B0079G5GMK EBOK

by Jennifer Loiske

  Joshua's eyes narrowed and he let go of her. He drew back and stared at her cruelly. Clarissa massaged her aching throat and looked at him with her head up. His eyes were on fire and Clarissa could see the wolf and the man inside of him struggling. Eventually the wolf won and Joshua howled quietly. He jumped back to her and hit her on the face. Her head flopped down to her side and a small streak of blood started to leak from the corner of her mouth. Yet she said nothing. A deep feeling of loss and sadness engulfed her. In a few minutes Joshua had spoiled every beautiful thing that had ever been between them.

  She decided she would not beg for mercy. She knew what was going to happen, but she didn't want him to have the pleasure of hearing her beg. Every single muscle she had ached. Joshua's fingers had left red marks on her neck and she was sure she had bruises all over her. Yet she knew she could be happy if she survived this day. Oh, Adam, she sniffed in her mind and prepared for the worst.

  “You bitch!” Joshua raged. “I'm standing right here and you call for him!”

  Joshua looked at her feverishly and grabbed her shirt violently, tearing it apart. Filled with lust, he attacked Clarissa, but before he could do any harm, the door was smashed open and Adam was all over Joshua.

  Clarissa fell to the floor and looked at the men fighting together. Even as they fought as men they did it with the rules of wolves. Clarissa saw how they hunched down like wolves, with their teeth revealed and eyes dangerously glowing, and there was nothing civilized in the fight. It was a matter of life and death, where they both tried to do everything they could to rip the other's throat open and kill the enemy. Even though Joshua was nearly as big as Adam he really didn't stand a chance. Every cell in Adam was trained to fight and kill. Compared to that, Joshua was like a sweet boy from next door. Adam was a mutt from the dirty streets. He had had to fight all his life, so the fight was over soon and what was left of Joshua was a bloody mess on the floor that moaned quietly. Adam straightened up and grunted. He kicked Joshua and turned to face the horrified Clarissa.

  Adam pulled her into his arms and she felt like she could breathe again. Clarissa shivered and noticed that she was more shocked than she had thought. A small cry broke loose from her mouth and Adam touched her back comfortingly. Joshua moaned quietly on the floor, but Clarissa couldn't even look at him. She dug deeper into Adam's arms and sighed.

  “Let's go, mo gaol,” Adam said gently.

  Clarissa nodded and Adam led her out of the locker room. She was sure her legs would crash, but she followed Adam with shaking legs that seemed to walk in the mist. Adam walked her like she was a little child, through the silent halls of the school and through the empty school yard. He pushed her gently into his black BMW.

  The car started thunderingly and hit the road. Adam tried to drive carefully, as he didn't want to scare her more, but it was really difficult for him. He was used to driving fast and even though he tried to abide by the traffic regulations, it wasn't easy for him. Clarissa sat quietly and stared at his face, searching. She could feel the rage under his skin and since she was safe from Joshua, she couldn't understand why he was still so pissed. She was not stupid. She knew exactly what Joshua would have done to her and without Adam she wouldn't have survived Joshua's violent treatment. She reached out with her hand and touched Adam's cheek.

  “Thank you,” she said and looked at Adam with her amazingly beautiful eyes.

  She felt the moment when his rage passed slowly, and the sense of Clarissa reached him. Adam pushed her hand away gently and swallowed, confused. He obviously wasn't used to getting treated this nicely. He shrugged and grinned like a wolf.

  “Any time, my love. Any time,” Adam laughed hoarsely.

  Clarissa stared at him, wondering. Her throat hurt, not because of what Joshua had done, but because her heart was so full of feelings for Adam. She wanted to tell him that she loved him, but she wasn't sure if he was ready to hear it. Did wolves tell each other about their love or did they just demonstrate that with gestures and their behavior? She, however, felt she was more of a human than a wolf and she wanted to tell him how much she loved him. Clarissa coughed silently and Adam glanced at her. She tried, but she couldn't get the word love out of her mouth. So she asked, with a voice that could have belonged to any stranger, “How did you know where I was?”

  “I'll always know where you are,” Adam said with a rough voice.

  “But why didn't any of the others come?” Clarissa asked stubbornly. “Mom always knows where I am.”

  Adam turned his black, intense eyes to her and lightly touched her lips. Clarissa kissed his finger and tried to catch it in her mouth, but Adam pulled it away quickly.

  “Your mom hasn't made love with you.”

  Clarissa stared at him, stunned. “Oh.”

  “Is that the way it goes? Will I always know where you are?” she asked.

  “If you want,” Adam laughed, like it was the most obvious thing.

  Clarissa didn't dare ask more. Her mind was so full of Adam that she was too scared to search it deeper. Her heart celebrated. Adam was really hers. For eternity. As she was his. She looked at the sinfully handsome man next to her, and she couldn't understand how this had happened. She just couldn't get it. She grinned to herself and turned to look out of the window.

  The thought hit her like a bomb. She had just realized why he had been so full of rage after crushing Joshua down.

  “You're gonna hunt him down, aren't you?” Clarissa asked. “Because that's what you do, right? You hunt. You're a hunter.”

  Adam said nothing and she begged.

  “Please, don't do that. He's not worth it and besides, what more could you possibly do to him? You can't kill him, 'cause he's immortal and you have no right to exile him or do anything that you usually do to the turncoat wolves.”

  Adam grinned, full of love. “That didn't stop you from believing that Joshua would kill you.”

  “I could've died,” Clarissa yelled.

  Adam looked at her so closely that she blushed and lowered her eyes. “I could have. Seriously,” she mumbled.

  Sofia

  I ran out as Adam's black car curved into our yard. He waved his hand and helped Clarissa out of the car. Her lips were swollen and her clothes were ripped apart, yet she was leaning trustingly on Adam. I wiped her mind and would have fallen if David hadn't been standing behind me to catch me.

  “Joshua,” I sighed sharply and felt David tightening his grip.

  “Bastard,” David grunted, full of hate.

  Adam led Clarissa inside the house and looked at me. I searched his mind as well, and when I saw what he had done, I pushed David away and went to hug Adam tightly.

  “Thank you, brathair,” I said and looked deep into his black eyes. “I owe you.”

  “Don't mention it,” Adam grinned, confused.

  David, too, came next to Adam, and even though he didn't quite understand what had happened he pressed Adam's hand tightly.

  “Thank you. We really owe you a lot. Ask anything and if we can give it to you, it's yours,” David said seriously.

  “I already have everything I want,” Adam said and glanced at Clarissa.

  David backed away, but smiled at Adam. He lifted his hands and pulled me back to his arms. I looked at my husband, wondering. Was it really that easy? No yelling and fighting. Would he really give our daughter to him, just like that? I looked at Clarissa and Adam and I realized what David had seen before I did. Clarissa and Adam were a couple already. Though I had known that for weeks, I hadn't paid any attention to that. Now as I looked at them, I could see that anyone that really looked at them could see they were together.

  How stupid had I been! I should've made Clarissa tell the others right after her party. I had wanted to give her time and that was my biggest mistake. Even when she hadn't said a word, I was sure Joshua had seen through her what, days, maybe weeks ago! I could just be happy that Clarissa had made her choice as there was no way after that that Joshua or any ot
her living person could've fooled Adam. Adam was so into her mind that no shield or razzmatazz could've come between him and Clarissa.

  I touched the uncomfortable Adam and even though I didn't like the way he had bound Clarissa to him, I thanked the Lord Adam had heard Clarissa's cries for help and saved her. I couldn't do anything but accept my daughter's choice. Nothing would be easy with Adam, but if he could make her happy, I could live with him and take him as a part of our pack. I looked at Adam and he felt everything I was thinking. He nodded, almost imperceptibly. I sighed deeply and smiled resignedly.

  “Welcome to the family.”

  CHAPTER 24

  Ciall covered a shocked Clarissa with a blanket as Adam told us exactly what had happened. Jonas's fingers turned into a fist and he looked really distressed. However, he didn't say a word to defend his friend. He too knew that Adam was telling the truth, as wolves didn't lie, ever. David was convinced that we wouldn't see Joshua ever again, but I couldn't believe it. We had to prepare to face him, even if it would turn out to be unnecessary. Adam fortified Clarissa's room with Ciall, and Matt invaded Marie's room to the annoyance of the grunting Tiamhaidh. The others gathered in the living room and waited. David thought that was not necessary, but he adapted to my decision. I stared at Jonas, who was staring at his toes.

  “Jonas,” I said, quietly.

  Jonas lifted his head and faced my eyes. He shook his head desperately and let his head fall down again.

  “Jonas,” I repeated, and he grunted silently.

  “That was not your fault,” I said strictly and knelt in front of him. He didn't react, so I touched his knee, lightly. He inhaled, fast, but didn't move my hand.

  “I know that,” he said with a voice that was filled with guilt.

  I looked at his face, searching, and he looked even guiltier than a second ago, if that was possible. I searched his mind and I needed all my willpower to keep myself together and let my hand stay on his knee. Jonas looked at me and his whole being begged for my forgiveness. I breathed as calmly as possible and tried to remember that as well as Clarissa's mother I was a pack leader as well. And that was a thought I needed to focus on. I was supposed to treat each member of our pack equally and equitably. I couldn't start punishing them for their thoughts. After all, it was the deeds that mattered.

  “You'll have to choose your side before Joshua comes,” I said pragmatically and got up.

  I forced myself to sit on the lounger in front of him and closed my mind from him. I couldn't let him know what I was thinking. I wanted to kill him. Destroy him and exile him as far away from my eyes as I could. Jonas thought Clarissa had earned everything that Joshua had done to her. If he hadn't been so totally in love with Stella, he could've even joined Joshua. Jonas was convinced that Clarissa had played with Joshua and betrayed him with Adam. So, he thought she really had deserved every punishment Joshua had given her. He couldn't understand that without Adam, Joshua would have raped her. As a mother, I wanted to smash the reality to Jonas's face, but as a pack leader, I couldn't do that. So I settled for staring icily at him. Gavin glanced at me wonderingly, but as he had no intention of being the target of my rage, he decided to continue his poker game with Daniel and Blake. Jonas sighed heavily and his shoulders got lower. I stared at him demandingly and finally he nodded.

  “Very well. I have made my choice,” he said.

  “Already? I mean this quick?” I asked, surprised. “And what was your choice?” I asked cold-bloodedly, and tried to push the ironic tone out of my voice, though it kept crawling back in.

  “I'm with you. I want to be a part of your pack,” Jonas said and looked sadly into my eyes.

  I sighed. Did I want him to stay? Could I really trust him in a close call, and what if we had to fight against Joshua? Would Jonas stand by me or would he jump and help his friend? I tried to search his face and see if I could notice any trail of betrayal or dishonesty. He seemed to sense what I was thinking and came closer to me and touched my shoulders. He made me look deep into his eyes and smiled.

  “Sofia, look at me,” Jonas requested, and touched my chin.

  I sneered and stared into his eyes.

  “I meant what I said. I have chosen my side and I won't betray the pack,” he said seriously.

  His golden brown eyes looked at me full of promise. I sighed again and took his hand. What did it matter anyway why he stayed? The main issue was that he stayed and he promised to stand next to me and be loyal to the pack. I nodded lightly.

  “Fair enough. I trust you.”

  Jonas knew as well as I did that he had to give everything he had to prove he was worthy of my trust. And that was not easy.

  I left Jonas with the pack and sneaked to the fridge. Mathanan had made some chocolate chip cookies in the morning. I took a bunch of them and put them on the plate. I snuggled in the loneliest corner of the living room and munched my cookies thoughtfully. I had so much in my mind that I had no idea where to start solving my thoughts. David smiled at me calmly from the opposite side of the room, but that didn't help. Everything in me seemed to prepare for the attack. My vision became sharper and my hearing seemed to be unearthly sharp. I heard the tiniest crackles and I noticed how my body stiffened time after time when I heard a sound that wasn't supposed to be there. I couldn't find anything unusual and yet my eyes seemed to scan our yard. Gavin rolled his eyes at me, but no matter how relaxed the others were, I couldn't ease a bit.

  I was not disappointed. Before evening turned into night, Joshua came. He stood in our back yard and waited for us to come out. He knew he was not welcome to our home, so he forced us to face him outside, where he could sneak into the woods and escape, if needed.

  I got up and heard Tiamhaidh, Adam and Ciall running from upstairs. So much for that peace, I thought, and opened the back door. Matt stayed inside to protect Marie, but the rest of the pack stood behind me, ready to protect me, if I needed it.

  “Joshua,” I said icily.

  Joshua laughed lightly, and from the corner of my eye, I saw Daniel and Gavin moving inconspicuously, to David's side. I had never seen David so full of anger. He knew he couldn't beat Joshua, and still he was prepared to fight him. Joshua had hurt his child. My hands turned into fists.

  “Did you expect someone else?” Joshua asked jeeringly.

  “Just grab your things and get the hell out of here,” I snapped.

  Joshua slowly shook his head and his eyes narrowed with hate.

  “It's not that easy, mathair,” he hissed and looked at Clarissa.

  Clarissa shivered and Adam pulled her closer. Joshua howled from pain and hatred twisted his handsome face.

  “I came to claim what's mine,” Joshua croaked with a low voice.

  “There is nothing for you to claim,” I said calmly, and felt Tiamhaidh and Jonas's strong hands on my back.

  “Clarissa chose me long before Adam!” Joshua shouted accusingly.

  “That was not real and you know that,” I said angrily.

  My brain was working feverishly. Could he make the elders believe that Clarissa had chosen him before she chose Adam? She had said so, even if Joshua had said no at the time. The fact was that she had said she wanted to choose Joshua. Joshua grunted, frustrated, and would have attacked me if Tiamhaidh's eyes hadn't challenged him to try that.

  “Jonas,” Joshua snapped.

  Jonas looked at his friend devastated, then shook his head. Joshua couldn't believe his eyes and he screamed like a wounded animal. He grabbed his head with both hands and slouched, for a while. I thought he would fall to his knees, but he straightened himself like a soldier and looked at us challengingly.

  “Bitch!” Joshua roared and took a step towards Clarissa. “If Adam can take you before you choose, I have the right to do so as well!”

  Clarissa screamed and Adam revealed his teeth. In a second it all turned to chaos. Adam and Joshua had shifted themselves into wolves and were tearing at each other with their sharp canine teeth and nails. A
dam slammed Joshua with his paws with enormous power and for a moment Joshua's head hung loosely. But then he succeeded in hitting Adam. Adam had a huge leaking wound on his side that colored the white snow between them, but he didn't care. They stood with their hind feet and their strength seemed to paralyze us.

  No one could move. Adam nipped Joshua's throat and reached for his jugular. Joshua mercilessly clawed the wound on Adam's side. Blood was everywhere. The wolves were fighting for their lives and I realized Adam was not going to let Joshua live. He was going to make Joshua beg for the right to turn into a spirit and disappear permanently from earth.

  At that very moment, Tiamhaidh and Jonas got back their ability to move. They rushed past me and attacked Joshua. No sane human would've ever gone between two fighting wolves, but they were not human. It took a lot to get Joshua away from Adam so that they could press him down. But soon Joshua was lying on the ground, whining. Adam turned back into a human and kicked Joshua hard on his wounded neck. After a while, Joshua turned back as well and lay shaking on the bloody ground.

  Adam turned to look at Clarissa. She was shaking but smiled tamely at him. He grinned wildly, pushed Clarissa into Ciall's arms and darted towards Joshua. Tiamhaidh's shout stopped him. Adam didn't pull back though. He stayed and circled around Joshua, like a beast stalking on its prey, and the growl coming from his throat was deathly. I stepped between them and looked warningly at Adam.

  “Leave, while you can, and don't you ever dare come back,” I said to Joshua and gave Tiamhaidh and Jonas a sign to let him get up. However, they didn't loosen their grip, but held on tight to the struggling man.

  Adam looked at me in disbelief, but I was not going to do more than exile Joshua. Not today, so I didn't even glance at him.

  “Run to your Rocky Mountains and remember, we know your smell. If you ever come even close to my pack, I will destroy you!” I roared and my eyes burned as I wanted to crush him.

  Joshua calmed down for a moment, and Tiamhaidh loosened his grip. Joshua glanced at us with his eyes burning of hate.