by L. P. Dover
A few seconds later, she appears with a scowl on her face, storming toward the cabin, wearing a sexy red dress and carrying a pair of red high heels. For the most part, I like everyone I meet, but I have a feeling she’s not going to be one of them. She’s beautiful like all the other royal arctic females I know with their bright blonde hair and striking blue eyes. Knox watches her and does his best to hold in his laughter.
“I take it things didn’t go as planned?” he calls out.
Kara scoffs and glares at him. Her feet are dirty from trekking through the snow and mud. “Not exactly.”
Knox nods toward me. “Before you tell us all about it, I want you to meet Amelie Graye.”
Kara turns my way, and her scowl turns into a smile. She tosses her heels onto the porch and holds out her arms as she approaches me. “I’ve heard so much about you.” She hugs me hard and steps back, her piercing gaze studying me curiously. “I didn’t realize you were going to be so beautiful.”
Why? Because I’m not a royal? The words are on the tip of my tongue, but I keep them to myself. “Thanks,” I say instead.
She glances down at her feet. “I’m sorry to show up like this. My car is at a bed and breakfast in town. I was pissed when I left Zayne’s, so I took off through the woods.” Her eyes meet mine, and it takes all the strength I have not to let my anger show. What the hell was she doing at Zayne’s?
“I’ll take you to get your car,” Knox offers.
Kara sighs and turns to him. “Thanks. I needed to run off some steam. But, unfortunately, it didn’t help.”
Knox comes back over to stand next to me. “What happened?” he asks her.
Crossing her arms over her chest, she looks at us both and scowls again. “I think Zayne has a mate.”
My body tenses, but I take in a calming breath. Knox glances down at me with furrowed brows. “Does he?”
I shrug. “Not that I’m aware of. I would’ve heard if he did.” Then I focus on Kara. “What makes you think he does?”
Her eyes blaze. “There’s no way in hell he’d be able to turn me down the way he did if he didn’t. He’s never said no to me before.” She blows out a slow breath. “No worries though. I’m going to keep on trying. I think staying in Wyoming is the perfect thing for me right now.”
All I can do is smile, but I want to tell her to stay away from him. I don’t know what game she’s playing, but it’s not going to work.
“If he does have a mate,” I say, staring right at her, “what exactly are you going to do?”
With a mischievous grin, she shifts her gaze over to Knox, and they exchange a look; I don’t like it. When she turns that smirk to me, I can see the devilish gleam in her eyes. “I’ll buy her a fruit basket.”
Knox doesn’t comment, which makes me question his motives as well. Kara huffs and focuses on her mud-covered feet. “Amelie, do you mind if I take a shower and borrow a change of clothes until I get mine from the B&B? I’m filthy.”
“Sure,” I say, ready for her to get away from me. I’d like to take back my agreement on her staying at my house, but it’s too late. Then again, with her under the same roof, I can hopefully listen to what her plans are with Zayne.
Kara disappears inside, and Knox comes around to stand in front of me. “Do you want to go for a run? It might be the only quiet time we get with Kara around.”
Forcing a smile, I shake my head. “You go ahead. I might go for a run later. I’ll be here when you get back.”
His gaze lands on my lips, and then he meets my eyes. “Okay. I’ll be back soon.”
25
Zayne
“Amelie didn’t look so happy with what Kara had to say,” Colin informs me, his voice low through the phone. I plan on switching places with him, so I can spend the rest of the night watching over Amelie.
Clenching my teeth, I run a hand through my hair. Kara’s never been one to hold back anything she says. She probably told Amelie all about how she was naked in my bed.
“I can’t let them tear Amelie and me apart,” I growl.
“They won’t,” Colin snaps. “Although, it’s probably a good thing Amelie’s mating signs haven’t appeared yet. Especially with the Channons staying with her.”
As much as I want her to feel the connection to me, I must admit it is safer for her right now if she doesn’t.
Colin lowers his voice. “Knox just ran off into the woods. I don’t know where he’s going.”
A few seconds later, I can feel Knox’s energy close by. “He’s coming here,” I hiss.
“Are you fucking kidding me? Do you need me there?”
My body ignites with rage the closer Knox gets. Finally, I step out onto my porch, and I see him appear in the distance. “No. I got this.” I hang up my phone and set it on the wooden railing.
Now that Knox’s hair is back to its normal color, he looks exactly as he did all those years ago. “It’s about time we get alone time together,” he says. I tighten my hands into fists, wanting desperately to punch the grin off his face.
“What do you want?” I snarl.
Smirking, he walks up into my front yard but stops a reasonable distance away. “To talk.”
“You may have everyone fooled, but I’m not a fucking idiot,” I growl. I hold out my arms and step down the stairs. “If you want revenge for your own fuck up, that’s fine. I’m right here. Let’s end this.”
Knox bursts out laughing. “That’s not what I want at all, Lyall. I’m happy to be part of a pack again. Especially now that I’ve found Amelie.”
My body shakes with rage. “Amelie’s an innocent in this. She doesn’t need to get dragged down with you.”
Knox’s smile disappears, and his anger intensifies. “You don’t know what the hell you’re talking about. I was in love with her. When I’m done with you, I’m taking her away from here. It just so happens luck was on my side, and she happened to be right where I needed to be.”
I take a step closer. “What are you going to do, Knox? I’m standing right here. I don’t know what the fuck you plan on doing. I have nothing for you to take away.”
Knox’s gaze narrows. “You’re right; you don’t. You have a ton of money, but so do I. I could care less about that. You have your business, but there’s no fun in ruining your reputation. You could easily do that back to me.” His lips pull back. “Most of your family and friends are mated royals now, making them stronger than me. Including your daughter. Isn’t her name Laila?”
My wolf stirs within me, desperate to break free. “If you go anywhere near her, I’ll kill you.”
Knox holds up his hands. “Calm down. I’m not going anywhere near her. I know not to mess with the fae. You may love her, but there will soon be someone you love more.” He walks back and forth, keeping his eyes on mine, taunting me. Blood boiling inside of me, all I can think of is ripping off his head and ending this feud once and for all. “With more wolves finding their mates,” he says, “I have no doubt you’ll find yours. And when you do, I’ll be there.”
We both know what he means by that. “If that day ever comes, it’ll be your last,” I promise him.
He shrugs. “Maybe, maybe not. I look forward to finding out.”
He takes off into the woods, and I storm back up to my porch. Grabbing my phone, I press Laila’s number.
“Hey,” she answers. “Everything okay?”
“No. Knox just left. I need to see Amelie again.”
26
Amelie
After Knox returned from his run, he took Kara to the bed and breakfast to grab her things. She wanted my help picking out a dress to wear out on the town tonight, and I was shocked to see that was all she had. I didn’t see one pair of jeans or a T-shirt. The woman is high maintenance, through and through.
“Are you sure you two don’t want to go out with me tonight?” Kara asks, strutting across the living room floor in her black high heels and short black dress.
Knox sits down beside me on the c
ouch. “Have fun. We’re going to watch TV.”
Kara shakes her head and looks at us as if we’re the most boring people in the world. “Suit yourself.” She walks out the door, and I breathe a sigh of relief when she drives away. My patience is tested every second I’m around her.
“You don’t like her very much, do you?” Knox asks.
I don’t even have the strength to pretend. “I’m not used to people like her. She’s high society, and I’m just an elementary school teacher who helps train horses in the summer. I know she looks down on me.”
He sighs. “Kara looks down on everyone who isn’t a royal. If you want, I can make her go back to the bed and breakfast. I don’t want you feeling uncomfortable in your own home.”
A part of me wants to take him up on that offer, but I can’t let Kara get the best of me. So instead, I look over at him and smile, although I know the sentiment doesn’t touch my eyes. “No. She can stay.”
He brushes a strand of my hair behind my ear. “As long as you know I’m not like that. I’ve always thought of you as an equal.”
“I know,” I reply. I sit back and turn on the TV. The last thing I want to do is watch something sexy or romantic, so I scroll through the different movies on Netflix, trying to find something with action and adventure.
The thrumming in my veins cascades up my arms, and I suck in a breath. “Amelie, are you okay?” Knox asks.
I look down at my arms, wondering if there’s anything visible going on with my body. The electric energy is inside me, and I can feel the magnetic pull, drawing me toward the outside of my house. But, it’s not just pulling me anywhere either; it’s guiding me toward someone. Are the mating signs finally happening?
I’m so afraid to look at Knox for fear that he’ll know what’s going on. However, I don’t get the chance before his head falls to the side, and I can feel Laila’s magic surround the house. When I get to the door, that’s when I see him. A set of glowing blue eyes stare at me from a magnificently large white wolf. He takes off into the forest, and I shed my clothes so I can run after him.
Zayne races toward the lake, and I follow him, the pull to be near him growing more and more by the second. Finally, when we get to the lake, Zayne shifts back, and I do the same.
“It’s starting, isn’t it?” he asks, his expression full of concern.
I thought he would be pleased I’m starting to feel the bond, but he looks anything but happy. “Is that so bad?”
Expression serious, he nods. “I kept waiting for it to happen to you, and now that it has, it couldn’t be at a worse time.” He closes the distance and pulls me into his bare arms. I felt like I belonged in them long before now, but it’s heightened all of those feelings with the bond strengthening. I press my naked body against him, soaking in his warmth. “You’re not safe, Amelie. Not after what happened today.”
Gasping, I pull away, but he keeps his hold on me. “What happened?” I ask.
His eyes glow, and I can feel his rage. “When Knox left your house, he came to mine. He said that after he’s done with me, he’s going to take you away. But he’s only staying until I find my mate. That way, he can get rid of her.”
The thought sickens me. It doesn’t even sound like anything Knox would say, but I trust Zayne. Then again, people have shocked me before. After what Kara said earlier about finding Zayne’s mate, I got the feeling something was off.
“Please say you believe me, Amelie,” Zayne murmurs.
I nod. “I do. I don’t know what it was, but I saw something sinister in Kara’s eyes when she mentioned finding your mate. Knox didn’t say anything.”
Zayne cups my cheeks. “Now, do you see how important it is that I keep you safe? You can’t go back there.”
I shake my head. “If I don’t, he’ll know something’s up. Knox loves me, Zayne. I don’t think he’ll hurt me.”
His eyes glow, and he squeezes my arms. “You don’t how ruthless they are. It doesn’t matter what you think. They plan on killing whoever my mate is. If it weren’t you, it would be someone else.” When he meets my gaze, I can see the desperation in his eyes. “Think about this, Amelie. They want to kill an innocent just to get back at me. Is that the kind of people you want to love? I know you care about Knox, but we have to get rid of him. He’s not going to leave here without you. And if he finds out you’re my mate, I don’t want to imagine what he’ll do. I have to end him before he finds out.”
Swallowing hard, I look away. It sickens me to think Knox could ever kill someone’s mate just for revenge. There has to be a way to get through to him. “And Kara?” I ask.
“She’s a threat to you as well. She can’t stand being rejected. That alone makes her want to kill my mate.”
Tears fill my eyes. “What if I can get Knox to leave and never come back?”
Zayne’s hands slide up my arms to my face, and he gently turns me to him. Then, with a heavy sigh, he shakes his head. “He’s not going to leave without you, Amelie. Either way, this is going to end in a fight. It’s long overdue.”
“Can you defeat him?”
He looks away, and dread settles into the pit of my stomach. “Honestly, I don’t know,” he murmurs, his jaw clenching tight. His hands fall from my face, and he steps toward the lake with his back to me. “Knox and I learned to fight together; our methods are the same. Plus, we’re both royals. So his strength matches mine.”
I don’t like the sound of that at all. “If we’d completed the bond on this last full moon, you’d be stronger.”
He glances at me over his shoulder. “We both would. Neither Knox nor Kara would be able to hurt you. That’s why they want to kill my mate before the bond can be completed.”
“What are we going to do?” If there’s a chance Zayne might not win against Knox, I don’t want them fighting.
By the look in Zayne’s eyes, he’s going to fight regardless; it’s just a matter of when. Zayne turns to me, and I close the distance, the thrumming in my veins tingling through every part of my body.
Zayne takes my face in his hands and kisses me. “I don’t want to spend the only few minutes I have with you talking about Channon.”
Closing my eyes, I breathe him in. “What do you have in mind?”
His fingers slide down my face and over my breasts before wrapping his arms around my waist. “I think you know.” He presses his hardness into me, and I moan, desperate to feel him inside of me. When I open my eyes, his wolf eyes stare back at me. “I need you, Amelie. It’s been hell without you.”
A small smile spreads across my lips. “I know the feeling.” There’s snow all over the ground, but I have an idea. I push him toward the boulder until his back touches it.
He kisses me hard and nips his way down my neck. “We don’t have much time,” he says, his breaths quick and full of need.
Tilting my head back, I suck in a breath as he closes his lips over one of my nipples. “I know I won’t last long.”
“Neither will I.” He slowly slides his back down the boulder, bringing me down to the ground with him. Straddling his lap, I rub my clit up and down his length, trembling with how euphoric it feels.
Zayne digs his fingers into my hips, his mouth greedily sucking my nipples. “Fuck, I want you.”
I straddle his waist, and he settles his hands on my hips, lifting me. Gently, he guides me down, but I quickly slam onto him, taking him in fully. Growling, he bites his lip and squeezes my ass as I take him in deep. I cry out in pleasure, my orgasm just on the brink.
I ride him hard, picking up speed when I know he’s close to finishing. Lifting his head, he pulls a nipple between his teeth and puts his hands on my back, so I can’t move away. The thrumming in my veins grows stronger, the bond strengthening the closer I get to orgasm. Zayne’s eyes glow, and he grunts with the force of my hips riding his. His cock pulsates inside of me, and I slam onto him again and again. I don’t want the night to end. My wolf is desperate to claim her mate, and I can already tel
l this one time isn’t going to be enough. My insides clench, and I clutch Zayne tight. Screaming out my release, I milk him, his warmth filling me as I bring him to climax. I thrust my hips gently a few more times, not ready to feel the emptiness when we have to separate.
Grabbing my face, Zayne pulls me down to his lips, kissing me softly. “Please don’t go back home. Laila can use her magic to keep you safe while I deal with Knox and Kara.”
I shake my head. “There has to be another way. One that doesn’t involve killing them.”
Sighing, he closes his eyes. “There is, but it’s not what I want to do. Do you trust me?”
Cupping his cheek, I trace his lips with my thumb, and he opens his eyes. “With my life,” I murmur.
“Good. Because I have a plan. I’ll let you know when the time’s right.”
I don’t know what the plan is, but I trust Zayne. We shift into our wolves and run back to my house. When we get there, Laila is outside on the porch, rocking in the swing and trying not to smile when she notices us. She stands and comes down to us with our clothes neatly folded in her arms.
“You don’t have much time. Kami said that Kara’s getting ready to leave the bar.” She holds my clothes out, and I shift back.
“Thank you,” I say, dressing quickly.
Zayne shifts, and Laila hands him his clothes. Once he’s dressed, she looks at him and then back to me, her gaze narrowed. “Something’s changed between you two, and I’m not talking about what you just did in the forest. I could hear you, by the way.”
My cheeks burn, and I look away. “Sorry about that.”
She giggles. “No apologies necessary. I’m glad to see you’re both happy.”
I can still feel the burning need coursing through my veins, pushing me toward Zayne. I didn’t know the bond could be so powerful. It makes me wonder how everything will feel if we ever get the chance to complete it.