Howl

by Juppenlatz, Silke

  “Must have been rough on your mother.” Had his mother known? Or had no one told her either? “Did she know?”

  He shook his head. “I don’t think so. To be fair, I don’t think my father knew either. She left him. Us. Wanted nothing to do with us.”

  Well, that sounded too familiar for comfort. “So you know what it’s like.” Lucia stroked his arm. “But at least your father didn’t tell you she is dead.”

  “No.”

  His voice sounded sad, aching, and Lucia lifted her head. “Did you ever see her again?”

  “She came back, wanted to make amends.” A sad smile curved his mouth. “I loved her, you know? She got scared and she explained it to me after she made up with my father. He didn’t trust her, but he still loved her. I think she really meant to stick by us.”

  “That’s why you wanted to know if the wolf will be a problem.” Lucia didn’t know if it was to give her a choice, or to avoid disappointment, but deep down it didn’t matter. She couldn’t imagine him any other way. “I’m still hoping the puppy thing was a joke.”

  “Yes, and no.” He inhaled and sighed. “I’m no expert, but from what I’ve seen, it depends on the mother. If the mother shifts to wolf, then the child does too. If the wolf shifts to human, then so does the child. There is no danger of a human having puppies. You would have normal babies, because you can’t change.”

  Lucia nodded. “I see. It makes sense.”

  “We are all born human. If labor sets in while in wolf form, it’ll force the mother to change.” Zalin rubbed his foot on her calf. “So, does that put your mind at ease?”

  “Yes, it does.”

  “Then how about we practice?” He winked at her. “There can never be too much practice, right? They say it makes you perfect.”

  “Do they. We can practice–provided you can get your hands on more condoms.” Lucia grinned at him.

  Zalin rolled out of bed and yanked on some sweatpants. “Hold that thought.”

  * * * *

  Trotting to Kell’s house, barefoot, gave him time to think. Zalin didn’t care what time it was, Kell would just have to deal. It wasn’t far and everything was quiet, so he paid no attention to his surroundings. His wolf nose would alert him to any threat, even while thoughts of Lucia preoccupied his mind. What was he going to do with her?

  Aside from having sex, which, admittedly, was pretty damned spectacular.

  He had no idea where it might lead, but he was more than willing to wait and see. For tonight she was his. Tomorrow...he didn’t know. Something weird was going on between them and, despite their differences, he felt drawn to her. She wasn’t a wolf, or he’d suspect she was his mate. Being Angela’s daughter meant she’d carry the gene, but she wasn’t a pureblood, thanks to her father. Even so, every minute spent with her made him feel whole, like a part of him had been missing all this time.

  At Kell’s house, he hammered his fist on the door until his friend yanked it open. Zalin grinned, thinking Kell looked like someone had dragged him backward through a hedge.

  Kell glared at him. “What the fuck do you want? Do you have any idea what time it is?”

  “Uh...it’s time for you to fork over some rubbers.”

  Kell’s mouth slid open. “You’re freaking kidding me.”

  “Nope.”

  “You’re boinking Angela’s daughter?” Kell sucked a sharp breath through his teeth. “Man, she finds out about that, you’re gonna be turned into a rug. I’d say you have balls, but one whiff of you on the little darling, and mommy will remove them for you.”

  His comment brought Zalin up short. “How do you know about Lucia and Angela? When I left you said you didn’t know what this was about.”

  “Hard to ignore when your Alpha reads the riot act to his wife, at the top of his lungs. I kinda figured the girl was related, but Angela wasn’t exactly quiet either.” Kell shot him a concerned look. “Or complimentary where you’re concerned. Watch your tail, Zal. She’s pissed as hell.”

  “Thanks for the warning. Now, if you don’t mind...it’s freezing out here. If people see me hanging around outside your door, begging for condoms, your rep is going down the crapper in a heartbeat.”

  “Asshole.” Kell went back inside and returned a few minutes later, handing him two foil packets. “All I got, pal. Better make it last.”

  “I owe you one.” Zalin lifted his hand and jogged back the way he’d come.

  By the time he passed Lucia’s car outside his house, he cursed himself for not putting on a pair of boots. Only an idiot would run outside barefoot when there was ice on the ground. He hurried up the steps to get back inside, but movement near the Honda made him pause.

  Someone lurked out there in the darkness, watching his house. Zalin sniffed the air and caught Thomas’s scent. “Come out. You know I can smell you.”

  Thomas moved out of the shadow of the building opposite. “You talking to me?”

  “Who else is prowling around Lucia’s car?” What was Thomas doing here? “You might want to explain yourself, because let me tell you, it doesn’t look good from where I’m standing.”

  “I don’t owe you any explanations, mongrel. I only answer to Gothrim, not you.” Thomas sneered. “But since you ask so nicely...he wants me to report if she has left. Her car is still here, so I’m going to assume she’s warming your bed.”

  Why would Gothrim send Thomas out to check? One call down to the gate would suffice, but apparently it hadn’t occurred to them. “She’s staying the night. She was too upset to drive.”

  “Well, gee. Angela was bawling her eyes out earlier, so I guess she’s not the only one who got upset.” Thomas shrugged. “Whatever. I’m just going to head back, report to Gothrim, and go to bed. Night.”

  Zalin watched Thomas leave, wondering if he’d told the truth.

  Chapter 10

  Lucia had no idea where he’d gone, it was far too late to run to a pharmacy, and he hadn’t exactly dressed for a long trip. It gave her time to snoop around in his bedroom and she was struck by how bare and basic it was.

  No curtains, but a rickety wooden blind covered the window. The bed was large and the sheets fresh. No frills anywhere. Well, he was a guy, she shouldn’t expect anything else. A dresser stood against the opposite wall, and it wasn’t a match to the bed, nor the lone nightstand beside it. There were no photographs, no pictures. A dead plant sat in a corner, with two socks on the floor beside it. Different color socks. It made her smile.

  She got up, dragging the sheet with her. Lucia spotted a slightly open door and guessed it led to a bathroom. Instead she ended up in a closet. This time she grinned broadly. Okay, Zalin was messy. Clothes were piled in a corner, mostly camouflage pants and shirts. For someone with such deadly aim, he sure missed the clothes hamper a lot.

  There was no other door, and she walked outside to find his bathroom. Her first try successful, she freshened up, until she heard a noise downstairs.

  Lucia barely had time to reach the bedroom before Zalin came bounding up the stairs, holding up two little foil packs. “If you’re game...”

  Lucia blushed. “Please tell me you didn’t just knock on someone’s door and ask them for condoms.”

  He shrugged, smiling at her. “What are friends for?”

  She groaned. “Never mind. You’re a guy, you wouldn’t understand.”

  His smile faded. “I’ve embarrassed you.”

  Well, at least he wasn’t totally dense. Lucia rolled her eyes at him and sighed. “A little.”

  “Don’t worry. Kell won’t say a word.”

  Lucia covered her face with her hands. “God, don’t tell me who you got them from. I will never be able to look at the guy again!”

  Zalin threw his head back and laughed.

  “What!” Lucia thumped him on the arm. “Stop laughing.”

  He grabbed her and dragged her back into the bedroom, dropping on the bed with her. “Kell is a wolf, baby. He can smell me on you. He’d know a
nyway.”

  “What do you mean he’ll smell it? You’re kidding, right?” Oh God. The last thing she wanted was everyone guessing what they’d been up to.

  “I have an exceptional sense of smell. All wolves do. Granted, it’s nowhere near as good as in wolf form, but I knew you wanted me, even in town.” His amber eyes darkened and he dragged the sheet off her. “I know you want me now too. I can smell it.”

  Her cheeks heated. This just wouldn’t do. He shouldn’t be able to tell. Lucia lifted her gaze to his. “So you have an unfair advantage.”

  “I wouldn’t say it’s unfair. After all, you can tell when I want you too. It’s not like I can hide it.” His voice sounded rough and those golden eyes took in every inch of her. “Right now I want to kiss you. All over. Until you scream with pleasure.”

  She giggled when he dived for her foot and kissed it, biting her toe.

  “Mhmm...” he rumbled, biting her instep. “Cheese.”

  “Hey! So not true!”

  Zalin kept kissing her, stroking her legs as he moved up her body. Lucia watched him, her breath catching each time he looked up, the heat in his eyes scorching her. He shifted between her legs, his expression predatory. Lucia bit her lip, writhing beneath his mouth and hands. Anticipation made her tremble.

  She whimpered and uttered a low moan, feeling his mouth on her, his arms wrapped around her thighs. “Oh...God...” Lucia lifted her hips, eyes clenched shut, allowing pleasure to wipe out all inhibition. “Yes...so...good.”

  He didn’t linger, his mouth moving to her hip, kissing his way up to her navel. A quick dip made her suck in a sharp breath. Zalin seemed to know exactly where to kiss, where to linger, where to nibble, or lick. By the time he reached her breasts, Lucia wanted him inside her so badly she was out of her mind with need. Her hands shoved his sweatpants down and grabbed his butt. She squeezed the tight muscles there and tried to pull him onto her, but he wouldn’t budge. Zalin chuckled and kicked the pants off. She saw him grab one of the packets and smiled. So, he couldn’t wait either.

  He sank into her and Lucia sighed at the feel of him filling her. His head bent and his mouth covered hers in a deep kiss, taking her breath. Both of them moaned at the first thrust. God, he felt so good, so right. Lucia slid her hands to his back, stroking and kneading, delighting in the strength she found, the smooth skin, the man.

  Zalin made love to her with a ferocity she hadn’t expected. Not gentle, not tender, but leading her in a wild dance that made her respond in kind. Something deep inside her understood it was what he needed. This wasn’t a docile, soft man. He may defer to someone else right now, but it wasn’t his nature.

  Oh no, she had a definite Alpha on her hands. And she loved it. Loved feeling his muscles shift beneath her hands, loved how he knew just how to slide inside her. His breath was harsh at her ear, the low moans and grunts spurring her on. Thinking about having him for herself, forever, made every muscle clench. Orgasm followed swiftly and she cried out his name, bowing against him, feeling the thud of his heart against her splayed fingers.

  Zalin stilled, kissing her, shuddering violently. He allowed her to catch her breath a moment, his forehead resting on her shoulder. He lifted his head and shot her a sly smile. “We’re not done yet. Don’t get too comfortable.”

  Lucia’s eyes widened at the first hard thrust, then closed with the second. She had no idea how he could keep going. She’d thought he’d joined her, everything she’d felt said he had, but he clearly wasn’t done. He rolled with her, let her have control.

  Lucia ground down on him and grinned at the sight of his clenched jaw and tense neck. “You might regret this.”

  “I doubt it.” Zalin sat up and sucked her nipple into his mouth, both hands on her back, urging her on. “Go on, make me regret having you in my bed.”

  Lucia knew she wouldn’t last long. He was too intense; every kiss, every nibble and lick was designed to increase her pleasure. She couldn’t get enough air. Breaths turned into whimpers, friction became heat, until she clutched his back, shuddering with the onset of orgasm yet again.

  Zalin withdrew and flipped her over. Lucia barely had time to think, let alone react. He dragged her to her knees and took her from behind so fast, she could only moan with the sensation. His first deep stroke sent her spiraling into the abyss, rocking back against him, needing him to follow. Zalin took over, one hand stroking her, his hips pumping, his breath rasping, whispering sexy, harshly erotic suggestions into her ear.

  “Come. One more time.” Zalin bit her ear. “For me, baby, this time for me.”

  Heat flooded her entire body. She hadn’t thought she could let go, thought he’d be satisfied with having rocked her world twice. His hoarse command made a sharp, hot flush race through her, more intense than anything she’d ever experienced.

  She screamed his name, her entire body undulating, out of control. She heard his answering cry, his body clenched around hers. He shuddered, still buried deep inside her.

  They sank to the mattress, their breathing harsh, incapable of words.

  Minutes passed and all Lucia was capable of was looking at him, stroking his damp skin.

  “So...” Zalin kissed her. “Did you forget?”

  Chapter 11

  She blew out a breath and flashed him a blinding smile. Zalin’s heart lifted. God, he loved seeing her like this. All soft and mussed, eyes shining, a smile on her lips. He couldn’t believe the way this day had played out.

  “Forget what?”

  Zalin laughed and tightened his arms around her. “Good. I don’t like seeing you sad.”

  “Not sad. Definitely not sad anymore.” She snuggled against his chest. “You could say the earth moved a few times.”

  “I aim to please.” Four years of being picky, then she came along and turned everything upside down. He’d always been careful, never trusted anyone, kept his distance. No more. “So, are you going to dump me tomorrow?”

  “No.” Lucia lifted her gaze to his. “And if you want me to leave you alone, then you shouldn’t have wiped out my brain. I’m afraid you’re stuck with me.”

  He could live with that. “I guess it means I better stick around, hm?”

  Alarm flashed in her eyes. “You were going to leave?”

  Zalin nodded. He wasn’t about to start lying to her now. “Was being the operative word.”

  “Oh.” She stared at her hands. “Because of what happened?”

  “I’d planned to leave, but then Tiffy disappeared. I held off to go look for her. I’d have gone once we found her.” Zalin exhaled and smiled at her. “I found you instead.”

  “You said she’s Gothrim’s daughter.” Lucia flashed him a questioning look. “If she’s really sixteen, then...”

  He could see her do the math. “She’s your half-sister. Angela is her mother. I’m sorry you found out like this.”

  “She left us because she was pregnant.” Lucia’s eyes filled with anger.

  “I don’t think Gothrim gave her a choice. Not once he knew she carried his child.” Zalin knew she wouldn’t understand. Couldn’t understand. “Angela probably left so he’d leave you and your father alone.”

  “Are you saying he would have hurt my Dad?” Her eyes widened. “Me?”

  “He’s an Alpha wolf, Lucia. Finding Angela, realizing she’s his mate and had a child with another man...” Zalin grimaced. “I think you got off lightly.”

  “You know, I thought it was idiot hunters who couldn’t tell a deer from a horse. But if he is so dead set on getting rid of me and my Dad, then I wonder if it was him who shot at me.”

  Zalin lifted his head. Someone had shot at her? “When was this?”

  “It happened a few times. They missed, but once someone nearly shot my horse.” She grimaced. “It’s not exactly encouraging to know he might want me out of the way.”

  She hadn’t answered the question, and his mood darkened. “When. Was. This?”

  Surprise lit her eyes. “I thin
k the last time was about two weeks ago. Maybe a little more.”

  “Gothrim wouldn’t try to shoot you.” No, the Alpha would simply go after her, pull her off the horse and maul her to death. Zalin knew he was probably overreacting, but he couldn’t help it. After what they’d shared, he considered her his mate, and he’d protect her at all cost. Now all he had to do was convince her she wanted this as much as he did.

  “Oh.” She shrugged. “Just hunters then. I’ve asked my father to ban them off our land.”

  “Yeah, like that’s going to stop anyone,” Zalin grumbled. “Promise me you’ll be careful.”

  “I always am.”

  “I can’t stay here, Lucia, not for much longer, anyway.” Not unless he wanted a fight to the death with Gothrim. “You saw what happened. Gothrim... It’s complicated.”

  Lucia nodded. “Two Alphas in one place. Can’t be easy.”

  She understood more than he’d given her credit for. “Yeah. It’s why your mother can’t stand me. She’s afraid I’ll tear her mate to pieces.”

  “She sees you as a rival.”

  Zalin shook his head. “Not a rival. She sees me as the man who will kill Gothrim, if it comes to it.” He stared at the ceiling. “She doesn’t realize Gothrim is the one starting this shit all the time.”

  “Why? Surely he doesn’t want to fight you?” Lucia frowned. “Does he?”

  “Who knows what’s going on in his head. He wasn’t like this when I first arrived. We got on well, which is why he let me stay. I’ve avoided him the past six months, because he’s becoming more and more unstable.” He shot her a sharp look. “I don’t want you to go anywhere near him if I’m not around. I don’t like the way he looks at you.”

  “Oh hell, no danger of that. The guy gives me the creeps.”

  “Yeah. Me too.” Zalin drew the covers over them. “I’m going to drag Tiffy back here, kicking and screaming if I have to. I’ll find a new place to live, and soon. He’s spoiling for a fight. I have a feeling what happened tonight is just a taster of what’s to come.”