Make Him Mine

by Lia Bevans

  “Are you back?”

  “Back?” She glanced at him. “Where did I go?”

  “Thank God.” He rushed in and hugged her tight. “For a minute there, I worried I did the wrong thing locking you up.”

  “What happened?”

  He led her to the couch and sat her down. “Your wolf took control of your body.”

  “It did?” Her jaw dropped. “How?”

  “The serum. Cecil admitted to slipping it into your tea yesterday morning. And before you get angry, she was really sorry. Cried a whole bucket of tears when she stopped by to help me last night. I don’t think she’ll try anything like that again.”

  “They were here?”

  “Yes.” He nodded. “Evie, Mae and Cecil. Without their help, I wouldn’t have been able to lock you up.” He glanced away. “Your wolf was... adamant.”

  “Blaez, I’m so sorry. I don’t remember anything at all. Did we...”

  “No, but things were sketchy for a minute. Your wolf was fighting tooth and nail.”

  “Oh.” She swallowed. “Did anything else happen that I should know?”

  He winced.

  “What is it?”

  Blaez rubbed the back of his neck. “My upstairs neighbor, Mr. Bertram, happened to stop by when your wolf was insisting we... you know. He witnessed her attempts at persuading me and fainted. The paramedics say he got, um, too excited and his heart couldn’t handle it.”

  Chantal felt like crying. “You mean I nearly killed an old man?”

  “Not intentionally.”

  “Why did you tell me that?” She bawled. “Now I feel awful.”

  “You asked.”

  “That’s it, Blaez. Don’t you dare come back to the center! Stay as far away from me as possible! Whatever it takes, I’m going to keep my distance from you too.”

  “Don’t say that.” He tried to draw his arm around her, but she pulled back.

  Sniffing loudly, Chantal cried, “I almost forced myself on you last night.”

  He chuckled.

  “It’s not funny!”

  “You’re right. It’s not.” He overpowered her and wrapped his arm around her shoulder to tug her in. “Do you know why I managed to push your wolf off even though I was very, very tempted?”

  “Why?”

  “Because I want to be with you. All of you. Not just the part that will give me a good time.” He kissed her temple. “So don’t you try to push me away now. You’ve gone and changed me. Where could I possibly go?”

  She drank his words in like a flower devouring rain and settled down.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

  BLAEZ NEEDED A BREAK. A month long vacation. Maybe somewhere in Europe. Somewhere cold. He imagined bundling up in warm clothes, waddling around in the snow, feeling the chill of the air on the tip of his nose.

  If only...

  He had too many things holding him back. Like the fact that he was still bound to six months community service at Wildlife For Humanity. And the fact that Lucien was still on the loose. And the fact that Caldon was suffering from amnesia.

  Blaez sighed for the tenth time as he drove Chantal to the hospital later that morning. She gave him a look but said nothing. Wasn’t much to say. Her wolf’s lust was the least of his problems. He’d give his car and all his money if it meant he could live without all his burdens.

  But he’d leave her insatiable yearning for him alone. That was a pleasant inconvenience. Even if she had destroyed his bedroom door.

  “Blaez, there’s something I have to tell you.”

  His eyebrows arched. “My bad. Should I drop you off at the center instead of the hospital?”

  “No, actually, it’s something more important. Something that’s been bothering me since yesterday.”

  Curious, he nodded. “Go on.”

  “Hazel and the Council have had no luck finding Lucien and they were desperate. They needed Caldon to remember.” Chantal licked her lips and confessed, “She told me to get you out of the way so she could bring psychologists in to jar Caldon’s memory.”

  “What?” he thundered and nearly yanked the vehicle into incoming traffic.

  “I’m so sorry,” she said. “I hate lying and I didn’t want to lie to you, but I did it because I thought it would keep us all safe. The faster we find Lucien, the faster we can breathe in peace.”

  “How could you do that without consulting me. He’s my brother.”

  She trembled. “I know. I know. It’s just... I thought I was helping. And I would have told you earlier, but my wolf—”

  “I don’t want to hear anymore.” He pressed on the gas pedal and the car lurched forward, unleashing the full breadth of its capabilities. “You better hope my brother’s okay, Chantal. No matter how I feel about you, Caldon’s my family.”

  She clamped her jaw shut and stared straight out the window. Blaez battled his fury. Caldon was a child who’d been through a deeply horrifying experience. Even if they needed answers, it wasn’t the kid’s job to find them.

  He tossed the car into a parking spot and stumbled out, sprinting toward the secret ward. Blaez left Chantal behind. It was better she kept her distance. He felt too conflicted when she was around anyway.

  He’d meant every word he’d said back at the apartment. She’d changed him. He cared for her more than he had any other woman. But she’d betrayed him. She promised she wouldn’t hurt Caldon and she did.

  How was he supposed to deal with that?

  CHANTAL DECIDED NOT to enter the hospital. She could call Hazel and have all her answers about Caldon and his safety answered, but she didn’t want to do that. Just thinking about Blaez’s expression when he stormed out of the car made her want to cry.

  Hazel would send every member of the wolf pack after Blaez if she thought he’d upset her.

  She caught a bus to her neighborhood instead and shifted, running home on all fours. After she’d changed and entered the quiet house, Chantal headed up the stairs to take a shower and fall into bed. She’d just folded Blaez’s hoodie on her desk when she heard a knock on the door.

  “Chantal? It’s me. Cecil. Can I come in?”

  “Leave me alone, please,” she said, exhausted at the thought of hashing things out with Cecil. She wasn’t sure how she should deal with that. Cecil drugged her. Put her in danger. Put Blaez in danger. Without her humanity to curb her wolf’s instincts, she had no self-control or care for Blaez’s feelings.

  “I’m coming in anyway. Sorry.” Cecil opened her door and slipped in.

  Chantal glowered. I knew I should have locked that. She looked at Cecil’s lowered head. Her bright red hair hung in fluffy waves to her shoulders. She wore a pair of green jeans and a white floral T-shirt. If she headed downtown, Cecil could easily mingle with the pasty tourists by the docks.

  “I’m really sorry.” Cecil shuffled inside. “It was wrong of me to spike your drink with the separating serum.”

  “How did you even know about it? You weren’t there when Evie discussed what it was.”

  “I found it in the cupboard and asked about it.” She wrung her liver-spotted hands. “I waited for you to use it, but you never did. Time was going. You were taking too long. I figured I’d slip it in your drink and you’d have the answers you’ve been looking for. But things... didn’t work out.”

  “You can say that again.”

  “I understand if you want to kick me out. I betrayed you. I don’t deserve to stay here.”

  Chantal felt a flash of annoyance, but her anger cooled quickly. Sure, Cecil messed up, but so had she. Blaez treasured his brother more than his own life and she’d manipulated him so that Hazel could probe his mind. She couldn’t exactly point fingers.

  “It’s okay, Cecil.”

  “Really?” The woman lifted her head, her chest expanding with relief. “You’re not going to hold it against me?”

  “No, I won’t. And don’t ever fear being kicked out of this house. We’re not just housemates. We’re fam
ily.”

  “Thank you, Chantal.” Cecil swooped in and hugged her. After one long squeeze, she backed up. “I promise I’ve dealt with my feelings and conceded to you. Blaez is a wonderful man. I wouldn’t give him up to anybody else.”

  “There’s one thing I still don’t get,” Chantal admitted. “Did you... did you really use the serum on me, Cecil?”

  She blinked. “Yes. Why?”

  “That’s strange.”

  “Was there a side effect?” Cecil grabbed her hand and flipped it over. “I’ll call Evie.”

  “It’s not that.” Chantal gripped the blanket in tight fists. “I didn’t feel a huge difference.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “My wolf was abnormally quiet. I noticed that. But everything I felt, the attraction, the chemistry, the desire for Blaez, it wasn’t as prominent, but it was there. In fact, I enjoyed being around him even more than usual.”

  Cecil smiled knowingly. “That’s because you’re moving away from infatuation to intimacy.”

  “We didn’t have sex.”

  “Sex and intimacy aren’t mutually exclusive. Sleeping with someone is just an act, a burst of passion that soothes a craving. It can be an extension of intimacy, but the real and substantial kind comes from sharing hearts and minds, not just bodies.”

  “Are you saying I have feelings for Blaez?” She balked.

  “Chantal, you’ve gone way past shallow feelings.”

  “That’s not right. It was my wolf...”

  “It started with your wolf, I’m sure. Along the way, your heart staggered along. The animal-half of us is in charge of our instincts. They can form bonds and mate for life, but it’s a black and white thing. A matter of survival, not emotion. When the human half falls for someone every part of you is devoted.”

  “I’m not in love with Blaez.”

  “I didn’t say you were.”

  “That’s what you’re implying.”

  “Am I?” Cecil sent her a mischievous look. “No one’s accusing you of anything, Chantal. It may be easier to blame your feelings on your wolf because admitting you care for someone is frightening. It feels like you’re giving up the power you worked so hard to earn.”

  “I’m not giving anything up.”

  “Love requires vulnerability. It requires sacrifice. You must let go to be filled.”

  She narrowed her eyes. “Did you read that from a fortune cookie?”

  “So what if I did?” Cecil flounced toward the door and stopped just before exiting. “I don’t think you’ll have to worry too much about whether Blaez feels the same. Now that I’m seeing clearly, it’s impossible not to notice the way he looks at you. And I mean you, not the you that wants to bed him.”

  “Cecil...”

  “I’ll start lunch. Stay here and sulk for as long as you need. I’ll let the others know not to bother you.”

  Cecil closed the door and Chantal flopped on her back, staring at the ceiling. She’d never been in love and didn’t really know what it felt like. What she knew was that Blaez made her feel comfortable. Excited. Wanted. Heard. Those were all good things.

  She thought of the way he’d stalked off at the hospital and the euphoria drained, giving way to fear. Knowing he was angry because of her, hurt because of her, physically pained Chantal. This couldn’t be love, but whatever it was she couldn’t take much more of it.

  BLAEZ BURST INTO CALDON’S hospital room, his shirt plastered to his chest and his hair falling across his forehead. He saw Hazel and Evie in the corner, standing close together. His brother was asleep. He stormed over to them and they both glanced up.

  “Blaez, you’re back,” Hazel said.

  “What is wrong with you!” he hissed. “Did I give you permission to mess with my brother’s head? With my brother’s memories? I don’t care if you’re the alpha. You do not touch my family unless I give you the permission to do so.”

  “Relax, Blaez,” Evie said. “No one messed with Caldon’s memories.”

  He backed up a step. “What?”

  “My psychologist friend won’t be able to come in until next week and Caldon refused to cooperate with the shrink on staff.” Hazel smirked. “ He’s pig-headed. Like his brother.”

  “Oh.” All the anger left Blaez in a breath.

  “Gosh.” Hazel shuffled her feet. “I should have known Chantal would tell you. She’s such a goody-two-shoes, that girl.”

  Blaez winced when he thought of the way he’d reacted. He’d lost his cool. Again. How did he expect Chantal to trust him when he flew off the handle without getting the facts first? No matter what I feel for you, Caldon’s my family. What a great thing to tell the woman he wanted in that precious family.

  “Blaez, you okay?” Evie asked. “You look sick.”

  “Chantal,” he groaned, “I said some things...”

  “It’s alright.” Hazel grabbed his arm and steered him toward the door. “I don’t approve of your relationship anyway.”

  “I should call her.”

  “Later.” Hazel closed the hospital door behind him. She lowered her voice. “Our people got a hit on Lucien’s whereabouts. They found a phone registered to a Trevor Smith heading out of town. They’re closing in on him as we speak.” She grinned broadly. “Its almost over.”

  Relief melted every nerve. “That’s great.”

  “Like I said, the Council isn’t going to make a fuss over what happened with Caldon in that farmhouse.” She stared pointedly at him. “That means the Council can never know of our little agreement.”

  “I’ll hold up my end of the deal.” He folded his arms over his chest. “On one condition.”

  “What is it?”

  “You give your approval.”

  Hazel squinted. “You drive a hard bargain.”

  “If I wanted to make a stink—” He pointed to the hospital room. “Now would be the time.”

  “I’ll think about it.” She opened the door. “Evie, you still want a ride?”

  The women left and Blaez trotted into the room to sit at Caldon’s side. He was paging through his phone waiting for Chantal to return the messages he’d sent hours ago when Caldon started groaning and moaning in his sleep.

  Blaez tossed the phone and leaned over his brother, shaking his shoulder until he awakened. Caldon shot up with a gasp. “Chantal...” He spun and stared with frightened eyes at Blaez. “That’s why the name sounded familiar.”

  “Caldon, what are you talking about?”

  “I remember.” His brother swallowed. “Trevor, he gave us drinks. Made us fight. I killed...” His Adam’s apple bobbed. “I won. He hooked me up to something. Kept talking about this girl. The name. I’ll never forget.”

  “Chantal.” Blaez shot up. His heart pounded. His wolf howled. “She’s in danger.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  CHANTAL’S INSOMNIA was getting better. Had been ever since Blaez put her to sleep a few weeks ago. She wasn’t a hundred percent cured yet, but he’d done far more for her than the sleeping pills had. She’d woken at two in the morning, which wasn’t so bad given she’d napped through the day.

  The house was stuffy and she felt like going for a run. Chantal needed to clear her head and now that Hazel told her Lucien was in another town and would soon be recaptured, she didn’t have to use the Buddy System any longer.

  Her nails clicked against the fallen leaves spread beneath the canopy of trees. Even without her wolf’s night vision, she’d be able to see clearly thanks to the full moon above. Chantal slowed down and panted, reveling in her exhaustion. Maybe after this, she might go back home and sleep till morning.

  A gentle breeze blew. Cicadas and toads belted out their throaty songs. Her mind, as it usually did, flitted to Blaez. He’d called her today, but she hadn’t had the courage to answer. She was a monster. A messed up creature with no boundaries when it came to him. And that was just on a physical level.

  What would she turn into when they started connecting on th
e emotional and mental levels? What if she lost herself in him?

  Tck. Tck.

  Chantal stood to attention, sniffing the air. The fur on the back of her neck rose like antennas paging the sky. The woods went silent. Someone was coming. The wind brought an unfamiliar scent. She huffed, warning the foreigner that they were in her territory.

  They kept coming.

  She bared her fangs, prepared to defend herself. Prepared for anything. A form crept toward her, showered in the bush and the darkness.

  Chantal was prepared for anything. Except that.

  The monster separated itself from the shadows. It had the head of a wolf—large eyes, wet snout, yellow fangs, and pointed ears. Dark grey fur ran down its body, but instead of walking on four legs it walked on two.

  Her eyes widened, but Chantal refused to cower. She lifted her chin and barked a warning. “Stay back,” she said.

  “No.” The monster growled at her, eyes glowing and brimming with focused hate.

  Her heart hammered. “Who are you?”

  “You know who I am.”

  Bile flooded her mouth. Lucien.

  Fear gave way to anger. She imagined her parents—pale hands on the ground, eyes unseeing, faces frozen in horror. Chantal charged at her enemy. Silently. There was no need to make noise. No need to announce her sorrow or grief or guilt.

  He was prepared for her and stepped back to accept her weight only to throw her on the ground. Chantal landed with a thud, but scrambled up before he pierced her chest with his claws. She danced on her paws, struggling to think of a way to defeat him.

  Lucien’s height and hands worked to his advantage. He was stronger too, beefed up on something. Whether it was his drug or Caldon’s stolen blood, Chantal didn’t care. Her mind burned with determination. This man had caused so much damage, so much loss. And for what?

  “Why are you here?” she barked, walking in a slow circle.

  He followed her. “Unfinished business.”

  “Killing my parents wasn’t enough for you?”

  “It’s your fault I lost my wolf. Your fault I lost everything!”

  She chucked her chin in the air. “So you decide to drain a boy’s blood and steal his nikile? How’s that working out for you?”