Ariella was finishing up her work for the day. She had made a good amount of progress on Lucian’s project and she was anxious to discuss it with him. She exited the board room that had become her office over the past few weeks.
She was walking by the security offices, on her way to see Lucian, when she suddenly felt the urge to go inside. There was a large cluster of monitors on the far left wall that seemed to call her name. Ignoring everyone in the office, she moved towards the wall. Once she got close enough to look at the screens she immediately recognized the subject. It was none other than Robert Lewis.
Ariella’s heart rate increased and her breathing grew heavy. Her hand was shaking and she felt faint. She wasn’t even in the same room as him yet she was scared. Robert was seated at one of the casino’s bars and appeared to be having a conversation with another patron who was seated next to him.
All of a sudden Lucian appeared on the screen. Ariella’s breathing completely stopped as she watched him walk towards Robert. He tapped his shoulder and Ariella exhaled when Robert turned to face him. Lucian said something, looking straight into Robert’s eyes. Robert slowly nodded and got up from the chair, following Lucian out of the bar.
The men disappeared from the screen and Ariella’s heart sank. What was Lucian doing? Didn’t he know how dangerous Robert was? Ariella knew Lucian was out for blood, he had said as much after Robert’s attack on her.
Ariella frantically searched the other monitor screens until she found the men again. Lucian had led Robert to the basement parking garage. The two men had just exited the elevator when Lucian tackled Robert. Robert landed with a hard thud on the concrete. He rolled over and landed a solid blow to Lucian’s ribs. The two continued to go back and forth, neither one seeming to have the upper hand.
All of a sudden, Lucian’s eyes seemed to change and his whole demeanor shifted. He looked fierce, ready to end their fight. His fangs dropped and his fingernails turned into claws as he took hold of Robert’s head. Robert was on his knees and his head fell back at Lucian’s hold. Lucian leaned down and said something in Robert’s ear and he started to scream, blood oozing out of where Lucian’s claws had dug into his skin.
In a movement faster than she could predict, Lucian ripped Robert’s head clean off his body. He stood motionless and Robert’s decapitated body swayed until it hit the ground, blood pooling around the neck. Lucian held the head in the air for a moment before disappearing from the screen.
Ariella stood in shock. She couldn’t believe what she had just seen. Was that real? Even though she didn’t want to believe it was, deep down she knew it was true. Lucian had collected his debt and then some. The man, no, the creature she had seen on that screen was a complete stranger to the Lucian she knew.
Everything that they’d shared now seemed tainted and foul. How could she be with someone so ruthless? Without another thought, Ariella dashed out of the office and took the stairs to the lobby. From there she hailed a cab to take her back to her apartment. She was done with Lucian, and needed the distance. Hopefully she could put all of this behind her and go on as if nothing had happened.
At least that’s what she told herself.
Chapter Eight
Lucian couldn’t believe he had let the beast take over earlier. He was walking past the bar when he spotted Robert Lewis. Instantly he’d found himself moving in Robert’s direction. Lucian had wanted to cause the man pain for what he had done to Ariella, but he hadn’t planned on killing him. His inner self had thought otherwise, and didn’t waste any more time, instead choosing to rip Robert’s head clean off.
The smell of Robert’s blood had hit Lucian like a tidal wave. All of his senses came alive and demanded to be fed. Knowing what was coming, Lucian fled from the parking garage. He’d barely made it to his house before the beast completely took over. He grabbed a handful of bagged blood and swiftly drank them.
The blood lust tampered down as the bagged blood flowed through his veins. It wasn’t human blood like the beast wanted, but it would have to do. Lucian was already feeling remorseful for what had happened, he didn’t need to add drinking human blood on top of it all.
Feeling depleted in both mind and body, Lucian decided to get some rest. He was exhausted. His beast hadn’t come out in a long time and he had forgotten how taxing it was. As he closed his eyes, Ariella filled his mind.
He quickly pushed all thoughts of her away, not wanting to mar her image with his own shortcomings.
* * *
Waking up the next morning was rough, to say the least. Every part of Lucian’s body was sore and he felt his age for once. He knew that one sip of warm human blood would easily soothe him but it wasn’t worth it, animal blood would have to do.
As he was getting dressed, there was only one thing on his mind. Ariella. Where was she? He hadn’t heard from her and it was unlike them not to talk throughout the day. Granted he had been preoccupied yesterday, but there should at least be a missed call or text. He quickly dialed her number and waited for her to pick up.
After a handful of rings the call went to voicemail. Lucian left a message urging her to call him back. He hung up the phone and was filled with a sense of unease. Something was wrong, very wrong.
Deciding that he needed to see her face to face, Lucian left his house to go in search of Ariella. He needed to make sure that she was okay, and more importantly that they were okay.
* * *
Ariella jumped when she heard the knock on her door. She was curled up on the couch, watching soap operas on TV. She had hoped that watching other people’s drama would help her forget her own but it wasn’t working out like she’d hoped.
Mumbling to herself, she got up and slowly walked to the door. She didn’t bother looking through the peep hole; she already knew who it was. She opened the door and Lucian’s face greeted her. He seemed to look genuinely concerned.
“Ariella, there you are. I was worried about you when I didn’t get a call or text.” Lucian moved to embrace her but she blocked his advancement. His beautiful face scrunched in confusion as he looked at her. “What’s wrong?” He asked.
Ariella took a deep breath, her mind replaying yesterday’s events. She could clearly recall the brutality of it, and she shivered. “I saw you yesterday,” she said softly.
At her words Lucian instantly stilled. He could feel his heart stop at the thought of her knowing what had happened yesterday. “I’m not sure what you mean,” he tried to deflect.
She shook her head violently. How dare he try to avoid his actions. “Don’t,” she said sternly. “Do not think that you can lie to me about what you did. I saw you on the security monitor. I watched everything. From you approaching him in the bar all the way until you stole his life away.” Ariella was shaking as she spoke. “I know that Robert wasn’t a kind man but you took his life. Don’t you think that was a little much?”
“Ariella, please let me explain,” Lucian pleaded. “Yesterday when I saw him, the vampire inside of me took notice and before I knew what was happening he was already dead.”
“What kind of explanation is that supposed to be? You killed him, you take the responsibility. I was struggling with accepting you as a vampire and now I’m not sure I can.” She crossed her arms, needing the comfort they offered.
“What is that supposed to mean?” Lucian asked. His concerned expression from before was gone, replaced with one that was closed off.
“It means that I don’t think I want to be a part of your world. Your life.” Ariella tried to avoid his hard stare but he made it impossible.
“And you’re sure about this? I don’t even get a chance to try to change your mind?” She nodded her head yes. Lucian took in a deep breath and exhaled. “Alright then, if that’s how you feel about me. I’m sorry that you couldn’t see past this to what could have been. Remember that when you lie awake at night, wondering what went wrong.” With that he turned and walked away.
Ariella closed the door and slid down to the floor, her back a
gainst the door. She pulled her knees up and buried her head as the tears fell. She silently cried as her heart was breaking. She had done this to herself and the pain was almost unbearable.
Chapter Nine
Ariella opened her apartment door and stood there stunned by the sight in front of her. Flowers were everywhere, filling her tiny apartment to the brim. Every color was present and each flower was something different than the last. She wasn’t sure how he had done it, but it left her breathless.
It had been close to three weeks since they had last spoken. She had found herself dialing his number, only to hang up before she called. Ariella had always thought she lived an okay life; she was content with how things had been. So why was it that when she tried to return to that she wasn’t happy anymore?
Lucian. He was the reason. And he was right in what he’d said. Looking back, Ariella couldn’t understand what her problem was. Because it was her problem, not Lucian’s. She was the one who was unsure and looking for an excuse, when all he had asked her to do was have an open mind.
She was still standing frozen in her apartment doorway when she heard footsteps behind her. Ariella turned around and came face to face with Lucian. Her hungry eyes greedily took him in. Dark jeans and a long sleeved shirt made him look relaxed, a definite change from his business attire. His cheeks were scruffy and even rough looking, he was still beautiful. She wanted nothing more than to run to him and jump into his arms, but this was his move. She would wait.
“I hope you like the flowers,” he said. “I wasn’t sure which ones were your favorite, so I got them all.”
Ariella smiled, loving the fact that he would go to so much trouble. “I love them, all of them. You really didn’t have to though.”
“I know, but I wanted to.” His blue eyes found hers. “I miss you,” he said simply.
“I miss you too. I have so much to apologize for, I don’t even know where to begin,” she admitted. “I shouldn’t have treated you the way I did, it wasn’t fair to you or to us.”
Lucian reached out and took her hands in his. He gently ran his thumb back and forth. “I’m a vampire, and there is nothing I can do to change that. And because of that, my life is vastly different than that of a human one. Although we live side by side, our values and beliefs aren’t always the same. Things that seem acceptable to a human aren’t necessarily acceptable to a vampire and vise versa.”
He continued on, “What you saw with Robert, that was me. It was my beast that was acting, but it and I are one, so it was me that killed him. I take complete responsibly for my actions. There will be some times when my beast will come out again. I can control it to a certain degree, but I can’t always hone it in. But once again, that is me. I’m a vampire and that is who I am.” He paused before continuing. “If we are going to be together, and I hope we are, you will have to accept me as I am, all of me, the good and the bad. Let’s just hope there will be more good than bad.”
“When you put it like that, how can I say no?” She joked. “I promise to be open and more understanding. I won’t be quick to judge things that I don’t completely understand. I’ve come to realize that my life without you is not the life I want to live. I love you, you’re what I want and I will do anything for you,” she said as her hand gently rubbed his cheek. “Now, let’s work on that good stuff you were talking about.”
“I love you too.” Lucian smiled as he bent down to kiss her. The kiss was filled with all the longing of the past weeks and the joy of being together again.
The End
The Wolf’s Kitten
Shifter Romance
About the Book
How far will you go to save the life of your sister.
When Lelani disappears in the blink of an eye, Luna is forced to find out. She is confronted by this cold, fear and she is pushed to the very limits and beyond what she thought she could do.
When Lelani woke up in the house of Crimson Claw, with no memory of how she got there, it was clear to her that she was abducted. She is mischievous and calculating until she is offered a sexy werewolf as her bodyguard. Will she be able to fight her feelings to carry out her plan of escape?
Chapter One
The asphalt blurred under Jack’s heel, his knees sent him flying south along the road. The plan had worked and he had Lelani. He always wanted her so badly and this was victory. It almost could have gone worse. The other people had seen him with his backside hanging out the cabin window, Lelani in his arms and about to start running.
The werewolves didn’t care about the vertical surfaces. Jack tried to stay in human form while he held Lelani. She was freezing. He took a header into the bushes; he shifted on his way down. He ran in a flat sprint for his cabin while his legs and heart pumped. Every branch etched against his vision. He knew Lelani’s people would look for her especially her sister Luna. Howling through the woods, he shifted to a wolf again and propelled to the other side using his paws. Paws were good for many things but not carrying Lelani. He had to shift again to human form.
Lelani opened her eyes as Jack put her on the bed. She looked up and saw three men looking at her. She sat on the bed as she tried to cover her nakedness. She was terrified and the alcohol was wearing off. She started remembering how Jack lured her into his trap.
Lelani sat at the elegant marble bar, an un-drunk glass of champagne bubbling in front of her. The reason the champagne was un-drunk was apparent upon further inspection. On the rim of the glass, a tiny silver winged figure sat. His feet were dipping into the champagne. The amber colored wine swished around the glass as he moved his tiny feet back and forth. Lelani pinned the tiny fairy with her angriest glare.
“My last date was a disaster, Clint. What made you think that an unwashed werewolf would be a fitting lover for the lioness of history?”
Clint gave the lioness an abashed glance. “Now Lelani it wasn’t that bad. I mean granted, he smelled a bit… woodsy.”
“Woodsy?!” Lelani sputtered. “He smelled like he hadn’t bathed in months. Perhaps I could have overlooked the fragrance.” Lelani made a moue of disgust.
“Certainly he was handsome enough. If it hadn’t been for…”
The tiny fairy held up his hand. “I know, I know. I should have checked out his educational background a bit better. That’s completely my fault.” She knew that was sarcastic.
“He thought I was Cleo, Clint. Not Lelani the Lioness, but Cleopatra Philopator, last pharaoh of Egypt. Cleopatra! Who not only was a mortal, but has been dead for almost two thousand years.” The lioness put a hand up to her aching head.
“I realize we lionesses aren’t as well known in this millennium as we once were. I understand, truly I do. However, don’t you think, Clint, if you were trying to find me a mate, you might have at least stopped to check and make sure your candidate knew who I was first? When he realized I wasn’t the Egyptian seductress, he got all pouty and barely spoke to me the rest of the night!”
Clint blushed. “Yes, I probably should have thought that through better. At least he was better than the first guy!” The fairy said brightly, trying to put a positive spin on the terrible date.
Lelani gave Clint an exasperated sigh. “Oh yes. I will give you that. At least the werewolf didn’t try to enslave me! Why did you try to set me up with a sloth?” The tiny fairy flushed, his whole body taking on a pink hue.
“Hugh is an old friend of mine. When he heard I was trying to find you a mate, well… he volunteered. I thought you two would hit it off. I sort of forgot…”
“What did you forget Clint? That Sloth enslave women with poisoned sweat glands? Of course Hugh volunteered. If I wasn’t immune to those sorts of enchantments, Hugh would have been the only sloth with a pet lioness. Yuck by the way. That was revolting. I’ve never been gladder to be invulnerable to mortal female ailments. Why are you friends with a sloth anyhow?”
“It’s a long story involving my ex-mate.” Clint muttered under his breath. He plunged on louder “I kn
ow the last two guys weren’t exactly your cup of tea Lelani. I already apologized about Hugh. Just hang in there with me. I promise tonight’s guy is going to be perfect!” Lelani shook her head and gently poked the fairy.
“He had better be. I realize you are trying for a promotion Clint, but I only promised you three chances. If this guy is another stinker, we are done. Now will you please get your feet out of my drink? Fairy foot doesn’t exactly add to the taste.” Clint obliged her. When she tried a sip, Lelani wrinkled her nose in disgust.
“You owe me a new glass of champagne. Waiter!”
While the waiter brought the lioness a new drink, Lelani looked around the elegant immortals only restaurant where she was meeting her third blind date. A mixed crowd of fey, vampires and other beings of mortal legend sat at linen draped tables, eating and enjoying each other’s company. A dark skulking movement in the corner of her eye caused the muse to turn. However, Lelani could see nothing that matched the dark shadow she thought she had glimpsed.
“Clint, did you see something odd just now?” The lioness asked, turning back to her tiny companion.
“Huh? No I didn’t notice anything, beyond all the normal strangeness.” He indicated the entire restaurant. “Don’t worry our guy should be here any minute now.” Clint said in an attempt to placate her. Lelani continued to look around the restaurant, trying to figure out what had drawn her eye. That was when she saw him. A striking man was being escorted to a lone table by the host, a bouquet of narcissus in his hand. He was dressed in an impeccably cut Italian suit, his slightly long, dark brown hair was bound back with leather thong. Put him in armor, and he would easily have been at home on a Greek battlefield. Lelani gave a little sigh of longing. She hadn’t thought they made men like that anymore. He certainly wasn’t anyone she recognized from the old world.
ROMANCE: SHAPESHIFTER ROMANCE: Dragon Baller's Bride (Dragon Shifter Alpha Male Romance) (Paranormal Romantic Suspense) Page 78