Chocolate Damsel

by A. C. Mason

  He brushed her cheek with the back of his hand. “I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

  She shied from his caress, then ducked under his arm and hustled to the inner courtyard.

  Griselda rushed across the room over to her. “Are you okay?”

  Alexia nodded. Though she worried she brought more danger to the pack, physically she was fine.

  Cathen stood a few feet back, watching.

  “Alexia,” Griselda said, her tone rising in pitch, “don’t be alone with a male until you have decided whether you will remain with the pack.”

  “I wasn’t.” She rubbed her shoulders. Was she to hide among the females? Though she loved being with them despite the emotional drain, she’d yet to understand their ways. And today a man’s life ended because of her. How could she feel good about that?

  * * * *

  In the inner courtyard of the chateau, Alexia sat on an ornately designed cement bench. Much of the pack was still asleep, though it neared midday, but not Cathen. She could sense him, watchful over her since she’d slipped out of the room with the unmated females. A strange comfort and excitement plagued her from this knowledge. Since the incident by the river, he was never far behind. Twice now he had saved her.

  Each of the pack members carried a pain she’d been sucked in by in the last three days. The death of their mate or child. Even the young ones. They’d lost parents in horrid ways. Her body ached from their sorrow. Yet, she couldn’t help but try to comfort them.

  Hours at a time without singing a note or being filled with the joy music brought to her was wearing her thin.

  Alexia gathered her knees up to her chest and rocked. “Aem y teo ova maya emous.” Where did those words come from, and what language were they? What did they mean? The words felt as though she were hoping for something she had yet to know.

  Gabby yawned as she entered the courtyard. “I do love the velvet inflection of your voice.” The blonde rubbed her groggy eyes.

  “We all do.” Malian followed a few steps behind. “What were you singing? I’ve never heard that before.”

  Griselda appeared at the archway at the far end of the courtyard by the trees. “It is in the old tongue. The song a young Shunu female sings to seek her true love.”

  Alexia had never given much thought to finding a husband. Maybe being amongst the pack stirred up the need for a family of her own. The close group wove together like a complex tapestry pattern. Each of them needed the others. If one faltered, another member picked them up.

  As the two entered the space, the once peaceful court filled with the weight of heavy hearts.

  “Do you know any more of the song?” Gabby sat next to her, and wrapping an arm around her, tipped her head to her shoulder. Alexia shook her head. Cathen stood in the window, arms crossed with his broad chest framed in the iron grids. He fixed his intense amber eyes on her.

  “VanWolf sings too.” Malian chuckled. “More parody than lyrical like you, but I think it’s his way of coping with what he struggles to accept.”

  Griselda nodded with a smile. “I’m going to get started on breakfast.”

  VanWolf intrigued and scared Alexia. The deep admiration the pack held for him was clear, and hiding her only put them at more risk. The possibility was there that if VanWolf didn’t like her, the pack could send her away. Why hadn’t they sent her to those they were working with? The Alpha was the key to her ability to remain. She needed to prove herself worthy of the risk they had taken for her to stay amongst them. But how?

  “I’ll clean up.” Alexia did her best to pitch in with chores and tending to the young.

  The older pack members’ comings and goings went into the wee hours of the morning. Deep down she suspected what they were up to--more rescue missions like her own. None of them spoke of their plans in front of her. She had to find a way to get them to trust her to aid them.

  “I’ll help her.” Gabby took hold of her hand.

  With her blue-green eyes bright, Malian sped over to Griselda. “Can I cook? Pleeease?”

  “Not if we’d like to eat something today, but I could use someone to set the table.” Griselda flashed a smile her way.

  Alexia and Gabby were alone. Hot sun beamed down from straight above. The scent of flowers and hot dirt filled each breath she took. Gabby’s tension pulsated into Alexia, raising her heart rate.

  “What worries you?” She turned to her companion.

  Gabby sighed. “We aren’t to talk about it with you.”

  Jean. The name crashed into her body. A dull ache rested in Gabby’s heart. “I know, but it’s more than the tension I feel with the others. Do you love someone?”

  “It doesn’t matter. Jean has picked a human mate.” She sighed. “My heart is his, but he does not see me as more than a child.”

  “Oh, Gabby.” Alexia hugged the blonde. Gabby wasn’t much younger than her, perhaps twenty-one, and already her heart belonged to a male she could not be with. Tears spilled from the corner of Gabby’s bright sky blue eyes. “Jean will need your strength soon. Pain will fill him that only you can mend.”

  Gabby pulled her closer. “You’re such a joy. And even if you are saying this to make me feel better, I’d gladly take your words. I fear, though, that your body gathers all of our pain. Being who you are you cannot help but share our burdens. What a toll this--we must take on you… When you sing, that chases away the sorrow you feel from us, doesn’t it?”

  She nodded.

  “Hum to your heart’s content. We all love hearing you sing.” Gabby tugged her hand. “Come, I want to show you something.”

  Once pulled inside past the inner wall to the rear hall, she hurried along, matching Gabby’s footsteps.

  “Here you’ll only feel good.” Gabby lowered herself to a small round opening in the wall. As she peeked in, light shone in her eye. Pink flushed her cheeks. She pulled back and leaned on the wall on the other side. “Come see,” she whispered, gesturing.

  A ribbon of fluid heat wove through Alexia. Warmth burst in her chest and expanded in her core. “I don’t know.”

  Gabby lifted her index finger to her lips and nodded.

  Alexia bent down in front of the one inch round opening. Moans, gasps and grunts followed by panting came to her. On the other side of the opening naked bodies lay tangled. Of the eight mated pack members who were rarely seen, four slept on an array of pillows. Berend, mate to Henna, held Kirsa in his arms, embracing her breasts while thrusting his buttocks between her legs. Kirsa’s mate, Deiderich, kissed the folds between Henna’s thighs.

  A new sensation twisted inside Alexia’s core, and though flustered, she couldn’t turn away as Kista sucked Deiderich’s length into her mouth.

  Joy and pleasure crashed against her.

  “Gabriella Leah VonWulf, I can assume this is your doing,” Cathen said.

  Alexia turned with Gabby and crawled back. Cathen stood, arms crossed at the top of the hall, staring down at them.

  Gabby swallowed, then nodded.

  “I’ll deal with you after. Off you go.” He pointed toward the kitchen.

  What did that mean, he’d deal with her after? Alexia rose to follow.

  “You’re not excused.” Cathen shifted his stare to her and advanced, stopping in front of the hole.

  Gabby’s footsteps rushed off down the hall.

  Alexia was alone with Cathen.

  This was all she needed, to find herself in trouble for breaking some kind of pack rules. Next time she wouldn’t let Gabby lead her down the garden path. Had she let him down? He’d been the one to ensure she joined the pack. Would he now have to tell her she was no longer welcome?

  He bent down and gazed into the room with the mated pack members. “Hmm.” His breathing slowed, then it deepened. The amber of his eyes flickered gold.

  “I’m sorry.” Overwhelmed by the mix of fear and regret, tears welled. A droplet slid down her cheek. What must he think of her, invading others’ intimate sharing?r />
  “Why the tears?” He turned to her.

  “I’ve disappointed you.” She wiped the stream of wetness from her face.

  “I’m worried about you. We all are. You seem to absorb others’ less pleasant emotions, managing to alleviate some of our burden. Our pains are great, and we must wear on you.”

  “This is nothing compared to what all of you have done, and are doing for me. If I can help in any way, please let me know.” She held her head up. God, if she only knew what she was getting herself into…but she had to do something.

  “That’s out of the question.” Cathen leaned in and placed his hand on the wall above her head. He encased her with his broad frame. “You must stay out of what we are doing. Do you understand?”

  “Yes.” She sighed.

  “Good. If the sensations you pick up here help ease the edge, I don’t see why you can’t sit near the mated pairs’ room. But watching without invitation or approval is discouraged, and that goes for Gabby too. I expect you to make sure she isn’t intruding on others’ privacy.” He touched her cheek with his palm and trailed down to her jaw line.

  Flames danced beneath his touch. Discouraged? Not exactly what she expected him to say.

  A light stroke with the tip of his finger to her chin, and her nipples hardened. “If you want to watch we can always ask for their permission,” he said. “We are very open to what feels good as long as all parties are willing. However, as a single, you may not join in.”

  Join in? The man thought she wanted to take part. Her cheeks burned.

  Cathen touched the skin with his thumb. “You sure are something else, coquette.”

  A blaze scorched her skin beneath his touch. Fireflies buzzed in her chest and stomach.

  As he moved in closer, he held her gaze with his gold eyes.

  She parted her lips, awaiting the feel of his mouth on hers.

  “Alexia,” Griselda called from behind him.

  Now she’d be angry with her for being alone with a male. Peering at her from around his shoulder, Griselda smiled. Alexia relaxed.

  “Breakfast is ready. Come eat.” She waved her over.

  Cathen rose, then held out his hand for her.

  Alexia slipped her hand in his and stepped around him. Heat pulsed through her from the contact. She met his hungry gaze, then slipped from his grasp and hustled over to Griselda, who gestured to her to hurry, but held eye contact with Cathen.

  * * * *

  Alexia’s stomach twisted. Soldiers marched up the pathway to the chateau. Her legs hurt from the pace Griselda ran, directing her to the river’s edge. She couldn’t remember the last hour. Griselda had put her to sleep to hide a message for her brother that no one but he could retrieve on her body.

  A large wolf with white fur, the hairs black tipped, watched from a distance. Cathen.

  “Where are you going?” Griselda probed her for the fourth time.

  “The core of Paris to see Engel VanWolf on rue Saint Antoine.” Over the past few days, the pack had become family to her. Any one of them would lay down their life for her. Now this was her chance to show them she would do the same for them. Being caught meant death and failure. Not an option.

  “Good. Do your best to stay out of sight. Cathen will watch over you as long as he can.” Griselda hugged her tight, crushing her.

  A kiss to each cheek was all Alexia would allow before she turned. “Your brother and I will meet up with you shortly.” She said those words as much for Griselda as herself, then took off jogging.

  Dusk fell. At least the night would provide her cover. Water splashed on her boots, but she wouldn’t leave the banks of the riverbed. Down there, she could mask her scent from the werewolves the pack warned her about.

  She sensed Cathen stop. A howl carried on the breeze as though he told her to stay low and out of sight. His strong energy moved away, paused.

  “I’ll be fine,” she whispered under her breath in hope it would ease his conscience and act as a silent prayer for her.

  The male presence vanished.

  Dark puffs of smoke rose into the sky. Red from the explosions reflected off the grayish clouds. The world had gone insane, and she was trapped deep in the belly of madness.

  If she died tonight, she’d fail the pack. She refused to.

  Male voices above her startled her. She pressed her body to the dirt and rock, trying to remain out of sight. An engine rumbled. Please God, spare her so she could help the pack. The vehicle slowed down. Thunder pounded inside her chest. Her hands trembled and breathing grew labored.

  They sped off, casting dirt. She tucked in close to avoid the spray.

  As she drew closer to the city, she picked up her pace. Daylight faded in the distance. A few stars managed to shine through the thick covering of smoke in the sky.

  At this very moment, she’d have made a deal with the devil himself to make it through the night, but it seemed he had no interest in her. Would she die? If she did, would her life be considered a waste? Her accomplishments were little to nothing. She needed to make a difference in the world.

  At least the darkness provided her a veil.

  The outer streets of the city were vacant but for the patrolling soldiers. Most would be barely old enough to vote back home or enlist. Children fought at the front line of wars.

  How she longed for the suffering to end. Somehow, this only felt like the beginning. Death driven by the desire for a pure race. She was the furthest thing from being untainted. If caught, she too would be cleansed from the earth.

  Worry from the citizens inside the stone buildings cascaded into her body. She placed her hand on a rock and gasped for air. She needed to pull herself together. Splitting pain coursed through her head.

  Something vile shot a shiver up her spine. A creature followed her. A game of cat and mouse was underway, and she was the prey. Who wanted to harm her, and why? Not even the river provided cover from this hunter. She climbed up from the bank onto a pathway between rows of trees and leaned against a trunk. The agony coming from the residents in the houses mirrored the night Paris was taken. She needed to silence the emotions hitting her from all directions.

  Chapter 5

  Three SS storm troopers tossed between them a petite female in a bell-shaped hat, oversized trench coat and boots dripping with mud. Her caramel skin and eyes like emeralds dazzled him. She was damn near the prettiest little thing VanWolf had ever seen. A rising Moulin Rouge star. He’d seen her in the show before Paris fell. The tallest soldier snatched at her breast, and she backed away. Her cheeks shimmered with tears. She pressed her lips tightly together. Fear saturated the dank night.

  “I get her next.” The porky one stepped forward.

  The urge to teach these young fiends a lesson in manners woke the animal inside.

  The youngest male’s narrowed eyes met his. “Regiment Leader VanWolf.” He saluted. The gray uniform blended in with the stone building and street. A ghostly pale baby face stared at him.

  Snapping his arm forward, VanWolf returned the address. To keep up appearances with such cruelties surrounding him grew more difficult by the day.

  The teary woman trembled. She pleaded for his help with her wide eyes. The city streets echoed with soldiers’ voices as they preyed on the innocent. Red and yellow from explosions lit the smoke-filled sky. Bangs and gunfire played in an orchestra of horror in the distance. This was nothing like the Paris he fell in love with. And humans thought Shunus were animals.

  “What do you have here?” VanWolf cupped his chin in his hand, then stroked the stubble.

  “A pretty little tart we’re about to have our fill of.” The larger one clutched her arm as his hungry stare ate her whole. Pride radiated from the width of a fool’s grin.

  Moonlight cast on the streams of droplets cascading down her flesh. She whimpered.

  Angered by such cruelty, he squeezed his hand into a fist. He needed to get her out of sight. As he drew near, an innocent fragrance rose from the ch
ocolate damsel, untouched and ripe for the picking. The unusual scent worked like a calling card. No wonder a werewolf tracked her and had led him there.

  “Perfect, exactly what I was looking for.” As he took hold of her other arm, he arched an eyebrow. Gaze cast down, she shuffled her feet, no doubt frightened by him. “Get back to your patrols.”

  “Yes, sir.” The larger one released her, then turned slowly and rejoined the others as they marched away. “Watch out, she’s feisty.”

  “I’m counting on it.” VanWolf’s lips lifted to one side, exposing teeth.

  She tugged her arm. “Please.”

  He chuckled. “Struggle as you may, beauty. You are coming home with me.” Just in case, he’d keep up appearances.

  “You filthy animal.” A charming accent, maybe American. However, her words were cruel.

  Hadn’t he just rescued her?

  “You’re a monster.” Stepping on an uneven stone, she flopped to one side.

  “How true your words are.” He lifted her. “So don’t make this anymore difficult on yourself.”

  Where had the werewolf vanished to? Did he pick up the scent of another predator and go for reinforcements, or was it only his job to watch? A whiff of General Straks forced him into the small cobblestone alley. The man’s reputation left a lot to be desired. A sadistic fellow who was into hurting the young pretty ones.

  “Don’t struggle, or you’ll find yourself in much worse hands than mine, doll.”

  Dilated pupils searched through the dark corner he backed her into. He hoisted her up between him and the gray brick wall, then hiked her navy and white polka dot dress to her hips. Garter attachments held her stockings to her beige girdle. Her legs spread to a v-shape, leading to her thin matching panties. The feminine fragrance went straight to his crotch. He pulled out his erection and pressed the head to the satiny inside of her thigh.

  “I’m going to kiss you. Play along.” Warmth radiated past him from her.

  She met his gaze with her pretty green eyes. “Haven’t I been?” Her sweet mint breath filled his nostrils, enticing him.