by Mia Rose
Although her parents weren’t aware that she’d decided to plan her own stakeout, Noelle was impressed with herself. For two days now, she watched as men and women filed in and out of the apartment building a couple of doors down. Women with perfect bone structure, and healthy, shiny hair went into the building daily. And men that looked as if they stepped straight out a modeling campaign for the local mall usually followed behind them. Normal people weren’t this… alluring.
There’s either a pack of werewolves in there or they’re running some sort of unisex brothel. However, the attractiveness of the group wasn’t her only hint. While Noelle pursued another wolf two nights ago, she glimpsed a car on the outskirts of the woods. It was parked far enough away from the woods that you could argue it. It might be that the car had been parked so that someone could stargaze on the cliff, just a few yards away. Noelle had encountered countless nights when she thought that she might snag an easy mark, and it turned out to be a couple trying to liven things up. As she finished scouring the woods that night, she watched a boy walk to his car and get inside.
She recalled a total absence of humans, other than herself; it was the night that she also mistook a doe for a werewolf. Then, and by the end of the night she realized that she had covered the entire woods. It had been an unremarkable night. So, eventually, Noelle climbed into her own car and followed him until she found Clifton Towers. An older apartment building that hardly even showed up on an internet search for apartments in the state of Colorado.
There was a part of her that couldn’t let this go. On the one hand, her mother and father might find this new lead useful. On the other hand, she knew that neither one of them was willing to stake out a building that potentially held an entire pack of werewolves. The stakes were too high for any iota of a reward for them, but Noelle saw it as the kill of her career.
I can’t get them out of my mind. I need to know what the hell is on the inside of that building.
The arrival of the press had been the most promising thing to occur for the last two days, except for the burning stare of the handsome man that came in for his coffee around eight each morning. While he was just as unsettlingly handsome as the other men that went in and out of Clifton Towers, he had a unique pull about him. There was a regal ease about his manner, despite his thick work jeans and t-shirt cladded body. Noelle could envision the ripple of his muscles underneath the shirt, and she could see how he could effortlessly take down men twice his size.
The way that he inspected her spoke to an awareness that she hadn’t noticed in the rest of his group. He moved as if he was always alert, being watchful of an unseen predator. However, if he was going to be watching so intently, Noelle was put at ease by the fact that she would already have had her eyes on him. She couldn’t help it.
Declan scowled, the chatter of every wolf in the room filled his ears like the buzzing of a mosquito’s wings in the middle of July. Members of the pack looked nervously at each other, asking silent questions of, “Am I next?”
To be fair, this sort of thing had never happened before. Previously, Declan’s methods of punishment for wolves that committed idiotic mistakes weren’t known. They would usually be left out of hunts for a week, or given a warning that their next offense would get them expelled from the pack. In the years that Declan sheltered the other wolves, he’d never had to kill one of his own.
Gabriel smacked his hands together and called everyone to attention, “Quiet! Quiet!”
They were in the basement of the apartment, a space that was easily hidden from the few human tenants that lived in the building. Declan made sure to secure the door so that no one could open it from the outside, but you had to be the building super to even know that it was there.
New residents weren’t shown anything below the first floor, Declan instructed each non-werewolf tenant to go to the family owned laundromat around the corner if they wanted to take care of their laundry.
Declan squeezed Cassidy’s hand before standing up to address the pack. She offered him a weak smile, and tucked a loose piece of hair behind her ear. Cassidy fixed her posture, despite the blinding pain from the wound on her back, she stood up straight and looked out into the sea of faces that depended on her for leadership.
“Good Afternoon, everyone! I know that everyone is frightened and eager to be brought up to speed about what’s going on. Aster was one of our own, and I had to take him down with Gabriel’s help.” He nodded to Gabriel and said, “Aster made a big segment of the human population aware of our presence the other day after he got into a fist fight at the high school. The human that he fought with died earlier today, and that’s why we’ve been swarmed by the press.”
The room was silent and Declan took in the expressions on everyone’s faces. A couple of wolves frowned, preferring to look at their feet than to look at Declan. The uneasiness was contagious, and they shifted in their seats and peered around the room.
Declan announced, “None of you are in danger unless you don’t abide by the rules I’ve set in place to keep this pack safe. I know that there are people here that loved and respected Aster…”
Gabriel snorted, and Cassidy sent a chilling glare in his direction.
“I need all of you to know that I will not apologize for choosing my pack over one, hard-headed teen. I will not apologize for keeping my pack and my mate safe from regular humans and hunters.”
There were a few nods, and Declan grinned.
“Meanwhile, we will resume hunts a week from now. We’ll get stronger, and we’ll take down any threats against us.”
A clap spread throughout the group, and within moments the whole room erupted into applause. Gabriel grinned, his eyes focused on Declan while facing the crowd. They were all wondering if they would be displaced from their home.
Declan shouted, “We’re staying put!”
“We will not be going anywhere!”
Chapter 6
Next Door Mystery
“Do you know anything about the apartment next door?”
Noelle’s eyes followed the handsome man as he walked up to the coffee shop and waved at the barista upon entering. She noted the way that his eyes rested on hers for a moment before he approached the counter. Noelle tugged her small purse tighter to her body and got off the small tangerine-colored sofa that was placed in the window of the cafe. She moved toward the growing line of people; the sound of the aeration wand hitting the milk and screeching throughout the cafe.
Declan opened his wallet and reached in for a bill. Noelle stepped forward and pulled her wallet out of her purse. She slipped her credit card out of it and handed it over to the barista.
Declan stared at her, his eyes were curious as he said, “Good Morning.”
He had the kind of voice that Noelle usually only associated with movie stars. It was smooth; smoother than the espresso laden chocolate bars that they kept behind the counter.
She responded, “Good Morning.”
“Were you performing a random act of kindness?” he asked, studying her expression.
The barista handed her card back and Noelle replied, “Yes and no. I see that you’re here often, and I thought that you deserved to have someone else buy your coffee.”
The barista looked from Noelle and then to Declan, and she handed him the coffee cup. Declan stepped to the left, and allowed the next person in line to move forward. He towered over.
He said, “What makes you say that?”
Noelle shrugged, “You’re supporting a small business. I thought that I could make it worth your while.”
He chuckled, his smile was surprisingly boyish for someone that came off so… together.
“Thank you,” he said, and moved past her and toward the door.
Shit.
“Wait!” she called out.
A few college students raised their heads and looked between her and Declan. They grew bored with whatever was happening between them fast, and returned to their open textbooks.
/> Noelle took a few steps toward the door and pointed at Clifton Towers, “Do you know anything about the apartments next door?”
Declan opened the door and held it open for her. She stepped out into the sunlight and squinted, and then she faced him.
Declan shrugged, “What do you mean? It’s a decent building, pretty old though.”
“Yeah, it is. Is the rent pretty reasonable?”
Declan smiled and said, “I’m the super for Clifton Towers. I could show you a model apartment.”
Noelle nodded and replied, “That would be fantastic. I just moved to Colorado and I’m staying with my parents; I could really use a great place to stay. You know how it is, right?”
Declan walked, heading to Clifton Towers with Noelle following close behind him.
“No, I don’t. My mom has been dead for most of my life and my dad threw me out when I was fourteen.”
He held the door open for her once more and they moved to Declan’s office.
He flashed a smile at her and said, “It sounds like you’ve got it pretty good to me. But… I always welcome new business.”
Noelle smiled at him. He was so beautiful to look at and listen to.
“Wait here, please.” Declan instructed, and walked into his office.
He shut the door behind him and Noelle scanned the interior of the building. He wasn’t kidding. This place is ancient. She took in the peeling wallpaper and the mothball smell of the building. It reminded her of the one trip that she took to the nursing home, when her Great Aunt Hazel had been permanently moved there by the rest of the family. How could anyone live here unless they absolutely had to? Unless there was more to this?
Declan stepped back into the hallway and waggled a set of keys at her, “Alright, let’s go see that model, huh?”
Declan sipped his coffee as he let the woman from the cafe walk ahead of him. He fought with his mind, struggling to keep his eyes off the way that her thin, purple dress clung to her body. The material of the dress was thin enough that her dark blue underwear peeked out. The bikini-cut lace panties cupped her cheeks perfectly, they’d only look better if his hands were underneath them.
Declan felt himself stiffen and he sighed, hoping that she didn’t turn around suddenly and notice. They arrived at the model apartment, and he maneuvered himself in front of her. He unlocked the door and swung his arm out for her to take a step inside first.
“Wow,” she said. And he noticed the way that her tone betrayed that she was anything but impressed with the apartment.
“So, it’s a pretty simple setup. It’s a one bedroom, all the one bedroom apartments in this building follow this layout. It’s perfect for one person, especially someone that doesn’t have a lot of needs.”
She nodded and pointed at the windows, “So, are these the only sources of natural light?”
Declan nodded, “Yes, it’s a pretty simple place.”
She nodded and turned around, her eyes focused on him, “Okay. What’s your name again?”
He extended his hand out to her, “Declan. Yours?”
“I’m Noelle.”
Noelle shook his hand; the inside of her palm was soft. He inhaled, and the smell that carried vaguely reminded him of Cassidy. However, it was sweeter than Cassidy’s scent. More pungent. He dropped her hand and moved deeper into the apartment. Declan gestured at the bedroom. He opened the door, and the stale air from the bedroom crept out into the hall.
Noelle turned to him and replied, “I’d love to see a copy of the lease.”
“Sure, follow me.”
He led her out of the model apartment and locked it up, then he headed into his office. Noelle stepped inside and peered around. Declan moved behind his desk and rummaged through his drawers for a hard copy of the lease.
Noelle closed the door behind her and asked, “So, have you always been the super for this building?”
Declan shrugged, “Yes and no. I used to be the apprentice for Max, the original super. When he retired, I became the new building super and it’s been that way for a while now.”
Noelle nodded and asked, “Are your tenants happy here?”
Her eyes traveled down his body and Declan chewed on his bottom lip as he handed her a rental application. She moved closer to him, and took the application.
She gave it a brief scan and said, “Are you available all the time to discuss the lease?”
“Why?” he said, puzzled by her question.
They were standing closer to each other than Declan originally intended. He was confident that she could feel his breath on her neck.
“I just want to know when I can… have an opportunity to talk to you.”
Declan narrowed his eyes and against his better judgment, leaned in close to her.
“Are you sure that’s what you want? To talk?” He undressed her, moving from her breasts, down to her long legs.
With a heavy breath, Noelle replied, “No.”
“I didn’t think so.” Declan said, and snaked an arm around her waist.
They took each other in, Noelle reached up and framed Declan’s face with her hands. He brought his lips down on top of hers, and their tongues tangled together. With a growl, Declan slid his hands down and gripped the back of Noelle’s thighs.
He hoisted her on top of the desk and said, “Did you actually want to see the apartment?”
Noelle pulled down her dress and exposed her breasts, two full perfect breasts looked back at Declan.
“I did,” she said, and pressed her lips against his again. “But, I’m not concerned with it anymore.”
Declan grinned, and undid the buckle on his jeans. They fell to the floor, and Noelle traced the outline of his cock through his briefs. She ran her hand over the tip and he groaned, letting her shimmy the waistband of the briefs off of his hips.
He reached into her dress and pulled down the blue underwear that had teased him earlier. His fingers toyed around in her folds, and a low moan escaped her as he delved inside of her. Declan’s fingers brushed against her clitoris, and when he pulled them out of her, they were slick with wetness as she became breathless.
Declan groaned, sliding inside of her. His hips rocked so hard against the desk that it shook and rattled against the floor.
I hope no one comes in, he thought.
She wrapped her legs tight around him and squeezed him closer to her. She gripped the strands of Declan’s hair as he pounded into her. Noelle had experimented with her body plenty of times alone, but she’d never been pounded like this. She had never experienced an orgasm that made her body writhe and quake.
Declan pumped until he felt the pressure building up behind each thrust. With lightning speed, he pulled out of Noelle and watched as his cock sprayed her with come.
Noelle grinned, and said, “It’s an old dress, so don’t worry.”
Declan nodded and handed her the panties that he’d hastily yanked off.
“So, I hope you like the apartments. I don’t usually… I wouldn’t normally…”
“I get it,” she replied.
She’d felt a pull toward him that she didn’t want to ignore. A part of her knew that she was only remotely interested in Clifton Towers for work, but a much more sensual part of her wanted to pursue this feeling.
Noelle had stared into the eyes of gigantic wolves, and she had outrun beasts to save her own life. But there was something so enticingly dangerous about Declan.
“Do you know anything about the apartment next door?”
Chapter 7
Decision Time
“It was like my wolf made the decision for me.”
Noelle threw back the thick comforter on her bed. Her legs were instantly assaulted by the chill that constantly crept through her parent’s house. Noelle’s hair tickled her knees as she pulled them close to her and looked around the room. Sunlight streamed through the window and her dress from yesterday sat on top of the dresser across from her bed. She’d discarded the dress as soon as s
he got home and had a moment to herself, the stains that might have seeped into it made her blush.
I’ve never done something like that before.
Noelle’s sexual history was sparse, she went on a few good dates over the years but she had never been in a position where sex was something she readily had access to. She not only had sex while doing a stakeout, but she had sex in an apartment building that she suspected of housing werewolves.
I don’t even know him.
It didn’t change how good it felt. She parted her legs and her hand wandered in between her thighs. The feeling of his warmth pressed up against her stayed with her the whole drive home. She sighed, and pulled her hand from between her legs. Noelle took a couple of steps onto the wood floor and swung her arm around in small circles until the muscle popped. She walked around her bed and planted her hands steadily on top of her oak dresser.
Noelle swatted the stained dress off of the dresser and onto the floor. The woman in the mirror above the dresser was exhausted. Dark shadows were underneath her eyes, and her skin that normally looked radiant and smooth was covered in dry patches. She lifted a hand to her face and traced the circular dry patch. While the woman in the mirror was exhausted, Noelle honestly felt better than she had in months. For several months, the only passion she’d felt was for killing werewolves. It wasn’t like her to mix business and pleasure, but she could endure a little dehydrated skin and dark shadows under her eyes if it meant feeling alive for a little while. He had done that. And so did the thought of the kill.
Cassidy rolled over, and a small groan rose up from her side of the bed. Declan frowned, and he pulled the sheets tighter around his body. Cassidy wasn’t showing signs of improvement. Normally, her abilities would allow her to heal the skin and it would hardly be discussed after three days or so. Today, the gash on her back turned an ugly green color.
Where do we go for this? We can’t go to a human hospital, she’s obviously not going to get the treatment required to fix this.