'Til Death

by Lorie O'Clare

  She sat down across from him and put her elbows on the table, watching him eat. Her long black hair tumbled down past her shoulders. There was another scar just to the side of her mouth, barely noticeable unless someone looked for it, and it hardly hindered her intense sex appeal. In spite of his vow to not be interested, his cock stirred in his jeans.

  Simply proof that he wasn’t dead. Rosa wasn’t the bitch for him. More than likely there wasn’t a female in this pack for him. The thought sobered him, and suddenly the food didn’t taste as good as it had a moment before. He would live with that truth though, just as he lived every day for the past five years. Keep his insides numb and his senses alert and ready to attack. That was the only way he could lead their pack.

  “I want you to show me that you’re better than Tonya,” he told her and finished his coffee. “Her sire doesn’t deserve to wallow around in melting snow. Get yourself ready to leave.” He stood and stared at his wiped clean plate. “And thank you for breakfast.”

  “Anytime, wolf man,” she mumbled and swayed past him, filling his nostrils with her rich, enticing scent as she left him standing in her kitchen.

  Dimitri nodded to Maria, who lounged on her couch watching TV. Taking in the clean and nicely furnished den, he realized the two bitches did okay for themselves in spite of no male being around. At least he didn’t know of any males who entered this den.

  Letting himself out of the small cabin, he retraced his steps along the nicely shoveled path. Rosa’s scent still lingered in his senses and her good cooking filled his gut. What male wouldn’t want such a hot fucking bitch lying next to him, caring for him and preparing their kill then sitting and watching them enjoy it with such a peaceful and content air about her? His insides tightened and he looked around the snow-covered yard. He didn’t smell any other werewolf. If someone had been here, it hadn’t been recently.

  Growling, he reached his truck and then turned, crossing his arms and waiting for Rosa. Like he cared if another male sniffed after her.

  When her door opened and Rosa stepped outside, shutting it quietly behind her and then approaching him, she walked with the elegance of a queen bitch.

  Make the gift work for you.

  He heard the old werewolf’s words in his head as he moved around his truck and opened the door for her. Rosa stopped, staring up at him before climbing in. “Will you tell me about your visit with Bruno?” she asked quietly.

  “Get in,” he instructed. “And no.” Her ass looked real damned good in her tight blue jeans. Dimitri shut her door and headed around to his side. His stiff cock made it harder to move over the snow. Climbing in on his side also proved an irritating chore. No way in hell would he give her the satisfaction of knowing that she made him hard just being around her.

  “Please.” She spoke so softly he almost didn’t hear her.

  Letting the truck rumble to life, Dimitri tried glaring at her. He came over to haul her cute little ass over to the Miccatto den. This was supposed to be a reprimand. Rosa couldn’t get away with using the gift like that just because some slut had her paws all over him. It wasn’t like he allowed the advances. There was no way he would choose Tonya over Rosa.

  Not that he was choosing.

  The corner of Rosa’s mouth tilted into a small smile and the cab filled with the sweetest smell of happiness.

  “Let’s set one thing straight right now.” He shifted so that he faced her and pointed his finger at her chest. She’d changed clothes when she left the kitchen and even though her leather coat hid most of her upper body, the soft looking pale pink sweater she wore underneath hugged her slim figure. He noticed the curve of her breast and forced his attention to her face. “I want your word that you’ll stay out of my head and that you’ll never use the gift out of spite.”

  “I can swear to the second one, but not the first.”

  “You’ll swear to both.”

  “I don’t know how,” she said quietly.

  Dimitri didn’t understand the gift at all. But the last thing he would do right now was give it a thought, not when Rosa just told him she wouldn’t stay out of his head. He grabbed the stick shift and shoved it into gear.

  “You better learn, then.”

  She was quiet as he once again drove over the rough roads and back up the mountain. When he glanced at her, Rosa chewed her finger, looking very lost in thought over something. Her long, thick, black lashes draped over her tan eyes. She tucked a single long strand behind one ear and it fell down her back and over her shoulder. He knew it was the source of the faint whiff of lavender he caught on almost every breath.

  “Why don’t you know how?” He broke the silence and Rosa looked worried when she focused on him.

  “I hear everyone’s thoughts whether I want to or not. Believe me, it’s not always that fun. And I know you hate the gift. Can’t we talk about something else?”

  “I don’t hate the gift.”

  “Yes you do. Otherwise you wouldn’t hate me so much.”

  “I don’t hate you.”

  “You turn me down every time I come near you.” She shifted so that her body faced him. When they went over a good-sized hole in the road, she grabbed his dash, causing her jacket to open and offering a wonderful view of her perky breasts bouncing up and down. “And you’re always angry.”

  “I’m not angry. Running a pack doesn’t allow time to make friends.”

  “You think I want to be friends?” She really did look shocked.

  “I have no idea what you want.”

  “I want you, wolf man.”

  His cock got harder than it had in ages. And he was truly surprised to see her blush when he looked at her. “Why, Rosa?” he demanded. “Because I’m pack leader? Trust me. Find someone else. I’m not what you want.”

  “Not because you’re pack leader. Because…” She stopped and her cheeks darkened the most beautiful shade of red.

  This conversation bordered on dangerous. Dimitri turned his attention to the road. “Because why?” he prompted.

  “Because every night I dream about fucking you and every morning I wake up swearing I smell your scent inside me.”

  Chapter Three

  Rosa stared out the passenger window at the Miccatto den when Dimitri stopped his truck in their driveway. “I can fix it from here. I don’t need to get out.”

  She stared at the mountainous terrain beyond the small cabin. The snow would continue melting over the next couple months, the rivers would swell and fishing would be great. She cocked her head, willing the melting snow to return to its normal course and no longer flood the little slut’s den.

  Focusing on the gift with Dimitri so close to her proved more of a challenge than she realized. He thought she wanted him because of his rank. But more than anyone, Rosa saw how being pack leader tore up his insides. He hated the gift, despised the memories of Malta that threatened to destroy him. And here she sat next to him, using the gift that he hated. If only she could soothe those thoughts, bring peace to the outrage that she always smelled on him.

  And yes, she would do anything to soothe the need that ran rampant inside her.

  “You’re getting out.” Dimitri’s harsh tone only made her heart pound harder.

  “I gave you my word that I wouldn’t use the gift out of spite. The only way I can do that is to not enter situations where I would be tempted to do so.”

  “How is getting out going to make you spiteful?”

  Hadn’t she humiliated herself enough with this werewolf? She turned quickly, shoving her hair out of her face and fighting to keep her voice calm so he wouldn’t pick up on the many emotions flooding her insides worse than the snow flooded into streams outside.

  “Because I don’t want that fucking bitch touching you,” she hissed.

  Dimitri’s eyes were almost black when he stared at her. She heard the several responses he considered giving her before he spoke. “Tonya touches every male in the pack.”

  Rosa preferred the c
omment that he didn’t voice. No other bitch will touch me.

  Tonya wouldn’t touch him—not again. Hopefully this stunt put the bitch in her place. “The snow isn’t melting into their den anymore.”

  Dimitri growled and opened his door. She stared at him, but then he reached for her too quickly for her to move and yanked her out his side.

  “Come with me.” His dark eyes smoldered like thunderheads that could explode without notice.

  “I’m not going to apologize. I’d do it again if she gets out of line.”

  “Are you going to attack any bitch who touches me?” A hint of silver raced over his pupils, the only sign that emotions pumped in his veins strongly enough to call forth the change.

  “It depends on how she touches you and what she’s thinking when she does it,” Rosa told him truthfully.

  He still held her arm and didn’t move out of the way when she slid out of the truck and stood before him. The open door trapped her between him and his truck, and everything that was Dimitri filled her senses. She kept her expression in check, watching for his reaction. Her words didn’t turn him off. He wasn’t repulsed like he was last night when Tonya tried to get him to mount her in front of everyone. But she didn’t smell lust either.

  “I’m capable of defending myself.” His thoughts were in turmoil. He couldn’t decide whether to punish her further or make time to be alone with her longer.

  She opted for the second choice. “I know you are. Just as I am. And I’ll also defend what I want.”

  “And what if you don’t get it?”

  Rosa stared at him. She didn’t have a ready answer. It was too early to know if she could capture Dimitri or not. Until she knew, no other bitch would get close to him.

  Her silence bugged him. “Rosa…” A quick flood of emotions attacked him and opened a window into his mind. He wanted her. Whether it was lust, or something deeper, she couldn’t tell. But it offered a light of hope, something to sniff out and learn if it was real or not. “Let’s go,” he finished, keeping his hand on her arm and pulling her around the door then closing it.

  “Why is she here?” Tonya reeked of the temper tantrum she was ready to throw the moment they were inside her den.

  “Enough.” Her sire sliced his hand through the air, his anger spicy enough to fill the den and silence the mouthy tramp. Ben turned his back on her and faced Dimitri. “The water isn’t coming in under the back door anymore.”

  “Very good.” Dimitri looked around the living room, at the small items picked up off the floor and the throw carpets hanging over the back of chairs in front of the fireplace. “I’ll send someone by later to make sure there isn’t any structural damage.”

  He walked through their den and out the back door, keeping Rosa by his side the entire time. Whether he wanted to hold on to her or didn’t trust her if he let her go, Rosa couldn’t tell. She kept her attention in front of her and didn’t look at Tonya. For Dimitri, she would fight to be civil. Hanging the bitch from one of the higher branches in the trees out back sounded like a good plan though.

  “Thank you for making her fix her little fit.” Tonya actually dared to step in front of them and focused on Dimitri, ignoring Rosa. “Our den is safe now thanks to you. I really am in your debt.”

  Then the bitch actually touched him, running her hand right up his chest. Fire boiled inside Rosa. Tonya actually thought she had a chance with Dimitri and loved the idea of being queen bitch.

  Like that would ever happen. Rosa glared at the painted fingernails that spread over Dimitri’s chest. They were a burnt orange—like fire.

  “Ouch!” Tonya hissed, yanking her hand back and then staring at it as a wild look crossed her face. Instantly her teeth grew and she growled at Rosa while nursing her burnt hand. “Do you really think he wants anything to do with a bitch who throws the gift around the way you do?” she hissed.

  “That’s enough,” Dimitri barked, not giving Rosa a chance to put Tonya in her place.

  The big branch hanging over them might knock some sense into the bitch’s head.

  Rosa almost slipped in the snow when Dimitri turned around and marched to the side of the Miccatto den. His grip on her arm tightened enough to cut off her circulation, and he didn’t let go but almost dragged her to his truck. Opening his passenger door, he threw her inside. She pulled her legs in so that he wouldn’t slam the door on her.

  His jaw was set firm and his mouth barely moved when he grumbled something to the old werewolf. With just a few long strides, he reached the driver’s side and climbed inside. Oddly enough though, he didn’t smell like anger.

  And he didn’t say anything when he put the truck in gear and pulled out of the driveway.

  The heavy down coat he wore made his chest look even bigger and his shoulders broader. He sat straight behind the wheel, not looking at her but gripping the wheel and staring ahead. Rosa relaxed on her side, listening to his thoughts ramble and taking in his firm jawline, his straight nose and dark lashes that hooded his gaze. Thick, black hair tumbled to his shoulders. She itched to touch it, pull his head back and demand all of his attention.

  She preoccupied his thoughts, but he fought with everything he had to keep his mind on pack business. All she could hear were the thoughts he focused on each moment. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t search deeper into his mind and learn more about him. Having learned the gift from her cousin, Dante, when she was a teenager, she didn’t know if there were ways to probe deeper. Someday she would ask her cousin, but today, all she heard was what he wanted her to hear.

  And he refused to think about anything that had to do with her.

  It shouldn’t surprise her that his thoughts were as stubborn as his actions.

  “Why are we here?” Rosa had been focused so intently on Dimitri’s mind that she didn’t realize they were headed to his den until he parked his truck in his drive.

  “Pay more attention to your surroundings. You should have asked me where we were headed long before now.” He caught her in the act of focusing on his thoughts, and the gleam in his intense gaze told her as much.

  Without answering her question, he turned off his truck and got out.

  She would either sit in the cab and freeze or follow him inside. Rosa jumped out on her side.

  “You didn’t answer me,” she said, hurrying after him.

  Dimitri unlocked his den and pushed the door open, closing it with his boot after they entered. It was cold enough inside to see her breath. Dimitri walked over to his fireplace.

  “Werewolves are hunters, Rosa. Males don’t like being hunted.”

  She stood just inside the door, crossing her arms against the cold, and stared at his backside while he built a fire. “Okay.”

  “So why are you hunting me?”

  “Why did you bring me here?”

  He struck a match and flames ignited. “Attacking other bitches who give me attention is definitely hunting.”

  “Did you want her attention?”

  “No.” He didn’t hesitate with his answer. “But I don’t need a protector.”

  “You brought me here for a reprimand?” She hated not being able to gain anything from his thoughts. The bastard repeated the code of werewolf chivalry, a simple lesson taught to every cub, over and over in his mind until it made her want to scream.

  Attack with honor, not with anger.

  Know your enemy better than he knows himself.

  Show mercy when killing and mercy will be shown to you.

  Dimitri stood slowly, keeping his back to her. Repeating those three lines over and over in his head took one hell of a lot of concentration. It meant that much to him that Rosa not know his thoughts. That bit of knowledge burned her insides like nasty heartburn.

  “I brought you here,” he began, and then turned to face her. Dark brown eyes glowed in the room lit only by the dancing flames from the fire. “Because your personal agenda is now affecting other members of my pack.”

  �
��This isn’t my pack too?” She knew she toyed with his words, but throwing him off guard might make him drop his mental mantra and allow her into his mind.

  “It is.” He continued mentally repeating the code, but moved toward her silently. “And I’m your pack leader. If there’s a problem in this pack, I’m going to fix it.”

  “You see a problem?” Her mouth was too dry.

  She stared up at him with her back pressed against his front door. Her heart thudded in her chest loud enough that he had to hear it. And the smell of caution and lust suddenly made it damned hard to focus.

  “One that I plan on fixing immediately.” He grabbed her hair, forcing her head back.

  With as quick of a movement, he shoved her coat from her shoulders. She crooked her arms, keeping it from falling to the floor, but couldn’t manage to prevent herself from panting.

  And still he repeated those three damned sentences over and over in his mind. Rosa had no idea where his actions would lead. It scared her to death, and thrilled her at the same time. The emotions racing inside her had her gasping for air.

  “What are you going to do?” She tried straightening her head but he had a firm grip on her hair. Relaxing her head, she closed her eyes, which made her vulnerable.

  He wouldn’t hurt her. No matter what action he took, Rosa repeated in her mind, he wouldn’t hurt her. Nonetheless, she trembled when he moved his other hand to her neck and ran his finger down the length of it.

  “You don’t know, do you?” His hoarse whisper scraped over her flesh, giving her chills.

  “No.”

  Dimitri touched the top of her shirt and continued holding her hair so she couldn’t straighten her head. He scraped his fingernail over her nipple and drew a line down her front until he gripped the bottom of her shirt. She felt his knuckles rub against her bare flesh when he pulled her shirt free from her jeans.

  “You’re accustomed to manipulating a situation. The gift has tampered with your ability to use any other sense to understand what’s going on around you.” He spoke quietly, using a cool whisper. There wasn’t enough of a scent coming from him to tell if he spoke with a cutting edge or out of sympathy.