Wolf's Touch

by Ambrielle Kirk

  They both collapsed on the bed of rumpled sheets and clothing and stared into each other eyes, just as the evening sky folded away making way for nightfall.

  Chapter Ten

  All six members of the Council were present for the emergency meeting called by Devin Caedmon himself. They were seated at the round conference table in the Alpha’s meeting hall waiting as the minutes ticked by on the grandfather clock hanging on the wall.

  Jayson had a bad feeling about this. It was not like Devin to call them together just for a group chat.

  Aiden, who’d just arrived, took off his vest and hung it on the hook near the door, then carefully placed his firearm on the corner table next to it. He walked over to Devin’s bar and helped himself to a shot of Vodka before taking his seat across from Blake.

  “I thought you’d laid off the liquor, man,” Blake joked.

  “It ain’t so easy with the type of shit I deal with on the daily,” Aiden responded.

  Blake and Aiden had become close buddies ever since they’d come from another disbanded pack to join the Caedmon’s. They were all there for each other when help was needed. And they all had occupations and lives outside of the Council.

  Devin Caedmon entered the room, and Jayson looked down at his watch. It was four p.m. on the dot. Devin was a stickler for being on time, and had never once been late to any event. Jayson couldn’t say the same about himself until serving under Devin’s rule. It only took one slip-up and tardy to a Council meeting to make the Alpha mad. Jayson had been set straight, and from there on out, he’d been on time—for everything.

  “It was brought to my attention that we have yet another threat against us,” Devin said, as soon as he took his seat.

  The man didn’t waste time, that was for sure.

  “What kind of threat?” Aiden asked.

  “It’s indirect, but the outcome will affect us all,” Devin said, and then turned to his brother, Dawson.

  “I was approached by a group of outsiders,” Dawson stated. “Zeldano’s followers.”

  Jayson narrowed his eyes, and his ears perked up. “I know where this is going…”

  “I was told that a certain member on our Council has something that belongs to him,” Dawson continued.

  “This is something I should have addressed with utmost attention earlier,” Devin said. “And for that, Jayson, I apologize. There are other matters…it has not been announced officially yet, but Tamara is pregnant.”

  The table grew silent.

  “How is she?” Nick, the Alpha’s Second-in-Command, who hadn’t said a word until now asked.

  “She has not been doing well. It’s her first trimester, which is to be expected, according to her nurse. I fear that most of her ailment stems from being human and carrying my offspring.”

  “Tamara will pull through,” Nick reassured him.

  “With bed rest, the nurse assured me that she would,” Devin replied.

  “I’m sorry, Devin,” Jayson said. “The time was just not right.”

  “It’s not your fault. You are more than an advisor to me. I treat you as my brother. We’re all in this together. I will do what is necessary to help you,” Devin said.

  “What exactly is going on?” Blake asked. “What does Zeldano think we have?”

  “Yeah,” Dawson said, sitting back in his chair. “Would you care to elaborate, Jayson?”

  Jayson sighed. “We’re receiving threats because of me. As you all know, Arianna Klein is my mate. Everyone in this town knows that she’s refused me for over a decade.”

  “Yeah, and?” Blake frowned. “You’re not the first wolf with a mate who likes to be chased?”

  Dawson frowned at Blake. “Do you even know who the Klein’s are?”

  “Who doesn’t? They’re one of the Caedmon human branches. ” Blake shrugged. “It doesn’t make them any better than we are.”

  “When Arianna was born, her father made an agreement for an arranged pairing,” Jayson continued. “The contract would unite two prominent bloodlines and possibly form one of the most lucrative investment firms in the world.”

  “What a mess,” Aiden said slowly, and dropped his face in his palm.

  “A mess, indeed,” Jayson agreed. “One that I did not see coming.”

  “You’re going to sit back and let Zeldano use your mate?” Nick asked.

  “Fuck no,” Jayson replied, quickly.

  “Why haven’t you claimed her already?” Nick asked, again. “Wouldn’t that have solved the problem? Zeldano can’t take what you’ve already claimed.”

  “I told you,” Jayson said between clenched teeth. “Arianna doesn’t want to be mated.”

  “It wouldn’t have solved anything.” Devin leaned forward. “Are any of you listening? This arrangement was made when Arianna was born.”

  “How can an agreement trump what should be?” Blake asked.

  “The agreement was made before Jayson could have ever laid claim to Arianna. With the way the Caedmon laws were written, the arranged pairing would stand.”

  Blake threw up his hands. “This is insane! Does Arianna want this?”

  “From my understanding, she doesn’t want anything to do with Zeldano,” Jayson answered. “Arianna is loyal to out Pack, despite her father’s dealings. Even she can see the treachery in all of this.”

  “Why hasn’t she told Zeldano to shove it?” Blake asked.

  “I wish it were that easy.” Jayson thought back to the suitcase full of money, he’d delivered to Mr. Klein. He could only hope it was the solution for getting Arianna out of this mess.

  “My intuition tells me it won’t be,” Dawson said. “Zeldano’s men specifically told me that you had something he owned.”

  Jayson’s body grew hot and he thought the veins in his neck would literally pop from the steam blasting through them. “Arianna is mine. I may not have claimed her yet, but no other man will while I am still alive.”

  “We can’t risk another threat on our community,” Dawson shot back. “After Darius, I don’t know how much more our small town can take.”

  “Can’t this deal be broken? What can we do?” Nick asked.

  “There is one non-life threatening way in which the agreement can be broken.” Devin rose from the table, walked over to the bar, and filled a glass with ice.

  The room remained silent.

  “Pay Zeldano off,” he finally announced.

  “I’ve already delivered the money to Klein for that purpose,” Jayson replied.

  “Then you’re one step ahead of the game.” Devin turned around, with glass of Scotch in hand. “Let us all hope Zeldano accepts.”

  “And if he doesn’t?” Dawson chimed in.

  “Jayson will have to choose when that time comes.”

  ***

  Arianna sat back in the sofa next to Tamara’s bed and watched as Nurse Whitney checked her vitals. From the expression on her face, she could tell the Alpha’s mate was a little anxious. Any mother would be worried about the health of her unborn child.

  Arianna had only been here a few hours, and within that time frame Tamara had rushed to the bathroom to puke several times. She almost felt sorry for her, but knew all this would eventually pass. From what she’d heard from all her previously pregnant female cousins and relatives, the first trimester was the worst. Carrying a wolf’s offspring couldn’t have been an easy feat.

  The nurse slipped an armband on Tamara Caedmon’s wrist, and pumped it with air. “With Selene’s help, I was able to access most of your medical history.”

  It was Tamara’s second checkup with the nurse. Devin had been unable to attend because of an emergency Council meeting. Tamara had asked them to join her in the room with the nurse.

  Tamara’s best friend, Selene, stood at the foot of the bed and wrung her hands together. Her sister-in-law, Elisa, was also in the room sitting on the window sill with a journal and pen.

  Tamara looked worriedly at the nurse. “Did everything look okay?�
��

  “You have a clean medical history. Other than the broken arm you had three years ago, everything looked great.”

  “Broken arm?” Selene gaped. “You never told me about that.”

  Tamara looked at her friend and frowned. “Not something I want to really remember.”

  “Oh,” Selene replied.

  Something in Tamara’s past always worried her. Selene seemed to understand, but Arianna didn’t want to intrude.

  “Your blood pressure is within normal range.” Nurse Whitney made some notes on her pad. “How is your back?”

  Tamara lifted herself into a sitting position with the help of the nurse. “My lower back is killing me. It’s like something is sitting on it.”

  “That is to be expected,” Whitney replied.

  “I hate being held prisoner in this room.”

  Whitney smiled and looked around. “Looks like sanctuary to me. Sixty inch television. California King bed. Downy pillow and mattress. Room service from the Alpha, himself…I’d trade any day.”

  Tamara laughed, and Arianna and Selene joined in.

  “In a week or two, you’ll have reached your second trimester. We can gradual add in more activity, like walking,” Whitney assured her.

  “When do we get to see everything on the ultrasound?” Elise moved away from the window and came to join them next to the bed. At just ten years old, she resembled a Barbie doll with her bouncy brown curls and rosy lips. She had only the slightest resemblance to her half-brother, Devin.

  “In two weeks.” Nurse Whitney smiled. “I’ll be back with the machine…and we can hear the heartbeat better.”

  “I can hear loud and clear,” Elsie declared.

  “A nurse in the making?”

  “I’d love to be a nurse.” Elise’s smile turned into a frown. “But it’s not in the cards.”

  Elise seemed very mature for her age. Other ten year olds were interested in fashion, music, and hobbies like ballet and jewelry making. From what Arianna had learned about Elise today, the young girl was more interested in science and the elements.

  “No one knows what the future holds,” Whitney replied.

  “May I?” Elise looked at Tamara, and held her small delicate hand over the baby bump.

  Tamara took the child’s hand and placed it on her belly. Elise pressed an ear to her abdomen.

  “Sounds like music,” she whispered. “I can’t wait to be the Godmother.”

  “Are you ready?” Selene asked. “You’ll have your hands full.”

  “Yes, I know.” Elise grinned.

  “Elise, tell me what you see? Please…” Tamara said.

  “Are you sure?” Elise lifted her head, but left her hand on Tamara’s belly.

  “It’s either now or in two weeks,” Tamara pleaded. “I don’t think I can wait two whole weeks.”

  “Triplets,” Elise said. “There are three heartbeats.”

  They all gasped in surprise, and a wide grin spread across Tamara’s face.

  “Are you sure?” Tamara’s eyes were wide and bright.

  “Have I ever been wrong?” Elise asked.

  “You are certainly something else, young lady,” Whitney exclaimed.

  “Elise is special,” Tamara said, squeezing the child’s hand.

  Arianna smiled.

  Tamara would give her mate something that Arianna would probably never be strong enough to have herself. A legacy would continue because of it. Devin Caedmon’s offspring would be born very soon. The thought of new life being created and such a divine gift given to a special couple warmed her heart.

  For a while, it served to take her away from her own crisis, but this moment of enrichment could not erase what would eventually transpire with her.

  Chapter Eleven

  Jayson didn’t return with Devin until nightfall. The mood of both men had been somber when they walked through the door. Arianna had immediately known that her situation had been the topic of discussion. Instead of returning to his condo, they visited a lake near the Caedmon village to talk.

  Jayson left to hunt and to blow off some stem, leaving her in silence to contemplate her choices. Now Arianna sat alone at water’s edge, listening to the sounds of crickets and small mammals scurrying about as she lay back on the grass. The sky was clear with only a hint of clouds scattered about. The stars were in abundance tonight. They were numerous, but her choices were not.

  It didn’t surprise her that she feared for her father more than herself. The consequences for breaking a nearly thirty year old agreement could be risky. Zeldano was known to retaliate against those who defied him. There was a long list of names on the missing persons list linked to business dealings with Zeldano.

  Something jostled the bushes next to Arianna, and she pulled herself up into a sitting position. She lifted her nose to the breeze and caught the scent of sandalwood.

  “Come out, Jayson.”

  A black wolf emerged, majestic and glorious against the darkness. The very first time she’d seen him in wolf form, it had taken her breath away. Even now, he commanded her complete attention with his uncontainable presence. His eyes were a stormy blue, and he studied her intently.

  Jayson prowled toward her and she welcomed him with open arms. His sleek, black fur had always been surprising soft. The more she touched him, the more she found herself unable to resist him. Even now, as she pressed her face against it. He purred and growled softly as she stroked his belly.

  For what seemed like an eternity, they sat their woman and wolf, looking out at the gleaning surface of the lake. A sharp breeze flowed across the water, and then rushed over her bare shoulders.

  Arianna moved closer to her wolf, and whispered, “I sometimes wish I were born wolf instead of human. I would run free, like the wind, just as you did.”

  Jayson came to stand on his hind legs and faced her.

  “I feel incomplete with this wolf spirit roaming through my human veins. The same spirit that grants you the ability to shift from wolf to man and then back again at will is the same spirit that controls this drive in me to run wild and free.”

  Arianna stroked the wolf’s ear, and then brought her face to settle against his.

  “What does it feel like to be free?” she asked. “Free from the confines of the life you were born into? Do you even know?”

  The wolf exhaled deeply and his soft nostrils flared against her face.

  “I’ve decided that my fate cannot be changed. These things must happen for a reason.” Her shoulders slumped and she pressed her forehead onto his. “I’m sorry. I won’t let everyone suffer because I am selfish. This is the life I was born into. These are the laws of the Caedmon for which I must abide by.”

  Jayson shifted gracefully back into human form. “What are you saying?” He pressed his lips to hers.

  “You were threatened because of me. I have to fix this. I have to do it myself. Alone.”

  “No.”

  “Just kiss me, Jayson.”

  He kissed her, caressing her lips softly between his. His tongue lingered across the seam of her mouth.

  “I always return to you. If we are meant to be, we will eventually be together. Why force it?” She grasped the back of his neck and returned his kisses. “If I break this agreement, everything will end badly. I can feel it…”

  “I can’t live with the knowledge of you being bonded to another.”

  “It’s an arrangement only. On paper.”

  “But he means to have you completely,” Jayson said. “No wolf would propose such an agreement without your exclusivity.”

  “Remember what we did when we were young?” she asked. “We made an eternal promise. Don’t you remember it?”

  “I do,” he whispered against her forehead. “It was how I found out that you were my true mate. It’s when I began to believe that there was such a thing.”

  “We didn’t understand. We were just too young.”

  They’d been inseparable back then. Like br
other and sister, they did everything together. Caught fireflies, chased rabbits, climbed mountains, and jumped off cliffs. Anything and everything possible under the sun. He’d even grieved with her for months following her mother’s death. One day they declared that they would always be friends, no matter what. Jayson wanted more than an eternal promise. He wanted a blood bond. Both of them still had the raised scar from where they’d slashed through the skin on their palms. The bond seemed to satisfy them for a while, but they still had sexual urges—like most teenagers. Kissing and groping him had done nothing but leave her hot and horny. Masturbating while fantasizing about him didn’t satisfy her in the least bit. It only left her wanting more of his touch. When the attraction became too much to bear, they were left with no choice but to consummate their passion. It was the start of an explosive frenzy that never faded. One taste had never been enough.

  “You will always be a part of me,” she said. “No agreement, on paper or otherwise, will change that.”

  He lifted her chin and his grey gaze burned into hers. “Do you love me, Arianna? Like I love you?”

  “Yes, Jayson. You are my best friend. I love you. Man and wolf.”

  He took her lips in a demanding kiss, and then led her to lie down again on the grass right next to the lake. His body shifted against her and he settled on top of her, slipping his thighs between hers. He moved his mouth lower to reach her chin and slid his lips up the column of her jaw. She lifted her neck, giving him full access to explore.

  His mouth fell on the unfinished mark on her shoulder and she gripped his back hard as delightful sensations ran through her. Her hips moved against him as he stroked at her skin with his tongue.

  “Jayson, one more time, and then I must go…tomorrow.”