight posture and confidence intact. The servers have cleaned up the mess, but Penny doesn’t resume her seat. She’s staring at Dylan as if waiting for her to do something. Dylan is still staring at the place where Hayden stood, a defeated look on her face.
My eyes fly from one of them to the other. Finally, I blurt, “Would somebody please tell me what the hell is going on? What affair is Hayden going to settle?”
Dylan only cuts me a look and doesn’t answer. I turn to my aunt, and her brows knit like she’s going to cry.
“Just tell her, Dylan,” she whispers. “She might as well know.”
Dylan’s lips tighten, and she strides to the portable wet bar. I watch as she takes a crystal tumbler and fills it with an inch of whiskey, which she immediately drains.
“Yes, please tell me, Dylan.”
Her eyes flash when they meet mine again. “As usual, you’re acting like a spoiled brat. Probably why he moved up the timeline.”
I can’t hide my anger at her accusation. “Stop saying that and tell me what’s happening!”
She shakes her head and pours another whiskey. “You’re so sheltered. You have no idea the pressure of maintaining a female-alpha pack.”
“You’re right, I don’t. Because you’ve never included me in anything!”
“Back in the day, when it was easier—”
“Are you attempting to imply there was ever a time when being a magical creature was easy?”
She shakes her head, walking slowly to the window. “No. It’s never been easy.” Lifting the glass, she takes another sip. “Our leaders hate strong men, but they fear strong women. Fear is a far worse enemy than hate could ever be.”
Holding the tall curtains open, she gazes up at the orange moon. My forehead lines as I consider her words. They explain nothing.
“What does any of this have to do with you and Hayden?”
Her arm drops along with her chin. “I’m tired,” she says softly. “I’m going to bed. I’ll explain it to you tomorrow.”
With that she leaves the room. I watch her swirl out in a sea of blue-green and brown hair. Glancing back at Penny, I see her watching me, still looking like she might cry.
“Well?” I say, hoping she’ll give me some insight.
She only shakes her head and looks down. “Goodnight, Mercy.”
Shoulders drooped, she walks out, leaving me with my spoiled dinner and a glass of wine. I finish it in two sips and retire to my own bedroom. The sooner this stupid night is over, the sooner I can find Koa and try to explain. Only I’m not sure how to explain what I don’t understand myself.
My eyes pop open just as the dawn is lighting the sky, and I jump out of my bed. Not even the birds are chirping as I fling open my balcony window, whip my nightgown over my head, and spring into my lynx form.
Running as hard as I can, one word beats over and over in my mind. Koa. I want to see him. I need to see him. I need him to understand why I did what I did—why I had to stay away last night. Only… my stomach clenches at the thought. Am I brave enough to say it?
When I reach the steps to his apartment, I pause and listen. It’s still early enough that everyone is either asleep or still in bed. I quickly hop up the steps and shake off my magic, turning the doorknob quietly as I slip into his room.
He tells me not to run around alone at night, but he’s the one always sleeping with his door unlocked. As if anyone would be stupid enough to try and break in on him. For a moment, I stand at the door and watch him sleep.
He’s lying on his back in the center of the double bed. The white sheet is draped across his waist, and the early morning light deepens the lines across his gorgeous torso. One muscled arm is behind his head, and my insides pull toward him.
I love stretching my body along the length of his, skin on skin. It’s the most incredible feeling—his hard warmth against my softness. With hesitant steps, I walk to his bedside. This could go one of two ways, and I hold my breath hoping with everything in me it goes mine.
Carefully, I crawl in beside him, easing my body down next to his, placing my cheek against his chest. A tiny quiver of fear moves through me as I reach an arm across his waist, pulling us together chest to chest, stomach to stomach, touching all the way to our toes.
He moves so quickly, I don’t even have time to scream. I’m on my back, and he’s above me, looking down at me with a burning intensity I can’t interpret.
“What do you want, Mercy.” It’s not a question. It’s only a notch above a growl. He’s angry, and he has every right to be. I only hope he’ll let me explain.
“I said what do you WANT?” His voice is louder, and I do shudder this time. Angry Koa is scary as fuck.
Trusting my gut, I answer with complete honesty. “You.”
My voice is a tenuous little sound, soft and frightened, and his brow lines. “No. I don’t play games, Mercy.”
He releases me and starts to move away, but I cling to him, holding his arm, trying to pull him back. “Let me explain.” I hate how weak I sound. “It wasn’t a game.”
He catches my wrists, throwing me back on the bed, pinning me beneath him.
“Why are you here? You need me to fuck you, but you need him to make you legit?”
His words are so cruel and full of anger. It’s as if he really did hit me. Still, I have to make him hear me. “No!”
“Then tell me why. I’ll tell you if I understand.”
His grip on my arms is painful, but I struggle through the pain. “I want you. I only want you. Not him.”
“Now and not yesterday?” He releases me, throwing me away from him onto the bed as he sits up, preparing to leave. “No thanks.”
“Wait!” I scramble against the mattress, wrapping my arms around him, catching him from the front. “Listen to me!”
My breasts are pressed against his chest as I hold his neck. Our faces are so close, and we’re both breathing fast.
“I wanted you yesterday.” His green eyes focus on my mouth before flickering up to my eyes, which I hope are filled with all the desperation I feel.
An angry noise erupts from his throat, and he turns me, pushing me forward on the bed with the force of his weight. I’m tem
porarily winded, and I don’t have time to recover before he shoves my legs open with his knee. I’m just getting my bearings when…
“Oh, god!” I cry out. He pushes into me from behind in one violent thrust.
“Is this what you want?” he growls.
Gripping both my arms, he pumps faster into me—faster and harder, causing me to moan, causing my back to arch up toward him. Leaning down, he pulls the skin at the base of my neck between his teeth and bites me. I feel the pierce of his panther fangs, and an explosion of orgasm clenches my insides.
“Yes, Koa! Yes…” His movement temporarily falters. For a second, he seems to hesitate. Then he comes back, pumping me with as much intensity as before.
His face is in the side of my hair. His lips graze my ear as his beard tingles the sensitive skin of my neck. “Say it,” he growls, still rocking.
I’m on the brink of splitting in two. His passionate anger, his roughness, his bite, all of it has me twisting beneath him, desperate for the orgasm that’s just in my grasp, that’s snaking up the insides of my thighs.
“I tasted it on your blood,” he grinds out, fucking me so hard. “Say it, Mercy.”
I know what he wants. My eyes squeeze shut as my hips begin to jerk. “Oh, god!” I wail, shuddering with the pleasure rocketing through my body. “Oh, god, yes!”
I’m writhing. My hips are bucking up, meeting him as my orgasm blanks my mind.
“Say it,” his low growl is right in my ear, pulling me back.
My mouth opens, and I surrender. I confess the words I’ve been resisting for days. “I’m yours. I belong to you.”
“Fuck.” As soon as I say it, his orgasm breaks. He thrusts into me two more times before he stills, vibrating with the intensity of our connection, both our hearts pounding with the weight of the truth.
Koa
Mercy is tight in my arms, trembling and spent. I’m holding her with all my strength, sated and stunned.
I had been so angry with her last night, and this morning when she tried to sneak into my bed as if nothing had happened, I wanted to shake her. I had visions of crazy things like pulling her across my lap and spanking her until her ass glowed red. Instead I bit her, and the anger inside me disintegrated.