Knights of Stone - Lachlan

by Lisa Carlisle

  “Of course. It was best for our pack,” she replied. “Any sign of the humans?”

  “None yet. We’re taking turns patrolling the skies.”

  She bit her lip as her gaze drifted off, deep in thought. He’d been trying to avoid looking at her lips for good reason, and now that she’d gotten his attention there, it sent a new surge of blood right between his legs, the last place that needed his focus. He altered his stance to adjust to the tightness.

  Time to get back on track. “Kayla mentioned their part is moving along as expected. They still need more time for it to reach its maximum potency. I’m guessing it must be some type of potion.” He tried to keep his voice as neutral as asking about the weather so as not to arise suspicion. “How’s it coming along with your pack’s magic?”

  “Fine,” she replied.

  That didn’t reveal much. “What kind are you working on?”

  Her brows furrowed. “What do you mean?”

  “Potion? Or a spell?”

  Her curious eyes fixed on him, sending his imagination fueling with possibilities of what they’d look like when she made love. Would they darken with desire, framed by those sweeping eyelashes?

  “Why do you want to know?”

  “Just curious,” he replied in a nonchalant tone. “Aren’t you? We all have our special magic, that combined, will change the fate of our island.”

  “Aye, I suppose,” she said. “But I’m also not about to reveal any pack secrets. What are you working on?”

  Bloody hell. She’d turned the questioning around on him without revealing one damn thing. “Ladies first.”

  “Oh no, no, no.” She wagged a finger. “I’m not giving up one iota of information unless you share.”

  Lachlan groaned inside. She was so damn determined. He pictured bending her over his lap and smacking her lush behind to get her to bend her strong will just an inch. “Are you always so stubborn?”

  “Can’t be a pushover in my position, now can I? I have pack mates to protect. Surely, as alpha of your clan, you’d understand that.”

  “I do,” he agreed, now curious about her position in the pack. “So if you’re a beta, does that mean you’ll one day be alpha?”

  His mind swirled with the implications. He led the gargoyles; she’d lead the wolves—if they managed to restore the veil. What had been separate worlds for as long as he could remember. What had it been like before the battle—did the different kinds interact? He’d been a kid, and so much was a blur. What stood out most were the battles.

  Her mouth twitched, indicating he hit a sensitive topic. “Sort of.”

  “Sort of how?”

  “I’d rule with someone else.”

  Curiosity spiked even higher. “Who?” A pendulum pounding out seconds in his chest chanted the answer, which he refused to believe.

  She glanced to an unfixed point in between the trees. For a prolonged moment, the only sounds were that of the forest—the gentle breeze ruffling the leaves and the muffled sound of distant insects. At last, she spoke. “Seth.”

  Daggers shot into him from every angle when she confirmed what he’d feared. Or that’s how acute the pain seemed to sear through him when she mentioned Seth’s name. A most unexpected reaction. She couldn’t be with that arrogant bugger, could she? “Are you together?”

  “No,” she replied with a sudden shake of her head. Just when he thought he could exhale, she added. “Not yet.”

  He breathed to slow his racing heart. “Yet?”

  “It’s expected we’ll rule together, one day. As mates.”

  “Mates?” What was wrong with him, repeating her like a parrot? Only the single word came out through a strangled voice. He cleared his throat and began again. “You’ll mate—with him?” Shock and distaste were clear from his tone.

  Her demeanor contorted, etched with some sort of conflict. “Why am I telling you any of this? It’s none of your business.” She raised her chin in a regal manner fitting for the queen of her pack.

  “I’m not trying to pry,” he said. “But you—and, and—him?” He tried to keep emotion out of his voice this time, but still failed.

  “Aye.”

  Despite what he perceived as her attempt to appear stoic, her inner battle flickered in her eyes.

  “Why do you care?” she pointed out.

  “I—uh.” When had he ever been at a loss of words this way? “I can’t picture you with him.”

  “You don’t even know me.” She exhaled, seeming to deflate. “It’s what I’m expected to do.”

  “What is?” Why did this bother him so much? She was right, why should he care?

  “Find my mate and rule with him and have lots of strong wolf pups to continue the pack.”

  The bitter note in her tone tore at him.

  “Is that what you want to do?”

  She raised her chin and fixed her stare his way. “Why are you asking me all these questions?”

  “I don’t know.” His honest answer surprised him. “I guess I’m curious.” What a stupid reply. He doubted she’d reveal another word.

  After a pause, during which she eyed him with clinical speculation, she said, “I’m the alpha’s daughter. Seth has been loyal to my father for many years. It’s natural for the two of us to become the next alphas of our pack and lead the way my parents did.”

  For a brief moment, he pictured himself in Seth’s place as Raina’s intended mate. Where did such an unsettling idea come from? He didn’t believe in love and mates; what a foolish waste of time. Those were for shifters who wanted to settle down with one person for the rest of their boring lives. Not for him.

  What was the point of devoting himself to one woman when there were many to bed in the world? Love was for the weak, commitment was a waste of a sacrifice.

  Still, if Mason had fallen in love with a tree witch and had found happiness in commitment, perhaps there was something to it.

  No, he wasn’t like Mason. He was alpha of a small gargoyle clan and played in a rock band; a possibly defunct band, but he wasn’t giving up on the Knights of Stone, just yet.

  “Is that what your parents want?”

  “My mother’s dead,” she said, her tone flat.

  Her unexpected response shattered some of his steely resolve to shake off his distracting feelings. “I—uh—I’m sorry.”

  She shrugged. “It happened a long time ago. I barely remember her.”

  Despite the dismissive words, he caught the longing in her voice. “What happened?”

  She blinked a few times before answering. “She was killed. Shot by human hunters while in wolf form. We were on holiday with my father in the Highlands.”

  Ah, the way she snapped at the humans when she’d noticed their weapons made sense, now. That’s why it was so important to her that he threw their weapons out to sea. A small surge of pride swelled in his chest that she’d entrusted him with that act, and he’d taken care of it. Compassion soon followed. She was raised without a mother and expected to mate to someone she clearly didn’t love so she could lead the pack. Compassion combined with the desire that stirred just being near her, it was a dangerous mix. One that left him on the edge of controlling his impulses, which gravitated between wrapping his arms around her in a tight embrace or throwing her on the ground and fucking her senseless.

  Neither was a suitable response in regards to the alpha’s daughter, so he shoved them from his mind. “That explains your reaction when you saw their weapons, yesterday.”

  “I hate them.”

  “Humans?”

  “No. Their weapons. It gives them an unfair advantage.”

  “Is it?” he replied. “What if one wolf is much bigger and stronger than the other?”

  She shrugged. “It’s a more even fight than one person pulling a trigger against an animal for no good reason.”

  Her eyes took on a lost, faraway look making him wonder if she was picturing her mother’s death. “You must miss her a great deal.”<
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  “My father has done his best. And I know he loves me.”

  Her voice caught when she spoke, triggering something in him. His protective instincts welled up, overshadowing all else.

  “But—,” he said, not knowing what he was trying to say. “But—loss?”

  If something like that had happened to his mother, would he be able to recover? He raised his hand to her, but dropped it. What was he trying to do? All he wanted to do was take care of her. Take away her pain. Without questioning himself any more, he let his instincts take the lead. He stepped forward and opened his arms. “Come here, Raina.”

  She didn’t look up at him, but fell against his chest as if that was where she was meant to be. She barely reached his shoulders. He wrapped his arms around her, inhaling the scent of heather in her hair, not wanting to let go. The way she fit cradled in his arms…

  It hit him hard—how right this felt. Her warm skin touching his shot thousands of bolts of awareness through him. His heart pounded like the gods’ hammers, and he hoped she didn’t hear it. Forget the sound, she might feel it pound against her cheek.

  What was going on?

  Why did his mind have to interrupt and ruin the pleasurable sensations? The muscles in his back tightened in response.

  She pulled back. Her eyes were moist as she glanced at him. “I don’t know why I did that.”

  “You didn’t do anything,” he said. “I did.”

  Her eyes flickered as she searched his face. “Why?”

  “Because—” Gargoyles were known for their protective streak. That part of him had kicked into high gear when he’d reached out to her, but what he felt for her encompassed far beyond anything he’d ever experienced. “Because—” he tried again. He wanted to shield her from any pain, keep her from harm. He couldn’t tell her any of this, though. He barely knew her, or how she would respond. “I don’t know,” was all he managed to say.

  “Why did you come see me?” she said, straightening with sudden wariness.

  He came to get something from her. His mind, befuddled by desire and concern for her, took a moment to recall what it was. Her help with shifter magic. “I wanted to ask you something.”

  This woman confused the hell out of him, and he didn’t like that one bit.

  “What?”

  His gaze dropped from her gleaming eyes to her delectable lips, which was a mistake. They were too close, too damn bewitching. After having her so close, his warring emotions didn’t stand a chance against his body’s need to touch her, again. His question could wait.

  He pulled her closer, unable to drag his eyes from her mouth. When they parted, the implied invitation was too much to resist. And her feminine scent, dear gods, it alone was enough to drive his inner beast to hunt and conquer the world.

  No matter how angry she might have been at him yesterday, he recognized the subtle changes in her body today—the widening pupils, flushed cheeks, and quickened breath. All indicated she was as affected by him as he was by her.

  He bent down, needing to kiss her, knowing he was done for.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Raina’s body melted in response to the kiss. She stroked the long, silky strands of his hair and the powerful muscles flexing in his back, before curling her hands behind his neck. Swimming in the exquisite sensations, she’d willingly drown in them; the taste of him and his heady, masculine scent were too good to give up. Her wolf moaned in contentment, getting what she wanted.

  When he cupped her head and growled, Raina opened her mouth wider, allowing him to deepen the kiss, the most passionate one she’d known.

  Still, a small voice niggled at her, growing louder. Why had Lachlan asked her those questions, cutting right down to the core of her uncertainties? And worse, why had she answered them?

  He wanted something. He’d admitted that. As much as she wanted to continue the kiss, she pulled back. Her wolf whimpered in complaint.

  “What do you want from me, Lachlan?”

  His bright eyes had darkened with a predatory glint. “What makes you think I want anything?”

  His voice came out in a low, husky tone that washed over her with a wave of sensuality.

  “All those questions.” She straightened her lust-addled body. “Like you’re digging for information.”

  He dropped his hands to rest on his kilt. “Sure, we all want information, but I’m not spying on you.”

  She ran her hands over her temples and through her hair, searching the rolling moors for some peace and composure amid the rising confusion and frustration. “No games. Tell me what you want, or I’m leaving.”

  He inhaled and let out a slow, audible exhale. “I’m stuck on our part for the veil.”

  Although flames of desire like she’d never experienced still licked her body, his grave admission pushed past her needs to grip her attention. “Stuck how?”

  His face hardened as he looked away. “I don’t know what to do.”

  Her eyes widened. “At all?”

  “I know how to use gargoyle magic.” He waved an open hand while he took a few paces and then turned. “But not what I need to do for our part to protect the Isle of Stone.”

  Raina studied his movements and expression. Was he telling the truth or was it a ruse? “None of the gargoyles will help you?”

  “I’m the eldest and know the most of the five of us. With the rest of the clan having left the island, they’ve taken their knowledge with them.”

  “So can’t you ask them?”

  He faced her with a grim expression. “Already done. I flew to the Highlands last night.”

  “And?”

  “I got nowhere.”

  Wait a minute. If he came to her for help with magic, did he have a hidden agenda? Her nostrils flared, blood heating with the humiliation soaring through her.

  “So what was with that kiss? Were you just trying to seduce me to get information?”

  His head jerked back. “What was that?”

  “I asked if all that,” she waved her hand in a quick circle, “rock star aura of seduction or whatever you were doing—was put on to coax me to reveal information.”

  After blinking a few times, he asked, “Are you serious?”

  She raised an eyebrow. “Do I look like I’m joking?”

  He scanned her from head to toe. If he had a clue, he’d catch on to the anger radiating from her body. She relaxed her hands, not realizing until then that she’d clenched them.

  “Not at all,” he replied in a measured tone. “But I can’t believe that’s what you think was going on.”

  “What do you expect me to think?” She planted her hands on her hips. She wouldn’t dare admit how much his kiss it had affected her. Or how many fantasies she’d had since then with them continuing from that point…

  For several moments, they stared at each other without uttering a word. Her rapid breathing broke the silence, drumming in her ears.

  “No. That wasn’t my intention,” he said. “I shouldn’t have let my feelings distract me.”

  “What feelings?”

  He shook his head, motioning back and forth in the space between them. “Whatever this is…”

  She blinked. A mystery to her as well. “What do you think it is?”

  “I don’t know.” He looked away, appearing flustered. “I came to you because I’m stuck with the gargoyle magic. As much as it pains me to admit it, I do need help. I don’t know if that’s something I can even work on with another species. But if there’s anyone I can work with on this, I’d like it to be you.”

  “Why?” She raised her chin. No way was she going to fall for empty words just to get what he wanted.

  “I enjoy being near you.”

  She scanned him, searching for signs he was lying. His demeanor projected sincerity, but she didn’t know much about him. He could be a master at deception. “Why me?”

  “Why not? We’re both shifters.”

  She scrutinized him while assessing his wor
ds. He was a gargoyle, and she’d let down her guard moments ago, but she had to be sensible.

  “What makes you think I want to work with you?”

  He searched her face before scanning her body in a way that made her burn with slow, sudden heat. Then he inhaled, closing his eyes and smiling. No—could he sense how turned on she’d been by the kiss?

  “Just a hunch.” He gave her a wicked smile.

  “Och. You’re impossible!” She turned on her heel and stormed forward.

  “Raina, please.” He caught up to her and took her wrist. “I’m sorry I’ve been a wanker, with all this back and forth. I’m not trying to play games. But the truth is I need your help.” When she stopped, he added, “It’s not just me. We all need to work together if we want to save your island. Think of your pack.”

  She froze and tried to evaluate his request from a rational standpoint, rather than the emotional one. It was so damn hard to think straight when he looked at her like he wanted to devour her. Especially, the way her body reacted to his touch, his kiss.

  “And you think I may be able to help?”

  He ran his fingers through his long black hair in an utterly distracting way. “Maybe you can, maybe not. You’re a shifter, and our magic might work in a similar way.”

  “What’s with all the kissing then? Is that part of your plan?”

  For the first time, he appeared flustered. “No. That’s exactly what I shouldn’t be doing.”

  “Then why did you?”

  “There’s something about you I’m drawn to. Your will, your feistiness. Not to mention, you’re one of the bonniest of lassies I’ve ever seen.” He watched her for a long moment and then turned his head with a frustrated wave. “Forget this whole thing. I’ll figure something out.” He clenched his jaw. “I see the suspicion in your eyes, and I hate how you think so poorly of me.”

  Was he telling the truth? It was impossible to know for sure. She chewed her lip while she weighed his words and considered her options. Without gargoyle magic, the veil might not work. That was true. So helping him would be helping the island and her pack. The young wolves needed protection from the moon. Besides logic, the opportunity to spend more time with him lit an excitement inside her, no matter how she tried to ignore it.