Chocolate Damsel

by A. C. Mason

  “You know as well as I do, whatever happened between you two has Alexia’s emotions all over the map. Given her age and innocence, sleeping with you will only further her spiral of confusion. Think of what this will do to her.” She stood. “If you do not intend to be her partner, do not put her through the anguish that will follow.”

  “I’ve made my decision.” He turned his back to her. “Denying myself has only made me dangerous. She’ll have all of you to help her recover. I won’t discuss this matter further. Leave me be.”

  Gabby burst into the room. “Alexia’s been taken!” She gasped. “Cathen went after her. Her tracks vanished at the end of town where he smelled a male werewolf. The others have gone to search for her.”

  Engulfed by guilt, he made short work of his clothing. He transformed as he leapt out of the window onto the side of the building. He had let Alexia’s life slip through his hands.

  Emmiline’s words from the dream replayed. You will have to risk loving her or she will die. What would he do if his behavior cost her life? He wouldn’t allow that. Once he had her back in his arms, he would not let her go until he gave his life for hers.

  Chapter 16

  Alexia gasped.

  “Such a pretty woman,” said a male in a low voice, startling her foggy mind. Cool air washed over her back and bottom. She laid naked, face down on a soft bed, arms and legs stretched and bound. Curls fell loosely around her cheeks. A rough hand slipped beneath her belly and lifted her butt in the air.

  “Your fragrance is so pure and laced with many powerful spirits.” The man’s German accent was heavy. A breath blew over her exposed nub. Lust pounded into her from him. “You’re unaware of your own supremacy. Sad really, but I’ll teach you how to harness the monsters inside.”

  A barrage of footsteps on wood came from behind her. More males, and their tension felt like waves breaking against the shore of her body. A caressing hand traveled along her back.

  She tried to inch away, but the motion only spread her legs farther. “What do you want with me?”

  “My name is Rudolf Deifies.” He pushed his hand to his chest. “From this moment on your life will be as happy as I decide, and I will base your living conditions on how you behave. Simple. You can have a life of luxury if you so choose. Given my position as head of the Gestapo, nothing your heart desires would be withheld.”

  “And if I do not obey?” She lifted her head defiantly.

  Two coarse fingers pressed between her legs. She whimpered.

  “Then I’ll be more than happy to help explore your thresholds for pain. See how simple this is?” The pressure stopped as he pulled back. “Taking your innocence will be something I savor, but your experience will be determined by how well you behave.”

  Then why did he have her tied up like an animal? She was in deep trouble with no out in sight. Yet to see his face in the light, all she remembered were those intense black eyes devouring her.

  “But before I get to enjoy such a pleasure…” He licked his fingers. “I’m going to infect you with ancient Shunu blood.”

  Oh, no. Had this monster done something to her family? Tears welled, blurring her vision. Where was Mr. Tall and Brute when she needed him?

  “Scouring the area for a trace of you since last night.”

  Was that anger in VanWolf’s voice? For once, the tone wasn’t aimed toward her.

  “Just wait until I get my hands on him.” His harsh breathing echoed in her mind.

  At this point, she didn’t care how mad she was at him, she was happy he could speak with her. “How are you communicating with me this way?”

  “You don’t happen to know where you are, do you?”

  “No. A house with many men.” She sighed.

  Rudolf brushed the hair from her face and cupped her cheek. “Drink, under the full moon. You’ll be changed, and tomorrow, I shall feast on every part of you.” He pressed a vial to her lips.

  “Swig. Don’t give him reason to hurt you.”

  As VanWolf asked of her, she parted her lips, then swallowed the unknown’s blood. The thick, cold, syrupy fluid coated her tongue. Gross.

  “Tonight you shall see the depths of hell. Sleep well, my dear.” A door shut, then metal clanked behind her.

  “Shit.”

  If he cursed, this couldn’t be good. Goose bumps ran a trail from her head to her toes. Sweat burst on her skin. “I don’t feel so well.”

  “Listen to me. Your body is going to try and shut down. If you do, the shift will begin. Humans should never be left alone through a first change. I need you to talk to me, like the first night we met. Remember, Alexia?” His tone held a note of concern.

  The harsh way he spoke her name fanned the flames in her core as pain pulsated from every inch. The dryness of her lips forced her to pass her tongue over them, finding more of the sticky substance.

  “If I wasn’t so afraid, I wouldn’t speak to you.” Her eyelids drooped.

  He chuckled. “What a comforting thought, but I’d take you not talking to me over the danger you’re in, my witch, any time.”

  “Now who is being reassuring?” Slickness covered her skin. A sticky jelly coated her eyes. “What’s happening to me?”

  “You’re transforming on a cellular level.”

  A lightning pain shot through her body. “Make it stop. It hurts.” She gritted her teeth together.

  “Focus on something else. You never told me much about your brother?”

  “Oh, poor Jericho. Pretty as love from birth, but slow. With a heart made of gold.” Sadness filled her. The light of God shone from his innocence. “He didn’t know any better. He went with some boys from town. They pushed him in the rising river in the spring. One of them said he knew what they had done was wrong, yet he’d done nothing to stop them.” Tears burned her eyes. Much like her brother, she trusted people too much. But she had her gift, which told her when people had evil inside them and intended to harm her.

  “I’m sorry.” Silence. “I understand now why you took the money you had and went to Paris. You wanted to get as far away from all the sadness.”

  “Everything back home held memories of all those I’d lost.” Long brown fur pushed out from beneath her skin, aching. “Help me. I’m scared. I can’t become a wolf. I’ll be trapped.”

  “Like I’d let that happen. I’ve got plans involving your beautiful human female form. And my body exploring every inch.”

  “Great. I’m about to become a furry friend and you’re thinking about having your way with me.” A dull burning sensation throbbed through her.

  He grumbled. “It’s not as if I’ve been able to stop thinking about knowing all of you, angel.”

  “I prefer witch.” A screech from deep within escaped her. The agony in her fingers and toes as they cramped was unbearable.

  “You would.”

  Gunshots rang out. Boots stomped the wood floor as men shouted in German. Then growling, screams and howling echoed. More shots came.

  The door burst open and with each fluid forward movement, wolf became VanWolf.

  “You’re supposed to be talking, remember?” He grinned.

  How could she when he stood there naked, which flooded her mind with the memory of his taste?

  “I’m so sleepy.” As she fought her need to sleep, her eyelids grew heavier.

  He cut the rope restraining her. “Fight it.”

  “I’m not talking to you.” She turned her face from him.

  “Good thing I got myself shot saving you then.” He released the tight roping from her limbs.

  What? She examined his body. No signs of an injury, but there was a blood trail on the side of his defined pec. “What did you expect, coming in like John Wayne?”

  “Thank you for the concern.” He cradled her to his chest. “Luckily it’s just a flesh wound. I’ll live. I’m going to cover you in a blanket to keep the moon’s rays off you as we head to Lac des Brenets.”

  “We’re not going home w
ith the others?” Horror gripped her. She wanted to be with the pack.

  “No. And do not test my resolve on this, witch.” His tone wounded her. He wrapped a wool cover over her body as he carried her out.

  Chapter 17

  VanWolf set her down in the cab of a truck from the driver’s side. The pack destroyed the evidence and poured gasoline on the wooden structure. Cathen’s glance met with his, then he moved toward him. VanWolf shook his head.

  Cathen nodded, turned and rejoined Serafin as he tied up the male werewolf who’d dared to lay hands on Alexia. Once they drained him of information, they were sure to make his death painful.

  “Talk,” VanWolf said as he shuffled into pants he had found inside the wooden cabin and brought with him. The trembling mess she’d become worried him. “Well?” He got in, closed the door and started the vehicle.

  “I don’t want to go with you. Please.” The blanket cocoon moved farther away.

  Big surprise. “I know.” Shifting into gear, he reversed, then sped onto the road. “I’ve been lurking in your mind a while, doll.”

  “Jerk.”

  “Was that for the prostitute, peeking in on your thoughts, or my serenade, which you took completely the wrong way?” Good thing they didn’t have far to go.

  “All of them.” The strain in her voice shot to his heart. “I don’t want to talk about any of it.”

  “We need to.” He had to explain to her, make up for the pain and humiliation he’d caused her.

  “Why? You cannot make me feel better. You expect me to come to you while you chase every piece of tail, because you so desire.” She pushed into the door behind her.

  “No. I didn’t want to hurt you. Such pain in your eyes.” He slammed his hand on the steering wheel. “I should have come after you, but I thought if you believed I was a rake you’d be able to move on.” Pulling up on the shaded side of the lakefront house, he parked. “When I saw you with Cathen, it shredded my insides. Then to smell his effect on you created such rage. I poured my feelings out to you. If you’d listened to the rest of the words of the song you might have understood.”

  “So you didn’t mind moving on, but when I did, then you wanted me again?”

  He gathered her up on his lap and pushed back the coverings. From the inner wolf spirit light her green eyes glowed. Hair covered her skin. A new luster shone as pure misery strained her face. She’d never been more beautiful to him as right now.

  “I fought to keep you away from the broken old soul I am. Yet I could not stay away.” He pressed his head to hers. “Do you know how long I’ve waited for you, my Amyrsana, shaman to heal my severed heart?”

  Vigorously, she shook her head.

  “Centuries of wandering with no emotions. Just my duty to the pack kept me alive.”

  Luminescence radiated out from her every cell as her body eased transiently from human to spirit, proving the miracle of life. The universe had bent itself to the impossible. Rather than a werewolf, she’d become Shunu. Her wolf form, made from the spark of life. As she pressed forward, mist became solid molecules and she licked his skin above his heart.

  He chuckled. “Hey, you can’t mark me. It works the other way around. Since you’re new at this, I’ll let you off the hook.”

  “I’m a wolf?” she barked at him.

  “Actually, you’re a Shunu.” Far more radiant than any he’d ever seen.

  “This is impossible. I can’t be like you. Change me back. Fix me.” The sharpness in her eyes as she growled was sexy.

  He scratched her head. “I kind of like you this way. The copper color is beautiful with those big green eyes. And I know just the loup to chase such a fine tail.” Reaching over, he opened the door on her side. “I’m giving you a head start. Run, witch.”

  Her Shunu eyes widened. Then she tilted her head. She hopped out and trotted off. Amused, he stepped out into the glorious full moon night. The beams caused his body to tingle as he removed the pants. A swivel around the open truck door, and he picked up speed until he sprinted, his body buzzing with energy. Brilliant light shot from his cells as he became beast. The scent of her, like liquid sex, beckoned him.

  He howled. “I’m coming for you.”

  A few more strides and he pulled up next to her. She panted hard, poor thing. With a light nip to her ear, she halted.

  “Ouch.” She shook her head.

  He pinned her in the lush, tall grass. “Where do you think you’re going?”

  “Back to the pack.”

  Why hadn’t he suspected the wolf in her would have a stubborn streak? He couldn’t allow that. Not until… He licked along her snout. The soft fur of her paw pushed him away. Her breathing still labored.

  “Alexia.”

  “No, I want to go. Please, don’t force this on me.” She struggled to get up.

  The thumping of his heart slowed to a painful rhythm. Captivating her eyes into a hypnotic state, he used all his mental will to return to human form and force her body to do the same. His soul ached with despair. She didn’t want him. As he eased off her, she gathered her knees to her chest and sat up.

  Had his words been too little, too late? How he wished her desires didn’t matter to him, but the truth pained him. He lifted her and carried her back to the cabin. Her dazzling emerald eyes gazed into his as he set her down on the lone bed, sitting in front of her.

  “I’ve invoked first right. If you refuse me, you cannot return to the pack.” What choice did he have when she was slipping from him?

  “What?” She pulled the duvet over her naked body.

  “I could make you come to me, but I won’t.” The hurt of his words ached inside. “If you do not come to me willingly, you can’t go back. I’m sorry.”

  Tears slid from her eyes. “Why, why would you do this to me? “

  “Because I love you.” He wouldn’t let any more of his reckless behavior put her in danger. “Without what I feel for you, I am hollow.” He took hold of her hands, placed them on his heart. “Each beat from now until my death will be for you.”

  She gathered his face in her hands. “I can’t have you hurt me again.”

  He ran a hand through his unruly hair. “You disarmed me so easily. I tried everything to keep from feeling for you so strongly.” Cupping her jaw, he gazed into her pain filled eyes. “I want to mark you, then spend the rest of my days making you happy--adoring you.”

  He guided his mouth to hers. The flicker of hunger in her tongue encouraging him to deepen the kiss was pure bliss.

  “Promise me, no more pain.”

  “I promise.” Though he knew eventually his death would break his word. What else could he do? He refused to lose her.

  “Tell me you want me?” He hovered his lips over hers.

  “I do.” The scent of her breath moved into him.

  “Who do you belong with?” Held captive by her intense gaze, he waited.

  “You.” She took hold of his hands.

  He gathered her near, breathing out slowly. “I’ll be gentle.”

  “Why start now?” A bright smile lit her green eyes.

  The woman had a point. “Let me show you my adoration.”

  He pulled the blanket from between them, revealing her curvaceous figure. Assaulting her collarbone, he kissed down to her ample breasts, forcing her to lie back. A lap of her hard bud, and she gave a sweet moan. The fragrance of her arousal rose in the air, swirling around him. His erection throbbed with need as he slipped between her legs to find her wet folds. The tender flesh resisted, but he pressed himself to her opening, and covering her hot lips with his own, slowly entered her.

  She tore beneath his intrusion. She tensed, green eyes widened. She gripped onto his flesh with her nails.

  “Hold on.” He slid his hand to her palm and locked his fingers with hers. Slowly her tight inner walls wrapped around his width, accommodating his size.

  She cried out, teeth clenched.

  Lifting, he stared into her vulnerable gaz
e. In and out, he stretched her insides with each thrust, longing to know her release.

  He scratched a thin tear in her flesh above her heart, then licked the spot. “Mine from this moment forth. Yours forever.”

  “Yours from the first time you asked me to be.” The upward turn of her mouth melted him.

  He moved out and pumped back into her slick labia, strumming her swollen nub with his fingers, creating frantic gasps from her.

  “Please, VanWolf.” She matched his tempo.

  “Yes, my Treiama.” Sharp pumps followed. He yearned to quench the fire roaring between them.

  She clutched his back with her fingers. A luster of sweat covered her as they began to float upward. Light burst from her cells as he buried his need deep inside her.

  Spirit glowed from his body as waves of elation swept through their forms. The scar he carved in her flesh grew bright with starlight, rose and linked his heart to his soul.

  “You’ve made me whole once again.” He licked her nose.

  Energy matter moved back into the shells of their cells.

  As he kissed her gently, her thighs quivered, tears streamed down her face. Her inner muscles squeezed his shaft. She dropped back into the mattress and he thrust deeper.

  “Oh.” Her eyes flew open wide. A pool of bliss drowned the intensity.

  As he met her ecstasy with erratic motions, he spilled his seed. Like a glimpse of a full moon, she filled his heart with the knowledge of heaven on earth.

  She kissed his melted eyelid. “I love you, VanWolf.”

  “And I you, witch.” He held onto her.

  Chapter 18

  Alexia stared at VanWolf’s face. Morning light from the sun over the top of the truck’s cab beamed on his skin. Last night he’d told her he loved her, and bound them. Did that still hold true today?

  “Beauty lies next to me,” he said, gathering her to his chest, and traced from her forehead to the tip of her nose.

  She twisted the curls over his pec. “Do you love me?”

  “With all my heart.” VanWolf lifted her onto him. “Are you terribly sore from last night, my witch?”

  She shook her head. He’d been tender with her. “Why do you call me that?” The warm feel of his skin between her legs danced on the inside of her thighs. Her body wanted more of what they had shared last night.