Cloaked in Blood

by T. F. Walsh

I nodded and crawled my fingers across the bed sheets toward her, placing my hand on hers. “You’re safe, as is your family.”

  “So, what do I call you now? Emperor? His majesty?”

  “You can simply call me to your side.”

  She burst out laughing. “Lame, Marcin. Very lame even for you.” But it didn’t stop her from inching closer to my side of the bed, staring at me with a newfound excitement gliding across her sinful grin.

  Right then, Selena was my world, and I wanted to shout it from the rooftop. I cupped her face, then leaned closer, our foreheads touching, our lips inches apart. “Only one question remains.”

  “Yeah, and what’s that?” Her words seemed to hitch as she forced them out.

  “Are you still mine?”

  Her wicked smile intensified. “Well, that depends.”

  The teasing minx had my pulse on a mouse wheel, racing insanely. “Oh, really. And what is this variable?”

  “That you’ll never lie to me or keep secrets again, and my family can visit anytime. Maybe Aisha can move here with Zeki.”

  “Your father’s captain of the guards?”

  “It’s a long story, but he and my sister have secretly mated. They may need somewhere to live until they get set up, in case they can’t stay in Turkey.”

  Okay, I didn’t see that coming, but it didn’t bother me in the slightest. Who was I to turn away lovers in need? “Babe, if you want a mountain moved, I’ll start working on it right now. Yes, it’s fine. You’ll be with me then?”

  “For years, I’ve only fantasized about having you. So, yes, you’re never leaving my side.”

  The warmth of a new summer day spread through me. I leaned in and kissed her, inhaling her scent, sensing her wolf stir, calling to mine. With her arms gliding over my neck, she drew me closer, her tongue surging with mine, her passion filling me with fire. Warm hands slid down my back.

  The sudden knock at the door had us both springing apart as if we were teenagers again about to get busted for kissing. “Come in,” I said.

  Aisha ran in first, followed by the sultan. Their gazes locked onto Selena. Aisha jumped on the bed with us, her hands around Selena, squeezing her tighter than before.

  The girls giggled, and Selena pushed past her sister and hugged the sultan.

  “The goddess has blessed us with your recovery.” He broke their embrace.

  “Marcin has told me everything that’s been going on. I’m shocked.”

  “As are we,” the sultan said. “But you’re okay, and that’s the most important thing.”

  “What happens now?” Aisha said, her eyes fixed on Selena. “Do we head home?”

  “Actually.” I took Selena’s hands in mine. “We have a mating ritual to organize first. No one’s going anywhere just yet.”

  Aisha squealed, and the sultan covered his ears.

  I never thought I could ever experience such joy. For years, I believed the universe was against me, throwing everything in my path to stop Selena and me from being together. But now, in hindsight, it was helping us shed our baggage, our doubts, and our misunderstandings.

  I glanced across at the love of my life, adoring the way her eyes smiled when she looked at me. Yep, this was the right path for us both.

  • • •

  Vincent placed a careful hand to my back as I limped on a healing leg along a corridor toward the main foyer. “This is your turn to do your magic. Show the packs how a real leader operates.”

  Goddess yes, I was ready to change the rules for the better.

  Sunlight poured in from the arched windows, lighting the passage, giving it a golden hue, matching my insides. A sense of calm swept through me at how quickly all the puzzle pieces were fitting together. Selena being by my side seemed beyond belief. She was now officially my soul wolf, though unofficially I’d already claimed her. The peace between the Hungarian and Turkish clans was guaranteed, and I had even received a heartening message from the Russian Varlac tsar with his congratulations. I wouldn’t deny a part of me mourned Father. At the same time, I knew our world was better off without him. Enre and I were definitely better off. Especially with the handful of wulfkin loyal to Father now in the dungeon. A few weeks ought to make them rethink their priorities, and then Vincent would train them to our way. And he can be very convincing.

  “Can’t tell you how thrilled I am to finally help our wulfkin, to stop using fear as a way to control them. I want you there by my side the whole time, so don’t get any ideas about running away with one of your dates.” I nudged him in the shoulder.

  Vincent huffed but grinned. “You couldn’t get rid of me if you tried, even though I’m guessing Selena might want you to herself at times.”

  “You bet.” I intended to oblige to her wishes because I couldn’t get enough of her. Even now, her scent wafted through my head as her muskiness caressed my senses. My wolf responded.

  “Oh, thought you should know the Turkish ward, Irmak, has been spotted in Northern Europe near a small pack in the Swiss Alps. He’s run away.”

  Irmak, who’d been traded from the sultan for good fortune, didn’t deserve what he received during his time here. “Is he okay?” With all the crap going on, I hadn’t given it a second thought to ensure he felt more at home. I’d have to break the news to the sultan and Selena, but if he chose another pack, then I would support his decision.

  Vincent nodded.

  I rubbed my chin. “The alpha there is a friend of a friend. I’ll contact him and send my blessings to embrace him into their family. He’ll hopefully find peace there.”

  “Irmak will have a new start, and that’s what matters,” Vincent said.

  I guess even with my father defeated, there were too many haunting memories for Irmak to have a new start here with us. Still, I wished him well.

  “Anyway,” Vincent began, “I was thinking about taking some time off to go home and visit my parents. It’s been years since I returned.”

  I shoved his shoulder. “You sly dog, you’re going to meet that girl your mom’s setting you up with, aren’t you?”

  His mouth morphed into an exaggerated frown. “No way. Are you insane? Those small pack girls come with strange baggage.”

  “Maybe you’re just extra picky?”

  His brows pinched together. “Hey, it ain’t my fault I attract all the loonies.”

  “You said it, but someday you’ll find the right one, don’t worry.” I pushed open the doors to our welcome room.

  Enre and Daciana stood in front of the fireplace, their bags waiting by the entry doors. They glanced our way.

  My brother stepped forward first and wore a huge smile, the one I’d wanted to see from him for years. Maybe all wasn’t lost between us.

  “You’re all ready to go?” I asked.

  “Marcin, I’m ashamed to admit I didn’t have faith in you saving us from Father. But I’ll gladly admit I was wrong.”

  Before I could respond, Enre had me in a hug—strong and warm. The kind I imagined two brothers shared, but his embrace was a first for me. I never wanted it to end. My throat thickened, but I didn’t do girly emotions, so I pushed out a response that sounded forced even to me. “Maybe you should have more faith in your older brother.”

  Enre stared at me with an eyebrow cocked. Instead of a response, he mock punched my shoulder. “You know it. And we need to catch up on lost time.”

  “Yes, we will, very soon.”

  Vincent opened the front doors as a black Volvo pulled out in front of the castle. “Your ride’s here.”

  Enre gave me a knowing nod, the kind that offered me the promise of finally having my brother back. I approached Daciana and wrapped her into my arms, rubbing her back. “I can’t apologize enough for the way you were treated. But from now on, you are family and welcome here anytime.”

  “Thanks, Marcin.” She pulled back. “You will make an admirable Varlac emperor alpha and one that was long overdue to rule our packs. I’m proud to have you at our he
lm.”

  Her words were heartening. Hearing the deluge of positivity made my new role much easier to embrace. “Can’t tell you how much that means to me.”

  “You’ll do us proud.” She headed for the door but turned and gave me a final wave before exiting. Once she and Enre drove away, I stood there, staring at the dark furniture Father had preferred.

  Vincent’s voice broke up my thoughts. “What are you thinking?”

  “Well, for starters, we’re getting rid of all the fuckin’ candles in this place and installing recessed lighting and ducted heating.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

  Selena

  One Week Later

  Father guided me outside into the castle courtyard where the night was speckled with stars and snow coated the ground, glimmering beneath the moonlight.

  Aisha approached us from farther in the yard in a gorgeous cream gown with long sleeves and a corset, Zeki by her side, their fingers interlaced. Klaus and Grit emerged from behind them, both wearing white ribbons around their necks to match my white fur coat. Of course, I protested, but Aisha insisted.

  Father’s gaze fell on Aisha and then on their linked hands. A grumble rolled through his chest. “I haven’t yet given my approval on this, so please don’t flaunt it until we’ve had a proper talk.”

  “Come on, Baba, this is a special occasion. Mom just arrived and has already given her blessing. And you’ve agreed to us living here while Zeki trains his pack with Marcin’s.”

  “Today is about Selena and Marcin, not everyone gossiping. Please, do this for me.” He rubbed his temples.

  Zeki broke their hold. “Of course.”

  Father sighed before turning to me. “You ready for this?”

  The smirk I’d worn for the past week hurt my cheeks, but I didn’t care. I pulled the fur coat tight around my body. “Yes!” I’d been ready for this moment ever since I first laid eyes on Marcin in Turkey, when we had our first kiss. Despite my turbulent time in Hungary, I’d discovered a new side to Marcin beyond the physical attraction. The depth of his loyalty to protecting the European packs from his father, commitment to helping his brother, and even how he never gave up on trying to make it work between us.

  Aisha passed us with Zeki by her side, the two so close they might as well be touching.

  With my arm curled around Father’s, we headed for the open doors at the rear of the courtyard without a cascading snowflake in sight. The perfect night.

  He nodded and patted my arm. “I’m proud of you. You know that, right?”

  I leaned against his shoulder. “Yes, I do.”

  The full moon hung low in the heavens, glorious and enormous, its energy caressing my skin. We emerged through the doorway of the courtyard and onto a snowy path directing us toward a large group of wulfkin, at least 200. Their smiles beamed in our direction. Golden lanterns swung from the trees, creating a magical glow around the field for my mating ritual, a scenario I’d fantasized about for so long.

  We passed Daciana in the arms of a handsome, blond human. I’d heard the tales of her human partner, how he’d embraced our race. But with his presence in Hungary, which was unusual to say the least, I couldn’t help but believe maybe our packs were moving forward in the right direction if they accepted a human at the ceremony.

  Next to them stood Enre, offering me a nod of approval, his dramatic blue eyes matching Marcin’s. He leaned against a brunette. Her hand cradled on a small belly, rubbing it as she glanced my way with the most sincere eyes I’d ever seen. I gushed. They were pregnant, and I considered stopping to congratulate them. Definitely later. I smiled to everyone else, including Tibor and the council who gave their admiring smiles.

  At the end of the crowd, I caught a glimpse at Marcin who stood in a fur coat similar to mine, but black. The sparkling in his eyes promised scorching kisses and wild nights. My pulse pounded in my ears.

  Every ounce of strength was required to keep me from running to him and throwing myself into his arms. We’d been kept apart for the past three days—a Turkish custom—so a few more minutes wouldn’t hurt.

  Father guided me past him, and I stuck my tongue out to Marcin as he winked at me. My wolf brushed behind my chest for release. Soon.

  Once we were clear of the crowd, we stopped at the forest’s edge, and we turned to face our guests.

  Last time I stood in this spot, Levin had appeared ready to tear me apart, but now, this scene couldn’t be more opposite. I would never wish back those days with Levin. Marcin had buried him in the woods, and we said our farewell, but now was the time to focus on the future and a new life.

  “Welcome, everyone, to this most blessed occasion,” Father began. “To the final mating ritual for Selena and Marcin. It’s not every day a sultan gets to give away his daughter to an emperor, but this is so much more. Selena and Marcin are soul wolves, meant to lead their lives together. I can’t express how grateful and elated I am to bless their union.” He glanced over at me, the corners of his eyes crinkling with joy.

  Marcin stepped up on the other side of Father, keeping his distance as expected. Damn, I wasn’t sure how much longer I could wait.

  “You are most gracious, Sultan. I also have something to share.”

  My father nodded, and I was curious what Marcin would say.

  “First, it’s an honor to finally have the Hungarian clan as one pack, in union, and working together, not against one another. Additionally, we have now accepted the Turkish clan into our family. For that, I cannot express enough gratitude for how lucky we are to have them be a part of our lives. My brother, Enre, is here with his mate and pack, so our family is a force to be reckoned with, but my aim is to bring all the packs into our circle as one unit.” He paused and rubbed his lips. “Yet, there was one unfinished element from the recent battle of innocence that must be addressed.”

  I stared at him, as did Father, but he never once lowered his gaze from the spectators, well versed at keeping a large crowd hooked on his every word.

  “I won the boon, but I never got a chance to claim my prize.” This time, he looked at me with his sexy grin. “In front of everyone, I’d like to use the boon to elevate Selena to the status of Empress, a Varlac alpha, to rule alongside me with equal authority.”

  No one said a word, but my gasp probably echoed on the wind. Honored was too tame a word for the ripple of excitement zapping through me. I embraced it in a heartbeat.

  “Selena, I promised you the world, and this is just the beginning.”

  Father clapped and laughed. “Yes, yes.”

  Words were stuck to the roof of my mouth. Marcin had bestowed me with a status I’d always craved. I was now an alpha, no longer under anyone else’s command.

  “May the ritual feast commence,” Father shouted and waved a hand at someone in the distance.

  A dozen guards emerged from the back doors to the castle, carrying tables, chairs, and barrels of blood wine. Plates of food piled high with marinated meat and steaks arrived.

  “As is tradition back home.” Father stepped toward the crowd. “We eat outside beneath the heaven and the moon goddess watching over us.”

  All the guests moved in a river toward the feast when Marcin took my wrist and pulled me aside, his other hand gliding across my lower back. “Come with me,” he whispered.

  “But ...” My gaze danced between the guests and the naughty smile capturing Marcin’s lips. Then I noted Father looking our way, and he gave a small approving nod.

  “In Hungarian tradition, the new couple must run free together. That’s why you’re wearing that fur coat.”

  He guided me toward the woods, the excitement bubbling deep in my gut. I peeled open the coat and pushed it off my shoulders. The cold snapped around me, but it wouldn’t for long. A quick glance over at a naked Marcin warmed my heart as he blew hot air into his hands.

  Naked, I pounced, calling to my wolf, and already I was shifting, stretching, sprouting fur. I landed on all fours and sprinted i
nto the forest. Marcin was right there, alongside me.

  The snowy ground flew beneath my strong paws as the breeze caressed my face. Faster. Quicker. I swerved right and purposefully nudged Marcin. He nipped at my ear in a playful gesture, and I snarled in his direction. He played dirty. I sprang after him just as we used to do in Turkey. Wild. Free. Together.

  He turned left, targeted the west wing, exactly where we had our showdown with Grit.

  I swerved around trees, jumped over roots, and slid down the slope, snow cascading alongside me. In the valley, I careened right and headed for the cave where Marcin was headed.

  He came to an abrupt stop, and I slammed into him, both of us landing head over tails. He released a goose bump–inducing howl, the kind I’d expect the Varlac Emperor of Europe to make. I rested my chin across the back of his neck, claiming him.

  In no time, he shimmied into his human form and stretched out his hand for me. I shook the last remnants of my wolf side, then accepted it as he escorted me into the cave. The questions on my mind vanished the moment we stepped inside. The place had been cleaned. No foliage or branches or logs. The floor was covered in layers of creamy furs. Cushions lined the edges of the walls, and a fire burned in the far corner. In the back was a small table with bottles of blood wine.

  “When did you do this?”

  “Figured this could be our special getaway, just like the lookout back in Turkey. Now, enough talking. Come here.” He curled a finger in my direction, a devilish smirk capturing his mouth.

  I leapt into his embrace, wrapped my arms around his neck, and my legs snapped across his hips. At once, his hardness sprang to attention, rubbing against my butt. “I’m not going anywhere.”

  “Never.” And his lips pressed to mine, powerful and starving. Tingles swept all over my skin and seeped through my body, filling me with a contentedness I’d never experienced before. Simply magical.

  I accepted his tongue, sucking it, adoring the accompanying moans. His hands cupped and squeezed my ass as he stepped up against a tapestry-draped wall, pinning me in place.

  “Fuck me hard,” I said. “Make it hurt. No holding back.”