by Unknown
Chapter 7
Taylor showered and dress, preparing for the wolf meeting that was scheduled to start in an
hour. Carole Anne had told her to dress nice, but slightly casual, so she was wearing a white shirt with a pair of khaki slacks. She left her hair free, but secured it on the sides with clips. A minimal application of makeup finished off her preparations. She hoped Marrok would approve.
He'd insisted on sleeping in the same bed with her, but otherwise, he'd been preoccupied. Her
body felt nearly back to normal from their day on the cliff, and it was hungry for his. The feeling must not have been reciprocated, though. He was kind to her, but distant. It was not the way she wanted to spend her last few days in Wolf Town.
The majority of the guests had arrived the night before, and Taylor was stunned by the sheer
number of werewolves packed into Wolf Town. Some had arrived by car, while others had rolled in driving RVs. She'd skipped eating dinner at the restaurant. It was packed to the brim, with a line of people waiting outside. After her experience in Hell's Pit, she didn't do crowds well. She doubted she ever would again.
The next full moon was quickly approaching, and Taylor wanted to be long gone by then.
Carole Anne had shared a lot about werewolves with her, and she knew it would be a vulnerable time.
The moon all but forced the change, leaving the people here open to attack.
Her eyes met her reflection in the mirror, her expression determined. No matter how much she
might wish to stay, she would not put these innocent people at risk. It might have been different had she been Marrok's mate, but she wasn't.
Somewhere out there was a woman that would one day be arriving to claim him as her own. It
was best to end it now, instead of waiting and placing Marrok in the terrible position of sending her away. When it came to mates there was no choice, and it would be a humiliating experience for her should she delay.
The front door opened, pulling her from her thoughts. Turning off the light, she quietly made
her way to the living room. Marrok was undoing his boots, but he smiled softly when he saw her. “Hi Taylor,” he said quietly, as he pulled them off. “How has your day been?”
“Good,” she replied, pleasantly. “And yours?”
“Tiring,” he declared, emphatically. “The crowds are overwhelming, and Mr. Davies is having a
hell of a time keeping his restaurant stocked with food. Werewolves have triple the appetites of the average human. I haven't been able to make it inside his doors all day.”
He chuckled mischievously. “I've heard that Connor has been pulled into kitchen duty. Serves
him right. Maybe it will keep him out of trouble.”
Taylor smiled, her hungry eyes devouring him. He looked lighthearted and handsome when he
referred to the other man. His love/hate relationship with Connor was common knowledge throughout Wolf Town.
Connor's name was associated with several other ones such as “pain in the ass” or “asshole”,
although it was often said affectionately. His pranks and manipulations for his own amusements were notorious, but as irritating as the others found him, they respected him a lot.
“I haven't ate either,” she replied, ill at ease. Although the refrigerator was stocked with food, she wasn't much of a cook. Before her captivity, she'd been too busy with school or work to ever really learn. Now, she just ate simple or at the restaurant. “Would you like me to make you some
sandwiches?”
Marrok smiled, staring at her for a long moment. “That would be great. I'm going to take a
shower, but I'll join you shortly.”
She nodded, moving past him to walk into the kitchen. He quickly grabbed her and spun her
around, her face instantly tilting up to his. His lips met hers passionately as her arms slid around his neck to pull him close.
The simmering heat inside of her burst into flames, burning away the lingering doubts she had
about his interest in her. She pulled his face even closer to hers, meeting his tongue boldly with her own. Her mouth broke away, tasting her way down the side of his throat.
“Holy shit,” he groaned out, cupping her ass and pulling her against his hot, hardened shaft. “I was trying to give you time to heal, I knew your small passage would need it after having me inside of you. But fuck, you make it hard. You're killing me, Taylor. I'm burning alive to have you again.”
“Me, too,” she replied against his throat, giving him a love bite on the tender flesh underneath his ear. “Mm, you taste so good.”
He tilted her chin up so his eyes could meet hers. “Are you well enough for me again?”
She nodded, her eyes blazing with heat.
“Expect to find me inside of you tonight, then. I won't deny either one of us anymore.”
A wave of lust rolled over her at confident, masculine tone. Her eyes closed as she struggled to hold it back, her fingers itching to tear her clothing away from her body and beg him to take her right then and there.
Taylor knew he had to shower, and they both needed to eat before leaving. Even so, a part of her wanted to shuck their responsibilities and spend the rest of the night in bed. His infamous self-denial and control wouldn’t allow him to, though. Her control was shot, fleeing as soon as he walked into a room.
She nodded, turning away. “I'll make those sandwiches now.”
He watched her for another long moment, his eyes like two flames burning into her back.
Finally he sighed, turning to the hallway. “Sounds great. I'll be out shortly.”
Grabbing the meat, cheese, and mayonnaise out of the refrigerator, she started making the
sandwiches. Her thoughts moved to Nicole. The other woman would be attending the meeting tonight, but she'd declined going with Taylor. Nicole was moving away from her, already settling into the pack quickly. Taylor hoped she would find peace here. Had her life been different, she would have been able to, as well.
Taylor had taken a walk the evening before, surprised to see Alonzo going into the small house as she'd passed by. Were they discussing the research facility, or was there something more romantic blooming? She didn't know the New Mexico chief very well, but he seemed very nice. Nicole could certainly do worse for herself.
Arranging the sandwiches on plates, she added some chips as well. Marrok's plate was bulging,
but she knew he would eat all of it. His metabolism was absolutely amazing. He was able to eat whatever he wanted without ever adding an ounce of fat to his chiseled physique. She'd always gained weight easily, and her time here at the pack had seen her return to a size sixteen. At this rate, she'd be back to her original eighteen before she ever even left.
Pouring them both a glass of iced tea, she sat down at the table to wait. He didn't leave her
waiting long. He walked back into the room, his powerful presence immediately making the area
around him shrink in comparison. Her breath hitched as her eyes greedily devoured him.
His hair was still wet, but pulled back into a low ponytail at the base of his head. Dressed in a long-sleeved shirt, he'd left the top two buttons undone, revealing the smooth, tanned chest underneath.
His sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, leaving his muscled forearms free. The expensive black jeans fit him like a second layer of skin, proudly displaying his narrow hips and powerfully muscled thighs.
The muscles inside of her passage clenched in pure need as she surveyed him, remembering
how he'd felt pumping into her. There was nothing quite like bedding a man of his stature. His large frame, combined with his large dick, was enough to turn any woman into a sex-starved lunatic. She'd never felt so lusty and out of control of her body as she did in this man's presence. Now that she'd had a taste, the cravings were nearly impossible to contain.
* * * * *
Marrok sat down, returning her stare wit
h one of his own. His eyes were hungry as they passed
across her body, flaring red before he looked down at his plate. Grabbing a sandwich, he took a large bite and murmured in appreciation. It wasn't for the sandwiches, though.
Underneath the shirt she wore, he could see her body had filled out again. Her pants were
slightly tight around her hips and ass. She wore her weight well, her body designed to naturally be voluptuous. He nearly groaned, remembering how good those curves felt underneath him.
Marrok wanted to integrate her into pack life as much as possible. It would make the transition easier for her once they were fully mated. If all went well, he'd change her on the next full moon. His blood heated at the thought.
His body was pulsating for the blonde beauty sitting so serenely in front of him. The last two days he'd masturbated multiple times, but all it did was call attention to how poor of a substitution it was to the luscious body of his mate. His shaft was rock hard underneath the table.
He was frustrated, biting everyone else's heads off but hers. It was a complete switch from the ultra-calm and unshakable guardian the other wolves were used to. He wanted to ditch the meeting and cart her off to the bedroom, pumping himself within her slick depths until he couldn't pump anymore.
With his stamina, it could be days before he ever resurfaced from her body.
They had to be there, though. He wanted the threat eliminated to ensure her future safety.
Nothing was more important than that, certainly not his selfish desires. “Tonight, I want you to stay by me. The convention center is huge,” he said, in between bites. “We'll be in the front row seats because I'm a guardian. The pack leaders, Alexander and Carole Anne, will actually be in the center.”
Taylor nodded. “I figured it would be something like that. I'm actually anticipating this, though.
I hope someone has solid information.” She shivered, laying her half-eaten sandwich down. “It's hard for me, imagining others locked up in a similar situation like I was.”
Marrok's eyes narrowed at her words. It was like a knife to the gut every time he watched her
reminisce over it. The Apache in him demanded he see his mate vindicated. They'd crossed the wrong man when they'd messed with Taylor. An Apache werewolf was about as lethal as they came, when the situation called for it.
There was something there, lying just beneath the surface when it came to Taylor. She'd remain close-mouthed about her time in the facility, but he sensed something more. His mate was keeping something from him, and he wasn't pleased about it.
Marrok finished his last sandwich and stood up, holding his hand out to her. “Are you ready?”
She sighed, her full lips curving up in a unhappy mockery of a smile. “As ready as I'll ever be.”
* * * * *
Taylor and Marrok sat directly behind Alexander and Carole Anne, waiting for the meeting to
start. The meeting area sat in the center of the cavernous room, completely surrounded on all sides with rows of seats that ascended nearly to the ceiling. Every seat was filled, with many forced to stand on the lower level, next to the walls.
Taylor marveled silently at the ability of the wolves in keeping this town secret. The building alone should be a dead giveaway, but somehow they'd manage to keep Wolf Town completely off the radar. She couldn't imagine the effort needed to continue doing so. Every werewolf had a part in making Wolf Town what it was, especially the guardians. Their duties were numerous.
Nicole had arrived with Alonzo, and the suspicion within her deepened. Taylor felt confident
that a romance was indeed brewing between the two. Leaning close to Marrok she asked, “Have you heard any rumors regarding Nicole and Alonzo?”
“No,” he muttered, eying each one discretely. Alonzo was on the main floor, close to Alexander, but Nicole was seated on the front row, several seats down from them. That wouldn't have happened without one of the pack leaders, or guardians, arranging it.
“Last night, I saw him going into the house with her. Tonight, she can't take her eyes off of him.
I believe something is going on between them. What do you think?” Taylor spoke in his ear, hiding a smile when he shifted in his seat. Looking down, she noticed his erection. It was a shame to have to waste such a beautiful thing.
Marrok carefully scented the air. Taylor knew it was difficult with so many wolves there, but he was finally able to confirm what she suspected. “They are mates,” he whispered to her. “The mating hasn't been finalized yet, but it's there all the same.”
“I thought so. How do you know for sure, though?”
“A full werewolf can scent another male's scent on a female mated wolf. They've had the right
contact, and the mating has started. It just hasn't been completed.”
Taylor looked puzzled. “How do they complete it?”
“It depends on the parties involved, and whether or not they are both wolves. Sometimes they
just commit to each other on the night of a full moon. If a mate is human, many times they take their vows and he converts her into a werewolf the same night. Sometimes, they do all this and have a human wedding. What really matters is the sincerity of both parties. It can be as simple or as fancy as they want. They are not fully mated until both parties commit, though.”
Taylor sat back in her seat, thinking about what Marrok had told her. “I'd like to call this
meeting to order,” Alexander announced, as he stood up from his seat next to Carole Anne. He stood tall and proud, his bearing confident and authoritative. Alexander was the ultimate alpha, his bloodline grooming him for the role from conception. Ivan sat on his right side, second in line since retiring from his role as King. The noise in the room halted immediately, as all eyes and ears turned to him.
He spoke loudly for the benefit of the few humans attending the meeting, but he didn't use a
microphone. It was unnecessary for the wolves, and even painful, with their sensitive hearing. There were several laptops set up for video conferencing for the few unable to attend. The majority were sitting in the conference center, having canceled any appointments necessary to insure they were a part of this meeting.
“Carole Anne and I appreciate you rearranging your schedules to accommodate this emergency
conference. We know it couldn't have been easy. Our future as a whole is currently at stake, and it's going to take all of our efforts to ensure our survival. Recently, two werewolves escaped a secret research facility in New Mexico and bravely made their way here. Barely alive, they revealed a horrendous secret that rocked us to the core. We moved in and were able to rescue hundreds of
werewolves, as well as a few other supernatural creatures. Many of them were near-death from the cruel testing and tortures they had experienced at the hands of humans in the name of research.”
Sounds of outrage filled the huge arena. Alexander held up a large hand to silence them. His
expression was dark as he continued, “The ones that were in charge of this, at least at that specific facility, escaped. Our findings suggest that this goes much higher than the commander of the facility known as Hell's Pit. Tonight, we are going to hear from many wolves as we attempt to piece this together. We'll extend it to another night, if necessary. Then, we are going to create a plan on how to eliminate these threats, going to war if necessary. We won't let this insult go unpunished.”
The werewolves cheered and roared their support at Alexander's words. He motioned for Neal
to take center stage, sitting back down to listen. And so it began, as one prisoner after another stood up, sharing their treatment in the facility. Taylor recognized many of the faces she saw, although she hadn't known all of their names.
Their stories brought the horror of her time underneath the mesa fresh to her mind. Her cheeks felt cool in the stifling heat, from all of the bodies packed into the arena. Touching them, she was surprised to realize they were wet, as tears flowed dow
n her cheeks, unchecked. Discretely, she wiped them away, unable to tear her eyes away from the man sharing his treatment at the hands of their captors.
He finished his story, his face pale underneath the bright, artificial lights. Alexander stood up again, shaking the man's hand before he walked back in the direction of his seat. “Is there anyone else held at the research facility that has anything they'd like to share?”
Taylor felt a stare directed at her. Looking around, she quickly detected the source. It was
Nicole, the expression on her pale features conflicted and full of torment. It was the only warning Taylor would get. Their eyes met and locked. Taylor shook her head vehemently, silently begging the other woman not to talk. Her plea was ignored. Nicole stood up and worked her way down the steps, while Taylor sat back, devastated.
“I would like to share my experiences,” Nicole said firmly, her voice reaching up to Taylor.
Marrok's eyes were locked on the other woman as he leaned forward in interest. Alonzo watched
Nicole with an expression that displayed pride but sadness. It was apparent to anyone looking that he had good idea of what she'd already been through. Taylor wrapped her arms around herself and held back her sob, determined to not break down in public.
Nicole inhaled deeply, before launching into her speech. “I was taken thirty-one years ago in
New Mexico. It was late one night, and I had taken a liking to a man in a biker gang in a local bar. I convinced my friend, Taylor, to come with me when they wanted to take us to the lake. She tried to talk me out of it, but I was determined to go. It's something I regretted a thousand times over. I put her life at risk that night, and it's because of me, we were taken.”
The crowd listened silently. Some curious looks were sent in Taylor's direction, but she just
ignored them. Taylor knew the worst was yet to come.
“That night, a team of men that appeared to be military ambushed the bikers and I at the lake. I can't think of any other way to describe them. They arrived in vans and jeeps. The lights were blinding.
I'd just rejoined the bikers, with the man I'd stepped away with, when all of a sudden, there were people everywhere. They murdered the bikers in front of me, without the slightest bit of hesitation. I felt the prick of a needle in my arm, but my last thoughts were of Taylor. I thought they'd already murdered her.