The Shadow Wolf

by Bonnie Vanak

  “I can’t imagine you being so savage that you’d bite an Immortal.”

  “Can you imagine me as a Feral wolf?”

  “At age ten? Draicon don’t shift that early.”

  “Trans-Ferals do.”

  Her palms suddenly went cold and clammy. Megan yanked her trembling hand away as her heart lodged in her throat. Her head spun with this terrifying revelation.

  “You can’t be.” She swallowed hard. “They’re extinct.”

  He hesitated and she saw a flash of anguish in his dark gaze. “Most of us were killed off long ago. The gene is very rare, but surfaces in my family tree once every seven generations or so. I drew the lucky card.” A bitter laugh followed. “You’re not a freak, Megan. I am. A fanged, wild freak who is feared by his own people. They say my kind is a hybrid wolf, human and demon.”

  Afraid if she said anything he’d stop, she focused on his face, his eyes now glowing amber.

  Trans-Feral. Killer wolves who hunted and tore apart anyone they wished, who were more animal than Draicon. Terror crept down her spine on spidery legs. Megan felt herself begin to fade into Shadow. His expression shuttered.

  But deep inside, she pushed past the fight or fade instinct. Gabriel had finally opened up to her. Gaining his trust was more important than superstitious fears.

  She assumed her form once more. “I’m sorry, Gabriel. I didn’t mean to do that. Go on. I’m listening.”

  Gabriel retrieved his hat, slid it on his head and tipped it down. He paced the expansive room and his boot heels made a rhythmic clicking on the hardwood floor.

  “I manifested my abilities fairly early.” His full mouth twitched. “My parents took Alex and Etienne, my older brothers, away for the summer. They left me with relatives in northern Louisiana because they were afraid I couldn’t control myself around the humans.” Gabriel gave a derisive snort. “As if I’d eat them. My aunt and uncle knew I was a Trans-Feral. Their way of dealing with it was to lock me inside a steel cage.

  “I went a little fou, crazy, while caged. I nearly clawed my cousin when he came by just to talk. He felt sorry for me. Toward the end of the two months, Tristan arrived at the request of my uncle. He unlocked the cage and I thought I was free.”

  Gabriel drew in a loud breath. “He taunted me, Megan. Told me I was a freak. Said if I didn’t stop acting like a damn animal, I was going back into the cage permanently on display for humans to stare at. I reacted.”

  “You bit him.”

  “More.” He turned, the lower half of his face shrouded in regret. “The thought of being caged again sent me over the edge. I went Feral and aimed for his throat.”

  Images flashed in her mind: blood pouring over Tristan’s splayed fingers, the Immortal gasping. The horrified looks of Gabriel’s uncle, aunt and cousins.

  “He can’t die, but he felt the pain and it was damn uncomfortable. The test proved I lacked discipline over my animal half. So he beat me. Taught me a lesson I’d never forget. Said he’d send me to a prison with demons for company.”

  Gabriel tipped up his hat, his solemn gaze meeting hers. “He spent five days teaching me to put a lid on my emotions. Tristan had me stay in human form and get out my rage and fear by beating on a junk car with a sledgehammer. He told me if I ever wanted to go Feral to hurt anyone other than my enemies, to think of the car and how badly damaged it was. That’s what I could do to an innocent. He gave me hope I could be better than I was, could learn self-control. Then he promised me that if I ever needed it, I could call in a favor. Said he’d keep my secret about being a Trans-Feral and he’d offer refuge at a time in my life when I needed it most.”

  “You used that favor for us. When you could have used it for yourself.”

  He gave a half shrug of those wide shoulders.

  But something in his dark expression warned her there was more. “Staying here wasn’t the favor, was it?”

  “I made him promise to keep you and the twins away from Enforcers. No Enforcer will turn you in, Megan. You’re safe and so are the girls.”

  Her heart turned over at his immense loyalty. She dreaded the answer. “What did you have to promise in return, Gabriel?”

  “No reason to worry, chère. It’ll never come to pass.”

  He came to the bed, sat and tossed his hat aside. Gabriel gathered her hands into his, stroking his thumbs over her palms. “Je connais pas quel…there I go again, speaking French.”

  A wry smile tugged his mouth. “I don’t know what the future holds, Megan. You know what I am. I’m a beast. I’ve tried to control it, learned discipline. But sometimes, it gets the best of me. I learned when I was little that I’ve always been different, and even Draicon close to you don’t like different.”

  She slipped into his mind. Hurt and confusion filling the little boy’s dark eyes as he sat on the front porch steps. His parents driving away in a carriage with his brothers, laughing while Gabriel was left behind.

  Why not me, Papa?

  Megan pulled away. She swallowed hard past the tears burning her throat. She mustn’t show pity.

  “Did I ever tell you about the tiger I invented when I was young? Before my island became a prison?” she asked.

  Gabriel shook his head.

  “There were no other Shadows my age. The Draicon children visiting on the island, they made fun of me. I had no friends, so I invented this invisible tiger. I taught him to swim, because there were lots of lovely fish to catch.

  “Of course when I put the fish into the bedroom of the woman whose house I cleaned in exchange for rent for Gram and myself, I blamed the tiger. After all, he was invisible.”

  “Did you get into trouble?”

  Megan shook her head. “I told her it was Tiger’s fault and he did it because she made me scrub the floor every day. The woman was a little scared, thinking a live, invisible tiger was prowling in her house. So I didn’t have to scrub the floor every day. Just every other day.”

  He laughed. “Good for you.”

  “See, there are advantages to being different.”

  Gabriel gave a small smile. “Thank you, chère.” His deep, quiet voice was filled with sincerity. He tweaked her nose. “For making me laugh again.”

  He picked up her hands and turned them over. “Such strong yet delicate hands. Working so hard since you were a small girl. No playmates but a tiger.”

  Emotions warred inside her. “I was so alone, Gabriel. I tried to act tough, as if it didn’t matter. The other kids didn’t like me because I could turn invisible.”

  “Like me.” He kissed her fingers, one by one. “Except other kids wouldn’t play with me because they sensed I was too dangerous.”

  Intensity radiated in his dark gaze. “I won’t ever go Feral on you, Megan. It’s too dangerous. Trust me, chère. It’s why I chose not to shift into wolf back at the service plaza.”

  His kiss was tender, gentle.

  But she wanted more. Sensing his savage hunger, she whispered to him. “Don’t hold back on me, Gabriel. I can take what you want to give.”

  The thud of boots falling to the hard floor, the rasp of his zipper sliding downward… Megan removed her own clothing with trembling hands.

  His hands stroked over her skin slowly, with tenderness and possession. Her heightened senses took in the warmth of his skin, the masculine scent of him, the salty taste of his skin beneath her tongue as she licked his collarbone.

  The deep timbre of his voice echoed in her ear. He slid a hand down her thigh then rolled over.

  “Ride me, my little Shadow. Show me you aren’t afraid of us achieving a mating lock and you receiving my powers.”

  Desire was a harsh whip across her sensitive skin. Megan slid down on his throbbing erection. A low groan tore from his throat as she sheathed him. Bracing her hands on his muscular chest, she began to move. Slowly. Each exquisite motion wrung another emotion from him. Red flashed in his eyes. The beast.

  She gave a small, sexy pout to mask the tiny anxie
ty. The mating lock would turn her into something as dark, dangerous as his beast.

  Shuttering the thought, she concentrated on teasing her wolf. Drawing pleasure from each slow rise and fall of her hips. Gabriel wrapped his hands around her waist, pushing her upward. He let her have control.

  For a few minutes more.

  Then in an apt move, he flipped her over, spread her legs open wide and slammed into her. Each slap of his flesh against hers heightened the pleasure. He trailed his mouth over her neck, lightly licked her earlobe.

  She moved against him, snarling in return as she tasted his salty skin. Gabriel never stopped his heavy thrusts as she nipped and marked him.

  He leaned over, nuzzling her neck, and bit her on the sensitive juncture of her neck. She threw back her head and whimpered with pleasure. Wrapping her legs around him, she met his heavy thrusts as they tangled together. Megan screamed his name as she climaxed, followed by his hoarse shout.

  When they collapsed back onto the bed, she kept a single thought guarded from him.

  She wasn’t afraid of the mating lock making them one, giving her his Feral powers.

  She was terrified.

  Chapter 18

  Lying naked in bed, Megan snatched at the strawberry Gabriel dangled before her nose. He chuckled as he jerked it out of reach. The sheets tangled around his lean hips, he rested against the carved headboard. His dark, ragged hair was tousled after their savage bout of lovemaking. A bite mark on the strong muscles of his neck was evidence of her possession.

  She stopped reaching for the strawberry, a different hunger pulling as she studied his long, lean torso. Wicked knowing gleamed in his gaze.

  Gabriel dipped the strawberry in chocolate. A droplet fell onto her breast. Slowly, he licked it off. She shivered with pleasure.

  “Let me see your tongue, and I’ll reward you,” he promised.

  Instead, she sat up and gave a sultry smile. Megan slid her hands along his chest, toyed with the flat brown circles of his nipples. Hard muscle lined his flat belly. Then she boldly yanked down the sheet. Hair marched from his deep chest to the indentation of his belly button, dipping into a line that ended with the thicker, black hair on his groin. His body was wiry, but wellsculpted. He radiated strength and danger.

  His penis lay against his muscular thigh, twitching as if it sensed her intent.

  “Maybe I’m tired of strawberries.”

  Megan bent her head and slid her hands around his arousal.

  She began to stroke and then dipped her finger into the chocolate, smearing it on the head.

  Her mouth encased him. Megan swirled and sucked. Passion and feelings guided her past her inexperience.

  Judging from the low groans, she wasn’t doing too badly.

  Beneath her, his body tightened. Gabriel fisted his hands in her hair and pulled her upright.

  “Enough,” he gasped. “You will be the death of me, ma petite chou.”

  He rolled her onto her stomach, nudged her legs apart with a knee. His firm palms settled on her hips. In this position she felt exposed and vulnerable and oddly free.

  It was the traditional mating position for Draicon, she realized. The submissive female, leading the male to tangle in rough, wild sex.

  “Lift your hips,” he commanded.

  She braced herself on her hands, wriggled her bottom at him in a come-hither invitation.

  I’m ready for this.

  With that single thought, he made a sound low in his throat and pushed deep inside her. Megan gasped as his thick cock slid into her swollen, sensitive tissues. Gabriel gripped her hips and rocked against her. Each thrust made her claw the sheets. His deep groans of pleasure threaded with her excited cries.

  They came together, in blinding, shattering pleasure.

  After, she rested her head against his deep chest, listening to the reassuring beat of his heart. He stroked her hair, rubbing the strands between his thumb and forefinger.

  “How could your family be frightened of you? I could never be frightened of you.” She snuggled against him.

  He went still, his deep voice ominous. “Don’t be so certain, ma petite chou. Life has a way of delivering unexpected, cruel surprises when we make such bold assertions.”

  Idly she stroked over the inked mark on his muscled bicep. “What is this?”

  Gabriel stiffened. “My heritage.”

  He rolled out of bed and stood, giving a luxurious stretch. Hugging her knees, Megan sat up. Thick muscle corded his long, lean body. She had known every pleasure of that body as it plunged into hers over and over.

  Her hungry gaze roved over the bulging biceps, the hard stomach and the long, thick length of his penis dangling between his legs. Gabriel caught her staring.

  What an animal.

  Megan sensed him catching her thought, like a child’s palm encasing a floating dandelion fluff. She saw him flinch and felt a forlorn sense of sorrow.

  In bed, she added.

  A wicked smile replaced the wary look. She thought of how wild and untamed he’d been and the passion they’d shared. Suddenly her lower belly grew taut with yearning and heat suffused her entire body. Sweet pressure built between her legs as if someone were licking…

  There. She bit back a low moan as the pressure intensified. He was toying with her mind, wickedly making her brain imagine his mouth was…

  A scream fled her as she climaxed. Megan collapsed against the pillows, her body trembling from the sensual onslaught.

  “How, you…” She felt dazed and well-loved. “You’re a bad boy.”

  “A good bad boy.” Gabriel grinned, ran a hand through his hair. “My Megan.”

  His voice was deep and sexy. The kiss he dropped on her cheek was tame, but the look in his amber eyes was not. “My wild little beast.”

  For a moment, he remained on the bed, quietly stroking her hair. Peace settled over his face. He looked happy. Her heart did a little jump. She was falling for him, hard and fast. And finally, he’d shared himself and there was hope that maybe, just maybe, he would keep doing so.

  From his being inside her mind, all his guards dropped. Megan felt his intimate thoughts, and shock pummeled through her. She drew back.

  “Gabriel, you weren’t telling me the truth because you wanted to. You told me you’re a Trans-Feral because Tristan threatened you.”

  His chocolate gaze went hard and flat as he withdrew his hand. “Yes.”

  Gabriel hadn’t chosen to share himself with her. He’d been forced into it. Disappointment surged through her.

  “I thought you wanted to be close with me.” She bit her lip. “All of me, not just the physical closeness. And you were holding back all this time. Why, Gabriel? Why couldn’t you tell me the whole truth?”

  A muscle ticked in his hard jaw. “Megan, I never meant to hurt your feelings. But it’s your turn for the truth now. Had I told you about my Trans-Feral nature earlier, would you have stayed? Or turned and run with the twins because you were too scared?”

  His mouth a thin slash, he placed a hand on her neck as he sat on the bed. Warm breath feathered over her cheek as he whispered hotly into her ear.

  “Would you truly like, chère, to see what I am? How dangerous my kind are? How we can kill without thought?” Gabriel took her earlobe between his teeth and nipped gently.

  She thought of how he’d dispatched the Morphs, as easily as dusting off his hands.

  “I don’t know. Honestly. I probably would have been scared.” Pulse racing, she studied her lover. “But you said before that you wouldn’t hurt me. I have trust in that, Gabriel, more than I have in the brick fortress you put up around yourself so you can keep me out. You think to hide yourself from me, like I hide in Shadow. You’re not a violent person. You do whatever you must to protect and defend your own. In that way, you’re as transparent as glass.”

  “Glass can shatter, and injure people. That’s what I do.”

  A steel barrier closed around his mind as rigid as the hu
rricane shutters he’d used to protect his cottage. Gabriel pulled away.

  A heartbeat of silence. “Do you share all of yourself with me, Megan? Everything?”

  Memories flashed; the red-eyed beast stalking her dreams. “Everything important.”

  “And yet you won’t tell me of your nightmares.”

  Shame mingled with old terrors. “It’s complicated.”

  “I see.” He slid out of bed, pulled on his jeans. “I need to check on the girls.”

  Something inside her snapped. “Don’t shut me out. I’m tired of living in Shadow and everyone treating me as if I’m invisible even when I’m not.”

  Megan stood, feeling vulnerable in her nudity, but refusing to cover herself. Her voice dropped to a raw whisper. “My nightmares aren’t important. What is important is where I stand with you, and knowing you trust me enough to share yourself. Why can’t you open to me, Gabriel? I’d never betray you.”

  The black felt cowboy hat he slid on blocked his eyes, his soul, from her view. Megan did not say anything, but waited. Please, she thought with her whole heart.

  Then he turned away, thumbs hooked through the belt loops of his faded jeans. “Don’t ask this of me, Megan. I can’t.”

  Her opened arms fell to her sides like lead weights. Megan took one physical step back, and ten emotional steps. “Go check on the girls. I’ll be down soon.”

  When he left, she fisted her hands to hold the tears in check. Mustn’t let anyone know. Tristan and the girls would not suspect the bleak truth.

  Gabriel was more of a Shadow than she ever would become.

  She dressed, her movements slow and mechanical. Then suddenly she felt something warm and wet trickle down her cool cheek.

  Megan flung herself facedown on the soft bed. She cried for the loss of a long-held dream.

  For Gabriel, who could not turn to her in trust, and tell her what he felt deep inside.

  She was alone.

  More than she’d ever felt on the island. A Draicon Shadow with a bonded mate.

  The door creaked open and Gabriel stepped inside. Hastily she wiped away the last of her tears. Pride made her greet him as if nothing were wrong.