'Til Death

by Lorie O'Clare

  She looked up into his fierce expression.

  You really would fight for me. Dimitri’s thoughts sounded baffled.

  Damned straight I would, she told him, even though Dimitri couldn’t hear her thoughts.

  She found her own footing, although she noted he didn’t push her to stand on her own. Dimitri simply stared down at her, sniffing the air and pulling in her scent. Although he must have filled his lungs with her spicy anger, she doubted he missed the overwhelming aroma of her need and lust.

  He opened his mouth slowly, showing off long, deadly incisors as he continued watching her. Rosa’s heart stopped beating. His coat was tousled, tangled in long strands from the run and clumped and damp from the water. She wanted more than anything to take her time licking him, brushing out his hair with her tongue until he stood with the majestic air that she so often saw him display.

  If I even thought about fucking you, your den with their blasted gift would be on my ass so quickly. You would be so damned worth it, but it would just be more bullshit I would have to deal with. His thoughts meandered around the possibilities of taking her, and she didn’t dare move while she listened.

  Trust me, wolf man. No one will stop me from being with you. Rosa dared to move slightly and then slowly ran her tongue down the length of his muscular shoulder. He tasted as good as he smelled. And the musky aroma of lust didn’t come from just her.

  Chapter Two

  Dimitri didn’t care how much aggravation he smelled around him. If he did his job right, no other pack leader would ever have it as hard as he did. Paving the way for an easier life for Malta werewolves mattered more than making friends at this point.

  “Why the hell didn’t you tell me that your den filled with water?” He glared at Ben Miccatto.

  “It didn’t happen until this morning.” Tonya Miccatto didn’t have any makeup on today and the ripe smell of sex clung to her. Obviously she found a willing partner somewhere after their run last night. She stepped gingerly over the sopping wet carpet on their living room floor. “Do you think I would live like this? The second my den flooded, my sire called you.”

  The little slut had a mouth on her that would annoy a saint. Dimitri was no saint.

  “Silence your daughter,” he growled at Ben.

  The old werewolf gave his daughter a harsh look. She crossed her arms over her chest, smashing her breasts together and showing off way too much cleavage in the low-cut shirt she wore.

  “We woke up to this,” Ben explained. He sighed, looking around. “My guess is the melting snow caused it.”

  “If that were the case, then the dens around you would be complaining too. And they aren’t.” As soon as he saw how much water filled their den, Dimitri woke up the neighbors. No one had water damage. He ran his hand over his unbrushed hair. It was too damned early and he needed coffee. “I’ll see who is available to help clean up this mess. I suggest you put anything that matters to you up so it doesn’t get wet.”

  “The floor matters to me,” Tonya snapped, ignoring her sire when he growled at her. “And I know why this happened as much as you do, Dimitri.” She dared to move closer and put her cold palm on his chest. “I think someone is jealous,” she whispered, batting her eyelashes at him like they were friends.

  “No one has any reason to be jealous about anything,” Dimitri barked, and walked away from her. “Is this the only room with water damage?”

  “So far.” Ben sounded tired. “You can see how it’s running down from the hill out back though. If you do find some volunteers, we could probably create a dam of sorts to divert the melting snow.”

  He led the way through his den and out the back kitchen door. Dimitri squinted against the morning sun. He didn’t sleep well after the run last night. Of course, being pack leader, there was never a guarantee of sleeping in. There were days when he craved remaining on his pillow until he couldn’t sleep another wink. That wasn’t an option, nor would it be as long as he lived.

  He crunched over the snow, walking into the trees and then staring at the undeveloped mountainside beyond the Miccatto’s den. “Let me see who I can round up. The pack should be waking up about now.” Again he scrubbed his head with his hand. A hot shower sounded damned good. Breakfast…coffee…then take on the problems of the day. “I’ll round up a couple bitches to help your daughter clean up inside too.”

  Ben Miccatto patted Dimitri on the back. “I appreciate it. And she does too. My daughter isn’t really a bad bitch.”

  Dimitri didn’t feel sorry for the old werewolf. His offspring was a tramp. Everyone knew it—well, except Ben. The werewolf would sniff the other way when it came to Tonya, no matter how obvious the truth smelled. That wasn’t Dimitri’s problem. His problem was the melting snow that seemed to create rivers flowing only toward this den as he watched. And even this mess wasn’t his problem. There was only one way the snow had created quickly flowing paths, bypassing all other cabins and focusing only on this den. Someone with the gift helped it along. Someone who had it out for one of the werewolves in this den. Dimitri knew exactly whose problem this was.

  “I’ll call you soon.” Dimitri clasped the hand that touched him, feeling Miccatto’s old, rough skin. For the werewolf’s sake, Dimitri wished someone would mate with Miccatto’s daughter, just so he could force the werewolf to take her before her sire died.

  What was he thinking? Half the pack had probably taken her by now.

  Dimitri didn’t bother going back inside the den. He trudged through the snow, which was still deep in the shade on the side of the cabin, and headed toward his truck. Hopping inside, he stared down the road, then at the other dens lining this side.

  There wouldn’t be many days when he would say he agreed with Tonya. But the bitch was right. Snow melted all over the mountain. For the most part, it ran into the existing rivers and streams, improving fishing. Fishing kicked ass, and he might have enjoyed diving for a few trout last night. That is, if Tonya and Rosa hadn’t tried killing each other over him. There were some quirks to being pack leader, one of them being all of a sudden apparently he was stud material. He didn’t remember one time in his past where two bitches went at it like those two did last night—and over him.

  He should be flattered. Maybe he was a bit. But not for the reasons some might think. There wasn’t any reason to get excited over Tonya—she came on to half the pack. And her intentions were clear. Fuck me and then take your tail home. In a different world she possibly would be a good bitch to know. But being pack leader meant he held the responsibility of displaying what honor was all about.

  And Rosa—shit. God only knew why that bitch sniffed after him. And being flattered was putting it mildly. Rosa was beyond any doubt the hottest bitch he’d ever laid eyes on. Her scent was perfect, rich and sensual. Ever since she and her mother settled into this pack, she’d flirted with him. And Rosa was no Tonya. He never noticed her sniffing after any other male. Every single male in the pack sniffed after Rosa. Not that he saw them doing it. Whenever Rosa was around him, her entire focus centered on him. Rosa glowed with her beauty. And her sexuality smelled better than anything he’d ever sniffed out. He wasn’t the only one who noticed it. Who wouldn’t run after her? Well, other than him.

  He wouldn’t even allow the list of reasons why he needed to stay away from that bitch into his head. Not when he planned on visiting her next.

  Sucked that breakfast would have to wait.

  Unless, of course, Rosa happened to have it ready and on the table. It would serve her right if he invaded her space for a change.

  Rosa Anthony had some answering to do. It smelled like the bitch had used her gift, taking out her anger toward Tonya by soaking the tramp’s den. If it weren’t for old Ben Miccatto, Dimitri might let the bitches fight it out.

  He pulled out of the drive, squinting as the sun reflected off white, glistening snow. Reaching for his sunglasses, a memory of the sea, also just as blinding, turned his mood from grouchy to downright i
rritable.

  A beautiful, endless green sea first thing in the afternoon, with the pungent smell of humans, salt water and fish mixed with spices often put his world in better balance. Dimitri saw himself standing there, his littermates around him, watching while his sire conducted business with the fishermen. His mother always walked by her mate’s side, defending him no matter what the situation. There was never a more loyal and beautiful bitch.

  “Shove it out of your head, man.” The last thing he needed was for Rosa to pick up on his thoughts of Malta. “The island is dead to you.”

  As were all the memories that went with it.

  Dimitri turned off the one-lane road and headed across the mountain. The den he needed to visit now was almost at the bottom of the mountain. His pack had grown incredibly in the short time they’d been here. It would be a year soon.

  He hit a bump and his head brushed the roof of his truck. “And if we ever get any fucking funding, someday we’ll have decent roads.”

  Maneuvering the truck over the ice and around rivers of melting snow, he took his eyes off the road long enough to take in the dens on either side of him. Most of them he helped build. Sturdy cabins that endured their first winter on the mountain.

  “Think about that,” he ordered his mind, and gripped the steering wheel harder. It would be a hell of a lot smarter to simply call the bitch instead of risking her climbing into his mind the moment she saw him.

  God. He hated the fucking gift.

  “Hate is such a strong smell.” The old werewolf suddenly sitting in the passenger side of Dimitri’s truck growled at him.

  Dimitri almost drove the truck off the road. “Fuck me,” he hissed, decelerating so he wouldn’t slide and managing to straighten the vehicle back out. “Bruno!”

  “You keep showing up smelling like you despise everything and Rosa will think that is your natural scent.”

  “Like I care what she thinks.”

  “You care, son. I can smell how much you care.”

  “Thanks for the reminder that my sense of smell will fade with old age.” Dimitri heaved a sigh, scowling at the view in front of him and taking the sharp turn that led down the mountain. The werewolf sitting next to him was probably the only male on the planet he could humble himself before. “Forgive me. I’m out of line.”

  “Don’t think I can’t still kick your ass.” Bruno didn’t hold on to the handle when the truck bounced over the rough road. He sat relaxed, his thick, arthritic fingers stretched out over his thighs. “I’ve got a job for you. It’s not a suggestion, but something you will do.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Make the gift work for you.”

  “What the hell?” Dimitri glanced at Bruno, but the old werewolf wasn’t there. “What the fuck does that mean?” he yelled to himself.

  No one else was in the cab with him.

  Bruno Tangaree, his pack leader from Malta, appeared to him a lot lately. His truck slid on the road and he pumped the brakes slowly, managing not to get stuck as he turned into Rosa’s driveway. The neat little den sat by itself at the end of the road. The path leading to the front door was shoveled, as was the driveway. Looks like some male sniffed after her. Dimitri wondered who shoveled it for her as he cut the engine and jumped out of the truck.

  “Make the gift work for me. Like I’m going to take orders from a dead werewolf.” A cold breeze attacked Dimitri and he wrapped his coat around him instead of zipping it up and hurried to her door. Hairs prickled to life on his arms and at the back of his neck. A sensation he didn’t like trickled down his spine. It was like all of a sudden bugs crawled all over his body. The urge to bolt, run until the insane feeling left him attacked with a fury he couldn’t control. He tripped, catching his balance quickly, and paused before reaching the door. Glancing around quickly, Dimitri searched the area, but saw no one. He didn’t smell a soul. But then maybe a soul couldn’t be sniffed out.

  As quickly as it hit, the sensation disappeared.

  “Damn it, Bruno,” he grumbled, straightening and letting go of his coat. No way would Rosa see him shivering like a pup when she opened her door for him.

  Already he smelled coffee and ham frying. His stomach grumbled loud enough to drown out his thoughts.

  The door opened and the sweet smell of lavender attacked his senses when Rosa smiled up at him.

  “I poured coffee for you,” she said quietly, stepping to the side to allow him entrance into her den.

  “Good.” He wouldn’t let her see that he was surprised she knew he was here. Keeping his facial muscles relaxed, he cleared his mind, allowing himself to focus only on why he came.

  The gift ran strong in Rosa. Too damned strong. And as unnerving as it was to have the dead appearing next to him in his truck, it equally bugged the shit out of him when bitches like Rosa knew his actions before he did them. There was only one issue at hand—making Rosa fix the mess she made of Tonya’s den.

  She stopped and turned to look up at him. “You saw Bruno?” she whispered, obviously ignoring his other thoughts.

  “Get the fuck out of my head,” he growled at her.

  “We have company?” Maria Anthony, Rosa’s mother, wiped her hands on a dish towel as she appeared in the kitchen doorway. “Well, Dimitri. What an honor that you would visit our den. You will join us to eat. Rosa made so much food this morning. Maybe she knew you were coming.” The old bitch winked at him then smiled fondly at her daughter.

  Rosa didn’t return the smile. Instead she moved around her mother and picked up a coffee mug from the counter. She handed it to Dimitri. “What did you want?”

  “You have a mess to clean up.” He wouldn’t insult her by asking if she intentionally flooded Tonya’s den. And the way she stiffened, tilting her head slightly and pursing those full red lips of hers, he knew he had guessed correctly. “Let’s go. I don’t have all morning.”

  Rosa turned, pulling several pieces of thickly cut ham off a serving plate and placed them on a white china plate. She moved to the stove and scooped up a good helping of eggs, then grabbed a biscuit and broke it in two with her fingers. After handing him the plate, she turned and swiped a rich amount of creamy butter onto the biscuit and then plopped it onto his plate.

  “Sit. Have your breakfast so you’ll quit scowling. Then we’ll go clean up your mess.”

  The little bitch wouldn’t order him around. Dimitri put the plate on the table and grabbed a piece of ham and stuffed it into his mouth. He swallowed before he was done chewing. The perfectly sweetened piece of meat tasted real damned good. And possibly he would have sat if she hadn’t just ordered him to.

  Rosa sighed, making her own plate and moving to the table. She pulled out her chair but then gestured to the one on the opposite side of the table. “I would be rude not to serve my pack leader. Please honor us and sit and enjoy our kill.”

  He doubted she killed this pig. No way would he ever let on that he didn’t know the extent of the gift that ran through her, but Rosa wasn’t built to attack and kill. Far from it. “Maria, I need to speak to your daughter alone for a minute.”

  “That’s fine.” Maria either smelled a confrontation or thought there might be hope for her daughter and Dimitri if she left them alone. She grabbed her coffee and a biscuit. “I prefer to eat while watching TV anyway. You two have a nice chat.”

  Dimitri waited for Maria to leave and then sat at the table. He used a fork this time and attacked the perfectly cooked meat. It wasn’t too often he got a home cooked meal. With both of his littermates mated now and living in dens of their own, he seldom bothered using his kitchen. It had been a while since he ate a meal in his flesh. Even with the smell of lavender distracting his nose from the cooked meat, the aroma from the food proved impossible to ignore.

  Rosa held her coffee cup to her lips but didn’t sip. Instead she watched Dimitri with her incredibly light brown eyes. He met her gaze, which was soft, compelling, as if she didn’t have an agenda at all. He knew the bit
ch better. No matter that her light eyes—eyes that weren’t even brown, more like tan—were like pools of open sincerity and honesty, he knew better than to trust her. Rosa had the gift.

  She looked away first, her expression and scent suddenly smelling sad, proof she ignored his order to stay out of his head. “Is your meat to your liking?” she asked.

  “It’s perfect.” Even her soft manner of speaking made it damned hard to ignore her. Not to mention she most likely was the sexiest bitch in the pack. She knew that though. Telling her would be pointless. Her gaze shot to his, again proof she followed his line of thinking. Maybe they didn’t need to talk at all—he would just fucking think what he wanted to tell her and then leave.

  “There’s plenty. Eat as much as you want.” She sipped her coffee and then tore a piece of her biscuit and sliced a piece of ham to go with it. “When you’ve had your breakfast you can tell me what you want from me.”

  “You already know the answer to that.” He finished off his ham and then went for the eggs, wiping them up with his biscuit. She got up and brought the plate with ham on it and served him more without asking. He didn’t stop her. “You’re going to clean the Miccatto den up and apologize to them.”

  “I’d be more than pleased to help them clean it. But I can’t think of a thing that I’m sorry for.”

  “Then maybe you should hang around in your own mind instead of everyone else’s. I think you can. Good bitches don’t trash other bitches’ dens just because they don’t like the way that bitch is acting.”

  “They don’t?” She sounded so sincere that if he hadn’t looked up at that moment he would have missed the glint of amusement in her expression.

  “No. They don’t,” he told her.

  “And you think I’m a good bitch?”

  “I think you’re going to be one.”

  “Oh.” She poured him more coffee. Her wrist was slender and a small scar on the back of her hand looked like a white streak of lightning running over her tanned skin. “And is that all you want?”