by Lia Davis
Drew cleared his throat, drawing her attention. “Oh, yeah. Bastian, this is Drew Tao. A close friend of the family.”
“Friend, Alanna? We are family.” Drew kept his tone light as he offered his hand to Bastian, his gaze narrowing as he did so. “Thank you for taking care of the kid.” Turning to Alanna, Drew added, “When he’s healed completely, have him come see me.”
She nodded. “Of course.”
Drew pushed passed Bastian to head to the bedroom. She knew he would force the change to speed up Cody’s ability to heal. Which also meant, she had to make sure the doctor stayed away from Cody’s room, at least for a little while. Nothing was ever easy.
After Drew returned and said his good-byes, Brock followed the Alpha to the front door. “I have things to deal with at home. Call if you need anything.”
Alanna waved off her brother. She wouldn’t be calling him, and he knew it. “I’m good.”
Once she heard Brock’s truck door shut and the engine start, she turned to Bastian and focused. She opened her mind and reached out to his. However, like before, she hit a wall. His thoughts were contained behind the strongest shield she’d ever come across. Sure, some humans and shifters were hard to read, but she had always been able to break through the shields. Not with Bastian.
Dropping her shoulders, she plopped down on the couch. “How is he really?”
Bastian eased over and sat on the armchair across from her. “He was resting when I left him.”
With a nod, she studied him, noting how beautiful his green eyes were behind his glasses. “Drew would have left him asleep.”
A long silence fell between them. Words failed Alanna. Her Wolf wanted him on a level she’d never wanted anyone. The woman knew she had to let him go, eventually. Why would he want to live in her world? It was made up of the monster in the human horror stories. Plus, Bastian would have to leave his current life and family.
Dread slammed into her, and left her heart aching and her Wolf whimpering.
“Are you married?” she asked, not sure if she wanted the answer.
His eyes narrowed. “No.”
Relief weakened her knees. So, how did she ask him what he knew without giving herself away? Damn it, she never had to do this before. She’d always wiped the human’s mind and sent him on his, or her, way. Why was Bastian different?
“Do you believe in monsters, Doctor?”
He leaned forward, resting his forearms on his knees. “I believe everyone has a dark side. Some submit to the darkness more than others and become monsters.”
Glancing down at the couch cushion, she traced the worn lines in the fabric. “You didn’t answer the question.”
“I believe whoever shot your son is a monster. But if you’re asking me if I believe the creatures from movies and books are real, then no, I don’t.” He stood and walked to the window next to the door. “The hospital will be searching for me.”
Fuck. How did she explain she’d erased their memories of him working the ER? “After you passed out, another doctor said you needed to go home and rest.”
He turned slightly and studied her over his shoulder. “I passed out?”
“Yes.”
“Why did I do that?” He faced her fully.
Taking a deep breath, then releasing it slowly, she fought to gather what little patience she had left to deal with the too-smart-for-his-own-damn-good human. She wanted to take him right then. Yet she couldn’t leave Cody until she knew he would be all right. Giving him a blank stare, she said, “How should I know?”
The muscle along his jawline flexed. “So, you just took me out of there?”
“Yep. Well, Brock helped get you to the truck.” Her Wolf clawed at her from within, not liking having to lie to him. We can’t keep him. He leaves first thing in the morning. “Look, I’ll take you home as soon as Cody is in the clear.”
His expression filled with distrust. She couldn’t blame him. After all, she did technically kidnap him. God, she was an awful mate. Stop. He’s not ours! Shaking out of her thoughts, she rose and padded to the kitchen. She could feed him at least. “You hungry?”
“Yeah. You don’t happen to have a change of clothes for a man my size?”
She smiled. Her brother and many of the protectors used this cabin on occasion, so there was always clothes around. “In the room beside Cody’s. There should be something to fit you.”
The moment he disappeared down the hall, her heart sank. Cody. With inhuman speed she ran after him, arriving at Cody’s at the same time Bastian opened the door. Peeking inside, she sagged in relief to see the covers were drawn up over the pup’s head. Thank you, Drew.
Bastian turned to face, and her heart lodged in her throat, pounding like that of a scared rabbit’s. She swallowed, unable to push herself away from his intoxicating cedar and spice scent. He gazed at her, his brows drawn as if searching for something. When he lifted a hand, she tracked the movement, uncertain. Then he brushed a fingertip across her cheek. She closed her eyes and fought a moan from giving her emotions away. Damn. She was done for, her hunger for him too powerful to deny.
Opening her eyes, she held his heated gaze and shook her head as he lowered his until their lips met. Her senses exploded in a fiery rush of desire, lighting every inch of her body. She twined her fingers into his hair, fisting the short strands and pulling him closer. He walked her backward, down the hall into the living room until her knees bumped against the couch arm.
A loud knock on the door made her jump, breaking the kiss. Instantly, she stepped around Bastian, needing the space to clear her head.
He gripped her arm, forcing her to look at him. “I don’t understand this hunger you raise in me.”
“Me neither.” She tugged free and escaped down the hall toward living room.
Once at the door, she scented her brother. What now? She jerked the it open, and scowled at her Brock. “What?”
He lifted a brow. “I came back to see if you needed anything.”
“Nope, I got it.” She crossed her arms and glared. “Why are you here? Don’t feed me bullshit either. I know better.”
Brock flicked his gaze behind her. “I don’t trust him. Your head isn’t in the right place.”
A bitter laugh escaped her. “My head is right where it needs to be. Good-bye, Brock. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
She slammed the door and faced the other male issue.
Chapter Three
Insanity. That could be the only answer. He’d lost his mind between lights-out and waking in the cabin. The woman standing in front of him sparked a wildfire within him no other had. That kiss added fuel to the fire, intensifying the raging need coursing through him. He had no idea Stockholm syndrome set in so fast.
When she pushed off the door and prowled toward him, his cock jerked. Fucking traitor. Bastian fisted his hands at his sides to keep from reaching for her and doing something beyond stupid. No, he couldn’t touch her again. He had to figure out how to get out of there. “Cody is healing and there’s nothing more I can do. Take me home and call if you need anything.”
She averted her gaze and dropped on the sofa. His last statement was too tempting. “I’ll take you in the morning, when I’m sure Cody will be okay.”
“I have a job. People will come looking for me if I don’t report in.” He wasn’t sure how true that was, but it got her attention.
She snapped her gaze to his and frowned, her brows drawing together. Her mouth opened then closed before she let out a soft curse and sank against the back of the sofa. After a moment, she spoke. “I need you to care for Cody.”
He worked his jaw, trying like hell not to lash out at her. Taking a deep breath, he forced his tone to remain calm. “Why couldn’t I do that in the hospital?”
“I can’t tell you.”
“Damn it, Alanna.”
She jumped to her feet and moved faster than he could track. Impossible. When she was within inches of him, she snarled. “Cody is my son
. My responsibility. I say no hospital, I mean no hospital.”
The Mr. Nice Guy gloves came off. “So, you kidnap me? How did you manage that without the police coming after you? What are you hiding?”
Her pupils dilated slightly before she turned to pace the small living room. “There are things that you don’t understand and you are better off not knowing.”
“That’s not an answer.”
She stilled and faced him, and the muscle in her temple flexed. “If I spilled my secrets to you, how can I trust you not to tell them? I’m not being selfish. Your kind destroys things they don’t understand. Their prejudices will not only hurt me, but my family. I can’t allow that. Ever.”
Understanding flowed over him, and some of his tension uncoiled. “Are you a witch?”
Her eyes grew round. “What?”
Bastian sat in the chair and picked at a small tear in the leather. “My grandmother said she was a witch. The rest of the family said she crazy. It forced her to live in solitude. I was the only one she spoke to.”
“Did you believe her?” Alanna’s tone had softened.
He shrugged. “I didn’t know what to believe. She said I have an open soul, and she was right. I can sense things. Mostly when people lie, like a strong intuition.”
She eased down on the sofa. “Witch’s blood.” She paused as if choosing her words carefully. “I’m telepathic.”
Her admission didn’t surprise him as much as it should have. Then again, it made more sense to him if she were a witch with everything that happened since they’d met. Besides, Cody healed too fast to be human. “Growing up, I wasn’t sure what to believe, but I’d watched Grandma preform spells. I guess I’ve buried that part of my life in order to fit in with others.”
“Do you have any magical abilities?”
Chuckling, he shook his head. “No, just the strong intuition I mentioned.”
“I’m sure you noticed how fast Cody is healing.” When he didn’t reply right away, she continued without looking at him. “You understand why I couldn’t allow him to be in a human hospital.”
“Yes. However, you still can’t hold me here. Too many questions will come up.”
She traced an invisible pattern on her jeans. “I erased us from their memories. Brock took care of the computer files. You, I, and Cody were never at Rapid City Regional tonight.”
***
Alanna held Bastian’s stare while her Wolf snarled and snapped at her for lying to their mate. I didn’t lie, exactly. I just let him believe an untruth. There’s a difference.
“So, you’re a telepath who can controls minds?” A frown formed as he pursed his lips. The sharp change in his scent told her he was fighting to remain calm.
“I don’t control minds. I can alter memories, read minds, and put people to sleep.” She left out killing people, because, yeah, he’d really freak out then.
He fell silent as if trying to process everything. When her Wolf nipped at her from within, she released a sigh and went to speak, but Bastian held up a hand. “So, is that what you did with me? Put me to sleep? Why not just wipe my memories like the others?”
The question of the hour. Fuck. “I can’t tell you any more than I have already.”
He shook his head as he watched her. “I should go to the police, but they’d lock me up in a padded room. Hell, I’m really close to admitting myself to the psychic ward.”
Guilt rolled in her stomach. “I’m sorry. I can’t break into your thoughts. I don’t understand why.” Her Wolf growled at the lie, and Alanna squeezed her eyes shut for a brief moment. “I freaked and screwed up.”
After rising from the chair, he crossed the small space and kneeled in front of her. “What are you going to do now?”
“I’m not sure. I mean, I may be able to let you go home if you promise not to tell anyone about me or Cody.” Please promise. It’d destroy her and the Wolf within if he broke silence. Ryker would kill him, or make her do it.
Her nose tingled, and her vision blurred. When she lowered her head, Bastian cupped her chin, forcing her to look at him. “Secrets destroy lives.”
“Some secrets save lives.”
He dropped his shoulders. “I don’t understand the feelings you rise in me. I want to be angry with you, shake the truth out of you. Yet, I can’t bring myself to do it. Am I crazy? Maybe.”
“Promise me you won’t speak of this to anyone, and I’ll take you home in the morning.” Her Wolf paced and whimpered at the same time. Yeah, Alanna didn’t want him to leave either. But what kind of life could she offer him—even if he could accept her true nature? The heartache of a rejection would be too much for her to bare. The only option was to let him go and make sure he kept his promise.
“Yes, I promise.”
She sagged in relief. “I’m going to check on Cody and make a phone call.”
Hoping he would take the hint she wanted privacy, she made her way to Cody’s room and closed the door before pulling out her cell.
Drew answered on the first ring. “How’s Cody?”
Alanna glanced at her son and some of her tension eased. “He’s doing better.” She paused, searching for the words. “Bastian doesn’t know about us. He thinks I’m a witch.”
“You let him believe that?”
“Yes. He’s grandmother was one. To him it makes sense, I guess.”
His heavy sigh sent a shiver down her spine.
If she hurt lying to her mate, it was ten times worse lying to her Alpha. “I think he’s my mate.”
Silence filtered through the cell phone connection, soaring her stomach. She sat next to Cody and racked her fingers through his fur. “Drew, I’m sorry. I messed up, but I freaked…I….”
He let out a low growl. “The human is your responsibility. Mate or no mate. Are we clear?”
“Yes.”
“Get some rest, Alanna. Keep me posted on how Cody is doing.”
“I will.”
She ended the call and studied Cody, hoping he’d wake soon and be able to tell her who shot him. All the while figuring out what she would do able Bastian. One thing was for sure, she couldn’t ignore the urge to mate. She had to know one way or another. Even if it meant living the rest of her life with a broken heart if he rejected her.
Chapter Four
Alanna rolled her 1960 Harley to a stop in Bastian’s empty parking spot outside his first-floor apartment. He swung his leg off the bike and took the helmet off. Turning away from the woman who ignited a passion within him he had never experienced, he took a few steps and stopped. His lips still tingled from their kiss at the cabin. Something about her nagged at him. He wanted to know more about her.
Glancing over his shoulder, he noted she, too, hesitated. He took a deep breath and faced her. “Want to come in?”
“Yeah.” She nodded, turned off the bike, and dismounted.
Silence filled the space between them as they walked to the door. Her jasmine-scented perfume clung to him as if inside his skin. Impossible. Then again, a few things had happened in the past few hours that could be classified as unfeasible.
He unlocked the door, pushed it open, and stepped aside for Alanna to enter. She averted her gaze as she passed him to scan his small one room apartment. Glancing around at his compact lifestyle, he winced and was overcome with the desire to pull her out of his closet of a home and escape somewhere else. But where? Shaking his head, he shut the door behind him and moved to the refrigerator in the tiny kitchen to their left. “Would you like something to drink?”
Lifting her gaze to his briefly, she shook her head. “I can’t stay.”
Yes, he knew that, but damn it if he didn’t want to keep her—and discover more about the beautiful brunette scanning his apartment with curious eyes. As fucked-up as the situation was, he couldn’t help his fascination with her. He wanted to touch her and kiss her, again. If he believed in love at first sight, he might have understood his reaction better. Hell, he hadn’t remembered being
as drawn to Ava, his ex-wife, when they first met.
She drifted to the flat screen TV—his only luxury in the space—and squatted to study his small library of movies stacked on the floor beside it. Her braid slid over her shoulder as she fingered the DVDs, bringing his attention to the curve of her breast. Fuck. Why had he asked her in?
Without a word, Alanna turned and paced toward him. Her blue gaze fixed on him as she closed the distance. When she stopped a few inches from him, she hesitantly lifted her hand to cup his cheek. Warmth spread over his face as she touched him.
The blue in her gaze darkened to the color of sapphires right before she rose on her toes and pressed her lips to his. Desire heated his blood, while his head swam with drunken desire. His cock pressed against the cotton of his boxer-briefs beneath his scrubs. Alanna let out a soft moan as she threaded her fingers through his hair, tugging him closer while thrusting her tongue into his mouth.
Pinpricks of desire raced over his body, intensifying his need for more. He gripped her ass and lifted her off the ground. She wrapped her legs around his waist, rubbing her pussy against his erection. A soft growl-like groan escaped her. All coherent thought of why sleeping with her was wrong went up in flames replaced by the overwhelming need to possess her in every way possible.
Stepping closer to the futon, he lowered them so Alanna’s back lay against the cushion. He slid a hand up her shirt and cupped her lace-covered breast. A low growl, sounding more animal than human, vibrated her chest. Startled, he jerk his head up, breaking the kiss, to gaze into her drunken gaze.
Brows dipping, she frowned then pushed at his chest. “This is wrong.”
The slight panic in her voice made him release her and allow her room to sit up. “Why does it feel so right, then?”
Smoothing her shirt down, she scrambled to the door. “I can’t. This was a mistake. I have to go. Sorry.”
Before he knew it, she exited the apartment. Another moment passed before he heard her bike rumble to a start and peel out of the parking lot. Letting out a heavy sign, he slouched on the futon. That woman was like a drug—beautiful, addictive, and dangerous to his heart.