Physically and emotionally exhausted, I finished brushing my hair and curled up in bed to sleep the weirdness of the day away.
After a long night of tossing and turning in bed, I awoke to a new and not so very exciting day. Just as I’d predicted the night before, every blouse I tried on left the thin line of broken skin exposed. There was no way I was going to wear a turtleneck in this heat. Running late, I decided on a simple pink and black blouse with a pair of jeans and bolted out the door the minute I heard Alexis driving up.
Concerned, I began to wonder what Alexis would say about my newly acquired injury.
“Hey, Alexis.” I greeted him as I slipped into the car.
“Good morning, princess.” There was no indication he was upset at all and I took that as a good sign.
“Anything turn up last night?” I settled in the seat and buckled my seatbelt.
“The rogues aren’t in the area. Marquis located a cave in the woods that he thinks they use when they head over this way. If it is their hideout, it’s only a matter of time before they use it again. These are their hunting grounds, and whenever they need to feed, they’ll come back. We’ll be watching.” He filled me in as he drove us to school.
Hearing him talk about rogue werewolves and a hideout really had a way of forcing reality to hit me like a punch to the gut. Although my main focus was on Kyran half the time that didn’t mean my problems only consisted of what kept us apart. There was a whole pack of man-eaters at war with each other, and they were after me.
“There’s just something so wrong with this conversation.”
He looked at me with a confused expression. “What do you mean?”
“I mean…that I can’t believe I have conversations like this with someone. Two weeks ago, werewolves were nothing but a mythical creature to me and, well…”
“It would be shocking to anyone, I’m sure.”
How would he know? He’s a werewolf.
He turned to look at me when I didn’t respond and ran his index finger over the length of my now pinkish-looking scar. “I understand you had a little encounter with my brother.”
Shivering from his touch, I shrugged his hand off. “He didn’t attack me if that’s what worries you.”
“Oh, but he did.”
Confused, I glanced at him.
“He was attacking you, all right. You just didn’t notice. Or didn’t mind.”
Blushing, I turned my face away from him and opted for staring out the window instead of looking straight at him. “How would you know?” I snapped.
“Kyran and I are identical twins. Have you ever heard that twins share a special link, almost like a psychic connection? With werewolves, that connection is doubly intensified.”
Oh man, could this conversation get any worse? “So…what…does that mean?”
“That while Kyran was with you, I was able to feel what he did.”
“And you didn’t rush inside the barn to strangle him?” I meant to sound surprised but I sounded sarcastic instead.
“I wanted to, but Marquis and Josephine held me back.” By the tone of his voice and his expression, I knew he was serious.
“We just kissed. You can’t lose your head every time Kyran kisses me.”
“I don’t mind you two being together.” He shrugged but deep down, I knew it bothered him, even if it was just a little. “But I’m trying to keep you alive. Kyran could lose his head in just one second. If we’re not there to stop him, you’re as good as dead, Marjie.”
I shivered at those words. “But nothing happened.”
“And we will make sure nothing does.” His silver eyes darkened. “I love my brother, Marjorie, but this is a life and death situation. You don’t seem to understand exactly how dangerous Kyran is, because you’ve never seen him at his worst. Believe me when I tell you that he gets much worse. What you’ve seen so far is just minor reactions, but when the bloodlust becomes too much for him, Kyran is no longer Kyran.”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
No matter how much it hurt for me to admit it, deep down inside I knew Alexis was right. So far Kyran had been able to fight his rising bloodlust, but he wouldn’t be able to fight it forever. One day it would prove too much for him, and then what would happen to me?
It was useless to pretend as if I could fix something that couldn’t be fixed. Kyran wouldn’t be cured just because I willed it. He couldn’t change who he was any more than I could.
“I’ll try to stay away from him.” I looked out the window to avoid Alexis’s gaze.
“You don’t sound so convincing.”
I didn’t bother with a response.
We arrived at campus and Alexis parked the car in his usual place. Instead of exiting, he cut the engine and shifted in the seat so he could look at me better.
“I’m trying here, Alexis, but it’s not easy. Kyran…” How could I explain my feelings for his brother? “Whenever Kyran is around, I don’t put up much of a fight.” A faint smile crossed my lips. “I pretty much let him do what he wants. I can’t help it.”
“I think that’s part of the problem. Your undeniable attraction to him doesn’t help matters at all.” He tossed a sympathetic smile in my direction. “Kyran likes you more than he has ever liked any other girl, and he responds to you that way.” I turned a confused look to him and he smiled. “Being werewolves has its perks but it also has its cons. Whenever we have an intense emotion, it shows more than it would if we were just human. Kyran is having trouble controlling his…feelings when it comes to you.”
“What exactly does he feel for me?” I stared at him.
“He is…he feels a variety of things. Well, he cares a lot about you. And he...”
“Alexis, you’re stalling.”
He smiled. “I think he’s in love with you. And…”
“And what?”
“He’s having trouble dealing with that little emotion called desire.”
Desire, huh? “This is hard for me too, Alexis. I don’t know how to deal with everything that’s going on. Finding out that you guys are werewolves was tough, but finding out that Kyran has this problem is even harder. I understand that keeping a distance from him is better for him. But how do you stay away from someone you…love.”
Love? Yes, love.
After analyzing my emotions, I came to the startling conclusion that I loved Kyran. I knew it as surely as I knew he was a werewolf that could potentially kill me.
Alexis said nothing after I used the deadly L word. He seemed a little pensive.
Was it me or did I see a flash of disappointment in his eyes? Was it possible that Tracy was right and Alexis had feelings for me also? Was I so blinded by my feelings for Kyran that I couldn’t see beyond him and our relationship long enough to actually pay attention to what was going on with Alexis?
“Why don’t we just take it one day at a time?” His smile was meant to reassure me. Alexis was such a good friend; he was a good person and I was glad I had his support, even though he didn’t approve. “I’ll help you with anything you need. I’ll be here for you, Marjie.”
Now I realized that I had another problem on my hands. I didn’t want Alexis to end up hurt in any way. Despite the short time that we’d been acquainted, I cared for him a lot.
“Don’t call me that.”
He smiled and leaned forward to hug me against his strong chest.
“Call me Marjorie.”
He nodded and pulled me into the massive wall of his chest. Just like when Kyran touched me, a sudden bolt of awareness coursed through my body and I began to wonder whether the reaction was due to the fact that they were identical twins. His lips brushed my forehead several times, planting soft kisses that left me feeling breathless and very confused. I could hear him inhaling my scent as he pulled my face to his.
“You smell so sweet,” he whispered gruffly.
“Stop that.” Playfully, I shoved him aside and pushed myself back to the passenger side seat.
“Stop what?” He flashed me a big smile and I couldn’t help but smile back.
“Stop getting all love-stricken on me. Save your playful and flirty games for all those broken-hearted girls you left out there yesterday.”
“I can’t, I’m pretending to be your boyfriend, remember? I have to cut down on the flirting to at least seventy percent instead of one hundred.”
“That’s very reassuring. I’m sure that by noon rumors of you cheating on me will start to circulate the entire campus.”
“That won’t happen. I’ll be careful.” I had to smile at the look on his face. “Besides, I like being a pretend boyfriend. I rather enjoy it.”
Yeah, I could tell. “I think you enjoyed it a little too much yesterday, when you kissed me.”
“To be perfectly honest, I’d been wondering what kissing you felt like. Yesterday you gave me the perfect excuse to find out. And so now I know why Kyran goes crazy every time he does it.” He informed me with a lazy grin.
“I think you enjoyed it a little too much.” I accused.
“You enjoyed it too.” He shot back.
“I did not.”
“If you say so, but you could have signaled me to stop. You just stood there and took it. And you kissed me right back, too. That was an added bonus.”
My eyes widened at his remark and that only served to fuel his humor. “I didn’t kiss you back! You…you…oh, never mind.” I started to reach for my bag but his strong hand halted my escape.
“Come on, princess, admit you liked it.”
Admit that he was right? Never! I would not boost his ego by saying I enjoyed his kiss, damn him!
“Not on your life, Rousseau.”
His chest rumbled with amused laughter.
A tap on the car window startled me and I turned to find Gage and Josephine, both smiling as they peered in through the window. By the expressions on their faces, I knew they’d heard everything.
Alexis and I exited the car and joined them. Quietly, we made our way to our respective classes. I was very thankful no one said anything about the kiss or our conversation inside the car because I was embarrassed enough about it.
As soon as I sat at my lone table, I received a text message from Tracy.
Hey, would you mind accompanying me to town tonight? I plan to buy an outfit for a date I have on Friday night and I need your opinion.
You have a date? With whom?
Mike. I need an extra special outfit.
Okay, count me in. Is anyone else coming?
No. It’s just the two of us.
Okay.
Tracy dating Mike? Sure, I knew she had occasional sex with him, but dating? That was new to me. I started questioning how much I was actually missing by being involved in a race against time to save my life from an angry mob of man-eating werewolves.
After classes, Alexis took me home. After getting my chores done, I let my father and Vicki know that I would be going out with Tracy. I had to explain to them that it was just a shopping trip and not a party before they relaxed. My father even handed me money so I could do some shopping of my own. Knowing that Gage and Josephine were on patrol that night helped to relieve some of the guilt I felt for leaving them alone at the house.
Tracy picked me up at seven o’clock sharp and we headed to an outlet mall just outside of town. After locating a suitable parking spot, we both got out and walked inside. In a matter of seconds, we hit the racks, looking for potential items to purchase while we chatted away.
“You’re dating Mike now?” I asked as I eyed a very cute top.
Tracy sauntered over toward the miniskirts and examined them carefully, apparently not thrilled by what she saw.
“Yeah, well, he asked me out to dinner and a movie and I said, hell, why not. It’s the first time he’s asked me out.”
So strange how two people could have sex so often but never go out on an actual date. I shook my head and smiled. “You two have a very strange relationship.”
“Speaking of strange relationships, how are you and Kyran holding up? And what’s going on with you and Alexis? I saw you two getting cozy in his car this morning.”
“For your information, we weren’t getting cozy.”
She scoffed. “That’s not what I saw.”
I picked out a blouse from the rack and pulled it out to inspect it. “Kyran and I aren’t…It’s complicated.”
“Why is it complicated? Do you guys like each other?”
“Yes, we do.” I turned to look at her. “But he’s momentarily off limits.”
She looked confused. “Why? Is he locked up?”
“You could say that. Let’s just say he’s not able to date anyone for the time being.”
“Okay. I don’t really get it, but I’ll take your word for it.” Tracy finished inspecting one skirt and grabbed another. “Is your complication named Alexis?”
“Alexis and I are just friends.”
“You keep telling yourself that, sweetheart.” She winked at me.
“It’s true.”
She shrugged. “Maybe you’re just friends now, but what if things with Kyran don’t work out?”
I stopped eying the top I was holding and turned to look at her.
“What’s going to happen then?”
I hadn’t even considered that possibility. “Nothing. Alexis wouldn’t…I don’t…” What would happen if things between Kyran and me don’t work out?
“I’m just saying,” she said before turning to inspect another mini.
Great, now I was furious with her for planting the seed of doubt inside my head. So far, I had been lying to myself and kept repeating over and over again that Kyran and I would eventually find a way to make it work. But with him there were no guarantees, and unfortunately for me, Alexis was stuck in the middle. Even worse, I cared enough for Alexis to be concerned for his feelings.
***
In less than two hours, Tracy and I had visited every store in the outlet and made several purchases. I bought a nice bathing suit I was hoping to wear to the Rousseau’s’ indoor pool at some point in time, hopefully in the near future. There was not much I needed, but I figured that as long as I was there I might as well buy a few extra things that could boost my wardrobe. The money I didn’t spend I would just hand back to my father.
After we stepped out of the last store, Tracy invited me for a burger. Since it was now past the hour when I usually ate dinner, I eagerly nodded and we proceeded toward the car. We were halfway there when we noticed a group of men hanging around a black car. There were six of them in total. They spoke in unnecessary loud voices while pushing and shoving each other, leading me to automatically assume they were drunk.
“Hey, isn’t that Jack?” Tracy asked, pointing to a tall figure lingering to the side of the black car the others were sitting on.
I followed the direction of her pointing finger and spotted Jack amongst the guys. “Yeah, that’s him, all right.”
We started to walk by them, but Jack called out to us.
“Hey girls.”
Tracy smiled and immediately headed over toward the group. I lingered behind, hesitating to get too close to them. Something about their appearance caused me to have second thoughts. Not that there was anything obviously abnormal about them, but something wasn’t sitting right in my gut as I watched them from a distance. Perhaps I was just being overly cautious; perhaps there was nothing wrong with them. They seemed perfectly harmless and it certainly didn’t appear as if they were paying attention.
That was, of course, until my eyes met with a set of the darkest eyes I’ve ever seen in my entire life. Just looking at that man caused shivers to run down my spine. He stood incredibly tall even from where I stood. He could easily be well over six feet tall. His hair was long, straight, and black, and his skin was pale white. The way he leered at me, like he wanted to eat me whole, caused me to take an involuntary step back.
“Hey, Jack! Who’re these friends of yours?” the tall figur
e asked Jack, who up to that point had been too busy having a conversation with Tracy. The dark-haired menace stared right at me, like I was the only person there besides him.
“These are some friends of mine from college. Tracy Stevens and Marjorie Emery.”
Tracy turned to look back at me. “Why are you so far back?” She motioned with her hand for me to join her but I still hesitated. I didn’t want to get close to that big one.
“Marjorie…” The big one hissed out my name, and as he did so he seemed to taste every letter with his tongue. I flinched as he repeated it. I noticed the other men staring at me now. Their eyes were very intent, looking me up and down as if I was the last piece of apple pie left and they were starving. Slowly, I took several steps toward Tracy and Jack, avoiding eye contact with any of the other men there.
“Why haven’t you been in school, Jack?” I reached Tracy just in time to hear her ask Jack, who only smiled good-naturedly before lowering his head. He wore a pair of big dark sunglasses, and I found that odd since it was dark out.
“I’m afraid I’ve been a little busy lately.” He brought his head up but I couldn’t tell who he was looking at because of the shades.
“Too busy to take classes you already paid for?” she asked.
“I’m afraid so…”
I tensed when I felt a sudden presence behind me and I didn’t have to look back to know it was the big one.
“Hey Santos, this is Marjorie.”
Oh man, did he really have to introduce us?
Santos, aka the big one, stepped around me and stood smirking in front of me. God almighty, the man was huge. Even though I was average height for a woman, I felt absolutely miniscule under his scrutinizing gaze. I could have been a mouse standing under an elephant. Santos, with his huge form and unnerving eyes, was the most intimidating person I’d ever encountered in my life, and just standing before him made me want to cower in fear.
Secrets of the Moon Page 31