A Wolf's Desire (Wolf Mountain Peak Book 2)

by Sarah J. Stone

Or say goodbye

  Love is a killer

  A homicidal fiend

  Love is a killer

  It'll be the death of me

  I got a target on my back

  For a cupid dressed in black

  Love is a killer

  It's killing me

  Love so sweetly beckoning

  I've seen your face

  Called your name

  I tasted tears you cried

  Lived in shadows in my mind

  Frozen here in time

  Don't leave me here to die

  Love is a killer

  A homicidal fiend

  Love is a killer

  It'll be the death of me

  I've got a target on my back

  For a cupid dressed in black

  Love is a killer

  It's killing me

  You fascinate and yet frustrate

  Demand so much of me, yeah

  I've had enough

  It's tearing me up inside

  Cross my heart, hope to survive

  You got a smoking gun

  Well don't shoot me love, no!

  You're a killer

  A homicidal fiend

  Love is a killer

  It'll be the death of me

  I've got a target on my back

  For a cupid dressed in black

  Love is a killer

  Love is a killer, no

  Love is a killer, no, no

  I got a target on my back

  For a cupid dressed in black

  Love is a killer

  It's killing me”

  Just like earlier, Kate hadn’t concluded her performance, before the audience gave her an even louder, warmer round of applause. Dean couldn’t see her entire face from his spot, but he could clearly make out the tiny drops of sweat that had formed on her forehead. He craned his neck, willing to catch a better glimpse of her. What he saw, both troubled and upset him. Kate was staring at the keys, chest heaving, as a tear rolled down her left cheek. It was at that moment that his curiosity peaked. He wouldn’t resist the urge of going to her any longer. Dean jumped from his seat, feeling his adrenaline rushing through his veins. He didn’t care about the repercussions anymore. All he wanted was to show her that he was there for her.

  “Fantastic.” A customer at a table behind her said. She picked up her glass and raised it to him, glancing at him over her shoulder, as Dean leaned his elbows against the piano cover. Interlocking his fingers, he sucked in a deep breath, as Kate turned her head around. In an instant, her glass slipped through her fingers, as she opened her eyes wide. Her drink spilled all over the floor, as the glass shattered to hundreds of tiny pieces.

  “Dean?” A gasp of disbelief escaped her, as their eyes met. “You…”

  “…heard everything.” he finished her sentence, his eyes opaque in the dim illumination. “I got here five minutes ago. I promised to listen to you, didn’t I?”

  “Yeah, but…”

  “Well, here I am.” Dean interrupted, as a polite smile spread across his face. “I’ll be listening to you all night long. Keep it up. You’re amazing.”

  As much as he desired to know more, once again, he would not pressure her. Her surprise convinced him to leave her alone. Kate was working; she could do without his questions. Dean shoved his hands into his pockets and sauntered back to his table, feeling quite a few pairs of eyes on him. Nevertheless, he would not look back at anybody. He didn’t care about what people felt or said about him. Kate was the only reason he was there, not her inquisitive fans.

  More sad notes tore the silence, seconds afterwards. This time, there was no brief narrative. Kate played and sang, as Dean watched her giving her best. She belonged there. This seemed to be more than a job for her. In her way, she was expressing herself; like his brother did with his paintings. Her fingers created the canvas, and her voice was the brush. For more than an hour and a half, she continued to pour her heart out, stealing glances at him, as she sang ballad after ballad. But, Dean was not content with that. He enjoyed each and every one of them; yet, he needed answers. Determined to know more, he did not move a muscle.

  Just after midnight, the bar was almost empty. The few remaining customers were about to leave, when the chandelier light slowly grew brighter. Kate reached forward and grabbed her sheet music, before rising from her seat. Dean waved her to the seat across from him. Still, she didn’t start towards him. She merely pursed her lips, and then turned around, sending him into a flurry of frustration. Why would she do that to him? Why would she treat a man who was so obviously interested in her well-being like that? Dean wouldn’t go back to Paxton without an explanation. He had no time to waste; he stood as she turned right to go out of the hall and into a narrow corridor. He sprinted across the bar, knocking a few chairs and a table down. By the time he reached the corridor in question, Kate was already outside a door. Dean hurtled towards her, clenching his fists. Fortunately, she made no attempt to avoid him any further. Instead, she stood in the middle of her dressing room, as he barged in.

  “Alright, what the hell was that?” He barked out, slamming the door shut, as he glared at her. “I drove a hundred and thirty goddamn miles to see you, and this is what I get?”

  “You shouldn’t have come here, Dean.” She uttered, her voice wobbly, stepping backwards as her gaze dropped to the floor. Kate’s right elbow bumped into her beige purse, knocking it off her dresser. Among the things that spread across the floor, a small, red pack, with a naked woman on the cover, sent his blood boiling in his veins.

  “Condoms?” Dean gasped, as his eyes lit up with rage. A menacing growl rattled from his throat, as he strode towards her. He wouldn’t attempt to stifle it; the wolf inside him was hurting, dying to rip out of his skin. Lifting both of his arms up, he grabbed Kate by the shoulders, and pushed her back up against the wall. “Who are you?” He growled, a red glow emanating from his eyes, her lips quivering, as two tears raced down her face. “What are you?” He asked again, tightening his hold, as he raised his upper lip, in a grimace that should have scared the life out of her. But Kate did not give in to fear. Neither did she attempt to break free of his hold. On the contrary, she squeezed her eyes shut, and bent her head down towards him, as she gently wept. In a matter of seconds, Dean could feel her tears, moistening his skin, as they seeped through his shirt. He couldn’t force another word out of his throat. He had let his beast peer out of his eyes, and yet, Kate was so distraught that even his wolf did not intimidate her. She merely rested her head on his chest, crying like a little girl who had lost her mother.

  “I’m sorry.” She sobbed, as he tilted his head down, her scent becoming fainter by the second. One more riddle… She stood so close to him, and, for some unknown reason to him, her glorious smell was weakening. “Please, forgive me.”

  “Look at me.” He urged, his voice thick with emotion, as he let go of her left shoulder. Dean brought his hand to her face, and used his index finger to tip her chin up. “Why? Why shouldn’t I have come?”

  “I’m not…” Kate whispered, biting her lower lip, as the sight of her tearful eyes made his heart sink. “I’m not the girl you think I am. You should stay away from me.”

  “Why?” He breathed, her tears drenching his fingers, as he trailed his fingers up her cheek. “Talk to me.”

  “I infect the ones closest to me, Dean.” She sobbed, her feminine voice losing all of its strength, eerily reminding him of their encounter at the lake, as her lips trembled quicker.

  “Infect?” Dean put a little force in his own voice, as he ran his thumb across her cheekbone. “How?”

  “Oh, my God…” Kate sniffled, lightly shaking her head, before leaning it against the wall. “They die.” She said in a breathless whisper. “The men I fall in love with…” She continued, her chest heaving. “They end up dead.”

  Dean might have been bewildered earlier, but it was nothing compared to the shockwaves that her words h
ad sent down his spine. He couldn’t believe his ears. Nobody had been unfaithful to Kate, as Melissa had implied. The root of her pain was something much deeper than infidelity. It was death. Her suffering turned his rage into sympathy, in the blink of an eye.

  “Please, go back to Paxton.” She begged, as Dean stared at her, his mouth partially open, his eyes black with shock.

  “No.” He said on an exhale. “I’ve heard you sing, but…” He paused. “I haven’t listened to you, like you did for me. I want to return the favor.”

  “You don’t owe me anything, Dean.” Kate claimed, her voice coming out sweeter. “Plus, I’m really tired.”

  “I didn’t say I had to listen to you. I said I wanted to; as long as you want to, as well.” Dean assumed a firmer tone, as he tucked a few tendrils of her hair behind her ear.

  “Yes, I do.” She sighed, giving a quick nod. “Just not here. I want to go home.”

  Dean remained silent, but for different reasons than simple surprise. Finally, Kate was willing to reveal her past. He was glad. Of course, he couldn’t show his feelings just yet. She was still sniffling, clearly upset, and he was still baffled by her confession. This wasn’t the time to celebrate this – tiny – victory. As a matter of fact, it wasn’t the time for much else, other than to have just a little more patience. Soon, they would be in her apartment. Dean only hoped that her story would not give him a reason to grant her wish: to stay away. Now, it was all up to her…

  Chapter Six

  couldn’t relax. After all, in this instance, relaxation was not a matter of will. It was a matter of ability, and his emotional state had stolen that ability from him. How could he possibly find peace? Kate’s tearful eyes, the misery in her voice, and her shattered spirit could break just about anybody, shifter or human. She was going through hell, and she had every scar to prove it.

  When they did arrive at their destination, neither of them could speak. The melancholic mood that had descended upon them in the bar was still there. Kate wasn’t crying anymore, but it was clear to Dean that a single word could trigger yet another emotional breakdown. Her eyes were reddened, as if the flames of the fire that had been burning in her soul were leaping in them. And there was nothing that he desired more, than to catch a glimpse of their sparkle, on the night she had approached him at the lake. Back then, the “happy girl” that Melissa had described was still there. She wasn’t drowning in a sea of emotions.

  Dean might have been relatively calm throughout the short drive, but the tension that had overwhelmed him back in Kate’s dressing room came back with a vengeance, as they walked through her front door. The beast within was uneasy, desperately seeking a way to rid himself of his human skin. Once more, he had to subdue the wolf. He wasn’t needed, and he definitely couldn’t provide the sympathetic ear that Dean had promised to her.

  “Can I get you anything?” Kate asked, as he made his way towards her couch.

  “No, thanks; I’m good.” He stated, sitting down. “I can get you something, though. I just have one condition.”

  “What’s that?”

  “That you’ll join me on this couch,” Dean explained, tapping his hand on the cushion beside him. “Come.”

  “Accepted;” at last, a hesitant smile formed on her face, as she started towards him.

  “So…” He drew in a sharp breath, as Kate obliged. “Exactly how do you infect the ones closest to you?”

  “I don’t know, Dean.” She shrugged her shoulders, rolling her gaze down his face. “About six years ago, I was dating Mark Wade. He was an exciting guy. 6’2”, handsome, romantic… We had a lot in common. I was a sucker for rock climbing back then. I loved it; I suggested he try it. He did; in fact, he got pretty good at it, really fast. Five months after he started training, I planned a weekend excursion to the Rockies. That’s when…” Her voice broke, her mouth tightening as she raised her hand to her temple. “That’s when everything went wrong. We were very close to West Goat Peak. Mark got excited. He lost his focus. He fell…”

  “It was an accident.” Dean spoke, his voice soft, as he leaned over her. “You shouldn’t beat yourself up over it.”

  “It happened again.” Kate whispered, as her gaze shot up to meet his. “After Mark’s death, I lost interest in mountain climbing. I tried free diving. That’s where I met Jon Aldridge. He was my instructor. We hit it off pretty quickly. Just over eighteen months later, we flew to California. The Farallon Islands are home to a pod of killer whales. I wanted to see them in their natural habitat. Jon thought it was a great idea. So, we did, but, he overestimated himself. He dove down to 115ft, trying to follow an orca and her baby. He drowned.”

  “Ok, that is weird.” He admitted with a nod. “You fell in love with two people, and they were both killed in accidents, on trips you planned. You can’t blame yourself for their misfortunes, Kate. You didn’t force them into anything, did you?”

  Dean waited for some sort of response, but, straight away, he realized that he would get none. Tears welled up in her eyes, as she put her fingers over her mouth. Reaching both arms towards her, he pulled her closer, as a short sob left her lips. And then, the most incredible thing happened. All of a sudden, Kate’s scent grew much, much stronger. Dean rolled her eyes closed against how wonderful it felt to drown in that smell, a smell that he was starting to miss already.

  “Delicious…” He muttered under his breath.

  “What?” She whispered, as he threaded his fingers into her hair.

  “Kate…” Dean gave a short laugh. “You smell like a cookie. You’ve got this really sweet, cinnamon scent.”

  “I smell like Cinnamon?” Kate wondered, easing back, as her lips curled into a hesitant smile.

  “Right;” he said with a nod. “I don’t know why, but it just spiked, when I hugged you.”

  “Well, cookie hasn’t told you why she keeps condoms in her purse yet.” She murmured, guilt written all over her face. “I haven’t been in a relationship since Jon died. I’ve had a few one night stands over the years. They’re easier. No commitment, no one asks questions. A girl has to keep herself safe from STD’s.”

  “My kind is immune to them,” Dean announced, his voice rich as he gazed deep into her eyes. “The wolf blood protects us.”

  “That’s just unbelievable.” Kate said, the calmness in her tone returning, as she reached her hand up to his face. Her featherlike touch raised goose bumps along his chin, as she brushed her thumb over his beard. “You’re a great listener, Reverend Bradford. I’m impressed.”

  “There’s that ‘reverend’ joke again.” He remarked, chuckling, as he slid his hand down the back of her head. “I don’t mind, really. If it makes you laugh, knock yourself out. Anyway, I need to get going.”

  “Oh, no, no, no!” She put a little force in her voice, as she shook her head sideways. “Don’t go. I want you to stay.”

  “I’d love to.” Dean confessed, removing his hands from her altogether. “But, it’s late. I have a 2½ hour drive in front of me, not to mention I need to wake up early.”

  Kate spoke no more. Instead, she tilted her head up, angling her lips. Part of him would like nothing more than to claim her, right there and then. He desired her; he longed for her. A long, steamy night sounded like a great way to take away her pain. The beast within was aching to mark her as his own. Still, he would not lay a hand on her. As much as he loved her looks, he would not become one of her one-night stands.

  “Stop,” He commanded, leaning back, the weight of her breasts on his chest tempting him further. “This doesn’t feel right.”

  “I want you.” Kate uttered in a sexy voice that sent his pulse rising, as she bit her lower lip.

  This time, it was Dean’s turn to keep his mouth shut. He circled his left arm around her back, and placed his right hand under her knees. Flexing his muscles, he picked her up in his arms, and arose to his impressive stature, as she gave him a broad grin.

  “Cin
namon needs to get some sleep.” He winked at her, turning his body to the right. Without much thought, he started forward, feeling her eyes on him, as Kate curled her right arm around his neck. Dean crossed the corridor that led to her bedroom, his heart thumping in his chest, as her gentle fingers stroked his hairline. She kicked her heels off, as they entered her bedroom.

  “Ok.” He whispered, easing her down on her bed. Squatting down on his knees, he tore his gaze away from her face, and grabbed a red blanket from the foot of the bed. Dean unfolded it, trying hard not to look at her. Finally, he draped it over her, lifting his eyes up to meet hers, as she rolled onto her right side.

  “I still have my dress on.” Kate teased, as her lips curved into a wicked smile.

  “Can you not make this any harder?” He requested, his tone low and deep.

  “When we got here, you said you could get me something. What is it?” She asked, her voice a tender whisper.

  “I can get the happy girl you are back.” Dean explained, leaning over her, as he reached his hand up to her cheek. “I know I can. I just need you to let me try.”

  “It’s not going to be easy.” Kate spoke, the softness of her tone taking his breath away, as he caressed her skin. “I mean, distance, my past…”

  “I know it won’t.” He assured, bending his head down, slightly. Dean scanned the lines of her face, as his fingertips brushed against her hair. Her fair skin felt so good in his palm… By now, his mouth was barely an inch away from hers. He might have rejected her sexual advances, but he could not resist her alluring lips. Tracing his fingers down Kate’s cheek, he let his lips tentatively brush hers at first. A second time sent his senses reeling, as the whisper of her breath filled his ears. She snaked her left arm around his neck, pulling him closer, as he cradled her cheek in his palm. Dean’s heart was fluttering, and not just due to her passionate kiss. Kate had silently given him a chance. For him, this was the ideal conclusion of a night that had shocked him to his very core. He would not be intimidated by her past, the miles that separated them, or anything else. Dean would try to deliver yet another promise, a promise much more challenging than merely listening to her: To bring her back to life…