The Heir

by Ariana Rodriguez

  Before they could argue she closed the door in their faces. Berating herself for the spectacle she'd just caused, she ran to her bike and took off. She just wanted to be as far away as possible before the tears really started flowing.

  With no destination in mind, Jessica rode around and it wasn’t long before she realized that someone was following her. She couldn't explain how she knew, she just did. It was like a sixth sense and it'd never led her wrong before.

  Deciding to test the feeling, Jessica shifted to the next lane, barely managing not to swerve into a car, and quickly turned onto the intersecting street. At the next cross-way she took a left turn followed by another left.

  Keeping an eye on her side view mirror, she watched a car turn to follow her. For the next fifteen minutes Jessica kept making last minute turns, but no matter how fast she went, how many sharp turns she took, she couldn't manage to lose them.

  Slowly terror started to creep in.

  She felt as if she was in a horror movie or a nightmare. The kind where no matter how fast a person ran, the monster was always a couple of steps behind. No matter how long you held your breath, how well you thought you'd hidden, the monster always turned the corner and found you.

  She hated this! She hated this day and she hated feeling like a weakling.

  Fear was clogging her throat and it was making it hard to breathe. Nervously she toyed with her lip and took a couple of deep breaths; she knew that now was not the time to panic. If she was going to get out of this she needed to stay calm.

  As calmly as she could, she drove around until she found what she was looking for, a deserted dead end alleyway. As soon as she spotted it, Jessica parked her bike, took of her helmet and left it on the seat, a block away and ran at top speed towards it. Once in there she went to crouch behind a couple of dumpsters all the way at the end of the ally. She dropped her back pack and pulled out her knife.

  She was done running.

  Jessica held her breath and strained her ears for the sound of running footsteps. When she heard them coming, she braced herself. Their lack of skills was proven when they turned their backs on her after only giving the ally a quick perusal.

  Silently she inched up behind the two men. She swiped her leg and tripped the one closest to her. Before he even knew what hit him, he was flat on his back. With the butt end of her knife she promptly knocked him out and turned to face his partner.

  She stood up promptly and flicked her knife open. She didn't plan on using it, but he didn't need to know that. He raised his arms and started to back up, but it was too late.

  Jessica lunged for him.

  Knocking his arms to the side, she hit him under the chin with the heel of her hand and then struck the same spot with her elbow. Quickly she crouched and swiped her leg, effectively bring him down too.

  When he hit the ground she wasted no time pinning him down. She shoved her forearm across his throat and her knee into his chest.

  "Who are you?" she asked in a rough voice.

  He opened his mouth to speak but his eyes suddenly widened when he looked at something over her shoulder. Jessica noticed it and she realized that someone was coming up behind her. Knife in hand, ready for battle, she pivoted on her toes in a crouched position and froze.

  "You!?"

  Nick held his hands out, palms open wide towards her and took a step back, trying to indicate his lack of desire to harm her. In response she stoop up slowly and turned enough to keep him and the man that was awake and still lying on his back, in her sights.

  "Good to hear I made a big impression." He told her, trying to defuse the situation. One quick look at her adversaries and he knew they were harmless. He knew because he recognized the logo on the man’s jacket. They weren't trying to harm her; they were trying to protect her. Apparently he wasn't the only one worried about her safety. "I'm glad you remember me." He confessed to her with a pleased smile.

  "What are you doing here?" She asked, the annoyance in her voice was self-directed because she had no better comeback.

  "I was just across the street when I saw you being chased by these two. I thought you might need help."

  In reality, his heart had almost stopped when he'd turned on to the street and watched as his future mate was chased into the ally by two men and he'd barely managed to keep himself from shifting. He even almost forgot to park the car before jumping out of it to run to her rescue.

  But when he reached her he felt his anger deflate as he realized how wrong he'd been about the situation.

  She hadn't been running from them, she'd been leading them there. And she didn't need his help; she was able to handle them on her own. The fact that they weren't trying to harm her helped but he was still impressed.

  It pleased him to know that she wasn't a sniveling little girl that expected someone else to save her. It was the middle of the day, she could have screamed bloody murder and people would have been jumping to her aid, instead she handled it all on her own.

  She was going make a great Alpha - if she was who they thought she was. He seemed to have forgotten that they'd yet establish her identity.

  "I don't believe in coincidences" She informed him, eyeing him skeptically. "How do I know you're not with them?"

  Nick crossed his arms and rocked back on his heels. "Because if I was, you'd be the one on your back" He taunted.

  Following his words, images flashed through his mind of her doing just that. Not as the outcome of a battle between them but a dance between lovers. His wolf wanted to howl in agreement and a certain part of his anatomy began to stir in response to his wicked thoughts.

  The sudden tightness in his jeans almost made him groan. He couldn’t recount ever being turned on with just a thought.

  Frantically he ran through mathematical equations in his mind, trying to reign in his raging libido. It had been a very long time since he'd -scratch that- he'd never felt such a strong desire for anyone in his life. For someone who prided in his self-control, his lack of it where she was concerned was a bit disconcerting.

  "Means to an end" He reminded himself, "Means to an end"

  Even though he'd chosen her before they'd even met, he was glad to know that mating with her wouldn't be an issue on his part. As far as desire went, his future mate had all the right equipment to entice him.

  Her clothes did nothing to hide her figure and he slowly raked his gaze over her.

  She had a small straight nose and full pink lips begging to be kissed. Her bright blue eyes and black hair were a sharp contrast to her light skin and she was shorter than what he was used to, just barely reaching his shoulders, but she looked toned and fit with curves in all the right places.

  Nick salivated at the thought of exploring her body in a more intimate setting.

  "Are you done?" She snapped, pulling him out of his reverie and letting him know she'd noticed his not-so- discreet inspection.

  The question jerked his attention up to her glaring blue eyes.

  "That depends" He drawled silkily and she raised an eyebrow in response. Nick wagged his eyebrows and smiled mischievously. "Depends on whether you want to turn around."

  Her eyes grew wide, her cheeks colored and she released an outraged gasp. Intrigued he watched her chest rise as she took a deep breath and once again he was imagining her body naked next to him. Wondering what it would feel like, how she’d taste and if she was just as feisty in bed.

  Jessica blatantly checked him out then turned away, as if she found him lacking, but she didn't fool him.

  If he hadn't been paying close attention, he probably wouldn't have noticed the spark of desire in her eyes. I had come and gone within the blink of an eye but it had been there, he was sure of it just as sure as the rush of satisfaction that coursed through his veins.

  "Why were you following me?" She asked the other man.

  Nick took a step closer to where she stood but came to a halt she switched her blade to her other hand and pointed it at him.

 
"One more step and you'll leave here with a ruined shirt."

  Never taking her eyes off the man on the ground, she pulled out another knife from her back pocket. Switching it open, she aimed one at him and one at the other guy.

  Admiration up another notch, he took a step back and held his hands out like before. The doubt that he might have the wrong girl slowly began to fade in his mind.

  It was her.

  It had to be.

  "Answer the question" She told the man and nudged his leg with her foot.

  "Ms. Jessica, please lower your weapon. James Robertson contracted us as your bodyguards." He explained.

  "What?!"

  Shocked, she took a step back. The guy pointed at himself and up with one hand, silently asking for permission to get up. She nodded and took another step back but didn't lower her weapons.

  “Your parents hired us to protect you." He repeated.

  And that's what Nick had been waiting for; confirmation. All his plans had been based on a big 'IF' but not anymore. No longer did he need to beat his nose against the wall that blocked her scent from him; the bodyguard's words had cured him of all his doubts and confirmed her identity.

  The man had just sealed her fate. Jessica, her name was Jessica and she was the girl he'd been waiting for. She was his.

  "Do you have some sort of job identification?" Jessica asked the supposed bodyguard. He nodded and reached into his pocket. Jessica raised her knife, threateningly, “do it slowly and give him your cards"

  Nick raised an eyebrow at her demanding tone but took the steps necessary to get the cards. When they were in his possession he retreated to his previous spot. Jessica slowly walked towards him, weapons at the ready, switching her gaze back and forth from one guy to the other.

  Jessica stopped a foot away from him. He held the cards up for her and turned them over as she asked him to. They looked like the real deal. On a sigh she switch closed her knives and went to get her back-pack from behind the dumpster.

  Crouched on the ground, she glanced behind her to make sure no one was watching, before putting her blades away. She was in the process of pulling up the leg of her jeans to sheathe the knife back on to the leg strap when a hand suddenly landed on her shoulder.

  It took a herculean effort of her part to not give away her surprise, with the flick of her wrist she re-opened her knife and whipped around to face whoever was behind her. She had a pretty good idea of who the hand belonged to. The guy who'd managed to sneak up behind her the last time they'd met.

  The guy was good.

  "Crap! You need a bell around your neck or something. Hasn't anyone told you it’s dangerous to sneak up on someone who's armed?"

  He smirked but didn't answer her and her scowl grew thunderous. She sheathed her knife at her calf and the other went into a side pocket of her backpack. All along she grumbled under her breath about light footed idiots and fools with no sense. When she looked back up it was to find the guy watching her with a raised eyebrow.

  "What?” Jessica asked, “you think I walk around with knives in my back pockets?" She shook her head and righted her jeans.

  It never occurred to her that maybe he was just surprised to see a girl with so many weapons. Picking up her backpack she got up and side stepped around him to check on the guy she'd knocked out.

  The conscious bodyguard was crouching beside his fallen partner and lightly slapping his face trying to wake him up. She pushed him aside, checked the prone man’s pulse, opened her backpack and pulled out an alcohol wipe. She ripped the packet open with her teeth and waved the wipe under his nose. He regained consciousness slowly and Jessica told them to consider themselves fired.

  They didn't argue.

  Jessica got up, dusted her knees, slipped her backpack on and turned to leave.

  "Where are you going?"

  "Ho-" She was going to say home, but it wasn't her home-not really. "I’m going to deal with this whole bodyguard issue."

  "Alright, I'll follow you."

  "What are you, my stalker? Need I remind you what I do to unwelcomed company?" She waved her hand towards the two men.

  "No you don't have to remind me. I just want to make sure you get there safely. You seem to attract danger wherever you go"

  "I don't need a babysit-"

  Her words trailed off when she suddenly heard a noise by the entrance of the ally. She was getting really tired of people trying to sneak up on her. Reaching back for the knife she'd stashed in the side pocket, she pushed him behind her and switched open her blade. Whoever it was, they were in for a surprise.

  "It's okay, it just-"

  "Be quiet!” Jessica snapped.

  Nick sighed, placed his hands on her shoulders and spoke over her head. “Axel it's all right, come on out"

  At his command another man stepped into the ally and she shrugged his hands off her. Jessica felt her cheeks redden with embarrassment due to the stunt she'd just pulled-trying to protect someone who obviously didn't need it.

  In an attempt to hide her blush, she concentrated on closing her knife and putting it away. The task took more effort than was needed and she only looked at him when she resigned herself to the fact that the color wouldn't be leaving her cheeks anytime soon.

  "I take it he's with you?" She asked him over her shoulder.

  Her only answer was a smirk. She really hated that smirk. Not only because it meant that he was enjoy himself at her expense but because it did something to her insides. That realization had her hackles rising. Glaring at him, she stood up straight; blush forgotten, and stuck out her chin.

  "I'm out of here." She told him and turned to leave but his hand on her wrist stopped her.

  "Not without me." He informed her.

  Jessica shook her head, “I don’t think so,”

  "Humor me"

  "No, and besides, I don't even know you" she argued.

  "That was your choice. If I recall correctly you turned down my invitation for lunch last time." He pointed out.

  "That's right my choice.” Jessica countered, “Just like it’s my choice to decline your gallant offer."

  "It wasn't an offer. I'm not asking, I'm telling you. I'm following you home"

  Jessica glared at him. "Fine, you can follow me" until I lose you. She added to herself.

  "Axel, drive the car around to where she parked her bike." He told his friend and eyed her suspiciously. "I don't trust her to wait for us."

  Jessica rolled her eyes and walked away and he fell into step beside her. When they reached her bike, Jessica picked up her helmet and was about to put it on when he jerked it from her hands. He set it back on the bike and stepped up to her until they were inches apart; until Jessica could feel the heat radiating from his body.

  He leaned down until his lips were only a hairs breadth away from her ear. His warm breath fanned her neck, sending shivers up and down her spine. It took all of her will power-and then some- to keep from leaning into him.

  "Don't even think about losing me" He murmured and flicked her earlobe with his tongue, drawing a shocked gasp out of her.

  Before she could retaliate, he wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her close until she was flush against him and sucked her earlobe into his mouth .He nibbled lightly on it even as she tried to push him away but it was like trying to push a brick wall.

  Ignoring her protest, he released her earlobe and trailed soft kisses down her jawline. Her brain screamed at her to fight him but her limbs had turned to jelly and soon she forgot all about pushing him away.

  Holding on to his shoulders for support, a moan escaped her lips and she unconsciously tilted her head back, wanting his lips on her neck. Mindless of nothing but his touch Jessica closed her eyes. Ignoring the fact that they were standing out in the street and reveling in the rush of new sensations his touch was wringing out of her.

  They were sensations that made her shudder and weak in the knees.

  Lost in a newly discovered world of sensory ple
asure she was unprepared, when he suddenly grabbed her by the shoulders, spun her around and as she turned, rob her of her back pack.

  Stunned, she stumbled away from him; he stretched a hand out to steady her but she slapped it away. He stared down at her and in his cold eyes she saw the truth. They showed no evidence that he'd been moved by the embrace.

  He'd been playing with her.

  A flood of humiliation, threatened to pull her under and only her pride kept her from lashing out at him. There was nothing she could say or do. They both knew she'd enjoyed their interlude.

  "I'm a lot smarter than your useless body guards" He told her, dangling the backpack just out of her reach. "You can have this back when we get to your house." He informed her, "and don't worry. I won't peek" He assured her over his shoulder as he walked away.

  Embarrassed, surprised, confused, shocked, hurt, angry -those emotions and more raged through her like a fire through a forest. Devouring all the earlier emotions he-and no other-had managed to wring out of her.

  She stood there, burning inside, and watched him get into the car that was blocking her exit. She couldn't believe it. She didn't know who she should direct her anger towards- at him for playing with her or at herself for falling for it. The only thing she was sure of was that she would never let him know just how much his teasing had hurt her.

  Deep down she'd harbored a spark of hope. Hope that all those looks he'd been sending her way meant that he was attracted to her. That spark of hope had been ruthlessly extinguished with his callous treatment.

  She was such an idiot. When was she going to learn?

  If her own parents didn't want her how could anyone else want her?

  Jessica took a deep breath and steeled her back and pushed her fears away. She was determined to never let anyone see just how much they could hurt her.

  Jessica strapped her helmet on and jumped on her bike. After turning it on, she waited for him to move the car so she could back up and once on the road she hit the gas and led him to her house.

  If she didn't need her backpack so much, she'd tell the jerk to keep it and stuff it. Unfortunately for her, everything in it held a lot of sentimental value.