I was drenched before I’d even taken more than a few steps, laughter leaving me. Grinning, I splashed my way through puddles, uncaring of the mess I was making of my clothes. My hood fell down as I ran but I didn’t bother lifting it back up, the rain plastering my hair to my cheeks. The lights from the house lit up some of the path and I doubled my speed, eager to get inside. My steps were joined by the thud of heavy paws from my left that almost had me tripping till I could make out the familiar shaggy black wolf that was Quillan. His tongue was lolling out, his eyes holding a challenging glint.
Giving in to my fur’s wants, allowing some of her strength to push me on, I raced the big wolf to the door, only just managing to keep stride with him. I wanted to impress him. I knew I was fast, so I gave one last push and let out a laugh of triumph as my feet hit the porch before he did. We were both panting and the look in his eyes was exactly the reaction I’d been wanting. There was intrigue there, and surprise; he was sure he’d win, especially in his wolf form. Ducking my head, feeling a little silly at my attempt to entice him, I quickly stepped into the house.
Instincts told me that I should have tried harder, my wolf would have happily postured herself with her tail held high for him. I closed the door after Quillan shook himself out on the porch and entered too, cringing at the muddy paw prints he left on the floor. Cat would throw a fit.
My skin was still flushed, my body feeling far too warm from the inside out, and oddly I was still panting. Ridding myself of my jacket, I wandered into the kitchen to fetch myself some cold orange juice. A growl from the black wolf that stood by the door had me freezing. His head was lifted high and he was sniffing the air intently. When his dark eyes met mine, I could see the fight Quillan was having with himself. His body was tense, his stance wide, and when he began to creep closer to me, still sniffing the air, I realised my mistake. I’d known almost a week ago that my body was showing signs of my heat arriving, and suddenly my strange behaviour and constant thoughts of Quillan were explained. I didn’t have days until it started like I’d fooled myself into believing. It was starting now. Another rumble from Quillan, his steps slow and predatory, and I cowered against the counter.
With nowhere to run, and unsure of how Quillan was going to react when it looked like his wolf had all of the control, I screamed for Roarke.
Chapter 10
Blind
My eyes never left the wolf that stalked towards me, even as the sound of footsteps reached my ears. Roarke and Cathwulf appeared at the kitchen door, assessing the situation. I was calmer than I should have been and easily managed to even my breathing out after my initial fright because I knew that even with his wolf in control, Quillan would never hurt me. I hoped.
Rumbling growls tumbled from Quillan’s chest as he spotted Roarke moving along the wall towards me. His position took on a far more offensive stance, his lips pulling back to reveal sharp white fangs. My heart skipped a beat but I remained where I stood. Any sudden movement could be what set him off. Cathwulf’s presence didn’t deter him at all, his focus was still only on me, and while part of me sang in that small victory, I knew it was only because the scent of my being in season was driving him on. I should have kept a better eye on how my heat was progressing as I usually did but I’d gotten so caught up in my lessons with Athena.
Roarke looked between us both, his nose scrunching when he caught my scent. “Stand for yourself, Oria. Make it clear to him that you aren’t his.”
Lifting my chin, my voice wavered, “I’m not yours to claim, Quillan. I’m not your mate, you have no right to me.”
My words only seemed to anger him more. For a moment I thought I saw a flash of pain in his eyes, as if my denial of him had hurt but it was gone as quickly as it came. When he made no sign of calming down, Roarke decided to change tactics.
“I want you to very slowly, without turning your back to him, come towards me,” he ordered gently, holding his hand out for me.
As soon as I took the first step towards my Alpha, Quillan’s hackles raised and another low growl sliced through the air, made to seem louder with the echoing thunder from the storm that still raged on outside. Roarke made a snap decision, leaping forward to grab my hand and pull me out of danger’s way. But my hip caught the corner of the kitchen counter, sharp pain blossoming and stealing the breath from me. I doubled over by Roarke’s side, rubbing my hip with a whimper and the sight of my pain must have been the final straw. Quillan’s huge body launched across the room, heavy paws landing and twisting so his teeth were snapping close to his Alpha. Cathwulf cried out, making a move to go to her mate but Roarke held up a hand to stop her. He seemed mostly unconcerned that his Beta now stood between him and me.
“It’s okay, love. He thinks I hurt Oria, he’s protecting her. This is good,” he announced, even as his eyes watched every small movement Quillan made. I failed to see how it was good but between my burning hip and the slowly rising panic of being made to feel like prey again, I didn’t care what he’d meant by it.
Quillan’s tail brushed against my leg. His ears were pinned back against his head, and as he lowered himself a little, I knew he’d make to attack. I was amazed that he was posturing so violently towards his Alpha, a male I knew Quillan trusted and respected. Worried blue eyes met the pale green of Roarke’s and I could see thoughts flickering over his features. My legs began to tremble beneath me and I could feel the sting of tears that betrayed how scared I was.
“He won’t submit to me—”
“You’re his Alpha!” I yelled, shifting uncomfortably against the wall that I was pressed up against.
“But his wolf sees you as something far more important than submitting to any Alpha,” Roarke explained slowly, as if speaking to a child.
I frowned, curling my fingers so that I could feel the grounding sting of my nails digging into my palms. Quillan had relaxed a little now that he’d deemed Roarke no further threat, his growls quieting to a soft rumbling warning.
“Show him you’re all right, Oria, that Roarke hasn’t hurt you. He might calm down enough then to come to his senses and we’ll get you to your room,” Cathwulf suggested softly.
I could smell the nauseating scent of her fear for her mate. Even her hands were still slightly outreached for him. Nodding slowly, I took a deep breath before calling out. “Quillan.”
Black ears perked in my direction but he refused to move from his spot. I gave Cathwulf a look and she smiled encouragingly. Trying again, tentatively, I placed my hand on his back. His fur was rough under my touch and still wet from the rain outside. I could feel his skin twitch.
“Quillan, I’m not hurt. I’m okay. But you’re scaring me.”
My admission caught his attention. His head whipped round and though I could tell instincts still had control, his body relaxed further. He whined, turning to press his nose against the spot I’d hit the counter. A dull throb of pain had me wincing, making him whine again.
“It wasn’t Roarke’s fault. I slipped,” I continued, squirming as his nose continued to poke around bruising skin.
“Let him see for himself. He needs to know with his own eyes that you’re okay,” Roarke said quietly, ready to make a move if he needed to.
Slowly, blushing a little, I lifted my shirt until the small red mark was revealed. I flinched back against the wall as his cold nose met my skin, and nearly squeaked as that action was followed by his tongue. He seemed satisfied then that I was all right, even the rumbles from his chest ceasing. Just as I was almost able to relax, Quillan jumped up. I flinched, knocking my head against the wall. His huge body stretched far above me, and when he nuzzled against my cheek, forcing my head to the side, I could have screamed again. Only it wasn’t the sting of teeth that met my skin, it was the swipe of his tongue against my neck where a mark would go. Frozen against the wall, I watched in shock as he fell back down to four paws, turned to give Roarke one last growl, and then padded out of the room.
Roarke and Cathwulf relaxed
immediately. My friend ran to her mate, pressing her cheek against his, her hands wandering over his form as if to check for any injuries. I was still glued to the wall, my heart beating a tattoo against my chest, my whole body trembling. With every inhale, I could catch the smell of a burning fire on my skin…the scent of Quillan.
“What did he do?” I choked, drawing the attention of my Alphas.
Cathwulf and Roarke shared a look that had me beginning to think they would make up some lie but when Cathwulf took my hand in hers and gently tugged me from the wall, I knew I would hear the truth.
“Marking your mate is a bond created forever, you know this. If marking and mating is considered like vows in a wedding, then what Quillan did, or rather what his wolf demanded he do, was an engagement. A promise,” Cathwulf explained, her eyes studying my reaction.
“A promise?” I asked dimly, my mind refusing to catch up with what she was saying.
Roarke nodded from behind her, his face grave and serious. “Quillan placed his scent on you, it’s a clear warning to every wolf, especially as you’re in heat.”
Shaking my head and tearing my hand from Cathwulf’s, I rubbed tired eyes. I didn’t understand. Too much had happened in such a short time that my brain was overloaded. Even though he’d been in his fur, having Quillan’s body pressed against mine, leaving me pinned against the wall, had sent an unusual thrill through my veins.
“A warning of what?”
“That he intends to make you his. That any male or female that wants you must challenge him first.”
A strange sort of exhilarated shiver went up my spine, my gaze darting to the door Quillan had left through. It wasn’t till a flood of heat filled my veins that I was reminded of the situation. My skin felt too tight and clammy and my heart was fluttering. I could pretend it had nothing at all to do with what I’d just heard but that would be another lie. One thing was for certain, I wouldn’t be leaving my room for a few days, at least not unless Cathwulf was by my side to scare away males that felt drawn to a female in heat.
Seeing the worry in my face, Cathwulf wound her arm through mine. “Let’s run you a cool bath.”
“Wait, it may be better if Oria stays at Sam’s until she, um,” Roarke rubbed the back of his neck, his cheeks flushing a soft pink and I found my face also heated. “If you’d be more comfortable at Sam’s, that is. I’ll have wolves coming and going all day tomorrow about the deal with Alpha Joshua’s pack. I know it might make you uncomfortable, and I want you to be safe too. I don’t know these wolves.”
Cathwulf turned to me, waiting for my decision. I was glad she was letting me decide when before she’d have ordered me to go for worry about how I handled being around males I didn’t know. I hoped it was a sign she thought I was stronger now, but still I agreed with Roarke’s idea. If I wasn’t in heat, I’d perhaps have stayed, maybe just out of spite because I loved the way Quillan had started paying attention to me. If I’d stayed, he would be near to keep an eye on any male wolf that came near me. How small of me that was.
“I’ll stay at Sam’s. I won’t be stuck in one room that way,” I agreed, letting the sentence hang.
It would be nice to be able to continue my work with Athena as well, without the worry of having to walk from here to the clinic where any young male could wander across me. Males were taught to respect a female in heat, to not overstep. I knew some females liked having a bed mate to relieve certain urges that became an almost painful thing to ignore, but for obvious reasons, I’d always chosen to suffer alone.
“In that case, why don’t we pack you a bag and make sure Sam’s freezer is stocked with ice and ice cream. She should be back by the time it’s over,” Cathwulf said, leading me upstairs.
Roarke mumbled something I couldn’t make out and turned to follow the way Quillan had left. I was curious about what he was going to do, whether Quillan would be punished for his loss of control. My chest tightened. I didn’t blame him, even if he’d scared me, and I didn’t want Quillan to go through any punishment.
“You’re worried about him,” Cathwulf observed as she entered my room with me in tow.
I nodded and grabbed a tote bag from the floor and started shoving random articles of clothing in. My friend watched me with a knowing gaze that I shrunk under. Cathwulf saw too much sometimes.
“Roarke won’t punish him, he might give him a telling off but I’m sure he’ll survive it. If it’d been any other wolf that had come that close to you, Roarke would have had their throat,” Cathwulf finished on a low, protective growl.
I stopped what I was doing to turn to her, fixing her with an accusing glare. “What makes Quillan or I different that my Alpha wouldn’t rise for me to take his throat?”
“We aren’t as blind as you and Quillan are, Oria,” she said softly.
My mouth snapped shut at that answer and I frowned. “What is that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing, just that Roarke knows Quillan would never have hurt you. He wouldn’t have forced himself on you. You saw that yourself, he only came close when he thought Roarke had hurt you,” Cathwulf answered, rubbing her belly.
My eyes narrowed at how easily she avoided the real answer. While what she said held truth, I knew she hadn’t said all in answer to my question or she would be able to meet my eyes. I was too worked up to call her out. My skin was burning and I could smell and taste the spice of my hormones in the air. It was a good thing that this late in the evening, the house was empty of all but those who lived here. Swinging the bag over my shoulder, I raised an eyebrow when I realised Cathwulf was just standing grinning at me.
“What?” I asked, feeling uncomfortable under her scrutiny.
Her smile widened. “You were amazing down there, you know? The way you stood up to Quillan when even I was scared of the power that came from him. Even just now, with our conversation, your gaze never wavered. You’re coming into yourself, Oria, and I’m proud.”
When her voice cracked and her eyes filled with tears, any lingering anger I had towards her melted away. The sentiment and pride in her words touched my heart, warming my body in a way that had me wanting to cry as well. It seemed my hormones weren’t the only ones flying high as my Alpha Female fought the urge to cry by fanning her hand in front of her eyes, looking towards the ceiling.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to start crying. Everything seems to make me a little teary right now,” she sniffed, reaching out to squeeze my hand. “But everything I said is true.”
“Thank you,” I said with a smile, squeezing back.
Now back in control of her emotions, Cathwulf relinked her arm with mine and led me back downstairs. As we passed the guest bedrooms, the unmistakeable sound of grunting and the slapping of flesh met my ears. Cathwulf and I shared a look, and when a deep male voice cried out Ben’s name, we burst into a fit of attempted silent laughter. We quickened our steps until we reached the porch, where we stopped to put warm jackets on. I was still stuck between embarrassment at having overheard and laughter at how quickly the two males had moved.
“Tala will be so disappointed when Ben comes out tomorrow smelling like Liam.” Cathwulf snickered, struggling to zip her jacket up over her bump.
I snorted, stuffing my hands into my pockets in preparation for the icy winds that howled, clearing away the storm.
“Liam would be far better for the mate of a third than Tala,” I added. I hadn’t spent a lot of time with Liam but the few moments we had been in each other’s company, he’d been nice. Aware of my skittishness, his voice was always quiet when we spoke, his actions gentle and soft.
Cathwulf mumbled her agreement, shivering as she stepped outside and waited for me so she could close the door. We walked in silence for a few minutes until she sighed, splashing through muddy puddles. “I hope Liam decides to stay here rather than Ben go with him and Athena, or we’re going to have a hassle finding someone to take Ben’s position, and I’m rather fond of him. Glenn has too much on his plate to take
the spot and Ruiraidh has his heart set on following Weylin in training wolves.”
I had the same hope. Ben was funny and one of the few males I could be around without cowering into the wall. The mention of Liam going back to his pack reminded me of something that had only just computed in my head.
“Roarke said he was making a deal with the Southern pack, with Alpha Joshua’s pack…”
Cathwulf nodded, huffing out a breath of white cloud. “Our part of the payment for having Athena come here. Weylin is training a few of his warriors and he wants to be included in our council, instead of the English one.”
“But he’s in England.” The council had a member of each supernatural clan in the country on it. Normally a few Alphas, the leader of the witch covens, and so on. I didn’t really know what they did, but I knew it was a great honour to be elected to have a spot.
Cathwulf simply shrugged. “His pack is closer to the Scottish Council than it is to the English Council. Everyone here already refers to his pack as being the Southern one and he trades more with us, it just needs to be made official. The Alpha of the Border pack is said to be naming Joshua as his heir too, which means his territory would span from Newcastle into Scotland anyway.” She paused before sighing wistfully. “I’ve often thought about trying to take my father’s seat on the council, but with the pup on the way, it might have to wait.”
I hadn’t known about that. Her father had been deemed Peacekeeper, a role he excelled at before he’d been killed. It felt right that Cathwulf should stake her claim on the title next. Though the role meant travelling where she was needed, something that wouldn’t be so easily done with a pup to look after.
Way Of The Wolf: Endeavour (The Wulvers Series Book 3) Page 12