“This floor is only for Mrs. Samsa,” Claire stated raising her head and ready to walk away, not before dropping her smile.
“I’m not Mrs. Samsa, yet.” Mena had wandered off looking at the gowns.
“I’m sorry Miss Ward,” Claire said her eyes searching for Mena and finding her. “You are not allowed to touch the gowns, they cost over one hundred thousand each,” Claire said to Mena. Mena’s hand lurched back as if the dress was a hot poker.
“You will touch whatever you want. Now go ahead and look and don’t be afraid,” Adrienne said glaring at Claire. “My future husband is paying for everything, including your rude behavior. If you say anything else to insult me or my friend, you will find yourself at the makeup counter where you belong.”
“I’m sorry Mrs. Samsa...I mean Miss Ward.” Adrienne waved to Mena, “sit here and the models will wear the gowns and you can pick the one you want.”
“Anyone?” Mena questioned wide eyed.”
“Whatever you want.” A relief smile passed over Mena. She will get the dress of her dreams. It was unheard of in her pack in Alaska for werefemales to wear gowns. The human way of life was frowned on. But she dreamed the dream of marrying her prince and living happily ever after. She smiled thinking of Robert and how happy she is and how excited she is to be living with the Samsas.
“After we select our gowns, we are going to try on shoes. Mena glanced down at her feet. “They are large,” she said.
“That’s because you are so tall. I wish I was tall like a model. You are stunning at six feet and blue eyes like my Wilder.” Mena put her head down out of modesty. She had never had anyone tell her how beautiful and stunning she is, with the exception of Robert. In her pack she wasn’t different but among humans she stood out.
It was about six o’clock when they walked through the store heading for the car parked at the curb. “We’ve been here eight hours. Do you want to get something to eat? How about a hamburger,” Adrienne said as if she was a teen on her first date.
“Does it have meat?” Mena asked with an innocent light smile.
“You’ve never eaten a hamburger?” Adrienne said in jest. “Well you have never lived until you have tasted a juicy cheeseburger. Where have you been? No don’t answer that?” Adrienne grabbed Mena’s hand and looped it under her arm.
When the driver spotted them he jumped out of the car, rushing to open the door. “Take us to the nearest place where we can get a burger.”
“Mr. Wilder and Mr. Lycell instructed me to bring you straight home,” the young man said his eyes fixated on Mena.
“You will do as I say or you will be dismissed or you will be sent to work in the stables.”
“If I disobey Mr. Lycell’s orders, I will be sent to the stables any way.”
“Then you would do best to follow my orders, and I will keep you out of the stables.” He hit the button and the Mercedes started up and away they went. Mena and Adrienne were laughing like two best friends who had pulled off a practical joke.
***
Adrienne and Mena stepped out of the car in front of the ranch. In the circular driveway were two limos. One said state senator and the other were from a private company. Adrienne’s expression changed. She had no idea that Wilder would be busy with a campaign so soon. Maybe she was anxious and there was nothing to worry about.
They entered the house and Adrienne took Mena’s hand and tried to get to the stairs, but the door was ajar in the library. A large room with rough leather sofas and chairs made of cowhide, and shelves and tables of books old as the first existence of werewolves. Reading lamps of Venetian glass looming behind the chairs.
She smelled the aroma of cigar smoke drift from the library. “I think your fiancé is here,” a familiar voice said. Adrienne recognized the voice, and it sent cold shivers from her hair to her toes, and standing in the doorway with a disturbing look in his eyes stood Drayton with his mouth curled downward. Adrienne never saw the life leave Drayton’s eyes until now. But he did manage a smile if just a small one.
“Adrienne come. Meet our guests,” Drayton said taking her hand and leading her through the doorway and into the room. “You too Mena.” Mena walked slow dragging her feet. Adrienne reached out for Mena’s hand for support. Adrienne knew that voice well. But how did he find her? She wondered.
Maybe it wasn’t who she thought. Maybe her ears were deceiving her. Maybe she could run. But it was who she thought, and no, she couldn’t run. When she entered the room with Mena straggling behind, her eyes met Paul, then Wilder, and then Lycell. She didn’t see the other man sitting in the far corner, but she heard his voice.
He stood walking with his hand extended. “It’s nice to see you again. I know you don’t remember me, but I’m one of Paul’s frat brothers.” She glanced at Paul who had a smirk on his lips. Adrienne’s body started to convulse. Her hands shook and she pulled it away and turned facing Drayton. “I’m not feeling well, I’ve been sick,” she said.
“Mena, get Adrienne to bed.” The fright in Adrienne’s eyes explained everything to Wilder, Drayton, and Lycell. The only decision was whether they should kill them here or wait. Wilder glanced at Lycell and he knew instinctively.
“Well, our business has concluded,” Paul said to his friend and to the brothers. Together they accompanied Paul and his friend to the front of the house where their limo was parked.
Paul and his friend entered the limo, they waved and the car took off.
Wilder, Drayton, and Lycell waited until they were out of sight. “Lycell you know what should be done,” Wilder said. Lycell disappeared heading for his truck but stopped and turned in the direction of the stable.
“What are you going to do?” Drayton questioned Wilder as they strode back to the library.
“You shouldn’t know or be a part of this. If something happens to me and Lycell, you will have to be clear of everything to be able to care for our children and Adrienne. You will be married to her and no one will question you on anything. Not even the murder of the senator’s son. I don’t want you to know anything about this. Now don’t ask any more questions of me. Go see to Adrienne. I have work to do.”
Drayton walked unhurried out of the library, he turned to see Wilder watching through the window with a drink in his hand. Wilder never drank. That’s how he got his name because if he took one drink it would make him wild and uncontrollable. When he was very young he accidentally drank liquor in his father’s study. His father scolded him for going in there but he was curious, and when he got his chance again he drank a full bottle of liquor, which made him crazy for days. He would leave off alone, climb the mountain top, and howl at the moon. After that, he never drank.
Taking a look once more at Wilder, Drayton wanted to help because he knew Wilder had a burden and problems to solve that were not of his creation, and he was disturb by Adrienne’s selection of him. She was Wilders but he chose to share her. No matter how he showed a pleasant face on the outside, deep inside, Drayton knew it was tearing him apart.
***
A soft knock came to Adrienne’s door. She sat up. She knew that knock, it was Drayton. He walked in and just looked at her. Then he spoke, “I’m going to have food sent to your room. He passed his hand under her eyes, on her cheek, it was there he cleared the tears falling.
“I have something for you,” he said handing Adrienne a bag.
“A present? I love presents. I don’t remember when I’ve gotten a present.” She peeked into the bag and brought out three small boxes. On its top it spelled, Tiffany. “Oh My God, Drayton.” She flipped the top of one box and grabbed her mouth. “Soleste emerald cut.” She opened the next, “Pear cut,” she opened the last, “A three stone Legacy Cushion.” She held the boxes as if they were a baby. Her face lit up as if she was a teen being asked out on her first date.
She kissed him on the mouth. “Wilder gave me your mother’s engagement ring from your father when he thought I would pick him. I don’t need all of the
se rings only the one with the three stones to symbolize my marriage to all of you.” We each want you to have one, Wilder picked out the Emerald cut and Lycell the Pear cut.”
“Don’t cry, the whole thing will be taken care of. Wilder will take care of everything for everyone,” Drayton said placing the engagement ring with the three diamonds on Adrienne’s finger. “I want you to forget about tonight and plan our wedding.” He stood and as he was about to open the door Wilder came in. Drayton glanced at him, he thought Wilder didn’t look like himself. His face pensive with worried lines around the eyes caught the light.
Drayton didn’t question him, he walked out to give them privacy. After all she was his mate and it had been a while since they were together.
“What is it, Wilder? What is the matter?” Adrienne asked. He didn’t say a word. He glared at her and through her window she saw the moon, it was full. She never knew what it did to them because they would hide it from her. She never saw them during the full moon.
Wilder walked to her bed and stood over her, silent with his blue eyes turning dark. “What do you want? You are scaring me.”
“I wouldn’t hurt you. It’s not what I want, it’s what I need from you.” His voice hoarse, sexy, and ominous.
“Do you want to sleep with me tonight? She asked him taking his hand and placing near her warm inviting face. “We haven’t been together for a long time, not the way we were in the cave.”
“I need more than to sleep with you. I need your body, and I need it now.” He leaned over Adrienne with fiery red eyes. He tore the straps of her gown and it fell to her waist. He propped his arms over her and sniffed her hair. His nose trailed down her breasts. She looked at his beautiful full dark hair and raked her hands through it encouraging him on. She hoped he wouldn’t go any further but his need for her pushed through the boundaries.
His rough breathing loud. His muscular body scorching. She reached for his penis and it was heavy and full. He needs a release, she thought. Adrienne calmed him and lay him down and unzipped his jeans, pulling them down passed his ankles after taking off his house slippers. He lay with his beautiful body of muscles rippling from shoulder to chest to legs. He was a sight to behold and he was hers, Adrienne thought. Now he needs her and she has to do something to ease the pain he felt.
She had to ease his pain of responsibility, his pain of not having a release for months, and his pain of sharing her. “Just lay there and I will sooth you.” She started with his head. Adrienne’s fingers dug lightly into his scalp. Rolling her fingers through it for several minutes and moving to his shoulders. They were tight. She massaged them over and over. Crouching over his magnificent chest she lowered her head and kissed his chest and Wilder’s mouth opened and it released a loud moan.
“Adrienne, I need you. I need you so much.”
“I know you do Wilder. I’m here. I love you so much.” When she said those magical words he relaxed and his manhood grew large. She took it in her hand and placed it in her warm mouth. He placed his finger around the smooth ridges of her lips and his hips moved up to meet her mouth. She observed him enjoying the pleasure she brought to his body.
Chapter 15
The next morning a loud knock came to Adrienne’s bedroom door. Wilder didn’t hear anything but Adrienne sat up and pulled the cover to her breasts. Wilder lay on his stomach naked next to Adrienne. “Come in Drayton.” Drayton rushed in and stood silent. “What is it?”
“I need to speak to Wilder.”
“He’s tired. He had a difficult day.”
“Not as difficult as mine. I need to speak to him,” Drayton insisted gazing at Adrienne’s covered breasts.
“What do you mean by that?” Adrienne asked Drayton. Her voice calm and understanding.
“What’s wrong?” Wilder asked turning on his back and sitting up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.
“You two talk here,” Adrienne said reaching for her robe and Drayton handing it to her, his eyes scanning her body with lust. “I have children to see to.” She walked out of the room and left Wilder in bed and Drayton staring down at Wilder.
“Now what is so important, Drayton?”
“I thought you weren’t going to take Adrienne until after she mated with me?”
“I didn’t, now get on with it. What is so important?”
“Lycell is back. But he’s hurt.”
“What do you mean?” Wilder’s body bolted upward and he threw on a robe. “Where is he?”
“Robert is tending to his wounds,” Drayton said watching at Wilder.
“You didn’t tell me how he was hurt.” Wilder said.
“He wouldn’t tell me. He wanted to see you. He needed to talk to you first.”
With a few leaps, Wilder was out of the door, down stairs, and into the infirmary. His room was next to Devin’s. He past his son to find Lycell lying on an operating bed and Robert working on his shoulder. Wilder stood looking down, exhaling, and releasing several large breaths.
“Is he going to live?” Wilder asked.
“Yes. He had a bad fall. His arm is broken. We may have to put him in the hospital. I’ve seen this kind of injury with the Alaskan werewolves. If it’s not set right, he may never be able to use that arm.”
“He can’t go to a hospital. I need to speak to him. Don’t give him any pain medication until I talk to him. Do what you can.” Robert shook his head at Wilder and walked away standing in the corner.
“Do you understand? And don’t tell Mena or Adrienne,” Wilder said to Lycell.
“I understand,” Lycell said.
“When will my son be ready to travel?” Wilder said turning to Robert.
“He’s up and about now,” Robert said giving Lycell a shot. “It amazes me how your people heal so fast. Have you ever thought about allowing someone to do research? I mean I could do the research here. It could be lifesaving for mankind.”
“What have men ever done for me?” Wilder asked standing over Lycell, his lips making a hard line.
“Nothing, I guess except save your family,” Robert said looking Wilder in the eyes, bold and without reservation. Wilder raised an eyebrow and his forehead settle into rows, his eyes narrowed as if to say, do you know who you are talking to, but he remained silent and looked once more to Lycell, and without saying a word, shot one hostile look at Robert, and left the room.
***
Wilder found Adrienne in the nursery. The six wolf pups were sleeping and Adrienne sat watching them. She looked up. “They grow so fast.”
“I tried to tell you that when ours were born. But that’s not why I’m here.”
“What’s wrong, is Devin Ok?” she said bracing for bad news, her hands tightening on the arms of the rocker.
“He’s fine.” Wilder pulled Adrienne from her rocking chair to him, holding her tight in his arms.
“It’s Lycell.”
“Oh what has he done now? He’s looking for attention. I explained to him, six babies keep me busy. He wanted them,” Adrienne said making fun.
“It’s not that.” She waited. “He’s injured.”
“Doing what again? I swear he’s like a child. He rides those damn horses all over the ranch. I told him that he could fall in a gofer hole and he didn’t want to hear from me. Something about me being a female and didn’t understand.”
“Robert is taking care of him and he’ll be alright.”
“Maybe we should cancel the wedding for now. I’ll talk to Mena.” Adrienne started to walk away but Wilder caught her arm and brought her back.
“You can’t.”
“But why?”
“I can’t tell you, and don’t ask me anything further. Go plan the wedding, you and Drayton will need to be in Hawaii within a week.” Wilder turned, walked away leaving Adrienne wondering. When she looked up Mena was standing in the doorway.
“Come in Mena. Do you know what is going on around here? Wilder is keeping something from me. Maybe he thinks I’m too delicate. I’ve had
far more rest than I care for, I could be dead and never rest this much.”
Mena walked around the bassinets looking fondly at the babies. “They are all boys and handsome. I wished I had a girl to marry one of your boys.”
“You will be able to adopt. Then we will see.” She stood thinking about Mena, remembering how she felt when the doctor informed her that she would never have children. Boy was he wrong, she thought. “Now tell me what is going on around here,” Adrienne insisted.
Mena looked at Adrienne, “Wilder is afraid my father will call a war with the Samsas and the pack isn’t strong enough yet. The Oregon pack may join them.”
“But why?” Adrienne asked her voice soft. “Does it have to do with you and Drayton?”
“My father doesn’t know that we’re not married. We deceived him. I love Robert, and with Lycell hurt, and your six sons still infants, his pack isn’t strong. Wilder needs that time to get Drayton out of the way, and try to prevent my father from finding out what we did until all your sons are old enough.”
“Old enough for what?”
“To do what we are created to do.” Mena tried to choose her words carefully but nothing she could say would end Adrienne’s fears. “Fight if we have to for the good of the pack, for our family of werewolves.”
“I have to talk to my men,” Adrienne said with a worn low voice. She sunk into the chair. “What a mess for my Wilder to solve.” Exhaling, “Meet me downstairs in an hour. We have a wedding to plan for Saturday.”
***
“Robert, I need to speak to Lycell. Drayton you stay here,” Wilder said with a grim look.
“What is it Wilder? I hate when you look at me with those steely blue eyes it’s damn right scary. You look as if I’m dying,” Lycell said looking up at Wilder.
“You’re not dying but it will be a long time before you will ride that wild horse of yours. Werewolves have no business on the backs of another animal. I thought you were going to take care of that business. You were supposed to use the truck. Now tell me what happened.”
Insatiable Box Set: Books 1-4 Page 19