Phoenix Rising

by Cara Carnes

  Wet heat swept across my lips. I trembled, unsure if the contact was real or just imagined. My eyes fluttered open, and I drowned in the arousal within his gaze.

  Our breaths intermingled. I feathered my lips against his, repeating the soft sweep he’d just used. A groan escaped him, and I jumped backward, unsure if I’d done something wrong.

  His grip in my hair tightened, and he growled as his mouth crushed against mine. His tongue swept across my parted lips and delved inside. The kiss was hot, demanding, and everything I’d ever desired.

  I followed his commanding lead, relaxing against him. His free hand ran along my side, down my leg. I lost track of it as he guided me into an aroused frenzy with the kiss.

  He pulled me from his mouth. My ragged breathing matched his. I groaned and moved to kiss him again, but he held me away and closed his eyes.

  “You have no idea how easily you unleash my wolf. I vowed to do the right thing by you tonight, but I’m not a good man, Riles. I’m not what you need.”

  Yes, you are.

  I didn’t realize I’d responded aloud until he dragged me and made me straddle his lap on the motorcycle. The new position ground me against him, the prominent bulge slid nicely against the achy part of me. He nibbled on my ear, kissing behind the lobe until I shivered.

  He stroked my breasts. His thumb scraped against my hardened nipple, and I gasped, thrusting myself toward him. I groaned my frustration. It was too much, yet not enough all at once. I ached and throbbed.

  “Ssh. Let me have you.”

  Macen kissed me, the contact sweet and sultry. He licked my lips and then forayed across my tongue. Deft fingers lifted my bra and cupped my exposed breast.

  I should stop this. I was in a freaking cemetery behind a crypt, letting a man I’d just met race past first base and straight to whatever-the-hell he wanted. I sensed him pulling away from the kiss, so I grabbed his head, forcing him back to where I wanted.

  He tasted like fiery cinnamon. I wanted to savor every inch of his golden skin but refused to sever the contact. Alphas preferred assertive, experienced women.

  He tugged my hair until I stilled. I dug my nails into his forearms and deepened the kiss. My hips ground against him. Pleasure tingled within me. I repeated it, harder this time.

  “Christ, you’re killing me.” His hand abandoned my breast and drifted downward to my jeans. I gasped when he undid the clasp. “Let me have you, mouse.”

  The repeated plea left me weakened, wanton for his touch. He trailed down the expanse of exposed belly and maneuvered beneath my panties. I gasped as he found where my need pulsated.

  “You’re so wet for me.” Hot breath fanned my neck.

  I clung to him, my eyes closed, and my lips parted. Pleasure cascaded through me when his fingers began moving against me, in me. I gasped when they entered. The tender strokes made my entire body tremble with need. Breathing proved difficult, damn near impossible.

  Macen held me in place with one firm hand and worked me into a fever pitch. I buried my face in his neck, inhaling his scent. Heated, musky woods. I could live buried in his scent for eternity and never complain.

  I blinked through tears and abandoned myself to the sensations bursting within me. Collapsing against him, I allowed the exhaustion free rein as I rode the waves of pleasure.

  Macen placed chaste kisses along my cheek, across my lips. He licked an errant tear away. The concern in his gaze made my breathing halt. I swallowed, silently praying my voice worked.

  “Thank you.”

  “You have no idea how beautiful you are, mouse. Thank you for trusting me with this, with you.” Macen set me up and helped me adjust my clothing. “Let’s get you to the dorm before I forget I’m being good tonight.”

  If this was Macen being good, I couldn’t wait to see him being bad.

  Chapter Four

  Riles

  I gave up the concept of sleep shortly after eight the next morning. Adapting to my new environment would take some time. I’d also learned leaving Temple without telling Vira was a big no-no.

  None of those things could tame the giddiness within me. I could still feel Macen’s kiss against my lips as I made my way to the cafeteria. I’d planned to munch on my stored wares, but he’d made me promise to meet him there for breakfast.

  I was having breakfast with Macen.

  My insides zinged with a renewed sense of purpose. Suddenly, being abandoned by my Alpha and dropped off at a university to fend for myself wasn’t a big deal. I’d contacted ROAR somewhere between the four a.m. bong blitz and the five a.m. blood raid. The latter still terrified the shit out of me.

  I shuddered at how close I’d come to losing a few pints last night. Thank God Vira had defended me, despite being pissed about the whole leaving on the wrong Harley thing. She apparently had serious mojo because she had even the seniors quaking in their fangs when she was done with them. ROAR was all over tracking down the blood the dean had taken, not that it’d do a lot of good.

  They were also going to see if they could do anything about my dorm situation. Not to be judgmental, but I was totally not a freak when compared to the peeps in Ruger Hall. The walk to Wolf Hall was longer than I’d remembered from yesterday. Maybe it was just because I was looking forward to seeing Macen. I’d chastised myself several times today already.

  I was growing too attached to him too fast. It was the wolf way, but I wasn’t a wolf. I had no excuse aside from the desire to not drown in loneliness again. He was an addiction—a lifeline to a real life. And a great kisser.

  Nervousness returned when I entered the cafeteria, which was bustling with activity. I searched the thickening mass of people for Macen or any familiar face. Nothing.

  Okay. I could do this. I got into the long line and grabbed a tray. I grabbed a couple of apples for later, along with some yogurt, toast, and oatmeal. Orange juice and milk finished off my selections.

  “How did you get in here?” A petite blonde pushed my shoulder and tried to intimidate me with a growl as she stepped into my personal space.

  I figured a smartass response like, “through the door” would ensure an ass kicking, which wasn’t what I wanted to handle this morning. Looking around, I noticed quite a few people had stopped to watch the scene play out.

  Great.

  Knowing who she was and her role in the pack would go a hell of a long way to resolving this, but knowledge was power, and I never found myself with any of that. Looking around for a familiar face one more time, I realized I was on my own.

  “I’m sorry. I think there’s been some confusion. I was invited.”

  “Invited? By who?” Her voice rose.

  “Missy, chill. It’s cool. She’s Macen’s new project.” The words sliced through me like a sharp, well-honed blade. Stacy appeared beside me, her blonde hair up in a ponytail which swished as she swayed her ass. “Come on, Riletta. You can sit with us. Macen and the guys had to handle some pack business, so they’ll be delayed.”

  She grabbed my tray and sashayed through the tables, heading up the stairs to the table I’d sat at before. She set my food down and sat directly across from me. I didn’t like having my back to the stairs, but I didn’t have much of a choice. A mixture of men and women I didn’t know regarded me with curiosity. Van smiled and waved from the other side of the long table.

  Missy crowded in beside me, tossing a few glares my direction for good measure. Stacy eyed the food on my tray as she picked at her fruit.

  “I wish I had the metabolism to carry off that many carbs so early in the morning. That’s the bitch about being the Alpha female—I need to watch my hips and ass. Macen doesn’t like a lot of padding getting in his way.” She smirked when I almost knocked my juice over.

  “Funny you say that, Stace, because I can think of quite a few things Macen doesn’t like about you. I’ve never heard him complain about padding on women,” Van commented as she sipped on her coffee. “Maybe we should ask him, just to be sure.”
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br />   The toast was dry in my mouth. I chewed and set the half-eaten piece on my plate. I shouldn’t have come here.

  “So, Riletta, did you enjoy Temple last night? Those demons sure know how to throw a good party,” Stacy chuckled. “We were going to look for you, but I guess you got taken out before the real fun started. It’s a shame Macen didn’t let you stay longer. He must be tired of special projects by now.”

  The repeated reference grated my nerves. I swallowed the food lodged in my throat. “Project?”

  She sighed and looked at me with sad eyes. “It’s really so tragically cruel. I’ve told him time and time again not to string girls like you along, but he really is such a kind-hearted Alpha. He can’t stand to see lonely shifters in need. He’s got a really bad case of what I call White Knight Syndrome.”

  “He was very kind, and I immensely appreciated his help yesterday.” I wiped my mouth and shoved my apples into the pack I’d set on the floor beside me. Suddenly, the oatmeal and yogurt weren’t that palatable.

  I’d dealt with female wolves like her all my life. Discomfort only heightened the feeding frenzy like dumping a bucket of chum into shark infested waters. I ignored the digs, but they infected me. They speared me with barbs of negativity I couldn’t help but believe.

  I was nothing. Defective. Yet Macen had been kind to me. Did that make me a project?

  “Kindness is one thing. What he does is so cruel. And clichéd.” Stacy smirked and looked over at Missy. “I mean how many times have we told him to stop dragging his projects away from Temple and taking them to the crypt. It’s so pathetic.”

  Bull’s-eye.

  The table erupted into laughter. Heat rose in my face, and my stomach roiled. I sat there, unsure how to eject myself from the latest nightmare. I knew better than to believe everything people said, yet this made clear sense to me. It explained the inexplicable fantasy I’d latched onto.

  Knowing grins and smirks spread around the table. Van looked pained.

  “Whatever Macen does isn’t my business. I’m not even part of the pack. It has nothing to do with me.” I forced a few sips of juice down as I strengthened the fortress I’d constructed around me over the years. “I’m just thankful you all were so kind to me yesterday.”

  “Yes, well, I’m sure it’s difficult not knowing what you are. Not having anyone who really wants you around.” Missy sighed. “I don’t know how you can even stand to be out and about. I’d be so ashamed if I couldn’t shift. That’s just so tragic.”

  “At least your pack set you up here before they kicked you out,” someone stated. “It isn’t like you can get a job or anything since you don’t have paperwork.”

  I hadn’t even considered the no paperwork problem. I’d done some research on Vira’s computer that morning. ROAR’s website was packed with valuable information. I had no social security number, no identity. I didn’t even have a birth certificate. All shifters were also required to have bloodwork and genetic mapping to identify their pack of origin. Without Jacob’s backing, they could declare me a rogue—I’d be thrown out of the university and the human populace. Then what would I do?

  Maybe ROAR could help me. I’d already downloaded and printed all the forms I thought I’d need—which, mental note, was not a good thing to do at the crack of dawn when rooming with a half vampire, half demon. She’d been a smidge cranky, but how was I to know the printer was that loud?

  “How was your first night at Ruger?” Stacy asked as she reached across the table and touched my hand.

  I pulled it away. “Fine. A bed is a bed. I don’t care where it is. Like you said, I’m just thankful to be here.”

  Silence thickened the tension blanketing me for a few moments before I pushed my chair back and grabbed my backpack. “If you’ll excuse me, I think I’ll head back and get my things situated. Things were so stressful yesterday, I’m afraid I didn’t get much handled.”

  “Oh, yesterday was just so wretched. It took me hours to get Macen settled last night after Temple. He was almost impossible to handle all by myself.” Stacy looked down at the tray. “You sure you don’t want to take a doggie bag?”

  “I’m sure Macen will be along soon,” Missy added. “I know he got a late start this morning.”

  “That was kind of my fault.” Stacy blushed.

  The table laughed.

  “Please extend my gratitude to him when you see him.” I smiled as I stood on shaky knees. “Thanks again. I’ll see y’all around campus, I’m sure.”

  “Looking forward to it.” Stacy’s sing-songy voice shredded the last of my patience.

  Someone called my name and chased me, but I didn’t care. My sole mission was to get out of the cafeteria without further problems. What had I been thinking?

  “Riletta, wait.” The plea made me walk faster.

  I spotted the exit and sniffled. My nostrils burned, my eyes watered, but I refused to break down here where they would see the pain their direct hits to my ego had created. I wouldn’t give them the satisfaction even though I deserved it. I’d been foolish, too trusting. I’d known better.

  I pushed the door open and raced down the steps, turning toward Ruger Hall. At least everyone there would be asleep. I’d be alone.

  “Logan, stop her.” The shouted order drew me to a halt as the lower half of a massive body appeared in my downward cast gaze.

  Great.

  I sighed and drew my arms around myself as I regarded the man I was pretty sure was Macen’s second. Logan’s gentle smile did little to ease the pain streaming through me in tidal waves, threatening to burst from me at any moment.

  I needed to get away.

  Labored breathing sounded behind me. I didn’t bother looking because I’d recognized the voice. Van grabbed my arm and bent over.

  “Shit, she can run.”

  “Maybe you need to stretch your wolf more often,” Logan suggested. He ran a cautious gaze down me, seeing far more than I wanted him to. It was in his tone. “Riles. This is an unexpected pleasure. I hadn’t expected to see you out here. Macen sent Lane and me to keep you company until he finished with pack business.”

  Lane was a brute of a man who towered over me. He was all coal-black hair, light blue eyes, golden skin, and a powerful, sleek grace which reminded me more of a panther than a wolf. He offered a half-grin and a chin nod as he folded his arms in front of him.

  “Lane here just got back to campus after being away for a few weeks. I was getting him situated, which delayed me a few minutes. What’s up, Van?” he asked.

  “Thanks for the assist, boys. I’ll take it from here.” She pulled on my arm, but I shoved her hand away.

  “I’m afraid I must pass. It’s been a pleasure, but I really must go.” I took a shaky breath and swiped at the unwanted moisture appearing on my cheek. “Thank you, though. Have a good day.”

  Sidestepping the two men in front of me, I charged down the path, my heart heavy. I didn’t want the confrontation, the awkward and unnecessary reiteration.

  Stacy was a cow bitch in wolf form, but she’d done me a favor—she’d set me straight with a swift, brutal knock to my ego. I’d had zero right to think I belonged at Wolf Hall even as a guest.

  “Riletta, please. Just hear me out.”

  I stopped, unable to walk away. For some screwy reason, I wanted—no, needed—to hear her out.

  “Don’t call her that,” Logan growled. “It’s Riles.”

  “Whatever.” She took a deep breath and glared at the two men. “Where the fuck have you been, anyway? You have no idea what the hell went down because you two oafs were sleeping in.”

  “Look here, little wolf. I’ll take you over my knee and spank that sweet ass of yours until you learn exactly when is the only time I allow females to get all growly.” Lane seized Van’s hair and pulled until she cast her gaze downward in supplication.

  Holy shit. My heart palpitated as I watched the exchange, my pulse racing as I wondered what she was thinking right about n
ow. I couldn’t imagine a man doing that to me, commanding my submission with such swift efficiency.

  Memories of last night rushed to the forefront. Macen had been somewhat dominant but nothing like this. Heat pooled between my legs as I imagined him doing that with me.

  “Explain.” Lane’s terse order yanked me back to reality.

  “Stacy’s there with her crew, and—”

  “We got the picture.” Logan took my arm and motioned toward the cafeteria I’d retreated from. “You eat?”

  “Yes.”

  “No,” Van argued. “It got ugly real quick.”

  Silence descended, but I sensed a conversation in play. I’d observed many while in Jacob’s pack. The shifting facial expressions, the noted growls or grunts in response. Uneasy with them chatting about me, I tried to extract myself from their presence.

  “Let’s go eat.”

  “I’m not hungry, but thanks.” My traitorous stomach growled.

  Logan chuckled. “Perhaps we need to discuss honesty afterward.”

  I sighed my resignation as the two oafs led Van and me back into the cafeteria. The atmosphere shifted when they entered with me in tow. I ignored the whispers echoing through the room as Logan and Lane settled me between them in the line.

  “I’m really not hungry. Honestly. I ate toast.”

  “Yeah, like a quarter piece of bread is enough for a shifter,” Van commented.

  “I’m not a shifter.”

  “You grew up with a pack. You eat like pack,” Lane stated.

  Arguing only opened up an entirely different can of worms I had no intention of airing. Food began appearing on my tray as the two guys settled stuff on there. I hoped this was for them because I couldn’t handle the pile of stuff they were mounting.