And then she saw it. The wall at the other end of the alley. She’d assumed it went straight through, to the street. But some asshole had built a wall. She was trapped, in a garbage-strewn courtyard a stone’s throw from Lori’s apartment.
Nikki jumped at the wall, but it was too tall for her to get a handhold. She looked around frantically for something to stand on, dragging over a box. But the rotten wood gave way as soon as she stepped on it, sending her sprawling on the dirty wet cement.
She heard the wet slobbery growl of the creature before she saw it. Lying on the pavement, looking up, it was horrific, yellow fangs; the neck covered in matted fur and dried blood. She could see what looked like gaping wounds, old and crusty, but still oozing blood.
It was Arden, still caught between death and life. And now he was apparently intent on ending hers.
He lunged and she rolled, landing on her side, his fangs biting the air where she’d just been. As she lay on the pavement, he stood on his hind legs, lifting his deformed muzzle to the sky. The sound he made was far from anything Nikki had ever heard.
With lightning speed he swept his arm forward catching her under the waist with his forearm, his long claws cutting easily through her jacket and shirt, the pain searing her skin. She cried out and then she was flying through the air.
The crash knocked the breath out of her, the pavement gritty under her face. She took a breath, but nothing happened. She tried again, her lungs refusing to work. The world faded to gray and then even that disappeared. The last thing she heard was the sound of the thing, a sound like a laugh. But that couldn’t be right. Laughter was the wrong sound. But then even that was gone.
*
“Go! Find her!” Lori was screaming at Jax. Nikki’s scream still echoed in his head.
Ryan was still fighting Bec and Lori, both of them covered in Ryan’s blood. Bec had finally gotten his knife, driving it repeatedly into Ryan’s throat. But Ryan was still incredibly strong.
“Go…we’ve got this.” Bec was waving him off, twisting the knife. Jax took one last look and then turned, bolting down the stairs and out into the street.
Nikki was gone and his heart stopped. Then he heard the faint sounds of a fight, a body hitting the ground and a sound that turned his blood cold. The sound of laughter.
He knew exactly where she was and he took off at a dead run. The alley was there before he realized it and he skidded into the narrow opening.
Nikki was on the ground, the creature standing over her. She wasn’t moving but Jax had no time to do anything but hit the creature with all his force. It took both of them down, Jax rolling over with the creature, its stench washing over him.
There was nothing he could do for Nikki except kill this thing. With more strength than he thought possible he threw the thing off of him, jumping to a crouch. Instantly he went for its neck, digging his fingers into the matted fur, finding the wound inflicted so many years ago.
He dug his fingers into the creature’s neck, twisting, feeling fresh blood spurt from the torn jugular vein. The thing made a horrible gurgling noise, twisting feebly beneath him, waves of blood running over the ground, covering everything in a scarlet sheen.
It was over, more quickly than he’d thought possible. He sat back, looking down at the ruined creature beneath him. The matted fur was wet, with rain and blood. Its chest drew one last shallow breath and then was still.
Jax stood up, casting one last look over the thing. And then he ran to Nikki. She was breathing, but barely. He gently turned her on to her back, easing her upright. Her eyes opened and she looked at him.
“Jax…” Her voice was just a whisper. “I knew you’d find me.”
“Shhh…don’t talk. We need to get you to a hospital.” He tried to pick her up but she shuddered in his arms, her eyes rolling back in her head.
“No! Nikki…” He shook her gently. “Come back to me…come on, Nikki. Open your eyes.”
Her eyelids fluttered, but remained closed. He suddenly heard Bec’s voice in the alley and then his brother was beside him.
“She’s not going to make it Jax. You’ve got to blood her, now. You’ve got no choice, brother.”
Jax looked at Bec, crouched next to him, soaked in Ryan’s blood. “I…I can’t.”
He looked back at Nikki. Her eyes were open and she was looking at him, her eyes glazing over, her body going limp.
“Jax. I’m ready. Take me…please.”
Jax nodded, stroking her cheek. “Bec…brother, help me. Hold her steady.”
Bec held her against him and Jax pulled open her jacket and shirt. He’d never contemplated biting someone before. The hunters he’d killed he’d just savaged. This was different. Very different.
Gently he turned her head, exposing her neck. He bent toward her, his teeth grazing her soft, delicate skin. With as much care as he could, he bit into her warm flesh. The coppery taste of her blood filled his mouth and he held himself against her a moment, gently licking the wound.
He sat back, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. Bec looked up at him, brows drawn together.
“She should start healing.”
Jax pulled off his jacket wrapping Nikki in it. She was cold to his touch, the rain hitting her face. He rocked her gently, waiting for some kind of sign; anything that would tell him biting her had worked.
After what seemed an eternity she stirred in his arms, her eyes opening.
“Nikki...” Jax ran a gentle hand down her cheek.
“Jax… am I going to be okay?”
“Yeah, baby, you’re going to be okay. How do you feel?” He brushed a strand of hair away from her face.
“Better. Weak…but better.” She closed her eyes for a moment, then spoke without opening them. “Jax?”
He smiled. “Yes?”
“Can you take me home now?”
“Home?”
“Home…with you. Where I belong.”
Epilogue – Full Moon
The full moon was still several minutes away. Nikki had been pacing anxiously for the last hour, complaining that her bones hurt, her skin didn’t fit anymore…all the classic signs the moon was exerting its pull on her, starting the change in her body.
“I know, Nikki. I know. There’s nothing you can do. But if you relax, it will be easier.”
Jax longed to take the pain away, to make this an easier transition, but he knew that wasn’t possible. Every human who was blooded went through this, their first time. He still went through it, each full moon, but he’d grown accustomed to that moment of pain, when his body was held for that briefest second between human and wolf.
“I want my clothes off.” She was pulling at her t-shirt, almost frantic to get it off her body. He took the hem, pulling it over her head. He’d explained she’d need to be naked and was surprised by her sudden modesty. She’d insisted on remaining clothed, telling him she’d brought extra clothes for…after.
She tugged her jeans down her legs, kicking them away in frustration. Jax took off his shirt and pants, the tug and pull of the moon stronger now, the thrill of imminent change running through his own veins.
“Oh, fuck, Jax. This is happening now. I don’t…I’m not sure…don’t leave me.” She was standing in front of him, every muscle taut, eyes wide. He reached out, grabbing her hands.
“I’m right here, Nikki. Look at me, just keep looking at me. Listen to me. Okay? It’s going to be okay.”
And then it started. He watched in amazement as her body began to shift, his own body mimicking hers, bones elongating, muscles stretching. He saw her fangs extend as he felt the pain of his own tearing through his gums.
Her hands were changing, the fingers contracting, the palms growing larger against his, her soft skin turning into the pads of a wolf paw. Her nails clawed against him, raking over his own leathery-skinned paw.
She was still looking at him, her eyes still Nikki, the last human part of her. She lifted her head, opened her mouth and a sound forc
ed its way between her lips. It was somewhere between a scream and a bark, and then, as the scream was taken over by a pure howl, she dropped to her knees.
His own pain intensified and Jax threw his head back, releasing his own howl. He dropped on all fours and lifted his head.
Across from him, standing on the carpet was the most beautiful wolf he had ever seen, sable fur touched with fire, amber and ruby highlights winking in the soft light.
*
The pain was unbearable and she thought she was going to pass out. She wanted to scream, cry out, do something, but nothing worked. The bones in her arms and legs, her spine, everything was pulling, shifting, becoming something else. The rushing sound in her head grew louder, blocking out Jax’s words, blocking out her own thoughts. The only thing she registered was pain, intense and all-consuming. She threw her head back, her throat working convulsively.
There was a sound, sounds, screams and barks and then a howl. It grew louder and she was dimly aware it was coming from her own mouth. The pain was too much and she fell, dropping to the carpet, expecting…
It was gone. The noise, the pain…the unendurable pain. Gone. She felt…amazing. There was no other word for it. There was a brief instant where she wondered if she had died, but she felt far too alive for that.
She was looking at Jax’s room from a skewed perspective, shapes recognizable but different, somehow. Things were gray, but sharp and clear, clearer than they ever had been.
Nikki drew in a breath and blinked in surprise. Everything smelled, the air even had a scent. She wrinkled her muzzle, trying to take it all in.
There was a noise beside her and she turned. Jax. She recognized him instantly, the silky black coat and those beautiful silver eyes. She wanted to tell him how she felt, but the only noise she heard were her own whimpers and whining. She shook her head again.
But then he rubbed against her, his body warm, sleek and powerful. He led her down the stairs, through the darkened house and outside.
And then, in the moonlight, everything was perfect. It was just them, the two of them. And beneath the moon, they ran.
~ * ~ * ~
About The Author
Adriana Hunter writes stories for those who live to dream. Her stories run the gamut, from romance, fantasy, paranormal to captivating stories of seductive medieval nights, and wild, adult fairytales.
If you are fascinated by unique tales Adriana will deliver on her promise to create spellbinding stories that will tantalize your senses and provoke your imagination.
http://www.AdrianaHunter.com & http://www.SpicyTales.com
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