‘Lera.’
‘Stay outta my head, Kori. Goodbye.’
Kori stared at his twin siblings, Cavan and Ciarenn. They sat on the porch of Dane Sidorov’s house. He saw that Cavan’s injuries were pretty much superficial, and Cairenn had done a great job of dressing the wounds. His brother, while a bit smaller than him in wolf form, could more than hold his own. The dead bears were shifters. Why shifters were after Lera he hadn’t a clue. I don’t like it. At all.
“She left.” Cavan stated the obvious.
Kori lifted a brow. “Yes. She’s taking Rissa home.” His brother’s green eyes flashed at the mention of her friend’s name. He knew that look. “Cavan?”
“She’s mine,” he uttered, his tone deep but overflowing with conviction.
Kori sighed and readjusted his posture. “She’s scared, Cavan. You need to go easy with her.”
“Like you and Lera? Is that why she doesn’t know she’s your mate?” Cavan smirked. “Or is it you’re just too scared of Dane?”
“Watch it, pup,” he growled. “And just so you know, Dane looks on Rissa as his own.”
Kori didn’t know that for sure, but he assumed so given Rissa knew the ex-Enforcer was a shifter. It’s not information that Dane would give out. His brother’s panicked expression made him smile. A slight one, but a smile nonetheless.
“So what happens now?” Cairenn asked.
“I go after her,” he paused, “again.” He clenched his fists. Something flashed in his sister’s eyes, and he knew she didn’t think Lera was good enough for him. “And this time, she won’t be running away again.”
Cavan crossed his arms. “I’ll go with you.”
Cairenn shook her head. “Men. Before you two go off after your women, I have to tell you, I smelled that wolf around here earlier again.”
Kori snapped his jaws together and met his sister’s gaze. “I smelled him last night, but…I can’t get a bead on him.”
“Me either.”
“I smelled him when I was checking the area after the battle with the bears, too,” Cavan said.
“He’s hunting. And I don’t like it.” The urge to lay eyes on Lera and ensure her safety rose swiftly.
A shared look with Cavan had them both running for his Humvee. ‘Thanks for everything, Cairenn.’
‘Stay safe, my brothers.’
In the rearview mirror, he watched as his sister melted into a brown wolf and sprung away with a powerful jump. Heading off in the direction of the forest, she soon disappeared from his sight. He gunned the powerful motor, and they tore off through Savoy, hot on the trail of Lera and Rissa.
“How will you find her?” Cavan asked.
“I’m connected to her.”
“But not mated?”
“No, not mated.” Not yet.
“I don’t understand.”
“Cavan, I’ve been connected with Lera since the day her screams of terror tore through my head. She doesn’t know it’s me, but thinks it was one she calls an angel.”
The landscape flew by as he chased after her.
“Tell me about Rissa.”
“I can’t. I don’t know her. The first time I met her was when Lera traded herself for her.”
“They are very loyal to one another,” Cavan observed. “I’ve almost never seen that in humans. Especially ones so young before.”
Kori could feel the electrical buzz he got being near Lera and slowed down. Cavan looked at him across the interior of the vehicle.
“What’s up?”
“She’s close.” He gestured. “There’s a rest area ahead.” Kori pulled off and parked at the top of the hill. Engine running, he stood on the foot rail and scanned the area. Senses alert for Lera. “There.” They were down toward the bottom. He noticed her bike, another beside it, and saw Lera and Rissa laughing and joking.
“Let’s go,” Cavan said.
He drove them down and parked beside her motorcycle. Slipping from the driver’s seat, Kori walked with Cavan toward the women who sat at a picnic table. There were some men looking at them but they backed off upon seeing Kori and his brother approach.
“Mo ghrá.” Kori watched her and Rissa both turn to look at them. Lera’s eyes widened slightly before she gave him her cool, collected nod.
“Kori. Hello again, Cavan. Am I to assume you figured we needed an escort back?”
“Yes. Rissa is important to you, therefore important to me and under my protection.”
He watched Rissa duck her head and a faint blush stole up her cheeks. Kori sat beside Lera and reached for one of her chips, popping it in his mouth.
“You just going to stand there, Cavan?” Lera asked. “Or were you planning sitting down?”
Cavan sat on the same side as Rissa. Not as close as Kori had sat to Lera but still beside her. Swiping another chip, Kori gave Rissa a smile when she lifted her head.
‘Why is your brother staring at my friend like he wants to eat her?’
‘He likes her, Lera.’
‘I don’t care if he’s your brother or not, Kori. He hurts her, I’ll kill him.’
He chuckled slightly. ‘Your warning is noted, mo ghrá, and I will pass it along. Where did you get the other bike?’
‘It’s Rissa’s old one. We had it stored near the airport in Savoy, since she came occasionally to visit. Why did you come here?’
‘We have unfinished business you and I, Lera.’
‘I don’t need you to babysit me, Kori. I’m seeing her home and then I’m going home myself.’
He narrowed his eyes at her in warning. She met his gaze briefly then turned away.
Cavan got up and headed to the vending machines, bringing back a bunch of items and dumping them on the table. “Help yourselves,” he said, his gaze once again fixated upon Rissa.
If she noticed, she gave no clue. They ate, and Kori listened as Lera and his brother talked about her bike. Once she and Rissa were finished, though, Lera got to her feet.
“What are you doing, Lera?” he asked.
“Taking her home.”
“We’re coming with you.”
“It’s a free country. Rissa, let’s go.” Lera looked at his brother. “Thanks again for everything.”
‘We’ll be right behind you, Lera,’ Kori said in her head.
She didn’t acknowledge him, just talked to Rissa more as they headed for their bikes. At her bike, Lera lifted her head and stared off toward the woods nearby, a look of confusion and concentration upon her dark face. Deep in her mind, he could feel her pulling from him to something else and he snarled, low and proprietary. Her brown eyes met his before she slipped on her mirrored shades. She and Rissa soon were on the bikes, and the powerful engines took them back toward the interstate.
“Let’s go,” he muttered.
“How can you let her go off on that bike?”
Kori laughed. “Lera’s not a child, pup. And I highly doubt Rissa will respond if you treat her as such.”
“It’s dangerous. They’re human.”
He was beginning to wonder if Lera truly was. “Well, if you think you can tell her not to ride, be my guest. I’d love to see how that works out for you.”
The men climbed in the Humvee and got back on the interstate as well. As the miles passed, Kori grew crankier when they didn’t catch sight of the women. He could feel Cavan’s mounting frustration as well.
‘Lera, where are you?’
‘Riding my bike, Kori. Why?’
‘We’re on the interstate and can’t see you. Where are you?’
‘You’re starting to sound an awful lot like my father.’
‘I am definitely not your father, mo ghrá.’
‘We just passed exit 245.’
He sighed. She was a good ten miles ahead of him. ‘You are driving again without concern for your safety.’
‘No, I’m not. Since I know you’re going to follow us the rest of the way, no matter what I say, let me make it easy for you. We’re stop
ping for the night in Banyanville. We can even do dinner together if that makes you happy. So I’ll see you then.’
Kori ran a hand through his hair as he drove. He stopped his brother’s laughter with a look. “We’ll have dinner with them tonight.”
“She wouldn’t slow down, huh?”
“Nope.” He shook his head. “Not even a little.”
By the time they reached Banyanville, Kori was anxious. He sent Cavan to secure a room, and he headed for the one he knew Lera had taken. He knocked on the door and held his breath when it swung open. Rissa met his gaze and stepped back, waving him in.
“How are you doing, Rissa?”
“I’m surviving, Mr. MacLochlainne.”
“Kori. Call me Kori.”
“Kori. Lera will be out in a moment. I’m going out for a bit.”
‘Cavan. Rissa is leaving. Keep an eye on her.’
‘Will do, brother.’
“Okay. Be careful. Cavan will be near if you need him.”
She almost said something but instead walked out the door.
Kori leaned against the dresser and crossed his arms. The bathroom door cracked opened, and Lera’s voice filtered out.
“Rissa, come help me with this bandage.”
He licked his lips and strode to the door. “I’m not Rissa but I’m more than willing to help,” Kori said.
“Kori?” Her question was high-pitched.
“Expecting someone else?”
“No…I just…oh fine,” she huffed. “Get in here.”
He pulled the door open the rest of the way and promptly lost all the air in his lungs. Lera waited in black leather pants, heeled boots, and a white bra that split the enticing brownness of her skin. Not even the faded scars could detract from her beauty. His cock hardened and pressed insistently against his jeans. He could feel the call her figure gave to him, and it wasn’t easy to ignore.
“Well, don’t just stand there. I’m already self-conscious enough with you looking at me. Can you just fix the bandage?”
Kori stepped to her side, and the fresh scent of Lera swarmed him. Her breathing became shallow and fast, her nose flared, and her pupils dilated. “Never feel self-conscious about your body, Lera.” He reached for the bandage and quickly tied it along her upper arm. Finished, Kori didn’t move; he just held her gaze.
“Thank you,” she said.
“By the gods, you are beautiful,” he murmured, skimming her cheek with his knuckles.
Immediately, he saw the walls go up around her, and he could feel her retreating from him. Oh, Lera. I wish I could take away all your painful memories and replace them with nothing but good. He dropped his hand, reached behind him for her shirt and gave it to her.
Lera tugged it on over her head, hiding her succulent body from him. Not that it stopped the desire he had for her. Instead of backing up and giving her more space, Kori closed the distance between them.
“Lera,” he uttered. Her eyes, haunted, met his. “Anáil de mo anam.” Kori kissed her. Allowed his touch to tell her things he wasn’t sure how to voice.
Her whimper tore at his heart. It didn’t take long and she kissed him back. He could feel the desperation in her kiss. The need for a memory of something other than pain.
Back and forth along her tongue his stroked. Kori slid his hands down to cup her ass and pull her tight against him. Lera mewled in the back of her throat and rubbed along his hard shaft. The flames grew to raging within him. She reached up and around his neck, intertwining her fingers into his hair and pressing their mouths together even more.
With a growl, he backed her up to the wall and increased the intensity of the kiss. He nipped at her invading tongue and shuddered when she returned the favor. Moving his hand to the hem of her shirt, he’d just slid beneath it when he heard the door to the room open behind him. This time, his growl was one of frustration. Tamping back his craving for the woman in his arms, Kori removed his hand and ended the kiss. Her gaze met his, a mixture of frustration and need within the brown eyes.
“Rissa’s back,” he whispered.
She licked her lips and nodded. “Tha…thank you for fixing my bandage.”
He raked her with his gaze. “My pleasure.” Kori allowed his fingers to trail over her full lips briefly before he stepped away and walked out to where both Rissa and Cavan were.
Chapter Nine
Lera hugged Rissa goodbye and did her best to smile. She’d already said goodbye to her friend’s parents. They were like another set of her own. She had remained here for two nights after returning with Rissa. They’d insisted, and she’d been unable to refuse them.
He’s a good man for you, Lera. Give him a chance, Rissa signed. You actually look happy when you’re around him. A look I haven’t seen on you in a while. He looks at you like you are his entire world.
Lera swallowed and slid her eyes to the left. Sure enough, Kori’s hard gaze was upon her. When their stares met, she swore his softened. Looking away from him, she focused back upon Rissa.
I don’t know if I’ll ever find a man who can get past what I have around me, Rissa, she signed back. Take care of yourself, my friend. Call me if you need anything. I have to go home.
“Goodbye, Lera,” Rissa murmured. “Thank you for saving me.”
“There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you, Rissa. You know that. I’ll call you when I get home.”
They hugged again, and Lera waved as Rissa walked inside with her parents. She didn’t move until the door closed behind them. Goodbye, my friend. Spinning on her heel, Lera strode to her bike and swung her leg over. She saw Kori step toward her, and she started the motor and sped off.
Instead of taking the interstate to the nearest airport, she took it but pointed her bike toward a small lake about thirty miles from Rissa’s house. Once there, she dismounted and walked to the edge of the water. Her gaze lingered on the reeds waving in the slight breeze. There was a great blue heron that stood there like a statue, and a small smile filled her face.
She needed to go home, but still, she hesitated. The direction of the slight wind changed, and Lera turned her head toward the trees behind her. A ripple of energy and awareness skated up and down her spine. Her hairs stood on end as from the trees stepped a large wolf. Solid black, eyes included. He moved noiselessly toward her. The rumble of an engine brought his head up, and he turned and vanished into the protection of the forest.
Seconds later, Kori’s Humvee came into view. He jumped out, and she could see the anger in his face as he stomped toward her. His eyes snapped from her to the woods and back again, his wolf in plain view, and she knew he scented the black wolf who had just vanished upon his arrival.
“Enough of this running off, Lera,” he said in a growl.
Silent, she looked past him to see Cavan standing by the vehicle. “Why are you here, Kori? I’m on my way home.”
“Cavan, leave us.”
There was no argument from the younger MacLochlainne. He simply moved to the driver’s side and drove away.
“I hope he’s coming back for you, Kori. I have to get going.”
“No.”
She peered up at him. “I’m sorry?”
“I said, no, Lera. No more running.”
“Who’s running? Daddy told me to come home.” She moved to step past him. His hand curled around her arm and stopped her progress. “What, Kori?”
“Do you remember what I told you in the bar?” he asked, pulling her close.
She licked her lips and shook her head. “You said a lot of things.”
“It was in Dutch.”
Her belly flipped and tightened. “Yes.” There were strange feelings slipping through her body.
“What’d I say?” He stared at her, his gaze intense.
Lera swallowed twice. “U bent van mij.”
He never blinked, just continued to hold her gaze. “I meant it.”
Warmth exploded throughout her but she quickly tamped it back. “Don’t say thi
ngs like that, Kori.”
“Why not, Lera? U bent van mij. You are mine.”
“I know how things go, Kori. I can’t be yours up until you find your mate.”
“Mo ghrá, listen to me. You are my mate.”
Had his reflexes not been so quick, she would have hit the ground. Instead, she found herself in his arms again.
“Don’t say things like that to me, Kori,” she said again.
“Look at me, Lera. I’m not lying. You are my mate.”
Words escaped her. All she could do was shake her head. Kori captured her chin in his fingers and held her immobile. His gaze softened even more while he stared at her.
“I can’t be your mate, Kori. A mate implies mating, and you know I don’t do that.” Even if her body seemed to gravitate toward his and make her think of things like that.
“Lera, you told me if it was in your ability to repay me all I had to do was ask. I’m asking for something now.”
Something clenched around her heart, and she stiffened. “What do you want?”
Lera knew he could hear the suspicion in her tone. His expression didn’t change.
“I want you to trust I won’t hurt you.” His brogue curled her toes inside her boots.
That was easy. “I know you won’t hurt me, Kori.”
He covered her mouth and skimmed his tongue along her lower lip before sinking into her mouth. Fireworks erupted within her. Lera growled and grabbed his shirt, holding him tight. She knew this would be the only man she’d willingly allow to touch her. And, no matter for how brief a time, he was hers.
He can’t be serious about the mate thing.
“I want to love you, Lera.” He stared into her eyes while he spoke.
Suddenly, she was desperate to know a touch that didn’t make her cower in fear or feel revulsion. She knew deep down this was the only man who could do that. There would be ample time later to address his claim they were mates. But, for once, for this moment, she could let herself feel.
“Yes.” Her response was soft.
“Let’s go, mo anam.”
A Love For Lera (Haikon) Page 12