Claimed By The Lycan

by Kristen Middleton

  “Okay. Thanks again, Aiden. I owe you.”

  “No you don’t,” he answered. “I’m probably the only person you don’t owe. I heard about your debt, by the way.”

  Torin’s smile fell. “What are you talking about?”

  “You know exactly what I’m talking about. The twenty-five grand you owed your bookie. Eugene.”

  He swore under his breath. He was ashamed that he’d lost so much, but even more, he was ashamed that his successful, billionaire brother knew about it. “What did he do, call you for the money? I have it, you know.”

  “Fine. You can pay me. I paid him for you.”

  “You didn’t have to do that.”

  “I know, but he was making threats, and nobody threatens my family. Even for something like this.”

  “Well, thanks.”

  “You need to get a grip on this gambling thing. You know it’s a disease, don’t you? Like alcohol.”

  Torin rubbed his forehead. “I know. I’m not going to do it anymore. It’s an expensive pastime.”

  “It’s an expensive obsession.”

  “You don’t have to tell me.”

  “Dammit, I’d better go. The other caller is relentless and trying to buzz me again. Call me if there are any problems.”

  “Sure will.”

  After they hung up, Torin peeked through his blinds to see if anything looked suspicious. He wasn’t sure if Blake was alive or dead, but he wasn’t about to drop his guard. It was then that he saw Megan walking in the dark toward the woods by the pizza joint. Curious, he dropped the blinds and quietly headed out after her.

  23

  After Caitlyn had fallen asleep, Megan told her mother that she needed some fresh air.

  “Are you going for a run?” she asked, with a knowing smile.

  “Yes. I’m just so wound up. Plus, I’d like to take a look around. Make sure we’re not being watched.”

  “You mean by Blake?”

  She nodded.

  “Just be careful.”

  “I will.”

  “Why don’t you ask Torin to join you?”

  She frowned. “To tell you the truth, I need a break from Torin. Besides, it’s almost twelve. He’s probably asleep, especially after such a big meal.”

  “That man can put it down,” she answered smiling.”

  “Yes he can.” She looked at Mitch, who was sleeping soundly. His wounds had almost healed fully, but he was still burning up with a fever and hadn’t opened his eyes for the past few hours. “Keep an eye on him.”

  “I will.”

  “Did you ever get ahold of his friends?”

  “No. It’s the strangest thing. I have no idea why they aren’t returning my phone calls. I even tried calling the police station.”

  “What did they say?”

  “That Alex is off duty and his wife left hours ago. I hope she hasn’t run into any complications with her pregnancy,” she said, looking worried.

  “She’s pregnant?”

  “Yes.”

  “It might be a bad idea to involve them.”

  Meredith sighed. “Yeah. It might be.”

  Megan put her jacket on. “I’ll be back soon.”

  “Okay.”

  Megan slipped outside and then headed toward the woods across the street. The motel appeared to be quiet and there weren’t many cars around, save for theirs and a few others that had been parked there when they’d arrived. The pizza place was also quiet, having closed at eleven. From what she could tell, it was a quiet, peaceful Sunday night in Walker.

  After entering the woods, Megan searched for a place to discard her clothing before shifting. It didn’t take long before she found a massive oak tree and was undressed. As she was about to change into her Lycan form, a voice made her jump.

  “You’ve let your guard down,” said Torin, walking around the tree. When he saw that she was naked, he grinned wickedly. “Which I guess, is to my advantage.”

  “Oh, just go away,” she mumbled, shifting quickly.

  He removed his T-shirt. “What if I don’t want to?”

  “I think we both know that you’ll do whatever you want. Just don’t do it around me. I need some alone time,” she growled and then sprinted away.

  Torin removed his jeans, socks, and boots. Then he took off after her in his Lycan form. It didn’t take him long before he found Megan standing on the other side of a stream, waiting.

  He approached her. “Change your mind about me?”

  “No. I’m just not in the mood for games. What is it that you want?”

  He was going to tell her exactly what he wanted, but the look in her eyes told him that it would be a very bad idea. “I’m just making sure you’re okay.”

  “I’m fine,” she said, relaxing slightly. “I just need some time to myself. Like I said before.”

  “Okay,” he answered. “If that’s what you really want.”

  “It is.”

  “Okay.”

  Megan turned around and then ran deeper into the woods.

  Torin reluctantly went the other way.

  24

  Relieved that Torin was no longer following her, Megan began to relax and enjoy her run. The sky was clear, the air crisp, and the moon radiated its energy over the colorful autumn leaves. It was definitely a perfect night for exploring and losing oneself for a while.

  The woods went on for another mile, ending near a large farm with an apple orchard and a pumpkin field. She wandered through the fruit trees for several minutes, enjoying the solitude and the scent of apples. Her path eventually took her closer to the house and the farmer’s dogs began to bark, so she decided to head back. As she made her way north toward her clothes, she spotted a rabbit and couldn’t resist chasing it. The animal scurried under some brush and as she tried following it, stepped into a large metal trap. It clamped down hard on her left paw. Crying out in pain, she dropped down to the ground and frantically tried pulling the torturous metal clamp off with her teeth.

  “What’s wrong?” asked Torin, appearing out of nowhere.

  “I can’t get this off,” she cried, the searing pain making her feel faint. “Maybe I should shift back –”

  “No,” said Torin quickly. “It will be much worse. I’ve got this.” He transformed back into his human form and kneeled down beside her. “Hold still.”

  Megan obeyed and ten seconds later, her leg was free.

  He sighed. “It’s bleeding pretty badly. Can you walk on it?”

  She stood up and winced. “It hurts like hell, but I’ll be fine.”

  “Would you like me to carry you?”

  “No. I can manage,” she said, limping. The pain was too much, however, and she had to sit back down. “Dammit, what kind of trap was that?”

  “It looked like an old bear trap.”

  Lightning lit up the sky, followed by a loud clap of thunder.

  “Great. Rain. Just what I need.”

  “We have to get you back to the motel. Why don’t you shift back to your human self so I can see how bad this wound really is? It’s hard with all of the fur.”

  “Okay,” she answered, changing back. Crossing her arms over her chest, she leaned forward and frowned at the deep, bloody gashes on her ankle.

  “Good thing you’re a Lycan,” he said, turning her foot slowly to examine the wound. “Or you’d probably need a couple dozen stitches.”

  “Good thing,” she said, wincing again as more lightning and thunder erupted.

  His eyes met hers. “I’m going to carry you.”

  “No. I’ll be fine.”

  “Nonsense,” he said, lifting her up into his arms.

  Megan was in too much pain to struggle, so she allowed him to do it.

  “You’re very light,” he said, cradling her in his arms. He stole a glance at her chest and felt a rush of desire below.

  “Just keep your eyes on where you’re going,” she said, sliding her arm around his neck as she tried to cover herself wi
th the other arm.

  “I was just making sure there weren’t any more wounds on other parts of your body,’” he answered with a sly smile.

  “Right.”

  Chuckling, Torin began walking back toward the area they’d left their clothes.

  “I thought you were going to give me space and do your own thing?” she said, after a while.

  “I was doing my own thing. It was just a coincidence that I wasn’t too far away doing it.”

  “I don’t believe in coincidences,” she answered, feeling the first sprinkle of raindrops on her skin.

  “Then believe in luck because you’d have been shit-out of it if I hadn’t heard you scream.”

  She sighed. “I know. You’re right. I guess I do owe you.”

  He smiled. “You owe me?”

  “Don’t even go there.”

  The rain picked up as they reached the big oak tree to retrieve their clothing. Torin set her down and they both quickly dressed.

  “Would you like me to carry you back?” he asked as the rain began to get heavier.

  Shivering, she reluctantly nodded. Megan’s clothing was already wet and she knew it would take quite a while to reach the motel.

  He picked her up and began walking, the rain now coming down in sheets. “Dammit, hold on,” he said, moving faster.

  Thankful that he was a Lycan and stronger than most mortal men, she closed her eyes and clung to him as he began to run. When they finally reached the motel, he set her down and wiped the rain away from his face.

  “Thank you,” she said, her teeth chattering.

  “You really should take a hot shower and put some dry clothes on,” he replied. “You’re chilled to the bone.”

  “I don’t have anything else to wear, but I’ll definitely take a hot shower.”

  “I’ve got some extra clothing,” he said, opening up the door to his room. He turned to her. “Come on in.”

  She stared at him for a second.

  He grinned. “What’s wrong? Don’t you trust yourself with me?”

  “Of course I do.”

  “I was hoping you’d say that you didn’t,” he said with a pouty look.

  “Sorry,” she said, limping into the room.

  He closed the door and walked over to a duffel bag sitting on the bed. “I’ve got a T-shirt and some sweats you can wear,” said Torin, unzipping the bag. “Lucky for you that I’m always buying clothes to replace the ones that get ruined. Why don’t you jump into the shower back there and warm up?”

  “That’s okay, I’ll just use my own shower.”

  “And wake everyone up?” he said. “It’s pretty late.”

  He had a point. “Fine.”

  Torin handed her the clothing. “There’s already soap inside the bathroom, and a couple of towels.”

  “Thanks,” she said, moving toward the doorway.

  “You need any help?”

  “No.”

  He sighed. “Damn.”

  She chuckled.

  ***

  Torin watched Megan go into the bathroom and then stepped outside. He walked over to the other room and quietly knocked on the door.

  Meredith opened it. “Oh, Torin,” she said, looking surprised. “I thought you were Megan.”

  “She’s in my room right now, taking a shower. She didn’t want to wake any of you.”

  “Oh,” she said, looking a little confused. “Okay.”

  “How is everyone?”

  “Good.”

  He nodded. “Okay, then. I just wanted you to know that Megan is back and she’s safe.”

  Meredith smiled. “Thanks for letting me know. Is she coming back to the room?”

  “Actually, I was thinking,” he said, looking over her shoulder. Mitch was still sleeping in one bed and Caitlyn was in the other. “Since I have an extra bed, Megan could just sleep there tonight. You four would be a little cramped in here with only the two beds.”

  “That’s true,” she said, biting back a smile. “Tell Megan I said ‘goodnight’,” said Meredith.

  “I will.”

  She closed the door and he went back to his room. As Torin went over to turn the television on, he heard Megan cry out. He rushed to the bathroom.

  “Are you okay?” he asked. She was behind the shower curtain and swearing.

  “I slipped and hurt that same damn ankle.”

  “Do you need help?”

  “I…” She sighed. “Yeah, I think so. Could you help me up?”

  “Sure,” he said, pulling the curtain over. When he saw her sitting in the tub, naked and glistening with water, he got an instant erection. Trying not to think about it, he turned off the water and bent down to help her up. “Were you finished?”

  “Pretty much,” she said as his hands touched her skin. She could tell that he was trying to be a gentleman as he lifted her up. She also saw the hungry look in his eyes and knew that if given the thumbs up, he’d be undressed and making love to her on the bathroom floor.

  “Here,” he said, grabbing a towel. He opened it up and placed it around her shoulders, as he fought to keep his eyes above her collarbone.

  “Thanks,” said Megan, drying herself. “I’m fine now. You can leave.”

  “How’s your ankle?” he asked, ignoring her.

  Megan glanced down at it. It was no longer bleeding and new, pink skin was beginning to form over the wounds. “It’s healing but that fall didn’t help.”

  “Let me help you out of here so you don’t slip and fall again,” he said, and before Megan could protest, Torin had her in his arms and was walking toward the doorway.

  “I’m fine. Really. You don’t have to do this.”

  “Just relax.” He brought her into the bedroom and set her gently down on the bed. “Let me see your ankle.”

  Trying to cover herself better with the towel, she straightened her leg out and let him examine it.

  “It’s definitely getting better,” he replied, his fingers lightly touching the skin around her ankle. He applied some pressure to the bone. “Does this hurt?”

  “It’s a little tender,” she answered.

  “Does it feel good when I massage it?” he asked, rubbing the outside of her ankle slowly.

  “Um, yes,” she said, sighing in pleasure as he caressed her skin.

  Both of Torin’s hands slid up and down her calf, squeezing the tension right out of her muscles and she closed her eyes.

  “Feels good?”

  “Very.”

  “I’m not hurting you?”

  “Not at all.” She opened her eyes and noticed the desire reflected in his, and her womanhood fluttered with excitement.

  “This should help your muscles relax. It will make the healing process move that much faster.”

  “Is that right?” she asked in a breathless whisper.

  “Definitely.” Torin touched her other leg with his left hand, caressing both of them at the same time. He was now kneeling on the bed between her legs and looking down at her.

  “Nobody has touched you in a while, have they?”

  “No.”

  His hands slid over her knees, to her thighs and her breath hitched.

  “What a shame,” he replied, his thumbs rubbing delicious circles along her inner thighs.

  “Torin,” she gasped, as his fingers slid close to her womanhood. “Wait.”

  “Why?” he whispered. “Your body is begging to be loved. Let me do it.”

  Letting out a ragged breath, she opened up her towel. “Get rid of this, first.”

  Torin’s eyes drank in the curves of her breasts, her flat stomach, and the junction between her legs. He wanted her so badly it hurt.

  “Torin?” she said, staring up at him.

  Grabbing the towel, he threw it off the bed and then pulled her up to him. He crushed his lips against hers and entered her mouth, his tongue bold and demanding.

  Megan melted into him, meeting his kisses with everything she had. It had been so many
years since she’d been in this position and her body was on fire.

  Torin tore his lips away. “You’re so beautiful,” he said huskily. Then his mouth was on her breast and his right hand was between her legs, his fingers finding her sweet spot. He began to rub and she moaned and gasped in pleasure as he played her like a guitar, his fingers striking all of the right chords. It didn’t take long before she was soaring over the edge, his name on her lips as she cried out in ecstasy.

  As she came down from her orgasm, Torin, pent up with lust, quickly removed his T-shirt and jeans. Then he pulled her back into his arms and began kissing her lips again.

  “Make love to me,” she whispered, touching him below. “Please.”

  He groaned as her hand began to stroke his manhood. Torin stopped her. “Not yet. I won’t last. I’m too worked up. Let me calm down first.”

  “So? We’ll do it again.”

  His eyes widened. Deep down he’d been thinking that this was his one and only shot. That she was just giving him this moment as payment.

  “You’re sure?”

  “Yes,” she said, kissing him. “I need you inside of me. Now.”

  Groaning against her lips, he positioned himself at her opening and slowly entered.

  “Torin,” gasped Megan, feeling the length and width of him fill her up. It had been so long and she’d forgotten what it was like to be one with a man. Excited, she wrapped her legs around him and he began to make love to her.

  Torin wanted this first time for them to last as long as it could, so his rhythm was slow and cautious. After a while, however, Megan needed more. She pushed him over, got on top, and took charge.

  Torin stared up at her, his eyes aflame with golden light. He slid his hands up her waist and cupped her breasts. “Dammit, woman, you are so beautiful.”

  Megan looked down at the sexy man below her as she moved her hips. Running her hand across his muscular chest, she said, “You’re not so bad yourself, Torin.” Then she closed her eyes and worked herself into another orgasm.

  Torin, watching it happen, grabbed her buttocks firmly and soon both of them were gasping in pleasure as they climaxed at the same time. When it was over, and they were both sated, he held her in his arms.