“So did you help him?”
She shrugged in an attempt for nonchalance. “I gave him some tips. You know, clear your mind and all. Don’t see why I shouldn’t since we’re all working toward a common goal, you know?”
He scrutinized her. “I wonder why he came specifically to you.”
“I was there in the moors,” she said, trying not to sound defensive. “He knows me a bit, right? I mean we ended up spending some time together with that situation with the humans.”
He narrowed his eyes. “I wonder if there’s more to it.”
Her heart pounded under his scrutiny. “Like what?”
“I’ve seen how he looks at you.”
Fire burned in her cheeks, but curiosity got the best of her. “How?”
“With interest.” He leaned forward. “Even with that impassive look all gargoyles take on, I could see it in his eyes.” He pointed to his own. “It’s all there. You can practically read someone’s thoughts if you focus.”
Since he’d been eying her so intently, she shifted her gaze to the fire, and suspected the heat in her cheeks had little to do with the flames. The fiery mix of colors reminded her of sunset—when she’d meet Lachlan again.
“Come on.” She waved her hand in a dismissive manner. “A wolf shifter and a gargoyle? You know that would never happen.”
He gritted his teeth. “I hope not.”
She considered telling him more. She picked up a stick and moved some logs, kicking the fire up with fresh oxygen. After several moments, she admitted, “I said I’d help him.”
“With what?” Her father straightened beside her.
“Tap into his energy, find his magic.”
In the silence that followed, a thousand accusations battered in her mind.
In a lower tone, he asked, “Why would you do that?”
She shuffled some of the embers with the stick. “He has no one else to guide him. And it’s imperative we restore the veil. Without the gargoyle magic, it won’t work. We need them as much as he needs my help right now.” She rushed it out so quickly, she had to take a breath.
Seconds stretched out, echoing the passage of time like her drumming heartbeat. He was going to disown her.
No. Why was she thinking he’d react that way? They were close; she’d always been her daddy’s girl. He was a great father and a reasonable alpha.
Her father punched into the earth, the grass flattening under the blow. “Damn it.”
His unexpected reaction startled her, setting her off with a defensive string of sentences. “So I should help him, right? After all, the humans could be back any moment. And we saw what happened to the younger wolves during the last full moon.” The quick succession of thoughts echoed her own attempts trying to convince herself what she was doing was right, while the dark temptation that pounded through her body hinted at other motives.
He closed his eyes and reopened them, staring into the fire. “I’m the one who went to a gargoyle and witch at first. Now, my daughter’s helping a gargoyle?”
“I’m doing it for the pack, Papa. For all of us.”
She always believed in pack before self. As much as she told herself that was her motive, her wolf sensed otherwise.
Her father searched her face; his expression seemed to contort with a battle raging within. She guessed it included both loyalty to the pack and a love of family.
“I know you are, Raina. It is best for the pack.” He nodded. “You’ll make a good alpha one day when I’m gone. With your wolf mate.”
The way he emphasized wolf indicated he knew more than he may have been letting on.
“Oh stop that. Let’s not talk about when you’re gone. You’re still young, and I hate to think of it.”
“Aye, but we need to prepare for the inevitable. Without the next alphas lined up, many packs fall apart with those fighting for that role. I’m glad you will be the one to lead. With Seth.”
She glanced over at the other pack members congregating near their homes. Seth caught her eye as if he’d been keeping watch on their discussion and she turned away. She was supposed to rule with him one day, mate with him. So why was she kissing Lachlan earlier and enjoying every forbidden second of it?
Enough. Seth was her future. She didn’t belong with Lachlan. No reason to stray from her pack, away from her kind. Maybe she and Seth didn’t share that mystical connection that only existed between mates, but perhaps that was better. Her father still ached after losing his mate. All because of humans. And their weapons.
That thought triggered a memory of her begging Lachlan to get rid of the weapons. How he’d looked at her with such compassion when taking on that task. How he understood what strong emotions they caused her, opening his arms to her.
She closed her eyes. Don’t. You’re just making it harder.
Opening them, she resolved to regain control of her wayward emotions, which served no purpose other than to mess up her mind. Sure, she may be helping Lachlan now, but if they restored the veil, they’d have no reason to interact again.
“Of course.” She raised her chin to squelch the discomfort churning within. “My loyalty is with the pack.” She glanced around wolf territory—modest homes in clearings where wolves could bask in the sun surrounded by forests with dense cover. This was the only home she’d ever known, her only family. Her father was alpha, reinforcing that fact. And after her mother had died, the other women had taken on maternal roles in her life. Her curiosity about the outside world and other options was a foolish distraction.
The playful cubs had worn themselves out and now curled up together and napped. She squelched her curiosity. This was her world—her pack.
Raina swallowed a lump in her throat and declared, “My future is here.”
Unable to nap with her mind restless, Raina spent the time in wolf form. Hunting prey, she nabbed a rabbit as she waited for the sun to set. At least, that way, she could stop obsessing about Lachlan.
She wasn’t hungry so she dragged the rabbit to their cooking area as someone was sure to eat it. The aroma of meat being grilled over an open fire reached her nostrils, but she still had no appetite. She left the prey, nodding to a male pack mate, Brodrick, who’d dubbed himself master of the grill. He smiled and muttered, “Thanks.”
When she shifted to human form, she wandered down to the shore. Seth was there, staring out to the sea.
When he spotted her, he approached. “I was just thinking about you. Are you all right?”
“Aye,” she replied quickly. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
“You’ve been acting off lately.” He eyed her with concern.
“I’m fine.”
He was a good wolf, and he cared about her—as she cared for him. When they weren’t having daft arguments, they got on well. Maybe if they could ignite a spark, they could make it work.
She tried to appraise him from an objective distance, as a new shifter to the pack would—not one who’d known him since he was a cub. She focused on his golden looks and defined muscles; forcing herself to look at him and feel something.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
Nothing. No internal spark. No heat that simmered beneath her skin like when she was near Lachlan. She’d never had that exhilarating moment when their bodies touched. The mere gesture of Lachlan holding her hands in his had electrified her. And when they’d kissed…
“Just thinking.” Her cheeks burned. “I’ll see you later.” She hurried from him before he asked more questions.
She wandered back into the forest where she could be alone. Pacing paths covered with pine needles and edged with fern, her skin tingled with anticipation. She would see Lachlan soon.
Sunset couldn’t come fast enough.
CHAPTER NINE
When the sunlight dipped lower, drifting through the foliage of oaks and pine above, Raina trekked back to meet Lachlan. Would he be awake yet? They’d planned to meet back at the cove. If not, she’d wait for him there in
the quiet spot where she could be alone with her thoughts.
Her quick pace neared a run as she rushed through the forest. The darkening sky filled with charcoal clouds, indicating rain was likely. The aroma of damp foliage lingered in the air. Her wolf prowled inside, itching with that elusive need for something, which Raina had been trying to figure out.
She reached the cove and glimpsed Lachlan perched on a rock staring out to the sea—almost a mirror image of when she’d seen Seth earlier. Emotions churned through her; a vastly different reaction from when she’d spotted Seth. Her wolf wagged her tail with satisfaction. Raina tamped down the thrill and slowed her steps.
“Hi,” she said in a breathless voice.
When Lachlan faced her, eying her in a way that suggested he was drinking her in from head to toe, her skin tingled with sudden awareness.
“Raina.” He stood and reached her in two massive strides.
For a moment, she thought he’d take her in his arms again, but he stopped. She wrapped herself in his scent, as warm and comforting as a lamb’s wool blanket on a bitterly cold night.
“You get any rest?
“Some.”
“Ready to try again?”
“I am. My brothers and I worked on what you told me.”
“Anything?” She asked with a glimmer of hope.
“I can sense them and they me. Something’s happening, but we’re far from making any significant progress.”
“That’s good news,” she replied. “Maybe with more practice, it will be even better.”
She worked with him for several minutes to help him clear his mind and pinpoint his energy inside. Despite his attempts, something was off. He wasn’t fully connected like he had been the last time they’d tried.
“You seem distracted.”
His gaze flickered across her face and then off to an unfixed point out to the sea. “Something has been bothering me.”
“What?”
“Since you mentioned you will mate with Seth—”
Her muscles tightened. She crossed her arms, stepping back. When he didn’t finish his thought, she nudged, “What about it?”
“I—” His jaw tightened. “He—”
What was he trying to say? “Lachlan?”
His jaw moved from one side then the other. “I don’t like it,” he said through clenched teeth.
She studied him, hands balled into fists and eyes glaring straight ahead. “Is it jealousy?” she guessed, a part of her gleeful at the thought.
He squared his jaw. “I don’t know what it is, but I hate thinking of it.” He dropped his fist onto the rock, but it didn’t appear to affect him “Let’s not talk about it.”
“You brought it up.”
“Forget I said it.”
Ignoring his attempt to brush it away, she prodded, “Does this mean you have feelings for me?”
“Don’t ask me that, Raina.” He ran his fingers through his hair so rough, like he was trying to push something away. “What’s the point? Even if I did, you know this can’t go anywhere.” He motioned between them.
An unexpected shimmer of happiness gushed within. He felt something for her.
When a breeze rolled in from the ocean, the brisk air slapped her back to reality as she took in his words. He was right. They could never be together.
“True.” She inclined her head to the right and admitted, “Still, I like seeing you get a little jealous over me.”
“Do you?” He stared at her, not masking his torment. “Do you like how insane you’ve made me since I met you? Unable to focus on anything else, when I’m facing the biggest challenge yet? If I fail at this, we all fail.”
He turned back to face the ocean. The calm waves had given way to more turbulent ones rolling in, which signaled the storm was moving closer. The sky had completely darkened; layers of gray clouds dimmed the moonlight, casting shadows that fit his gloomy expression.
Despite his gruff tone, his admission touched her. He confided in her—his feelings and even his vulnerabilities—something she never would have pictured him doing. A few raindrops fell on his bicep and rolled over the curve of his muscle down his arm.
She reached out and followed one of the drops, tracing over his warm skin. Despite what she’d told herself earlier about committing to the pack and a future with Seth, her resolve shattered in the face of her overwhelming attraction. Her wolf wagged her tail, spurring her on. Go on, do something.
“Let me help you.”
“It’s no use,” he barked. “I’ve tried. Still nowhere close.”
Although the harsh tone would likely frighten others off, she was used to quick, curt commands in the pack. They cut straight to the point, often during a time of great frustration.
“That’s not true.” She kept her voice level and soothing. “You’ve made progress with your brothers.”
When he faced her, his grim expression had softened. She cupped his cheek, searching his tormented eyes. “Let me help you,” she repeated, dropping her eyes to the sensual curve of his mouth.
What was she doing? What was she talking about anymore—helping him with magic—or with sexual frustration, which appeared to be mutual. She had no idea. Being around him made her lose control of rational thought, replaced by raw instinct that was far more fitting in wolf form. Only, she’d never pulsed with a sensual urgency as a wolf, with a need so overwhelming it made her utterly aware of her feminine desires. When she glanced back to his eyes, the torment was replaced by unmistakable heat, filling her with shivery ripples of anticipation. A spark of hope flared. She traced her fingers from his face to his chiseled chest and pulled up to her tiptoes to close the space between them.
The galvanizing moment her lips touched his set his body into motion. He gripped her tight, crushing her in his powerful embrace. She reached around to cradle the back of his neck and deepen the kiss. He widened his stance to bridge the distance between them. When his hot tongue breached her mouth, an involuntary moan of pleasure escaped her. He lowered his head to kiss her neck, and she dropped her head back. Her wolf was giddy with Raina’s action, finally grasping what she so desperately wanted.
A flash of light shattered the darkness overhead, startling her. She opened her eyes to see what it was.
“It’s only lightning,” Lachlan said.
His eyes had darkened with desire. The intense gaze was enough to make her want to disrobe there despite the impending storm, pulling him on top of her.
Seconds later, thunder struck overhead, booming around them like a sonic explosion. The rain fell harder, but she didn’t care. Her body was inflamed with intense heat, and the soothing drops cooled her flushed skin.
“You look even sexier when you’re wet,” he said.
He ran a finger through her hair and raindrops fell off his fingertips. The rain left gleaming trails that reflected the light and clung to his lashes, magnifying the dark hunger in his eyes. The smoldering glint cast a spell no female—shifter or human—could resist.
“You look quite fetching right now, yourself,” she admitted.
He flashed her a devastating grin, one that made desire pool down below.
“Let’s get you out of the rain,” he said. He took her hand and led her back to the woods.
And walk away from the kiss they’d just shared?
“No!” she protested louder than she’d intended. “I don’t want to leave yet,” she added in a softer tone.
He grinned. “What would you like to do?”
“What—what—” Why was she stuttering this way? “What we were just doing.”
“Oh. You’d like to kiss some more?” he teased with a knowing glimmer in his eyes.
Aye, with all her being. “It felt nice.”
“Just nice?”
“Good.”
“How good?” he persisted.
“Stop teasing.” She stepped up to him and took the lead, leaning up to kiss him again, against a Scots pine.
He didn
’t put up any resistance to her bold advance and leaned back against the bark. His hands roamed down her arms and over her sides. He cupped one of her breasts, and the firm grasp made her moan. She leaned forward, pressing into him to encourage him to continue. The last thing she wanted was for him to stop and put an end to this pleasure. Gods, the combination of his lips and his hands on her body had her pulse racing.
He tugged her dress down revealing one breast. The rain beat on the sensitive flesh. He rubbed her nipple, making it tighten into a hard peak in response. When he tore his lips from her, a frustrated moan escaped her. He moved his head down to her breast, igniting a new spell of desire. Covering the sensitive mound with his hot mouth sent a new wave of searing sensations right to her core. She dropped her head back, letting the rain fall on her face, and ran her fingers through his sensuous hair.
The skies flashed with the tell-tale zigzag of electricity. He pulled back with a low groan and stood, returning to his dominating height.
“As much as it kills me to stop, I need to get you to safety. The lightning is dangerous.”
“What do gargoyles do during a storm?”
“Either seek shelter in a cave or turn to stone form.” He cocked his brow and gave her a lopsided grin. “It’s much more resilient to the elements than human flesh.”
“Ah,” she replied. “I didn’t see any houses and wondered.”
“We have cabins in the forests that my clan had built. But my brothers and I typically stay outdoors. What about your pack?”
“We have small homes for when we’re in human form. They’re reinforced with brick or stone to protect us from the elements.”
“Stone comes in quite handy.” His lips reshaped into a knowing smile. “Let’s get you back there and under shelter.”
“No.” She couldn’t leave him yet. Not when she’d been waiting to meet him all day. Thinking about him, daydreaming. Thoughts that had morphed into sensual fantasies. “I said I would help you. Let’s find a place to go.”
He stopped and stared at her with a curious expression. “There’s a cave not far from here.”
Protecting Raina was of utmost important. Although, it took all his self-control to pull his lips from hers, he had to keep her safe. The trees provided a canopy of sorts, preventing some of the rain from reaching them, but no barrier against lightning. Despite the sparse cover, both were drenched by the time they’d crawled into the cave.
Knights of Stone - Lachlan Page 9