by Stone, Wendy
A lamp flew from the end table, slamming into the back of the fireplace to rain glass and oil onto the flames below, sending them shooting up into the chimney. His chair was knocked to the floor, the glass decanter of brandy sitting next to it, shattering into bits beneath his fingers. He picked up the book, the cause for his problems, wanting to rip into the binding, to tear it to bits so that he would never see it again.
Lifting it, he noticed the small sheet of thin paper that fell from the binding as it ripped under his sharp claws. For a moment, he thought of ignoring it, but his curiosity forced him to set the book down and to pick up the paper.
The handwriting was familiar, a fine script that he would recognize anywhere. It was his mother's handwriting and it caused an ache in his chest. He slumped backwards, sitting down upon the hard wooden stairs.
The letter was short, addressed to him, and just that fact surprised him enough to calm the rage that had taken him.
Garren Our Dearest, My son, if you are reading this it means your father and I are no longer with you. We worried for so long about what would happen if you were to have visited upon you the same affliction that your father had. We decided that it would be to your advantage if we were to write this tale.
The erotic nature of the piece was to disguise the truths behind it and to keep it out of the hands of anyone else who might read it. We'd hoped it would make it into your hands only if you needed to understand why your life is the way it is. Please, son, finish the story, read it carefully, understand it, because it is not just a tale of tribulation and love, it is meant as a guidepost for you. It is not just the allegory it might seem on the surface. We wish for you a long and happy life, Garren, Your loving parents, Nathalie and Michael
Garren stared at the letter, his hands shaking. His parents had passed away dbefore he'd reached his majority, dying together on a ship that had foundered as they were making their way home from one of the many trips they took together. It was how they would have wanted to leave this earthly plain, together.
He stared at the book. Nathalie and Michael, Melissa and Nathaniel, the names were so close but he never would have thought that they would be the same people. Had his parents ever actually loved this way? Had his mother been afflicted because of what had been between them?
He searched his memory, trying to remember if they'd ever appeared to him like this. All he could remember were the happy times, the love that had been between them. Their joy in their love and in the life they created had kept him going after their deaths, and even when he first became afflicted with this cursed disease.
He picked up the book from where it lay by his feet, staring at the rip in the binding where his mother's note had been. Did he dare hope that this contained a cure?
Chapter Five
Garren picked up the leather-bound book, his hands shaking as he searched through the slightly mangled pages, looking for where Brenna had left off. He would read every word if there was even a small chance that he could rid himself of this blasted curse.
He turned to the page that he could smell Brenna's scent upon the most, for she'd rested her hand upon the book while they'd fought, holding it open to the spot she'd stopped reading. He wished he could call her in, have her help him, for reading was difficult with his beastly eyes.
But he wouldn't, for if she knew there was a chance that he could be cured, her hopes would rise. He couldn't bear to break her heart, not if this was a fool's folly. Grabbing his robe from the edge of his bed, he slipped it on, belting it loosely, going to the chair she'd found him in earlier and sitting close to the fire to help himself see the print. Squinting, he read the words out loud. "Melissa's head…" * * * * …fell back against the bed, her mouth open as an unearthly cry came from between her lips. Her hips jerked up to meet his thrusts, her fingers dug into his back, urging him to move faster. Searing friction built, his cock sawing into her, rubbing against her clit with every stroke. His hand found her breast, his fingers kneading the heavy flesh, playing across her nipple.
He felt her lips under his, felt her tongue slide across his mouth, her hands moving around his body, pressing against his chest until he rolled over. Straddling him, she slid down on the long, thick shaft of his cock, her mouth half open, her eyes staring into his. Nathaniel's hands went to her waist, guiding her, holding her to him while he ground his body into hers with a force that bordered on animalistic.
He had no control, thrusting up into her, his head back against the pillow, his heels digging into the mattress. His arms were rigid with the desire that flooded through him, his amber eyes glowing eerily as he gazed at her beauty.
She was his, the thought flashed into his mind and he growled at the lightning-like streak of pleasure that shot through his nerve endings like liquid fire. She was his to do as he wished, to fuck or make love to, to keep with him as a companion. He was no longer alone. * * * * Melissa heard his grunts as he almost brutally pounded his body against hers, his cock a blur of motion between her spread thighs. Every frantic stroke slapped against her clit, forcing the pressure to grow like a bubble approaching its bursting point. Her heart raced, and her blood rushed through her veins, causing her head to swim. She thought she would die if she didn't reach that pinnacle of pleasure that was just beyond her reach.
Nathaniel lifted her suddenly, pushing her off of him and onto her hands and knees on the mattress. She groaned when his body slammed into hers from behind, his hands on the smooth, rounded curves of her bottom, squeezing and teasing her flesh with just the tips of his nails. He started moving slowly, pulling almost all the way out of her, watching as his cock split her velvety softness, then sliding inside her heat and wetness with a growl of his own.
"Harder," she panted, turning her head to look over her shoulder, crying out when he bent over her, his hands finding the large mounds of her breasts and pulling on her pink nipples until they reddened and grew taut.
He jerked against her, giving her what she wanted with soul shaking thrusts that forced his hip bones into her smooth flesh. The rhythm of their bodies had the old bed shaking, the headboard slamming into the wall, a counterpoint to her frantic whimpers and piercing cries.
His hand reached around her hip, and his fingers slid down her stomach and slipped between her thighs, to find the soft curls, parting wet lips, trailing over her woman's flesh until her found the taut bud of her clit and circled it gently, timing his thrusts so that he could drive her higher. He wanted to feel her come, wanted to know that moment when she crested that final ledge and soared off into the sweet darkness of release. He wanted her cunt to clamp down until he couldn't move inside her. He wanted to feel her contractions of pleasure around his cock.
He wanted to steal her soul and keep it as his own, bind her to him until she could think of no other but him. "Nathaniel!" she cried, turning her head, reaching back for him. He lifted her against himself, holding her weight easily, her back to his chest, his hands roaming over the sleek, taut flesh of her body, sliding with sweet familiarity back between her thighs. He felt her hand on his, guiding it to where she wanted it the most, and he smiled, a grimace of fangs and flashing white teeth as she growled her need.
Her head lolled back against his furry chest, and he knew she could hear his heart pounding against her ear. With the changes in her body from what had happened, he knew she would be able to hear the blood rushing in his veins, smell the distinct aroma of arousal upon his skin. The thought made the beast inside of him growl, begging for release. His lips found her cheek and slid over her throat, his fangs pressing against her pulse, scraping against that small spot on her neck. "Yes," she moaned her voice husky to his ears. "It feels so good." Nathaniel pulled gently upon her hair, moving her head to the side, feeling the shiver that shuddered through her. Her hand came up to his head, her fingers twining in his hair, pressing him against her. His jaw moved, his teeth nipping with infinite care against her flesh, never once breaking the skin, though the desire was there.
Melissa's hips undulated against his, forcing his cock to move inside of her, rubbing against delicate flesh that quivered with every heated stroke. Her breath was a bare pant, her eyes closed tightly. She struggled against him, fighting his restraining hands.
Don't stop," she begged, the husky growl of her voice sounding like the sweetest of siren's songs to his sensitive ears. "Please, Nathaniel, don't ever stop."
He pushed her back down on the bed, grabbing her hips in his huge hands to hold them still. His eyes were amber fire, tinged red with lust for the golden haired beauty who turned to bare her own lengthening fangs at him. With a growl that she echoed, he slammed into her, losing the last bit of himself that he'd tried desperately to keep from her as he pummeled her slender body with his cock.
He felt her cunt clamp down upon him, felt her muscles convulse around him and, with a deep shudder, let loose of his control. His body jerked, his head fell back and a roar of release came from his mouth as he spewed his seed inside her heated depths.
It felt as if it lasted forever, his balls clenching and contracting, his potent come spurting inside of her to her womb. When it was done, he was weak, drained, needing nothing more than to rest in her arms. He felt her slump under him, knowing she had found the same intense pleasure that had just shaken him. He let her relax, managing to lower himself down so he lay against her, curled around her like a furry blanket. * * * * Garren took a deep breath, pushing his long hair out of his eyes. He could picture himself and Brenna taking the place of the characters in the book, as he always did when she read to him. Now his cock was hard, throbbing with desire, and he was alone, as he always was. What would Brenna say if sheknew he was as much a virgin as she?
He shook the thought away, instead going back to the book. He had to find the secret, to see if there actually was a cure and then… He didn't dare let himself hope.
He squinted back down at the book. "Chapter Four: The pain of change. Jeffrey watched…" * * * * …from the doorway, seeing the couple once more entwined upon the bed. With a sound of disgust never noticed by the sleeping couple, he put the tray he carried on a small table, picking up the one that Nathaniel had brought up earlier to carry out with him.
Taking it to the kitchen, he scraped the remains of the food into a plate for the dogs and started to empty the teapot, stopping when a familiar smell met his nose. He lifted the pot, sniffing carefully at the thick brew, his heart beating fasterin fear.
Somehow Nathaniel or Melissa had gotten hold of the herbs and brewed them into a tea. How, he didn't know. He could only hope that neither had drunk the bitter brew. He stared into the pot, noting that it was still almost full, and breathed a sigh of relief. If they did have some, they didn't drink enough. Nathaniel would never suspect. Jeffrey would be fine. * * * * Melissa's eyes fluttered open, blinking sleepily. She was warm and content, a slight throbbing coming from between her thighs reminding her of the wonderfully passionate man who'd made love to her so ferociously. Sighing, she stretched, only to feel long, furry arms coming around her waist, pulling her back against his body. "Hello," she whispered, looking over her shoulder at him. "Mmm, hello back," he said, rubbing against her. "How do you
feel?" He watched as her brow furrowed, her eyebrows drawing together. She ran her tongue across her teeth and a smile blossomed upon her face. "Normal," she said finally. "No fangs or weird vision left."
Nathaniel sighed, his relief evident. "Thank you, God," he whispered against her hair, burying his face there as he hugged her. "I didn't want to be responsible for you turning into someone like me."
"If I had, Nathaniel, would it have been so bad? We could have been together then," she whispered, turning in his arms to face him.
"Yes, it would have been bad. I don't have any way to tell you of the struggle I go through to tame the beast that is inside of me. It's an everyday battle to keep from losing my temper and going into a rage. For if I did, I could kill someone. I don't want you to ever have to face something like that." His hand came up, his fingers gentle upon her face, pushing the heavy fall of her hair off her forehead.
"I remember feeling so wild. I...I wanted you to bite me. I wanted to feel your teeth in my throat, Nathaniel." She stared up into his furry, handsome face and felt a tiny hint of fear. "Is that what you meant by the beast?"
"Yes, that's part of it. I wanted to bite you," he admitted, letting his forehead drop against hers, closing his. "But you didn't, you couldn't?" "No," he whispered, kissing her lips gently. "I could never willingly
hurt you." She responded to his kiss, letting her tongue rub against his tenderly, feeling his care for her in every soft touch he gave her. A soft moan escaped her, followed by a loud rumble of her stomach, which had her pulling from his lips and chuckling.
"I haven't fed you since this morning," he said shamefacedly. "You must be starving."
"Well, I had a sip of that tea you made. But Nathaniel, and I hope you don't take this the wrong way, it was terrible. It was very bitter."
"I'm sorry, I've never been much use in the kitchen. But Jeffrey is very adept. What if I ring for a bath and have Jeffrey fix you something to eat?" "That sounds wonderful," she sighed. "But what about you?" "Oh, I plan on joining you in the bath," he said, chuckling, drawing
her near for another quick taste of her soft lips. "I meant dinner, Nathaniel," she said, rolling her eyes. "Won't you
eat with me?" He rolled away from her then, gently disentangling his arm from under her soft body, jumping down from the bed to walk to where an ancient bell pull hung in the corner. His head was down, his shoulders up, and if she didn't know better, she would swear he was embarrassed.
"Nathaniel? Are you worried about your manners?" she asked as understanding dawned. "Are you afraid I'll think any less of you if you slurp your soup or eat with your fingers?"
He turned, yanking on the pull a little harder than necessary. "No," he said, though his belligerent attitude definitely implied the opposite was true. He grabbed the robe off the floor as he walked back to her, holding it out for her to slip on.
Before she could belt it, he picked her up off the bed, setting her down on the floor and whirled her around to face him. His arms went around her inside the fabric, holding it open so that he could pull her naked form against him once more.
"Yes," he whispered against her hair. "I am mortified that what was once so easy for me now comes at such a price. Holding utensils, sipping off spoons, even holding something as fragile as crystal, makes me feel like a bull in a china shop. I drop things, break glass and get food in my fur, Melissa. I don't wish you to see me like that."
"Have Jeffrey bring enough for two," she said, her voice muffled against him. "We'll think of some way to get it into you."
He squeezed until she groaned, begging him to release her before he crushed her ribs. When he let her go immediately, she laughed, reaching up to touch his face with a soft hand.
"My gentle beast," she whispered. "It is amazing, but I feel as if we'd met in another life."
"They say wolves mate for life, little one. Perhaps…" His voice trailed off as there was a knock at the door. He reached down, tying his robe tightly around her slender waist before going to the door to open it. He didn't seem to notice his nakedness, and neither did Jeffrey, who stood in the doorway, his face impassive as he glanced over at her. "Yes, Master Nathaniel?" he inquired in his formal manner. "We wish a bath and then dinner. Is there someone who can help
you with the water, Jeffrey?" "Of course, sir. I shall also have Miss Melissa's dress brought up t
o her so that she might dress for dinner. Shall I serve it in the dining room, sir?"
"Uh, no, bring it here. Enough for us both, Jeffrey, I find I have a fine appetite tonight." He glanced over at Melissa and noticed her blush, laughing lightly as she gave him a look that promised retribution.
"Something else, sir, a letter from your uncle was delivered. Would you like me to read it to you?"
"No, not now. Bring it up, though, Melissa can read it to me later." He watched as the man bowed stiffly, turning on his heel and marching with almost military precision out the door and down the hall. "I wonder what's bothering him," he mused, closing the door behind the servant.
But the thought was swiftly forgotten as a pillow landed, hitting him squarely in the face.
"That's for embarrassing me," she said, holding onto another of the satin cushions from off of the bed.
She squealed, turning to run when he suddenly charged her, a huge furry beast with a gleam in his eyes that spoke of revenge.
Their play lasted until there was another knock upon the door, Melissa this time belting her own robe as Nathaniel grabbed for another from his wardrobe, hoping to hide his rampaging cock. Melissa kept her face averted, feeling the eyes of the men upon her as they brought in a huge tub, filling it with bucket after bucket of water, and then leaving a goodly number more on the hearth next to the fire.
She knew her lips were swollen from his kisses, her eyes lambent from the desire he inspired so easily inside of her. Her breasts ached to be touched by his hands, and her thighs trembled with the yearning that had her woman's flesh hot and wet. Watching him as he stood by the fire, his amber eyes softly glowing as they gazed at her, didn't help the need inside of her, either.
He made her feel things she'd only dreamed of, things she used to wish for upon the stars that bedecked the heavens in the short summer nights. He made her heart race with emotions that were all so new, so astonishing, that she could only wonder if they would last.