Phoenix Rising

by Cara Carnes

  “Only if you want to feel your blood being drained until you crumple at my feet.”

  “Definitely not Elvira, then.”

  “Thought so.”

  I grabbed onto her jacket, unsure exactly how I was supposed to hold on. Wrapping my arms around another woman wasn’t gonna happen—not that I had any problems with that sort of thing. It just wasn’t me.

  “There’s a handle behind you. Lean back and reach.”

  Fortunately, the destination was close—since we cut through a freaking cemetery. I’d barely settled into the hum between my legs before we stopped, and I was guided into an abandoned church. Bass vibrated the windows as we entered. Flickers of red and blue arrowed a few dim rays of light into an otherwise darkened room. Gregorian style chants filled the air, echoing in the large gutted hall. The stench of stale cigarette smoke, sweat, and alcohol permeated the area. I grimaced at the aroma as I followed Vira into God only knew what.

  Chapter Three

  Macen

  The crowd gyrated in time to the sensual Gregorian style chants—the deep soothing baritones ripe with a double entendre which wrapped me within its depths and beckoned me to join the enfolding crush of bodies. I envisioned silken ebony curls brushing across my skin as Riles’s legs wrapped around me.

  I needed to get laid.

  Temple was neutral ground on the edge of the Demonia-run portion of campus and ours. Although my pack frequented this place, my presence was rarely welcomed.

  “You get it set up?”

  “Yeah.” Logan motioned toward a darkened corner of the room. “Meeting’s going down over there. You sure about this?”

  “We have a choice?”

  “Kicking his miserable ass like you usually do seems like a good idea to me.”

  “You heard what he said.”

  “I’d like to see him try and pull it off. Whatever she is, she’s not under their sanction. She couldn’t be. She’s the sweetest, most innocent piece of—”

  “Finish that, and you’re the one in the ring with me tonight.” My wolf edged closer, yearning to be unleashed. Five minutes alone with the miserable Alpha hellhound, and all would be good.

  Too bad Diego didn’t play clean.

  “Well, well, well. If it isn’t the infamous, soon-to-be Alpha of the Giordano pack. To what do I owe this astute pleasure?”

  “Cut your shit, Diego. Let’s get this done.”

  He sighed and cracked his knuckles as he smirked at the goon to his left. “We’re waiting on a couple of guests. There’s no reason to rush this. We have all night.”

  Bullshit. My beast was on a short leash that we were here settling this recent round of crap. Diego and I had danced this fucking tune a few too many times for my taste, and even though I was more than ready to make his beat down a permanent one, I knew better.

  Dean Richardson appeared from the shadows with a gleam of amusement on his face. Logan growled beside me.

  “What’s the meaning of this meeting?” the dean asked.

  ”You know damned good and well what the meaning is. Tell me why you put Riletta in Ruger Hall. This isn’t going down. You feel me?”

  “How is this unknown shifter your concern, wolf?” Diego shrugged. “I’ll make sure to personally take real good care of her.”

  I lunged, my weight pulled back by Logan when he gripped my shoulders. “Touch her, and you die.”

  Not smart, man. Give him leverage, and he’ll use it.

  Too late. Diego’s smug grin returned.

  “Interesting.”

  Fuck. I ran my hand through my hair and forced my wolf to calm. We both knew why I was here—to ensure her safety in Ruger Hall. Bad shit went down on a daily basis. A non-demon had no business there.

  “What do you want? Name it.”

  “A challenge fight next Friday. Here at Temple.”

  I’d known the price. It was sheer lunacy to even consider because of the underlying understanding. I had to lose. No Alpha would willfully submit to another, become a worthless bitch before their entire pack. I doubted my wolf would handle the price, but I’d agree to anything to secure her even if it was for a little while. I’d deal with the reality later when it came.

  A week was a fuck of a long time for things to change. We’d figure something out before then.

  “Forget it,” Logan growled.

  “Done,” I responded.

  Notify Lane I need him to get his ass off vacation. Thinking the pack may want a new Alpha if shit goes south Friday.

  That shit’s not going down.

  My call. I shifted on the balls of my feet, silently begging for the miserable hellhound to fuck up.

  Diego smirked. “Should I spell out my expectations?”

  “No.” I couldn’t handle any of that shit now.

  Challenges between the hellhound and me had become an expected sport on campus. We’d been ripping each other apart on a regular basis for the past three years, and the prick had yet to make my ass submit in the ring.

  I’d made him howl like a bitch repeatedly.

  Fuck, this shit sucked. Riles wasn’t my problem, but there was no way my wolf would turn away from her now. He’d bought into the meek, little mouse.

  We’ll figure things out later. This gives us time.

  “Understand this, hellhound. One hair on her head gets so much as moved, and you’ll suck food via a straw up your ass. That’s how jacked I’ll leave you after I’m done. You feel me?”

  I needed to get out of this steaming sewer. My wolf needed to run. Maybe fuck every willing female in a five mile radius. Not that it’d do a lick of good. All I could think about was sinking my dick into Riles.

  I’d heard that was possible—where your dick grew a brain and decided unilaterally only one woman would do. Totally fucked up. I wasn’t ready for a connection that permanent, but my wolf was definitely in charge of my dick’s decision.

  I turned to leave, but my peripheral vision latched onto the dean. I prowled forward and leaned into him until the miserable excuse for a human trembled. “You and I are going to tango soon.”

  Diego wouldn’t cover his ass beyond tonight. If nothing else came from this cluster fuck, at least the pathetic excuse for a dean would be handled. One less hassle to deal with later.

  Fuck, it was a pain in the ass to be Alpha.

  I shoved my way through the swelling mass of grinding bodies, ignoring the roaming hands running along my torso. Female demons were a lot like bitches in heat—except they had no off switch. Normally, I played along with them, feeding them the sexual vibes they craved.

  Not tonight.

  Tonight, I needed to get the fuck out of here and run. Eat up some earth beneath my paws and howl into the darkened night until my throat burned and I purged the rage and animosity I’d been chewing on.

  “Hey, wolf. I heard you were here. Figured I’d cash out the favor I owe you.”

  I sighed and looked around for Logan. Where the fuck was he? I’d hoped he’d keep these demon bitches away from me. I was on a frayed leash right now.

  “Not now.”

  “You sure?”

  I turned my attention to the demon. “Ah. The cemetery debacle. I remember now.”

  “Like I said, I’m cashing out my favor to you.” Her jaw twitched.

  “Who said I wanted you to?”

  She shrugged. “Fine. I’m sure your innocent little Riletta will be more than fine with a new roomie. I heard they needed a fresh slab of freshman meat up in the senior demon wing. Still not sure what happened to the last assistant they had. I’m sure she’ll turn up. Eventually.”

  “You’re rooming with Riles?” I hadn’t realized I’d grabbed her throat until her fingernails flexed on my wrists. I loosened my grip. “Tell me.”

  “Yes. Word ran through Ruger late last night that fresh meat was being given to us. Dean Dick wanted an example made of her, something about not appreciating favors being called in.”

  “And you got inv
olved how?”

  “I ignored it, didn’t give a rat’s ass about some freak. Then word got around about registration, how he pulled shit, and you stepped in. I figured she was on your radar for a reason. I made room for her in my pad and figured I’d cash out.”

  “Yeah, well. You get her back, and we’re good.”

  Vira. She’d been cornered by Diego and his crew of hellhounds at the cemetery a few months back. The boys and I had stepped in. We wouldn’t let females get handled like playthings—not even in the Demonia section of the campus.

  “Why are you here if she’s there?”

  “’Cause I brought her here.” Vira put a hand on her hip and glared up at me. “Don’t pull that Alpha what-the-fuck attitude with me, wolf. She was losing her shit in a wing full of succubi who literally just got off the boat from Demonia.”

  “So, you bring her to a club filled with them?”

  “Until you get this shit sorted, she’s gonna have to deal. Losing the innocent fuzz around her aura will go a long way to making this fucked up living situation work.”

  “Where is she?”

  “What the fuck ever,” Vira sighed.

  “Where?”

  Vira motioned toward a darkened corner across the room. I shoved and carved a path toward her. Need channeled my blood southward. She huddled in the corner, her shock evident as her gaze flashed from one writhing couple to another.

  Part of me wanted to drag her from here and tuck her into bed, let the dregs of her shitty day give way to the exhaustion I could see on her face. Her shoulders drooped as she leaned against the wall. The blood pumping downward demanded I drag her to my bed, spread her out like a feast, and dine on her until we both collapsed.

  Diego would set up an ice cream stand in Demonia before that happened. Her hands trembled as she ran them down the tee she’d obviously borrowed from Vira.

  “‘Bite Me’ doesn’t seem like a motto you’d be down for. Am I wrong?”

  “Is that what it says?” Her eyes widened, a sexy pink darkening her cheeks.

  “I take it you don’t know the language?”

  “That explains all the vampires asking me to dance.”

  I chuckled even though my wolf prowled, ready to take on any vamp stupid enough to flash his fangs around me. I closed the distance between us and lowered my voice. The sweet succulence of lavender and rose petals filled my nostrils.

  “Dance with me, mouse.”

  I followed the movement in her throat when she placed a hand on my arm then withdrew it quickly as though gauging my reaction. Her skin was soft, yet colder than I’d expected when I settled her hand on my chest.

  She shivered when I grasped her waist and pulled until she leaned into me rather than the cold concrete wall. Music pulsated around us, but the darkness held reality at bay.

  “I think I prefer Riles.”

  “Me, too, sweetheart. Me, too.”

  Riles

  This wasn’t happening.

  The darkness wrapped me in a warm cocoon. Hot breath fanned my cheek, the scent of male wolf filling my nostrils. My skin burned beneath his touch when his fingers fanned across my neck and down my arms.

  I followed his lead, shifting my weight from one foot to the other. Dancing was new to me, and I was sure he realized that since I found his feet more often than the floor. But he said nothing.

  The silence calmed me, soothed the wars within my mind. Nothing else mattered. All that existed was me and this strange, strange wolf who’d shoved his way into my life with a ferocious intensity which, quite frankly, scared the ever-living shit out of me.

  I wasn’t used to Alphas like him taking notice of me. He’d prowled to me, impervious to the females vying for his attention. What the hell did he want? Because it couldn’t be me.

  My steps faltered again. He pulled me closer, running his hands along my back until I leaned into him fully and settled my head against his shoulder. Heat smoldered between us. His muscles flexed beneath my hand—the hand I had yet to move from where he’d set it earlier. I was lost in a sea of new sensations, and I didn’t care.

  I wanted to know more, try to understand for myself what Macen wanted. I pulled away to capture his gaze and was momentarily trapped. Jesus, he was too much.

  “What are you thinking, Riles?” he whispered.

  “I’m trying to figure you out.”

  “Good luck with that.”

  “You’re a senior?”

  “Yeah, got started a little bit later like most shifters. Didn’t get here till I was twenty. Leaving the pack was tough.”

  “I’d imagine so.”

  “How old are you?”

  “Twenty.” I returned my head to his shoulder. “I think. I was abandoned as a child. They weren’t sure how old I was exactly. They figured I was around two. Maybe three.”

  “It didn’t look like your Alpha did right by you.”

  I tensed. Jacob deserved my defense. He’d sheltered, clothed, and fed me for over eighteen years. “I’m eternally grateful for his help. He didn’t have to take on the burden of my care, but he did.”

  “You could never be a burden.”

  “You’d be surprised,” I whispered. I didn’t like this turn of conversation. Tension corded in my back, in my limbs.

  “Tomorrow, we’ll call ROAR and discuss the blood they drew today. The dean can’t be trusted.”

  “I don’t think it’ll do any good. Ja…. My Alpha had me tested several times. Nothing ever came of it.”

  “We’ll see what ROAR says. They’re good people.”

  “Why are you bothering with all this? I’m not your problem.”

  “You became mine the second I saw you in the parking lot. You became my wolf’s sole existence when your prick of an Alpha shook you until your teeth rattled.” His hands tightened at my waist, pulling me into the hard length of his body. “I’m warning you now, Riles. I’ve got a short leash on my wolf when it comes to you. I held him back in the parking lot. It won’t happen again.”

  “W-what does that mean?”

  He chuckled softly, his hot breath trailing across my ear. Deft fingers drifted through my hair and moved to expose my neck. His lips feathered across my skin, making my entire body shudder with need.

  “I feel your pulse pounding, so fast and strong. I smell your arousal, and it fires my blood. Gotta confess, that makes me harder than shit.”

  I gasped. Heat flooded my veins, surged within me. Unsure how to respond, I remained silent in his embrace. I was nowhere near prepared for Macen, but there was no way I was backing away, running like the scared mouse he’d seen in the parking lot.

  I’d dreamed of freedom for years. Was it rash to trust Macen this soon? Yes.

  But I didn’t care.

  I had nothing.

  No money, no pack. No future beyond what I could carve out at this university. In a freaking demon hall with a half-demon, half-vampire as a roommate.

  Macen was the least of my problems.

  He was my breath of life, freedom, and desire. I intended to inhale whenever I could, no matter the risk. He was my first taste of independence.

  “Take me out of here,” I whispered as I dared to move my hand to his shoulder then down his hard, muscular back. I wanted to bury my fingernails there, mark him as mine even if only for a moment.

  He tensed, and my stomach lurched into my throat. I worked to extract myself from his embrace, but he wouldn’t budge. My breath quickened as heat rose in my face. I was so stupid. I shouldn’t have said that. What had I been thinking?

  “I should get back to my dorm. I have a lot to do.”

  He studied me for a minute. The perusal unnerved me. Thanks to my light complexion, I wore my embarrassment like a neon flashlight despite the darkness.

  “Let’s go.”

  I nodded. Loss engulfed me when I dutifully followed him. He had better things—or rather, better people—to do. The air had grown crisp. It cooled my overheated skin when we exited
the building. Couples in various states of undress writhed in time to the music drifting from the open door and windows.

  He headed toward a row of motorcycles in the same area where Vira had parked hers when we arrived. His stride was long and fast—impossible for me to keep up with. I surrendered to my shorter stature and the exhaustion plaguing my limbs.

  As long as I could still see him, I was okay. I understood what he was doing. Physical distance reminded me of the emotional distance he demanded. I got that. Hell, I’d lived my entire life with that distance. A one-room cottage with a bathroom on the edge of town had been my life since I was twelve.

  I could handle a few feet.

  He straddled a Harley at the end of the row. A moment of insecurity kept me frozen beside the massive machine. Riding behind Vira was one thing. My gaze roamed across his bulging thighs and up to his chest. He was not Vira.

  “Get on before I lose it, Riles.” His voice was coarse, like sandpaper across my body. I’d upset him.

  Reading situations had never been a strong suit. I’d always blamed lack of experience. I owed him an apology because I’d clearly misread the vibe between us. He’d been so kind. He didn’t need my emotional diarrhea.

  I got on behind him and settled into the seat. Reaching behind me, I realized there was no bar to hold.

  “Wrap around me, Riles.”

  I complied and suppressed my moan as the motorcycle rumbled to life beneath me. The thunderous grind of the machine mirrored my thoughts of him. I tried to ignore the corded muscle beneath my hands as he guided us through the cemetery. I squeezed my thighs against him with each turn.

  This was hell.

  I wasn’t stupid. Sure, I was naïve, but I was aroused. My pulse floundered like a goldfish out of water. My heart beat like a drunken drummer, and I was very thankful I’d worn pants because bits I didn’t even know could feel at all were throbbing with an achy need I’d never experienced.

  He guided the motorcycle behind a large crypt toward the center of the cemetery. I unlatched my barnacle-like grip when he shut the engine off. Uncertain why he’d stopped, I forced some distance between us and swung off.

  Macen reached out and pulled me toward him. Startled, I gasped when I fell into his lap. He grasped me in a firm hold at the base of my neck. My heart pounded wildly. Heat pooled between my legs. Closing my eyes, I pretended this was like one of those situations I’d seen some of the females from my pack in—where the male asserted his control and claim.