Dark Wolf

by Angelique Armae

  Excitement thrummed through her body. She was never going back to Jarle now. She couldn’t. She wanted to know about the MacHendrie wolves and their magickal world of shifting. “Teach me to take wolf form.”

  “Morphing canna be taught. It must be brought about from the core of your soul.”

  “Oh.” She frowned. “There’s no way I’ll ever be able to do it. I just can’t wrap my head around the dynamics, despite now believing it possible.”

  “I’m sure you’ve done it before. Before Jarle came into your world. You’ll do it again, when you’re ready.”

  Her gaze traveled to his right hind leg. A nasty pink scar ran down the length of it and the section was free of fur. “Is that scar the result of Jarle’s attack?”

  “It is.”

  She reached over and trailed her fingers down the furless stretch of leg. “How could he have done this to you?” She’d have gone after Jarle too, if he’d jammed a sword into her leg. The pain Callen endured had to have been horrific.

  A whine escaped Cal’s mouth.

  “Sorry. Didn’t mean to hurt you.”

  “It’s okay. Just a bit tender to the touch. Though I must admit, the feel of your hand warms the scar and that’s never happened before.”

  “Maybe we can work on it. I’ve formulated numerous salves in Jarle’s potting shed, several specifically for soothing sore muscles. If Rhys can get the ingredients, I can recreate them here.”

  “I’ll talk to him.” Callen turned around and padded across the room, his wolf body disappearing behind the table.

  “Where are you going?”

  “To shift back.”

  “Why are you hiding?”

  He gave a low growl.

  “Callen?”

  “This was not a well-planned morph, Miranda. I will be naked when I change back.”

  She rounded the table.

  “A bit of privacy, please.”

  “This coming from the same man who didn’t seem to mind taking in a good view of my breasts the yesterday. Where was the privacy there?”

  “Touché. But this is different. I will be fully naked.”

  “And your point being?”

  Callen growled again, a low guttural noise that sounded more annoyed than angry. “There is a kilt in the wardrobe on the far wall, in a box on the top shelf. Please bring it to me.”

  “A polite wolf. Now that’s something I would have never expected.”

  “Just bring the kilt, wumman.”

  Miranda headed for the wardrobe. “You’re also a grumpy little dog.”

  “Do not call me dog. Or little.”

  She didn’t trust herself to remark on the size comment. “You certainly bark orders like a dog. I hope you don’t expect me to cook dinner every night because that won’t be happening. I’m more a microwave chick.”

  “Planning on sticking around, are you?”

  “Crap. I didn’t mean to say that out loud.”

  “Too late.”

  She returned, kilt in hand, and froze. “What am I supposed to do now? I think it might be too heavy to drape over you.”

  “You think me that weak?”

  “No, but…”

  “Just leave it on the floor.”

  She placed the blue plaid garment at Cal’s feet.

  “Now turn around. Please.”

  “You are such a prude. I really didn’t expect that from you.”

  Callen remained silent on the matter.

  A few seconds later she felt the touch of his hand on her shoulder. She spun around. Her hot Scot was back.

  Miranda licked her lips, her gaze taking in the whole of Cal’s naked torso, from his ripped chest to his bulking biceps. The man was more gorgeous without clothes than she had imagined. “You really need to get a velvet-draped, four-poster bed.”

  “Need? I already have one.”

  “Get, out.” She slapped him on the chest. A playful little pat.

  He pulled her close.

  The aroma of bergamot filled her space, a note of clove topped it off. She ran her hand over his chest, brought her head to rest against his shoulder. “You smell incredible.”

  “It’s my wolf scent and only you can detect it.” Callen gently nudged Miranda off him, then lifted her chin with his finger. Lowering his head, he brushed his lips against hers.

  Heat warmed Miranda’s body. The taste of fresh lime lingered on her tongue, coated her mouth as Cal’s tongue danced with hers. Callen MacHendrie was a man she could easily fall into bed with, maybe even love.

  Cal deepened the kiss.

  Oh yeah. She could definitely get used to this.

  She moaned and wrapped her arms around his neck.

  He grabbed the hem of her shirt and slipped his large hand underneath.

  Miranda’s skin tingled.

  Her bra’s front clasp popped.

  Callen didn’t waste a second. He had her shirt over her head and on the floor in a flash. The bra went flying as well and she didn’t give a fig. Her wolf could undress her any day.

  Her wolf. Oh, God, she was in the danger zone. What the hell was she doing thinking of Cal as hers?

  “We’re mates, Miranda. We can’t help but be attracted to each other.”

  “But we just met.”

  “It’s the way MacHendrie wolves operate. It’s built in to our DNA. And yours.”

  She ran her fingers over his shoulder. “You really shouldn’t read my mind.”

  He grinned. “I’ll try not to.”

  He lifted her and sat her on the table before dipping his head to her right nipple. His tongue darted out, caressed her swollen bud with vicious licks, brought it to a full peak.

  Pain mixed with pleasure as the tip of her breast grew taught.

  Her eyes flashed neon again.

  She gave a little howl.

  Damn. Cal was right. She was a wolf and they were mates, there was no denying it. She wanted him.

  Miranda reached for the open side of Cal’s kilt and slipped her hand under the fabric. Her fingers glided over his hard penis.

  He gasped.

  His cock twitched in her hand. She liked knowing she had some hold over him, that his body welcomed her touch.

  “If we do this, Miranda, there will be no going back.”

  “I want to be yours, Callen. I trust you, trust in what you’ve told me about MacHendrie wolves and their mates. Besides, I can’t explain the feelings I have for you.”

  He leaned his forehead against hers. “You’ll have to accept my pack, even if they don’t accept me. Do you understand that? It won’t be easy.”

  “Why wouldn’t they accept you?”

  He let out a deep breath. “With my leg, I am not capable of leading them the way a true Alpha should. I have been alone for a long time because of my wound.”

  She wanted to be his regardless of what the MacHendrie wolves thought of him. “But you said I’m your mate.”

  “Aye. And we mate for life.”

  “Then I will be yours for life.” She pulled his head down and kissed him.

  A groan escaped Callen’s throat. He slid his hand to her waist and undid the zipper of her jeans, then tugged them off her legs.

  She shimmied out of her lace panties and spread wide for him. Her desire to be taken by Callen was something she couldn’t explain, but it was overwhelming, controlling her every inch. Maybe it was the wolf in her soul, the wolf that had been suppressed.

  “I should take you in my bed. This is not proper, claiming you on a table.”

  “There’s no time, Cal. I want you to take me here. Now.”

  He hesitated. “The pack will know we’ve mated. They’ll notice the change in my scent, though they won’t smell the same scent you detect on me. I urge you to think about this, Miranda, because from this moment on, your life will be changed.”

  The strong desire to be claimed by him, to allow him to show his pack he had a mate, consumed her. “The pack must know I’m yours. I want t
hem to know you now have a woman who will stand by you.”

  “You truly are my mate, Miranda. Any other female would not be doing what you’re agreeing to now.”

  He positioned himself between her thighs and ran his hand over her inner leg.

  Heat radiated from his fingers, warmed her flesh and shot up to her clit. She clenched.

  Callen reached for her mound, rubbed his thumb over the sensitive prize.

  Miranda spread her legs wider. As she enjoyed the flick of Cal’s finger against her clit, she worked his cock with her hand. Wrapping around the hard rod, she then pumped up and down, noting that her fingers barely contained him, his girth so thick.

  Cal went back to teasing her nipple with his masterful tongue. First, he toyed with the right one, then he teased the left one. In seconds both her peaks were protruding to the point of pain, but it was an agony she enjoyed.

  She thrust her breasts closer to his mouth.

  A bead of liquid touched her palm as she caressed the tip of Cal’s penis.

  He pushed her hand away, and then lifted his kilt and brought his cock to her slit. One finger dipped inside her. “Christ, Miranda, you are so wet. And tight.”

  “Love me, Callen.”

  “I cudna refuse, even if I wanted to.” He slid his penis inside her, just enough to tease her sensitive walls.

  She moaned. “Don’t stop there. Please.”

  A chuckle escaped his lips. “You’re a wanton little wolf.”

  “I can’t help it. I’ve never felt like this before.”

  “It’s the animal in your soul, Miranda. It might have been suppressed, but it’s still there and that’s a good thing.”

  Callen inched his cock deeper into her.

  Like a million little pings of pleasure, a sweet pulse rippled through her privates. She clenched, held tight to Cal’s long, hard penis.

  He pulled out with a moan.

  A soft groan rose in her throat.

  Callen slid back inside, this time with a fiercer thrust, a pound that hammered her and sent the sound of slapping flesh echoing through the room.

  She gripped the table’s edge and met Cal’s every move.

  He grunted, his breath coming in deep pants as he rammed into her over and over.

  Pleasure exploded inside her. Miranda let out a cry and leaned forward, wrapped her arms around Callen’s neck and rode out the exquisite sensation until she could move no more.

  Cal held her steady, then pumped one last time, spilling his seed into her tight slit. A low howl came from his core.

  Mating with her Alpha wolf was a pleasure she would have never imagined, even in her wildest dreams.

  ~~~~~~~

  After they made love, Callen helped Miranda back into her clothes. Knowing he now had a mate, pleased him beyond anything he could have imagined, the sensation lingering somewhere between elation and concern, because even though he had wanted to protect her the moment he realized Miranda was indeed his destiny, the desire to keep her safe was now tenfold.

  “Why do you think my touching your wound, made your leg pain ease? I mean, aside from me being a doctor and a witch. Why me?” Miranda asked.

  “I believe you have a special healing gift.”

  She adjusted her t-shirt and then stared at his kilt. “Can I see your wound, in human form now?”

  He frowned. “I don’t know if that is a good idea.”

  “We just banged our brains out, I think looking at your thigh would not be considered taboo.”

  “No. I don’t mean it in that way. I’m concerned for your safety. In order for the curse to be lifted from my leg, it will either have to be totally destroyed or be completely absorbed by someone else. And it can only be done while I’m in human form. That’s why it was okay for you to purposely touch my wound while I was wolf. But not now. I don’t want to put you at risk. Yesterday’s aid happened by chance. And until I know you won’t be put in danger by working directly on my leg, to the extent you’d have to work it to heal it completely, I won’t have you near it. An accidental or quick touch, apparently won’t harm you, but anything more and we enter unknown territory.”

  “Then I definitely have to try one of those salves I spoke about earlier. I can make it and you can apply it yourself.”

  He nodded. “That would be acceptable.”

  She reached her hand for his chin. “You’re an agreeable wolf. I thought Alphas were hot-headed, dominant animals.”

  “I’m a beast with my enemies. Not with my mate.”

  “I might like this being your mate thing.”

  He chuckled. “You like me now, but wait until my father comes home and brings the pack with him. They are a rowdy bunch and the single wolves tend to camp out here a lot. They like living in the castle. Better get your sleep while you can.”

  The door opened and Vidar walked in. He glanced at Callen’s kilt. “Sorry to intrude on the tupping.” He inched back.

  Miranda quirked an eyebrow. “I am familiar with the term and you are not intruding, sir.”

  “He’s no sir,” Callen said. “Trust me on that. Though he is family, since he’s my uncle’s brother-in-law. But unfortunately, I can’t do anything about that.”

  Vidar remained at the door. “Very funny, skirt wearer. I will come back, later.”

  “Don’t leave,” Miranda said. “Do you have more information for me?”

  “No, Dr. Kendrick. I’m afraid the reason for me being here now only concerns MacHendrie.”

  “I think I’ll go find Rhys,” Miranda said. She headed for the door. “Thank your men for helping me, Vidar. I appreciate everything they’ve done.”

  The Viking nodded, then stepped aside to allow her to pass.

  Once Miranda was out of ear shot, Callen motioned for Vidar to take a seat. “What did you learn?”

  “Jarle is on the warpath. He knows my men have been looking into Miss Kendrick’s background. He’ll be coming for her soon. Of this I am certain.”

  The news was not what he wanted to hear. “Can you get reinforcements here in time?”

  “They are already on the way, my friend.”

  He was never so glad for Vidar in all his life. “Good, then we will be ready.”

  “There is more.”

  This cudna be good. “Spill it.”

  “He wants your mother’s locket.”

  What did his mother’s locket have to do with Jarle? “We don’t even know where it is. And why would Jarle want it? It’s not a heart locket.”

  “No, but it could be used as one to bind her soul in the afterlife. My mother once told me that there were witches capable of performing the heinous act, of claiming souls long after they had passed from this earth.”

  Jarle had no right. Anger infused Callen’s veins. “I will not let that bastard harm my mother’s peace. Besides, despite having passed from this plane, she is still a goddess. Even in death those powers remain with her soul. Why would Jarle even attempt such a thing?”

  “My men overheard him talking to someone saying that Mortimer killed his wife. I think he wants revenge. You mother was Mortimer’s half-sister, the only female in his family. By Jarle binding her soul, it would avenge his wife’s death.”

  Callen fisted his hands. “Katya could be in danger as well.”

  Vidar shook his head. “My sister cannot be bound to Jarle. She now uses a spell my grandmother taught her, to protect her heart, and the bastard can’t break it.”

  That left only his mother. The only other female linked to Mortimer. “I will not have that son-of-a-bitch curse my mother’s soul.”

  “Find the locket and she’ll remain at peace.”

  Thank goodness he had Miranda here. He was going to need her help if he had any chance of going through the entire horde of jewelry before Jarle arrived.

  Chapter Nine

  Rhys was nowhere to be found, despite Miranda searching Wolfsden from top to bottom. Even the kitchen staff hadn’t seen the butler, though they did
suggest he might be found somewhere on the grounds.

  She wandered out to the back gardens and stopped midstride on the gravel path between two rows of roses.

  A wolf with ice blue eyes stood square in her way.

  “Don’t be afraid Miss Kendrick.”

  “Rhys?”

  “Please don’t tell Callen I’m out here in wolf form. He doesn’t like me running around the estate during daylight hours.”

  “Then why do it?”

  “I’m not sure other than it is a need I have. It can’t quite be explained, I’m afraid.”

  “Your secret is safe with me.” Her cell phone buzzed. Retrieving it from her jeans pocket, Miranda glanced at the screen and swiped for the text message. A deep breath escaped her.

  “Bad news?”

  “It’s Jarle. He wants me to return to Inverness tonight.”

  “You can’t go to him.”

  She joined Rhys on the ground and crossed her legs. “I need to convince him that it’s in his best interest I remain here. But he’s not fooled easily.”

  “You could offer him the hope of a treasure greater than Callen’s blade.”

  “What do you propose?”

  Rhys stood and pranced the path, then circled Miranda. He settled down next to the roses, his light gray fur appearing almost white in the sunlight. “Tell Jarle another batch of artifacts are due to be delivered from the dig and that you overheard Callen talking about magickal items being contained in it and possibly even a few Viking pieces.”

  “Jarle is a greedy beast. I once watched him give up a family heirloom in exchange for increased power. If he thought there might be something of his in the batch, he might just go for it.”

  “Text him back and tell him you can’t return to Inverness tonight.”

  Her fingers worked the buttons on her phone as she prayed Jarle would fall for the ruse. “If this doesn’t pan out, that vile dude will be here in no time.”

  A few seconds later her phone dinged.

  Rhys stuck his snout toward her hand. “Did he bite?”

  “He did indeed.” A smile spread across her lips.

  The genius butler raised his paw. “I hope you don’t mind my paw for a high-five, but I can’t change back in your presence. My clothes are not nearby.”