Taken By The Pack (Werewolf's Harem Book 2)
Page 5
The sun started to set as they lay together, dusk settling around them. Ben had lost track of the time, and it felt like aeons had passed since he’d first touched Aurelia’s lips with his own.
Finally, she spoke first.
“What the hell was that?” she asked, her voice thick with exhaustion. Ben ran his hand up and down her back in a soothing gesture, trying to bolster her with confidence he didn’t feel.
“I don’t know,” he said.
“That was more than just… it wasn’t just sex,” Aurelia said, raising her head to look at him. Her eyes, twin pools of dazzling sapphire light, were more than Ben could stand just now.
“I know,” he said. He closed his eyes, dropping his head back onto the ground.
“Ben,” Aurelia prompted. When he didn’t respond, her small hand smacked his chest.
“Ben. Look at me, damn it!” she cried. Her distress made him sit up, gathering her in his arms.
“I don’t know what to tell you,” he said.
“I think we’ve started the mating bond-“ she began, but Ben cut her off.
“No!” he said, gently pushing her off his lap. “We haven’t started anything. It’s not possible.”
“We have to tell Lucas,” she insisted, reaching for his hands.
Ben reached out and grabbed her chin, stilling her movements.
“We’re not telling him anything. There’s nothing to tell,” he said, his words slow and heavy.
“He’s going to know. He’s not stupid. And we shouldn’t hide this from him,” Aurelia said, panic in her eyes.
“I said no!” Ben snapped, releasing her. Standing up, he grabbed his shorts and tugged them on.
“I don’t understand,” Aurelia said, tears gathering in her voice. “This isn’t our fault. Mating isn’t a choice, everyone knows that. Lucas can’t hold it against us. I’ll tell him, if you want. Explain to him.”
Ben’s whole body went rigid. He turned to Aurelia, rage welling in his chest.
“This is not happening. You’re not telling Lucas anything. I forbid it.”
“What, are you afraid of him?” Aurelia hissed.
“You don’t understand,” Ben said. “I can’t do this. I owe Lucas everything, and I would never take someone that he cares for. Never.”
Aurelia crossed her arms, incensed.
“So Lucas gives you a job and makes you a bunch of money, and you owe him? You’d break a mating bond over that?” she accused.
Ben picked up her clothes, tossing them to her. He couldn’t stand to look at her body another second, not without reaching for her again. He had to shut this down, right now.
“Aurelia,” he said, his eyes and voice pleading. “You’ve been here just a few days. I’ve known Lucas for half a lifetime, and I’ve owed him everything since the first moment.”
“I don’t see how that’s possible.”
“I’m not a born wolf,” he said, dropping his eyes. Shame, his old friend, filled his gut.
“What do you mean?” she asked, looking confused.
“Lucas made me,” he said.
“Made you… a wolf? Like a werewolf? What the hell are you talking about, Ben?”
“Lucas is ancient. He has the magic of the first wolves. He found me dying in a field. He looked at me, and I at him, and he saw something in me. We’re bonded by magic. His blood runs in my veins.”
Aurelia gaped, staring.
“You’re crazy,” she whispered after a moment.
“Why would I lie? Why would I deny myself-“ he stopped himself mid-sentence.
“I don’t know,” Aurelia said. “I don’t know what you’re doing, but you can go to hell.”
She pulled on her clothes and snatched up the bag she’d brought, then stomped off into the woods.
“You’re going the wrong way!” Ben called, sickened at the loss of her.
“Fuck off!” she retorted, footsteps receding.
Ben sank to his knees, shaking.
No. No, this could not be happening. Ben would make certain of it.
Chapter Four
Aurelia stormed into the house, stopping dead in the kitchen. Ben was in the far corner of the room, his expression livid. Two other figures dominated the space, drawing Aurelia’s attention.
Walker stood in the living room, arms crossed as he towered over a tiny blonde woman. His dark hair had recently been buzzed, and his sable eyes were bright with anger. Walker’s massive, tightly muscled body seemed tensed to spring, utterly frightening as far as Aurelia was concerned.
The blonde didn’t seem to notice, or she didn’t care. The woman’s back was ramrod straight, and she was staring up at Walker with evident malice. Her lip lifted, showing just a hint of fang. Her fury was made all the more impressive when held up to Walker’s bulk and obvious ire.
“Third floor, first room on the right,” Walker bit out. For a second, Aurelia thought that the woman was going to spit in his face. When the blonde just sneered and stormed off to the stairs, Aurelia nearly sagged with relief.
Walker’s gaze snapped to Aurelia, then to Ben.
“I don’t know what the fuck you two think you’re doing, but you need to figure it out quick. Lucas will be back in the morning,” Walker growled. With that, he turned on his heel and headed out the back door.
Aurelia looked at Ben, but he just shook his head and turned to pick up his laptop. Aurelia watched his retreating form as he headed upstairs, anger roiling in her stomach.
They’d met. They’d laughed, enjoyed one another’s company. Then they’d started to hook up, and suddenly… the connection had been instant, and undeniable. The pleasure of it had been so great, she’d nearly cried.
At least until Ben had pushed her away.
How was Aurelia supposed to go from finding a soul-deep connection to lying in bed with Lucas, who was wonderful, but not her true mate. The male that she now… missed? Longed to touch? Hungered for?
She’d had no idea that the mating bond could be so deep, so fast. What were they going to do? She’d just arrived here, just accepted Lucas’s offer of safety and money. She didn’t want to jeopardize her life here before it had even started.
She thought, too, of the look on Ben’s face when he’d told her the story about Lucas ‘making’ him. His sincerity in refusing to betray Lucas was apparent, and the pain of his choice as well.
What would she do: lie to the man who’d saved her and given her a fresh start, or hurt the male who was now center stage in her heart?
Aurelia sighed and sank down on one of the couches, uncertain what the future would hold.
To Be Continued
Aurelia, Lucas, Walker, and Ben have more drama, more passion, and more stories. Check out Possessed By The Wolf, the third story in this series, on the next page!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Vivian is an erotic romance writer, and the author of the Werewolf Harem Series, the Louisiana Shifters Series, and the Louisiana Promises Series.
Vivian was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. Vivian attended Agnes Scott College, at which time she studied Creative Writing. She now lives in New Orleans with her sweet dog Gracie and a boatload of her friends.
Vivian has been an autodidact from a young age, and to this day she'll read anything she can get her hands on - back of the cereal box, billboards, whatever. When she's not reading or writing romantic stories, Vivian likes making drinks from her Trader Vic's cocktail recipe book, snuggling her badly behaved dog, and going on daytime adventures in and around New Orleans.
Vivian really enjoys her work, and is always excited to see what's in store next for her beloved characters.
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More Works From Vivian
Wood
Owned By The Alpha
Taken By The Pack
Possessed By The Wolf
Louisiana Shifters Series
Shifter In Ascent
Shifter’s Dream
Shifter’s Legacy
Louisiana Shifters Collection
Quick Bites: Maddie and Jasper
Louisiana Promises Series
Promise To Bite
Promise To Howl
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