Suddenly he pulled away, but his fingers still gripped the back of her neck. He studied her with intensity and desire in his eyes. “Are you trying to seduce me?”
“I…I don’t know.”
Nick tilted her head, and pressed his nose to the vein along her neck. A warm jolt shot through her loins, and her center ached. “It’s working.” He dragged his lips up the column of his neck, leaving a hot trail against her skin. When he reached her chin, he sipped at her jaw gently. “Do you know what I would do to you?”
His tongue sliced across the vein, and she gasped. “No…”
“Can you imagine?”
Selene’s entire body tensed in what could only be described as hot lust. Her fingernails gripped into his arms. “No.”
“Let me give you a hint.” Nick grabbed her hips and pulled her forward.
She bit her lip as her center pressed firmly against his rock hard evidence of desire. Never had she craved something so exotic. “Nick…”
He worked his way up, past her jawline, and crushed his mouth against hers. She kissed him back, relishing in the moment. How would she ever be able to forget Nick when it was finally time for her to return home? Maybe she shouldn’t have turned around. How could she have let emotional instincts guide her? No, she didn’t want to forget him. This seal of a kiss would serve to make sure he stayed in her memories.
Suddenly, he pulled away but his erection did not subside. It pressed through the fabric against her mound. She shifted above him. The tension at her core tightened and the ache became unbearable.
He moaned, and then touched his forehead to hers. “Why must you do this to me?”
“Do what?”
“I want you…intimately.”
“Look at me.” She lifted his chin and held his gaze. “And you don’t want to feel this way?”
“I do, yes, but to take you like I want would yield consequences.”
Take. The very thought of him taking her sent warm jolts between her legs. “What do you mean?”
“It’s obvious, Selene.”
She stroked his cheek. “I don’t care that you are part wolf. It was a shock to me at first, but I’m beyond that now.”
“My world is not like your normal human world. I can’t bring you into this.”
“You already have,” she whispered.
“I will drive you myself to the train station before it’s too late.”
“No,” she said, quickly.
“Selene…” he warned.
“Please.” This time she kissed him, pushing him against the back of the chair. She thought she heard a low growl emanating from his throat.
“What exactly do you want from me?” he asked between clenched teeth.
“Your friendship.”
“Friends don’t kiss each other like this.”
“I don’t know why, but I keep having these thoughts about you.”
“What thoughts?”
“Naughty ones.”
He straightened against the chair cushions. “The thoughts you’re having might not be your fault.”
“What are you talking about?”
“The powers I told you about earlier. They include sex appeal. We wolves multiply through mating. In order to attract a female, we need lots of it.”
“What does that have to do with anything?”
“My wolf is very much a part of me, but is just as dominate.”
Selene threw him a challenging look from under her lashes. “What are you saying?”
“I’m attracted to you, Selene. Every part of me is attracted to you.”
“And your wolf...?”
He nodded. “Yes…he is.”
“I’m only human. What would your wolf want with me? Why would I have this type of control over you since you’re the one with the powers?”
He swept her face with a calculating stare. “Should I dare find out?”
“We’re both curious.”
Nick kissed her once softly, then again with a lingering caress of his lips. He lifted her from his lap, set her gently on the sofa, and rose to stand. “The last woman who had this type of control over me betrayed me.”
Her heart fell to the pit of her stomach, and a cool chill ran up her spine. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be.” He dropped his chin to his chest. “We learn from our mistakes.”
“Nick—”
“It’s time for me to have a shower. I won’t take long.”
He entered the bathroom before she could say anything else.
Chapter Nine
The phone rang six times before her dad, Charlie Moore, picked up. It was just like him. He hated talking on the phone, and even despised having to do anything related to computers or technology.
“Hello?” His voice held a hint of uncertainty.
“Hi, Dad. It’s me.”
“Selene. Sweetie, is something wrong? You’re calling me from an unknown private number. I almost didn’t pick up.”
She stole a glance at Nick who maneuvered his pickup truck off the main highway onto a gravelly road.
“I’m fine. Don’t panic, but remember that trip I took out of town…?”
“Are you alright?” Of course, he would panic.
“Well, my car sort of broke down, and I’m kind of stranded out here.”
“Stranded out where, Sweetie?”
“Virginia. Up near the mountains,” she said, carefully.
“I thought you flew out to Florida on vacation. Honey, what’s going on?”
“Dad, calm down. I’m fine. There was a change of plans. Don’t worry. I’m safe and plan to take the next flight out in a few days.”
“But you have no car. Where are you now?”
“I’m being taken care off.” She picked at a piece of lint on her pants. “Besides I came here sort of on business. One of my clients needed my help.”
“Selene…”
“I know what you’re going to say, but I’m fine.”
“You’re breaking up. Honey, what did you say?”
Sure enough, some static blared through the phone. Selene glanced out of the window. Branches overhang in the road way as they drove through dense trees.
“I’m going to have to call you back. Okay? Dad?”
There was silence. When she looked down at the display on the screen, it flashed brightly with the words, call disconnected.
“Sorry about that.” Nick frowned. “We’ll drive back into town to get a better reception.”
“That’s okay. Dad would have worried about me one way or the other.”
“Any parent would.” He turned right onto another dirt road. “I take it that you’re his only child.”
“Yes. My parents are separated. My mother remarried and now I have three younger siblings. The divorce happened when I was just ten years old. My dad was so overprotective of me that he somehow convinced my mother and the judge to grant him full custody.” She handed the cell back to Nick. “He’s always been that way. It’s the reason why I’m still very much a single woman.” Her face grew warm when she made the slip up. “Oh…now I’m embarrassed. I didn’t mean to sound so pitiful. I do get out and enjoy life, so I’m not a total nun.”
He smiled. “Are you part nun then?”
She laughed.
“Don’t be embarrassed. Your dad sounds like the type of man no one should underestimate.”
“I sometimes wonder if he runs off my male friends on purpose. It doesn’t matter who they are or if I’m even romantically involved with them. I moved out at nineteen, but he’s found a way to keep tabs on me from across hundreds of miles.”
“Didn’t you say you came out here to help one of your clients?”
“Yeah. I’d been working with her for half a year when she called me ready to leave her fiancé. The last ping from the phone she called me on was from a location in this town. I hope she’s okay.”
Selene had lost precious time while being held in a cell. Anything could ha
ve happened to her friend by now.
“What’s her name?”
She turned slowly, and studied him. “I’m not really allowed to give out that information.” It was a natural thing for her to say.
“Right. I get that.” He nodded.
“It’s nothing personal. It’s just that most of the woman I help are in danger of losing their lives or are physically abused. One slip up—even if it’s not intentional—can harm them or stall an escape.”
“Is her name Tamara, by any chance?”
This time she shifted around to face him. “How did you come across that information?”
“You’re closer to finding her than you know.”
***
Just before shifting the gear in the park position, Nick took another look at Selene. Ever since he’d delivered the news that the woman she’d been looking for could very well be Devin’s new fiancé, she’d been sitting on the edge of her seat.
Selene glanced out of the passenger side window at the massive estate that belonged to the new Alpha.
Nick’s attention shifted to the home as well. He’d only been here three times before. As a young boy to deliver a package for his father, and twice recently to discuss pack matters with Devin. Consequently, one of those visits involved appointing him Second-in-Command.
Everything about the mansion screamed royalty. Cast iron gates and stone pillars surrounded the property. A bird bath and rose vine display served as the focal point in the middle of the driveway. Exotic hedges were immaculately trimmed and flawless. It all reminded him of the homes that he and Devin constructed for the rich and famous humans after leaving the pack.
In his five years of partnering with Devin, the man had repeatedly expressed his dislike of oversized homes. But now the Alpha had a mate to please, the Caedmon people to serve, and a family to be bred. Things had changed for Devin at the drop of a dime.
The effects of the changes seemed to trickle down. To anyone linked to Devin. To his immediate followers. And to Nick. What Nick wondered was if his life would be forever filled with danger and chaos or could he expect peace at some point in the form of something he could cherish and protect just like their leader.
“Is she here?” Selene asked, jolting him from his thoughts.
“I believe so. They planned to be here until their home was finished being built.” He turned off the engine, threw the keys in the glove compartment, and walked around the truck to help her out.
“I hope you don’t mind coming here. I’ll see to it that you make the next train.”
“I don’t mind. I feel safer with you.”
“Devin has called a meeting with all the Elders and the entire Council. It might not be until tomorrow that everyone arrives. I could be caught up in pack matters for most of it, but you will be safe here.”
“I understand.”
Several servants greeted them, took their bags, and led them to the front door without hesitation.
Nick was surprised when Devin opened the door before they even reached the first step. They nodded in greeting as they always did. The Alpha’s gaze focused on Selene. Both understood that not much could be said until they were together privately.
“How was the drive?” Devin asked instead.
“Rough, as usual.” He followed Selene up the steps. “This is Selene. She’s the reason why I’ve kept my sanity after all this.”
“I can only imagine,” Devin remarked, and then offered his hand to Selene. “I’m Devin, and it’s a pleasure.”
“You’re the leader.”
“Yes.” Devin smiled. “Has Nick told you my life story?”
“No.” Selene shook her head. “Not yet.”
“Not yet?” Devin laughed loudly. “Don’t believe a word he says about me.”
Nick was glad the meeting was going well. His old friend seemed to have no worries about him bringing a guest into the home. “We’re a little early.”
“Yes. Very early.” Devin glanced behind him, just as his mate, Tamara, slipped in beside him. He kissed her on the forehead. “I thought you were studying.”
“I was until I heard our guests arrive,” she said.
Nick remembered the first time he met Tamara. She was soft spoken, and had been very generous. Anyone who had met her once she became mated to their Alpha instantly liked her. She seemed to adore children, and volunteered regularly at the local elementary school. Devin and Tamara were perfect together. She brought out the best in his friend.
“This is my fiancé, Tamara,” Devin said. “She’s been helping with preparing the rooms all morning for the rest of the council members, and has been anxious for another woman her age to arrive.”
“I’m the only human in the house, for goodness sakes.” Tamara swatted a hand playfully at Devin’s shoulder. “It will be nice to have someone here like me for a change. Nice to meet you….I didn’t get your name.” She offered a hand to Selene, who had a bewildered expression on his face.
Nick swallowed.
“Your voice.” Selene said. “It’s really you.”
“Excuse me?” Tamara dropped her hand to her side after Selene failed to accept it. Her forehead creased as she studied Selene.
“Tamara? It’s me. Selene Moore. Your counselor.”
Tamara gasped, and suddenly her gaze rolled to the ceiling.
Nick was glad that Devin stood right behind Tamara, because she fainted dead away.
Chapter Ten
Nick ran his fingers across the rigid indentions of the leather bound books. There were hundreds of them lining the shelves of the library. Most of the pages were filled with their history tracing back the lineage of every Caedmon to date. Both those who could shift as well as those who were human. Still, a good bit of the books were general literature and fiction. It was said that before the age of thirteen, anyone who was Caedmon royalty would’ve been made to read them all.
Devin entered the library as Nick moved to the next shelve. He didn’t have to turn to know that it was the Alpha. He’d known Devin far too long to not recognize his trusted friend by scent.
He joined Devin, sitting adjacent to him in the brown leather chair. There was a round coffee table separating them where one of the servants had laid out chocolate and cheese on a tray earlier. Although, food was the least of his many worries right now.
“How is she?” Nick asked.
“Selene? She’s in the den on the third floor. Fortunately, she and Tamara are identical in size so we found her some clothes.”
Nick smiled at the mention of Selene. On the drive over here, he’d caught himself stealing glances at her, observing the way she looked so cute, yet comfortable wearing his oversized clothes. “I meant Tamara…with her fainting and all.”
“She’s doing alright. I left them together as it seems they both have some catching up to do. They’ve never met personally, but it is still a very emotional reunion for Tamara. She talks very highly of Selene.”
“It’s quite a strange coincidence the way this all happened, wouldn’t you say?” Nick leaned back in his chair.
“Things happen for a reason,” Devin said. “Is she aware that you’re wolf?”
He nodded. “I shifted, but it wasn’t an accident. It was to save Selene.”
“Understood.”
“I didn’t expect Darius to lash out again so soon. I wish you had executed him.”
Devin frowned. “I think you know why I didn’t.”
Nick returned his challenging stare. “That is in my past now.” He couldn’t believe Devin would attempt to bring such an issue to the surface.
“You know what will happen if I kill him now.”
“Yes, but to save our pack, we must do what is necessary.”
“The messenger you sent said that Darius has been keeping prisoners.”
“More like hostages.”
“Were you aware that Silvia could not bear offspring?” Devin asked.
“No,” he replied, promptly. He didn�
�t want to think of the despicable act Darius and his mate would commit in order to bear pups carrying the Caedmon name.
“Listen to me, Nick.” Devin moved to the edge of his seat. “You are like a brother to me. I know this must bring about bad memories for you, but I fully expected Darius to retreat once I spared his life and let us move on with ours.”
Nick swallowed. “And he didn’t…”
“No, but you’re right, we must do what’s necessary to protect our people. I will call the meeting as soon as the others arrive. We’ll decide our game plan then. I never attempted to reason with Darius. Nothing was ever settled after our fight…after I ordered him to remove himself from the Pack. Maybe we misunderstand each other. I want what’s best for my people and plan to eliminate anything standing against that.”
Nick met the Alpha’s gaze. “Do you still genuinely believe that Darius will give up after coming across the missing will? He has evidence that half of everything belongs to him.”
“I never planned to rob him of what he owns. What he will not do is terrorize this town and any who come to visit it.”
“I’m almost sure that he won’t cooperate or concede without a fight.”
“He was given a chance to fight.” Devin’s lips formed a stern line. “Last I checked, he lost.”
“No one, not even him, expected you to return to claim your title. He thought it’d be easy,” Nick said.
“What’s done is done. If we have to fight to the death this time…then so be it.”
If there was one thing he valued in Devin, it was that he was a man of his words, and acted accordingly until his intentions were made reality.
***
“Dinner was very good,” Selene said, as Nick made his way out of the bathroom. “It must be nice having a full time cook.”
“Devin’s cook is a retired executive chef. He just sold his restaurant in the city and decided several months ago to move back into the village.” He picked up a pitcher filled with ice water from the tray on the dresser. After filling the glass, he took a long sip. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he tossed down the drink.
Wolf's Promise (Caedmon Wolves) Page 7