by Dahlia Rose
"On the Valentine's moon, the beloved must do the one thing that will break the curse and also break her heart. The agony of grief must belong to us. None of us who came before could do it; you must be the one.” Celia's face was etched with worry. She paced back and forth as she spoke. “Until the Valentine's moon, you can soothe the beast within, and it will give both of you time to understand what must be done."
Thunder rumbled above their heads even though the sky was clear in Sonja's dream. Celia looked up at the sky in fear and then at Sonja. Sonja could see the fear on her face.
"I must go. I have been here too long,” she said, her voice holding a tremor. “Remember, Sonja, you can soothe his pain. But when the time comes, you must make the choice none of us could."
"Wait!” Sonja called out, but Celia was already moving away. The red of her dress disappeared like wisps of smoke. Sonja swore she heard the rattle of bones or stones in a bag. The whisper of some unholy chant passed through the air. The sound made her shiver and goose bumps rise on her flesh.
She woke up with a start and jumped up, the memory of the dream still vivid in her mind. She rubbed her arms to ward off the chill that settled around her. Walking slowly over to the window, she looked out to where she could barely see Lucas's cabin through the snow. Why did Celia's words still ring in her head? Was it all true ... even though she didn't want to believe?
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Chapter Four
February 5th—Nine days left...
Sonja hardly slept. The dream from the night before kept her up. She went from lying in bed under warm blankets to pacing the whole cabin, then going back to bed. She repeated the process more than once, and her steps always drew her back to the window facing Lucas's cabin. Throughout the night, she saw no smoke curling from his chimney, no lights go on or off. No movement at all, and her concern grew. If Celia was right, he was in agony and it would only get worse. The thought of going back over there scared her. Would he be past the point of no return and attack her? She scoffed at the idea, which meant she believed what the dream woman had said. Then she had to admit to herself that she did believe it. What else could be keeping her awake? Sonja rolled out of bed, which was where she finally ended up at around five in the morning. She made the firm decision to go back over to Lucas's cabin and see exactly how he was. She would find out what was going on, and she would go armed with something heavy just in case. After a shower and some coffee I'll go over there, she thought, moving to the bathroom.
* * * *
Lucas was in the midst of his own turmoil. The agony was almost unbearable as his body morphed in and out of his wolf state. His need for Sonja grew, and when he was finally able to get some sleep, his dreams tortured him. Images of him as a wolf chasing Sonja and pouncing on her filled his head. Then his cries of sorrow after he killed her filled his ears. It was in one of these dreams as he lay with Sonja's body next to him, staining the snow red with her blood, that his father came to him once again. Lucas looked up and saw a sheen of tears in his father's eyes.
"This is not how it has to end, son,” Jonathan said, crouching down next to Lucas.
"It ends like this in every dream I have,” Lucas sobbed. “How can I put her through this?"
"You have to go to her. This is how it will end if you don't. The two of you have to fight this together."
"Dad, how did you bear this pain? Not only the changes, but the loss of your true love?” Lucas asked, hoping his father could give him some clarity.
"I didn't. The loss of her drove me to my own death, but Celia came to me, and her love soothed me,” Jonathan explained. “That was too much to bear even now."
Before Jonathan faded away, he looked at Lucas one more time. “Go to her, son, for all of our sakes. You are our last hope."
"What do you mean?"
But his father was already gone.
Lucas's eyes opened slowly, and for once in the last few days, his body was not wracked with pain. He got up slowly, testing his strength, expecting his body to begin its horrible changes. He felt nothing, and on shaky feet, he went to the bathroom to clean up. He could not hide from this any longer. He would go to Sonja and tell her the truth. She will probably laugh in my face and mace me before kicking me out the door, he thought ruefully. A small smile crossed his face for the first time in days, the thought of her fiery temper amusing him a little. However it ended, he knew he could only try to explain to her his birthright and the legacy of doom they must try to stop.
* * * *
Sonja had her shower and coffee. The snow was thick on the ground, and her car was buried somewhere underneath the white powder. There was no way she could drive to Lucas's cabin, so she would have to walk over. Dressed in long johns under her jeans and bulky sweater, Sonja figured she had enough layers under her thick coat, so she sat down to put on her boots. In the middle of pulling on the heavy boots, someone knocked on the door. Sonja dropped the second boot on the floor and walked to the door, wondering who was out in this weather. She was shocked when she saw Lucas standing in her doorway. With the wind blowing around him, the snow swirled wildly, and some caught in his hair. He looked tired even though she could see he had shaved since the last time she saw him.
"What are you doing here?” Sonja asked warily. She wished she had a baseball bat in her hand just in case he got all crazy again. She'd picked the wrong time to be brave.
"Uh ... hi. Um, I came to talk to you,” Lucas said.
"Why?” Sonja asked cautiously.
"Because ... Uh, can I come in? It's cold out here,” he asked.
"Are you going to throw something at me again?"
"No. Look, I'm sorry about that, okay?” Lucas said. “Are you going to let me in or not?"
Sonja stepped back to let him enter. “Come in. But if you look at me wrong, I'm going to bash you in the head with something. I swear it."
"You have my permission to whack me if I look at you funny,” Lucas said, walking inside.
"Oh, I don't need your permission, buddy. I'm doing it."
Lucas stood by the entrance to the kitchen and stared at her. He felt the hunger inside him as he took her in. Her smell was intoxicating to him, and the cramping in his belly began to gnaw at him.
"So talk,” Sonja said.
"Can we at least sit down or something? You could offer me something to drink,” Lucas commented.
"The last time I offered you soup, you manhandled me then went ape shit."
"I swear, I won't manhandle you or go ape shit this time, Scout's honor,” he said, making the Boy Scout salute.
"Somehow I don't think you were a Boy Scout. Fine, you sit over there,” Sonja said, pointing to the couch. “I'll get you a cup of coffee."
Sonja went into the kitchen and sat down to take off the one boot she had on. She was soon back with a mug full of steaming coffee in her hand. “I didn't know how you took it, so I put in cream and sugar."
"That's fine,” Lucas said, taking the hot liquid. The first sip reminded him he hadn't eaten in two days. The pain had been too much to even consider a meal.
Sonja sat down on the other side of the couch. “I haven't seen any lights or smoke from your house. Isn't it cold over there?"
Lucas took a sip of coffee. “I didn't notice."
"Okay, so what do you want to talk about?” Sonja said again.
Lucas took a deep breath and looked at Sonja, not knowing where to start. “I love you—"
"What?” Sonja goggled at the simple statement.
"It's that simple. I love you. I've always loved you. Even when I didn't know you, I loved you,” Lucas explained.
"Uh ... You're losing me here, big guy, and I'm rethinking letting you into my cabin,” Sonja said.
Lucas took a breath. “Okay, remember when you lived in New Orleans when you were, what, twenty-one?"
"That's when I left,” Sonja affirmed.
"Right. I felt you in New Orleans. I'm from there, too. I felt yo
u like I can feel my own heart beating, and then I left New Orleans after that. I was thirty years old when I moved away. I left because I felt you."
The story that Celia told Sonja in her dream came to mind suddenly. On his thirtieth birthday, he felt his beloved, Celia had said. “So you ran away because you felt me. Why?"
"Because I was afraid of what was coming, and I still am, in a way. But now I know I can't run from it anymore,” Lucas said softly.
"You are serious? This is all true, the curse, the beloved thing? It's all true?"
"How do you know about the curse?” Lucas said sharply.
"I had a dream last night, a strange dream. I was on a call at work, then it all froze. A woman came to me and told me about the Valentino curse, about you and your dad. Her name was Celia,” Sonja explained. She couldn't believe that he was confirming a dream she'd had.
"Celia was my father's beloved. He killed her before I was born, then he killed himself."
"So, who was your mother?"
"Her name was Anna. No Valentino man has been able to have a child with his beloved. Women like my mother were told of the curse and helped carry on the line."
"How unfair for a child to have to carry this weight though his life.” Her sympathy was his undoing. Lucas got to his knees in front of her.
"That is why I ran. I couldn't bear the thought of doing that to you. But somehow fate threw us back together. Now, by the fourteenth, if we don't figure out how to stop the curse, I'll kill you.” Lucas laid his head in her lap. Then his body shook as the pain started again. She felt him tense and shake. After a few moments, he looked up at her, his eyes pleading.
"I want you to run, Sonja, run away from here and don't stop."
"I can't. The news said we'll be in the center of this blizzard for the next few days. My car is stuck, and no one can go anywhere for awhile,” she whispered.
"We can't stop the curse! I don't know how to stop it, Sonja. Already my heart burns for you, and soon my hands will end your life! The thought alone is killing me."
Sonja caressed his face. She could hear the agony in his voice. “Celia said the way to break the curse was that the beloved had to bear the agony instead of her mate. So if the death of a Valentino's beloved is the thing that they could not stand, then I would have to take that."
"How could you take that grief from me?” Lucas wondered.
The realization hit them both at the same time. “I would have to kill you, Lucas. The way to break the curse is for me to kill you!"
"Then on the fourteenth, before I hurt you, you have to kill me,” Lucas said firmly.
"No, I couldn't! I won't!” Sonja said, shaking her head furiously.
"You will. When the time comes, you will,” Lucas said.
Sonja could see how his muscles bunched and moved with pain under his shirt. Her heart went out to him. He was going through all of this for her. He thought he had to bear this pain alone to save her. Sonja remembered another thing that Celia had said in her dream. She could soothe the beast in him until the day of the Valentine's moon. As his body quieted from the last spasm of pain, Sonja knew how she could help him. Her hands cupped his face and lifted it to hers.
"I can make this easier. I can help make you feel better,” she whispered.
"No, Sonja—” Lucas began. But her finger on his lips stopped his protest. Her lips replaced her fingers, and Sonja felt his mouth open under hers.
Lucas gave a low groan, and his hand slid around her waist, pulling her to him and almost off the sofa. The kiss turned wild and hot. Lucas took over the onslaught of her mouth. Sonja accepted his hunger and passion. Lucas pushed the coffee table out of his way with one shove and sent it crashing into the fireplace. Sonja gasped in shock and excitement. It thrilled her that his need for her was so intense. They rolled around on the floor, arms and legs entwined. The thick bulky coat she had on was tugged off, by one or both of them, she didn't know.
"God, I need you so much. I need to feel myself inside you,” he said roughly.
Sonja barely heard him. His hands pushed her sweater aside, and she pulled it off the rest of the way. Beneath it, the top of her long johns were ripped and thrown to the side. He took one of her nipples in his mouth as soon as it was free from its confinement. Her fingers dug into his shoulders as he feasted on her.
"Lucas, more, give me more,” she gasped out between unsteady breaths.
The rest of their clothes came off in a rush, and soon they were both naked. The cold air against her skin made her shiver for just an instant, but soon she was wrapped in Lucas's strong arms. Lucas kissed his way down her body to where she was wet and eager for his touch. His lips against her, tasting her womanly nectar made her writhe with the exquisite torture of it. His tongue licked at her clit, slowly, torturously, until she could not help but plead for more.
"Oh, Lucas, please!” she cried out.
But Lucas wasn't going to stop until he had had his fill. Sonja's orgasm took hold of her instantly. She could only hold on to him and press herself to his lips as sensation after sensation rolled over her. Lucas kissed his way back up her body until he reached her lips. She could taste her own body on him, and it made her feel sexy and powerful.
"Lucas, I want you now,” Sonja said between kisses.
Lucas said nothing. He pulled her to him roughly and wrapped her legs around his waist, driving himself deep inside her. His hand slipped under her, pulling her hips closer to him.
"Is this what you want? Hmm? Me inside you, making you moan?” he growled against her ear.
"Yes, Lucas, yes,” she gasped in ecstasy. “Take it all, my love."
Lucas growled low in his throat. He filled her over and over again. The sound of two bodies wet and slick filled the room. Sonja could feel herself going over the edge of reason once again. She wanted him there with her.
"Lucas, I'm going to ... please come with me,” she cried out.
"Yes, my love, I'm with you,” he moaned against her.
The orgasms that hit them took their breaths away. Sonja opened her eyes to see Lucas arch in absolute pleasure. For an instant, he looked like a wolf howling at the moon, before his head fell against her waiting chest. Their breathing was the only sound that filled the room.
"Wow,” Sonja said. She was no innocent when it came to sex, but this level of intensity was new to her.
"Uh-huh,” was his muffled reply. For the first time in days, the pain was gone, and he felt human again.
They lay there in silence for a few minutes before Sonja spoke, “Are you in pain?"
"No; not now. I feel ... hungry,” Lucas admitted.
Sonja snorted. “Typical man: get some nookie and want food afterwards."
"I haven't eaten in a few days,” Lucas said.
"You mean all this time, you haven't eaten? You were in too much pain to eat?” she said, outraged. “You should have come to me sooner.” Sonja pushed him off her and sat up.
"Sorry,” he said with a boyish look.
Sonja looked at him, smiled, and tousled his short hair. “I'll make you something to eat."
She got up and held her hand out to him. He took it and stood to face her. Lucas kissed her once again, this time with a tenderness that belied the fierce passion of a few moments ago.
"Thank you, Sonja. You are my beloved,” he whispered with his forehead against hers.
"You keep saying things like that, big guy, and we won't ever get to eat,” she said with a smile. But the words made her heart leap. She knew that soon they would have to face the ultimate choice. And she did not know if she had the strength to do it. Until that time, she would hold him and soothe him, until not even her love could stop the beast within.
* * * *
Sonja fed him, and Lucas ate ravenously. The pain he had gone through for the last few days seemed a distant memory. But he knew what was coming. He could feel the beast within him struggling to break free. He smiled to himself, knowing Sonja had subdued it just a littl
e. Sonja had made him eggs, sausages, and toast. He seemed happier and brighter; every time he looked at her, he smiled.
Lucas finally sat back from his second helping of food. He felt content and horny once again. He gave her a look this time that was filled with lustful intentions.
"Lucas, why are you looking at me like that?” Sonja inquired.
"I'm just wondering how it would be to get dirty with you in the shower,” Lucas replied.
"Wouldn't we be getting clean in the shower?” Sonja teased.
"Not with what I'm planning."
Sonja was up and moving in seconds, stripping off the clothes she had put back on. “I'll race you there,” she called over her shoulder.
Lucas moved with lightning speed down the hall, picking her up off her feet along the way. Her squeal as he lifted her made him smile. The water was hot against their skin, but Lucas knew it was the heat between them that was causing the steam. He pressed his body against her from behind. Lucas feathered light kisses down her neck. His hands ran soapy lather across her skin, down the smooth surface of her stomach and thighs. As the water rinsed the soap away, Sonja spread her legs wider to accept his probing fingers.
"Oh, Lucas, yes,” she moaned. Her head leaned back against his wide chest.
Lucas reveled in the feel of her and how openly she accepted his touch. His soapy hands caressed her full, naked breasts, squeezing and massaging them, and he licked her neck. In an act of wild abandon, he pressed her against the cool tiles of the shower walls.
"Are you ready to take me, beloved? Will you take me inside you like this?” he growled against her ear.
"God, yes. Like that, Lucas, just like that,” Sonja begged.
Lucas slipped inside her slowly, feeling himself sink inside her wet pussy while her bottom cradled him. Sonja wiggled against him, as if trying to take more of him inside her. Her movements drove him crazy, and Lucas grabbed her hips, pounding himself inside her over and over again. Whatever small hold on restraint they'd had fell away. Soon the room was filled with their moans and cries of ecstasy. He turned her to him suddenly and ravished her mouth as he wrapped her legs around his waist and plunged inside her once again.