First to Fall

by Alexa Whitewolf

  It seems a good idea until a few blocks down the road I hear growls. Three wolves emerge out of an alleyway, their yellow eyes glinting in the darkness. For a second, I wonder if I might be lucky enough and these are regular wolves.

  That idea is shot to hell when I notice the way the smaller ones stare at the leader and the intelligence gleaming in his eyes. I don’t have to speak wolf to understand what’s going on in their heads. Fresh meat.

  I glance around, but sure enough there’s no one. At the end of the street I can see cars at an intersection, but that’s blocks away. No way can I outrun these wolves... So I do the next best thing and reach for the screwdriver.

  The leader’s eyes go to it, then dart towards me as if he can’t believe I plan to fight them. I shrug. “I’m stubborn food. Trust me, you won’t enjoy me.”

  The wolf scoffs, jerking his head to the others. They leave the cover of the alleyway and fan out, surrounding me in all corners. I shift my feet, centering myself for better movement. When the first one jumps at me, I elbow him in the chest and push him off.

  The second grabs for my leg. Fearing his bite might be one of those that could turn me, I jerk out of the way but end up hitting my knee on the cement. I clench the screwdriver, biting back a groan of pain, and drive it into the approaching wolf's side. He jumps back, whining.

  The leader is last to face me, eyes slanted now as if recognizing an adversary. I stagger to my feet, grimacing at the jolt of pain in my knee. There’s little doubt in my mind I won’t be able to hold all of them off if they attack together. But I plan to damn well try.

  The wolf hunches over, looking ready to pounce—then he stills. I feel it too, right before a stranger’s voice washes over me. “Leave her.”

  I whirl around, dropping my guard with the wolf and ready to jab the newcomer with a screwdriver. But he stops my hit with one hand, gripping my wrist in his larger—much larger—hand that engulfs mine.

  A stormy gaze stares into mine for a beat, silver irises searching mine. A lock of dark hair falls over his forehead, and his lips move in a half-smirk. He’s not a pretty boy—but dark and scruffy with a day’s worth of beard. Yet the faded jeans and shirt are clean, and his presence is overwhelming.

  I gulp as at his insistent gaze, almost numb when he removes the screwdriver and throws it away. Still holding my wrist, he tugs me to his side and levels a hardened expression on the wolves. They’ve now grouped around their leader.

  “You’re still here?”

  The head one takes a step closer, but the stranger snarls. I glance at him, seeing his upper lip curled over bared teeth, and shiver. Who is this guy? Another wolf?

  With a whine, my attackers leave us alone, disappearing around a corner. The stranger releases my wrist at that point, tilting his head as he looks me up and down.

  “Do you make a habit of facing off wolves armed with only a screwdriver?”

  I gulp past the fear lodged in my throat. “Not really. My car ran out of gas, and my cell ran out of battery. I was trying to find help.”

  “And what were you doing in this part of town to begin with?”

  My eyes narrow at his patronizing tone. “I was looking for my boyfriend.”

  His nostrils flare as if taking in my scent. “Ah. I see. He’s missing?”

  “You know, I think I’m done answering your questions. Thank you for your help, but I’ll be fine from here.” Despite me walking away, he matches my pace until we’re side by side. “I meant it.”

  “Yes, you did.” He sounds amused, and a quick glance confirms his gray eyes are now sparkling merrily. “But I wouldn’t be a gentleman if I let a lonely, unprotected woman walk by herself in these dangerous parts.”

  “You keep talking, but I’m neither lonely nor unprotected.”

  He ignores my mutter, stepping ahead of me and blocking my path. I glare up at him, having to throw my head back to see him. “You’re annoying.”

  “And you are refreshing, Red. What’s your name?”

  My eyes narrow, but the fierce expression I'm trying to portray doesn't seem to faze him. “I’ll scream for help.”

  “Much as I would enjoy that, I propose something different. My car is parked over there.” He points to the busy intersection where a dark Hummer is pulled over to the side. “I will take you wherever you want.”

  “What’s the catch?”

  He grins. “Tell me your name.”

  Only my desperation to find Dom makes me give in. The quicker I can get to Claws Auto Shop, the sooner I’ll be back out searching for him—this time, with backup.

  With a sigh, I move past him. “Lucrezia San Marco.”

  ∞ ♦ ∞

  A few minutes later, we pull in front of the shop. My mysterious benefactor didn’t say a word during the entire ride—other than ask for the address—and was a perfect gentleman.

  Now that we’re here, and I’m still alive, I unbuckle my seat belt and face him. “Thank you. And...I’m sorry for my rudeness.”

  He grins, waving off my apology. “The pleasure was all mine, Lucrezia.”

  My hand automatically moves to the door to open it, but I hesitate, realizing I never even asked his name. “What’s your name? So I can thank you properly, at least.”

  His eyes roam over my features as if trying to figure out if I’m worthy of the information. After another beat, he says, “Tytus. But friends call me Ty.”

  “Well, thank you, Ty.” His eyes seem brighter in the car, or maybe it’s the light. I gulp past that odd unease in my throat and step out.

  Tristan storms out of the shop, followed by Finn. “Merda, Lucrezia! Where the hell have you been? And who's that guy?”

  I glance where Tristan is scowling, noticing Ty has now exited the car and is standing off to the side, his nostrils flaring. “That guy is the man who brought back what you obviously lost. Perhaps a change of tone would be appropriate.”

  Something in his voice makes me shiver, but I don’t move. Finn steps closer, nose turned up in the air. “What are you? Your smell...”

  I gape at them. “He’s not human?”

  “Não, not even close.” Tristan's tone is none too pleased.

  Ty either wants to piss them off, or he’s not great with people. Either way, he doesn't answer them and instead catches my gaze. “By the way, I know where your boyfriend is, if you’d like to find him tonight.”

  “Where?” I ignore the guys’ shouts of protest, already stepping closer to the car.

  “Where all lost souls go.”

  I bite my lip, glancing back at the guys. They’ve been nothing but supportive, and I know the tight spot I’m putting them in by doing what I plan to. But I’ve come too far, and there’s no way I intend to be away from Dom a minute longer.

  “Sorry, guys, but I need to find Dom. And Ty’s my best chance at that.”

  With one last glance at their stunned expressions, I hop back into the Hummer and Ty takes off in a screech of tires.

  ∞ ♦ ∞

  Barely twenty minutes later, we park in the middle of nowhere, on the outskirts of town. A small building with a neon sign announces it’s a bar, open twenty-four-seven, but the light is partly shut off and the place doesn’t inspire confidence.

  Ty gets out of the car and I follow him, wringing my hands together. Despite my uneasiness, if Dom is in there, I need to woman up and get him. So I straighten my back and stomp over, my boots crunching over the hardened snow.

  When we enter the bar, the smell of beer, cheap cologne and smoke assails me, so potent it makes me cough. Ty’s there to tap my back gently, then points to a corner.

  Past the run-down bar and stools, across the laminated floor, my eyes fall on Dom—and the girl on his lap. She’s barely wearing anything and he’s not touching her, despite her efforts to the contrary.

  Dom’s expression, when I zero in on it, makes my heart squeeze. His gaze is lost in the beyond, and there’s an empty bottle of liquor at his feet. The girl shifts
in his lap, but it doesn’t draw a single reaction out of him.

  “How did you know he was here?” My words are a murmur, but my companion seems to hear them easily enough.

  “Caught his scent on you.”

  I glance up at Ty, surprised he so easily confirmed what the guys said. “So you’re really not human.”

  A flash of teeth in the dark, then he backs away. “Like your friend said, I’m as far from it as they come. I’ll be at the bar if you run into any trouble. Take care, Lucrezia.”

  I recognize the goodbye, and after he disappears in the crowd, I stomp over to my boyfriend, my blood boiling. I tap the woman's shoulder, setting my face in my most angry scowl. “Move off my man.”

  “Excuse me?” She’s slurring, drunk out of her mind.

  “You heard me. Move off him. Now.”

  The girl doesn’t budge, so I yank her off Dom. She stumbles away muttering about rude bitches, but I tune her out. My entire focus is on Dom, and the glaze in his eyes.

  Those blue eyes that I love stare unseeing at me, and when he speaks it’s rough and toneless. “What are you doing here?”

  Instead of answering, I grab his hand in mine and try to pull him to his feet. “Come with me.”

  “No.”

  Dom pulls his hand out mine and goes to take a swing of his drink, but realizes it’s empty. He throws it back to the ground, putting up a hand to cover his eyes. “Leave.”

  I do the opposite. If there’s no way he’ll answer rationally, then perhaps I can entice his wolf enough to follow me. So I sit on his lap, ignoring the hoots and whistles around us, and kiss him with everything I have.

  At first, his lips remain motionless against mine, making me growl in frustration. Dammit, Dom. I tug on his lower lip with my teeth, and when he still doesn’t react, I bite down on it. A hiss of pain escapes him and he tries to move away, but I don’t let go, kissing him harder instead.

  There’s a shift of energy, and a groan escapes him. A heartbeat later, Dom’s hand goes to my lower back, pulling me closer into him. Then his other catches my loose hair and grips it for leverage, before angling my mouth to take control of the kiss.

  The hollers increase around us, but the only thing I care about is the man finally responding to my touch. When his hand at my back moves lower, gripping my ass, I shift in his lap and pull back from the kiss.

  “Come with me.”

  Dom stares at me for a long beat, still holding onto my hair. My scalp tingles from the tight grip, but I don’t look away from him, afraid of losing him. Then he shudders out a breath, and lets go of me as if all fight left him.

  I get off him, my cheeks flushed at the whistles still going on. When I hold out my hand this time, Dom grasps it. Then he gets up and follows me out, stumbling with every step.

  ∞ 15 – Dragoste ∞

  “The madness of love is the greatest of

  heaven’s blessings.”

  -Plato-

  LUCREZIA

  It’s easy enough to find Dom’s pickup truck parked in the filthy parking lot. Harder, however, to find the keys while trying to keep him standing up. “How much alcohol did you consume, anyway?”

  Considering the past times I saw him drink, it must have been a lot to incapacitate him so. And let me tell you, trying to get him in the car while drunk is a workout in itself.

  After a few attempts, I buckle Dom in the passenger seat, and hop behind the wheel. The entire drive, I feel his stare is on me, as vivid as his touch, yet he doesn't say anything.

  It’s with a sigh of relief that I park in front of my building and turn off the engine. I rest my head against the wheel for a second, running through the night’s events in my head.

  “Dom...” I glance up, so many things on the tip of tongue, but choke on them when I see his expression.

  In the semi-darkness, his features are taut, his gaze intense with a hunger that pulls at me—because it’s also within me, and it’s clouding my judgment.

  Without a word, Dom unbuckles both our seatbelts and pulls me into his lap. This close, I notice his clear eyes, no longer glazed by the drink. My frown must show my surprise, as he shrugs.

  “Werewolf perks.” His voice is not what I’m used to, like he’s trying to rein himself in. Then his nostrils flare, and his entire body underneath mine grows taut with tension. “Lucas' scent is on you—”

  I kiss him before he can finish, putting everything I can in that. His hand at my neck draws me closer, and he takes over the kiss. I’m so out of my depth in this, but his every touch feels right, and I want him.

  Panting, I pull back and rest my forehead against his. “Lucas was trying to salvage his ego. I was clear about whom I love. Dom... You’re my first choice, always. Alpha or no alpha, I couldn’t care less. I love you.”

  He runs his knuckles down my cheek, then pulls my mouth to his. “Good. Because I’ve loved you since I laid eyes on you that first day... And tonight, I want to show you in every possible way. It will also mean I’m claiming you as my mate. So if you have any objections, now’s the time, draga mea.”

  I look him in the eyes, shaking my head. “No objections. I’m yours.”

  He growls and takes my mouth with his. For long, epic moments, his lips are the only anchor in the ocean of sensations I’m drowning in. Then I feel cold air on me and realize somehow Dom opened the car door and has extracted both of us, kicking it closed behind us.

  I wrap my legs around him, allowing him to carry me upstairs. “Dom, the car—”

  His kiss stops me, but he shifts around until two beeps break the silence of the night. I relax back in his embrace, but his chuckles distract me.

  “What?”

  He moves quickly, because within seconds we’re at the top of the stairs. I’m pinned between him and the wall, two steps away from my apartment, and he’s busy laughing in the crook of my shoulder. “I can’t believe you interrupted this to make sure my car doesn’t get stolen.”

  “Oh.” My cheeks warm up and he lifts his head to kiss the tip of my nose.

  Then his mouth moves back to mine, and I hear a click behind us. Dom kicks open the door to the apartment and moves us in.

  Dominic

  If heaven exists, it must start with what I’m feeling because I could die a happy man. If Luz thinks I’m about to speed things up, she’s dead wrong. I’ve waited a year to touch her like this, and there’s no way tonight will go any other way than slow—torturously slow, for both of us.

  I take my time kissing her by the entrance, her cute butt perched atop the coffee table near the door. My hands roam down her sides, taking off her jacket and sweater until she’s only got on her tank top and jeans.

  Satisfied with her level of undress, I settle back to enjoy her lips. But it’s not long before both my wolf and Luz demand more—much more.

  Her deft arms grab unto my belt, trying to unbuckle it. When that doesn’t work, she runs her hands under my shirt, trying to peel it off me. I pull back with a chuckle, meeting her darkened emerald gaze.

  “In a hurry?”

  “Yes!” The answer is more of a growl, and her brow furrows as she focuses on getting me naked.

  I help by taking my shirt off, and her hands roam everywhere—my chest, my abs, then move to my back, raking her nails. I hiss, and Luz draws back with wide eyes. “Did I hurt you?”

  “Hell, no.” I claim her mouth again, picking her up in my arms without releasing her lips. We head towards the bedroom this time, dismissing the comfortable-looking couch.

  Luz clings to my shoulders, peppering every inch of skin she can get to with light kisses, and I groan. Dropping her to the bed gently is a feat, especially when my wolf pushes for a more direct approach. But I push back, unwavering in my resolution to take my time.

  I move us both in a position where Luz is straddling me, which means I have access to everything. My lips move from her lips down her neck, before I drop lower and kiss along her collarbone, venturing as far as the t
op of her breasts.

  Luz moans against me, pressing her hips down into mine with enough urgency to make me catch fire. It's a good thing I’m fireproof—I think.

  My hands slip under her thin top, taking it off and the bra that goes with it. Then she’s there in all her glorious semi-naked beauty and I can’t help but slow down my pace again. I kiss every inch of skin I can get my mouth on, ignoring her mewls of protest at my pace.

  When I latch onto a nipple, Luz gives the most delighted gasp—so I do it again, and again, until she’s writhing and moaning and begging me for things she doesn’t understand.

  I move us so her back lands on the bed. Never interrupting contact with her skin, I trail lower, taking my time with her waist and belly button as I undo her jeans. I peel them off along with her panties, taking a deep breath of her arousal.

  “Dom... Please...”

  I know what she’s asking, but it’s too early. “Not yet, iubirea mea. Not quite yet.” She hits the covers in frustration, and I chuckle as I kiss my way up from one ankle to her thigh, and do the same thing with the other leg.

  Once I reach the apex of her thighs, Luz is sobbing with need. I part her folds with my fingers first, then my tongue, and heavens she tastes like the sweetest of nectars. But what’s even sweeter is the glorious sounds she makes, and the way she lets go, trusting me implicitly.

  Only when I’ve brought her to the stars and back more than once, do I give in and pull a condom from my jeans pocket, the slide it on. Luz parts her legs, biting her lip as she meets my gaze. “Please.”

  I nudge her slightly, pushing in one inch at a time. With it being her first time, the last thing I want is to hurt her—though I know it’s impossible not to. When I reach the last of her barriers, I stop and hoist myself on my elbows.

  “We can stop if you want to, you've only to say the word.”

  Luz bites harder on her lip, shaking her head. Before I can do anything, she arches her back and pushes her hips towards me—and cries out. I’m buried to the hilt, deep enough I can feel her every tremor.