Cursed Vengeance

by Brandy L Rivers

  “You guys going to be busy all night?”

  “Most of it.”

  “Then we’ll see. Let me get through this double date first.”

  “A warning, Sis. Dylan’s not fond of cities or fancy restaurants. Don’t rile him too hard, okay?”

  “Yeah, I’m gathering that, but he wants me to live in the Pine fucking Barrens, so he can go on a date with me in the city.”

  “Fair enough. Have fun.”

  “I will.”

  Hanging up, I went to my closet to pull my dress out and place it on the hook on the door. Hopefully, Dylan wouldn’t be offended by the short tube dress that hugged my curves. It wasn’t daringly short, but I felt amazing in the dress. I left a pair of tall spindly heals on the floor and went to the bathroom for a hot shower. It was tempting to invite Dylan, but I knew we’d never be ready in time if I did.

  Less than an hour later, I walked down the stairs. Dylan turned from the bookcase. His eyes lit up as his mouth fell open. “I’m supposed to make it through a meal when you look like that?”

  I grinned, taking in the way his suit caressed his body. “You can manage. The anticipation will make it hotter.”

  Dylan stalked toward me, a hungry look on his face. “You look like a feast.”

  My phone rang, and I answered it. “Tell me you aren’t bailing,” Rachel squealed.

  “No. We’ll be there. In fact, he’s getting in the car now before he gets carried away,” I warned playfully, nodding to the door.

  Pouting, he backed toward it.

  “You’re making him suffer?” she asked in amusement.

  I licked my lips. “The man can’t get enough and I have been quite accommodating.”

  “Go, Sierra. I can’t wait to meet Mr. Growly.”

  “See you soon.” I hung up and snagged my keys. “I’m driving.”

  He nodded. “Okay.”

  The closer we got to downtown, the more his leg bounced.

  “Hey, Dylan. You sure you’re okay with this?” I asked cautiously.

  “For you, yes. Just uncomfortable in the city.” He looked over with a sweet smile.

  “I’ll be right here with you.”

  He took my hand and kissed it. “I’m guessing you’re going to need a few of these nights here and there.”

  I nodded. “Yeah, but if I can endure the Pine Barrens for you, you can manage a date night occasionally. I promise to reward you.”

  He grinned. “As long as it involves me peeling that dress off you, I’m a happy man.”

  “It will.” I pulled up to the valet and handed over my keys. Dylan took my arm as we made our way up the steps and into Orsano’s.

  Rachel beamed when she looked Dylan over.

  “Rachel, this is Dylan, Dylan, Rachel. But where is Remy?”

  “He’ll be here anytime. In fact, come with me.”

  I looked up at Dylan with a smile. “I’ll be right back.”

  He nodded.

  Rachel dragged me to the bathroom. “Oh my God! He’s fucking gorgeous. And you weren’t sure it was going to work? What’s wrong with you?”

  “I mentioned he gets intense? Yeah, well, now that we’re getting to know each other he’s intense in all the right ways, but at first it was a little much.”

  Her brow arched as she crossed her arms over her chest. “Before or after he fucked some sense into you?”

  “Before. Now stop. Dylan’s nervous. He’s not a city boy.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “He grew up in the Pine Barrens. Nervous around crowds. Let’s not keep him waiting.”

  “Okay, okay, as long as he keeps that smile on your face, I’m all for growly-boy.”

  I chuckled. “He will.” I made my way to the lobby and saw the guy from the vision.

  The one our grandmother told to bring me back because of a connection. My stomach soured even as I smiled, knowing I was looking at Remy. They were both drinking some beverage from the bar and my stomach dropped.

  What if the vial was for Dylan, not me?

  “Is that him?” I asked Rachel.

  “Mmm, he is. Gorgeous, isn’t he?”

  I nodded, not really impressed, but that could have everything to do with the terror building in my gut.

  She leaned over to whisper, “What is it?”

  I gave Rachel a tight smile. “Can’t put my finger on it, but Remy gives me the creeps.”

  Rachel frowned and nudged me. “Why?”

  What was I supposed to say? She wouldn’t believe the truth. “I don’t know yet. Just a feeling.”

  “Maybe you’ll change your mind when dinner is over.”

  I smiled back. “Maybe.”

  The hostess could hardly pull her eyes away from Dylan. I couldn’t blame her. He was gorgeous to start, but in a suit, man, my mouth was watering.

  Dylan pulled the chair out for me and leaned over to whisper, “Everything okay?”

  “Very,” I lied. Again, I didn’t want to start shit without knowing what was going on. Dylan was fine. I couldn’t sense any magic. Still, my senses were buzzing.

  Rachel introduced us, and I asked, “So, Remy, what do you do for a living?”

  He started a boring speech about marketing campaigns. Rachel, who normally would be rolling her eyes at the boasting, seemed to be in a trance.

  As soon as we ordered dinner, Dylan leaned closer, nuzzling my ear. At the diner, he’d kept his hands and mouth to himself.

  I pushed him back with narrowed eyes, and he sat up, but his hand closed over my thigh with a wicked grin.

  Rachel hardly said a word as she stared at Remy like he was the best thing on Earth. Dylan’s fingers slipped under my skirt, and I caught his hand in a death grip. A low rumble rolled from his chest.

  I smiled. “Excuse us.”

  Remy’s smile brightened as his eyes grew cold. “Of course.”

  I shoved Dylan’s hand away and stood. He followed as I walked down the hall, thankful I’d seen an exit sign on my trip to the bathroom.

  “We’re leaving,” I whispered, hoping he heard.

  “Why? I was behaving.”

  I shot him a glare as I slipped through the door and dug my valet ticket from my purse.

  “You didn’t notice anything weird?” I snipped as I led Dylan around to the booth. I handed the kid the ticket. He frowned as he went to get my car.

  “Like what?” He pressed up behind me, making sure I felt his arousal against my ass.

  “Like the fact you’ve turned into a horndog in public? Or maybe my bubbly friend is a damned drone?”

  “You make me horny, Sierra. Always. From the moment I set eyes on you.”

  “Not like this,” I snapped as he wrapped his hands around my waist and rocked into me.

  “Watch it, buddy.” I pulled from his grasp and spun toward him. “I have a feeling whatever is going on with you has to do with Remy, but you better keep your hands to yourself before you piss me off.”

  “You want it. I could have you right here,” he whispered, moving closer.

  Luckily the kid came back with my car and I handed him a tip before climbing inside. Dylan frowned, hurrying around to slip in beside me.

  I tore out of the parking lot, heading for home as I slid my headset over my ear and dialed Sean.

  Dylan turned in his seat and reached for me. I brake checked him, sending him head first into the windshield.

  “Why are you being like this?” he growled.

  “Something’s wrong with you, and if it’s just you, you have another thing coming. I’m hoping I’m right and it’s magic, but you’re starting to scare me.”

  His eyes rounded.

  Sean’s voice came on. “Hey, Sierra. Aren’t you supposed to be on a date?”

  “Have any clue what clear liquid could turn Dylan into a sex fiend in the middle of a restaurant?”

  “Shit, is he growling?”

  “More so than usual,” I answered as Dylan froze, his eyes widening.
/>
  “What happened?”

  “Remember when I saw the vision at Mom’s altar or whatever?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Rachel’s boyfriend is the guy Grandma told to show me what monsters you are. Dylan was drinking something with him when Rachel and I came back from the bathroom. Now he can’t keep his hands to himself and he wanted to fuck me in public.”

  “Fuck. Sounds like some potion to turn him feral. This close to the full moon, he’s going to need sex, but the thing is, you get naked and he’s going to shift.”

  “What the fuck are you talking about?” I practically screamed.

  “You’re going to knock him out. You’re going to have to lock him up in case it doesn’t wear off quickly and he wakes up, and you may have to knock him out again.”

  Dylan shook his head, shoving his hands under his thighs. “Why didn’t you mention who he was before?”

  I tossed a glare at Dylan. “Would it have stopped you from pawing me in public?”

  “If I knew he was a witch, I would have realized something was wrong.”

  Gritting my teeth, I drew a breath. “Is it normal for you to try for public sex?”

  “No. Shit. Fuck!” He shook his head. “Get me to your house and put me down.”

  “Every intention of it.”

  “I’m sorry,” he whispered.

  “He’s amiable now,” Sean warned, “but that won’t last. He’s going to lose control soon, and you have to understand this isn’t normal. He wouldn’t do this without an outside force. I’m heading out there. He might need me to order him away from you.”

  My heart thundered in my chest. “What would he do if I don’t?”

  “We can turn into something between a wolf and human. He’d shift, and he’d have you every way he could before he passed out. He wouldn’t be him, Sierra. You have to put him under. He will hurt you in that state and he won’t have any way to control himself.”

  “That’s what she meant about showing me the kind of monster you guys are.”

  Sean sighed. “That’s not what we are, Sierra. That’s what happens when dark magic is involved.”

  “Yeah, I know. I’m glad I figured it out before he got bad.”

  “You don’t have long before it is.”

  “Hey, Sean. Why didn’t Dylan know Remy was a witch? The chick at the diner knew I was. I don’t understand how he didn’t at least suspect.”

  My brother groaned. “He was blocking somehow. You could do it too if you wanted. I can do it. Sometimes it’s easier not to remind the other wolves about my other half.”

  Those words were both a relief and frustrating. Finally, I pulled into my driveway. “Hurry up and get here. I’ll do what I can.”

  “Put him under, Sierra, or I will kill him, friend or not, when he hurts you.”

  I got the door open in time for Dylan’s hands to curl over my hips as he pulled me against his body, kicking the door shut.

  He felt bigger behind me, but I hoped my imagination was playing tricks on me.

  “Need you to put me under,” he groaned, pushing my skirt up, but his nails scratched at me, fur on his palms.

  Panic flooded my system as I took two steps forward and turned. His clothes were shredding as his body doubled in size, fur covering most of his body, and his erection had become something that could be used as a prop in some erotic horror movie. “Dylan, don’t,” I squeaked, backing away from him.

  He towered over me. A look of anguish on his face, but need burned bright in his glowing eyes as he stalked toward me. “He’s right. Put me under. I can’t fight this,” he pleaded, even as he reached for me.

  I couldn’t think of the damned spell. I was so scared. My back hit the wall as his face changed, his teeth turning to canines.

  “Before I hurt you,” he growled.

  Squeezing my eyes shut, I whispered the words as his hands slid up my thighs pushing at my dress. He fell to the floor and I stood there, trembling as I stared down at the monster before me.

  My heart hammered violently in my chest as I slid down the wall, tears falling down my face. Teeth, claws, his size. Even his face was wolfish. And I didn’t want to think about what Sean promised Dylan would have done. Dylan, who would have—no, he begged me to put him under. He tried to fight whatever the potion did to him. That look in his eyes, though…

  Shaking the thoughts off, I tried to think rationally. I needed to lock him up and there was only one room without windows. The basement.

  I kicked my shoes off and stood. It took all my strength to drag Dylan down the stairs. Then I knelt beside him and cast the spell one more time for good measure. I was scared to death he’d wake up and I’d panic worse and not be able to stop him. Once the door was locked, I hurried up the stairs and stood in my kitchen, staring at the door.

  I managed to get a glass of wine and walk back to the couch, where I curled up, sipping the sweet liquid. Before long I slipped into sleep, but nightmares of Dylan’s beast tormenting me.

  Chapter 18

  Dylan

  My head felt like my brain met with jackhammers in the middle of the night. Beneath me it was cold and hard, so unlike the bed in my place. Reaching out, I tried to find Sierra only to be met with more cold. My eyes snapped open.

  “Oh, fuck.”

  “‘Oh, fuck’ doesn’t even cover it, my friend.”

  A quick peek to my left sat Sean, looking tired and worried. Sitting up, I got to my knees.

  “Please tell me I didn’t hurt her,” I begged.

  He shook his head, but his eyes were sad. “Physically no, but you scared the shit out of her.”

  “God dammit!” I slammed my fist into the concrete below, pain radiating up my arm. Of all the things I wanted to do for Sierra, hurting her was not one of them. Jumping to my feet, I started for the stairs, when Sean stepped in front of me.

  “Whoa, man. Hold up. Before you go charging up there like a fucking lunatic, let me warn Sierra you’re awake while you put on some clothes.” He pointed to where he was seated. “There’s a bag over by the chair.”

  The lead weight in the bottom of my stomach seemed to grow heavier with each word he spoke. He had to warn her about seeing me? Would she want to see me? No matter what, I had to find a way to apologize and make it up to her. I couldn’t live without her. Throwing on clothes, I ran up the stairs.

  “Sierra,” I called out, searching the house for her. There were voices coming from the kitchen. In a flash, I was standing in the doorway. “Sierra.”

  Her eyes met mine over Sean’s shoulder. The hurt in them shot through me like a silver bullet, searing pain in every part of me.

  She shook her head at Sean. “I can’t,” she whispered.

  “Sierra.” I took a cautious step forward, not wanting to scare her more than I already had, but needing to hold her in my arms and make up for all I’d done.

  Sean stepped in front of me again, pushing me back. “Not right now, Dylan.”

  Trying to push past Sean, he held tight. “Please, Sierra,” I begged.

  Her eyes filled with tears. “Dylan…I just can’t.” She turned her back on me. It felt like my heart was being ripped from my chest.

  With renewed force, I tried to get past Sean.

  “I said enough.” Sean’s voice rattled through me, forcing me to stop fighting him.

  “Take him home, Sean.” Her voice was empty.

  “Let’s go, Dylan.” I had no choice but to go with my Alpha as he led me from the house. “Call me later,” Sean called over his shoulder at Sierra.

  Tears blurred my vision as Sean shoved me into the car.

  “Motherfucker,” I screamed, throwing my fist into the door of the truck.

  “Hey, asshole, don’t break my shit. You’re fixing that,” Sean said, climbing into the driver’s side.

  My shoulders slumped as defeat filled me. Sierra didn’t want me. I’d gone too far. “Whatever, it doesn’t matter anymore.”

  Sean re
ached over and clasped me on the shoulder. “Don’t give up yet. She’s a little freaked and needs time to work through it in her head.”

  “I’m a monster.” I dropped my head into my hands. “How could I do that to her?”

  Sean pulled out of her drive. “It wasn’t you. Those bastards poisoned you, making you go feral. You had no control.”

  Raising my head to look at him, I noticed his knuckles were white as he clenched the wheel.

  “I could have fought harder.”

  “You did. I heard you tell Sierra to put you out. Not everyone is as strong as you and they wouldn’t have been able to fight it off that long. But you did.”

  I apologized, but I could see the caution in her eyes and it killed me. We both knew what happened last night wasn’t my fault or her fault, but it didn’t change the fact I scared her and I could do nothing to take away the memory.

  “Do you think she’ll ever be ready?”

  “She will. Give her time. Now I need you with your head in the game tonight. Can you do that?”

  Sean had one chance to prove to the whole pack he was strong enough. With Sierra’s fix, my time wasn’t limited anymore. If I needed to be focused tonight for him, that’s what I would do. It didn’t mean I wouldn’t worry about my problems with Sierra, but I’d deal with them in the morning. The clock on the dash read one in the afternoon. The spell put me out longer than I thought it would when I begged her to cast it. There were only a few hours until the meeting before the hunt.

  “Do you think Bradley will really challenge you?”

  “He challenged Christian, his sister’s mate. What makes you think he won’t challenge me?”

  I rolled my eyes. “You can beat his ass.”

  “Yeah, but so could Christian.”

  That was true. We’d spent months working with Christian to make sure he could win any challenge. “Not like you. But I guess we’ll have to see what happens tonight.”

  “Do you think you can keep it together?”

  I thought so, but was I sure? Hell no. Didn’t mean I wasn’t going to try. My best friend needed me, and I could pretty much guess Sierra’s reaction if I let her brother get his ass beat because I couldn’t concentrate. “I’ll try, but it won’t be easy.”

  “Trust me. I know it’s hard to be away from your mate.”