Emily's Story (8 page)

Dropping her head in submission she whispered, “Emily.”

“Do you know how old you are?”

“Nineteen.”

“Do you know what you are?”

No hesitation, “The devil’s child.”

His voice thickened but he spoke slowly and evenly, “No Emily, you are a werewolf, a species of beastkind. Your wolf is beautiful, you are beautiful. Kinsee, the child we saw yesterday, is also beastkind. She is sweet and funny and would love to be your friend, but you scared her.” His voice grew firm, “We don’t believe in demons. There are over a hundred werewolves here and thousands around the world. We don’t harm humans unless they try to harm us. Many stay separate but some of us live among humans if we choose. The wolves here belong to my pack; I am their leader, their alpha. This is where you are safe and where you can let your wolf free.” He waited but she would not meet his gaze. He began removing his clothing. “Look at me Emily.”

Ocean blue eyes cautiously traveled upwards, his body; muscled strength, alluring, so different, so perfect. His deep penetrating gaze caught and held hers. In a blink, a large black wolf replaced the man. She scrambled out of the chair but the beast stepped between her and the door. Gasping for air, trying to control her terror, she remembered the black demon’s first attack; chasing her down, sinking his teeth into her leg, the pain and the terror. But mostly she thought of it as God’s retribution for killing her mother.

He took one step in her direction and then another.

Frozen, she could not move.

Linking with her mind, he ordered, “Sit down.” Her backside suddenly met the chair.

Another step closer, her shaking hands fisted in her lap.

Using his snout he nudged her fingers and softened his tone “Release your hands Emily.” Her fingers untangled and his wet nose sniffed her palm. “Touch me.” He didn’t think she would.

Finally, trembling fingers ran over his long nose. They glided over the short and bristled facial fur and up to his eyes.

Changing back into his human form he knelt naked at her feet, his head tilted up, brown eyes never left hers. He brought his hand up taking her fingers and drawing them to his lips. He slowly, sensually kissed each one.

Sad, chaotic thoughts consumed her mind but one overruled them all. He was like her. Fur, bristly but soft, his smell strong but compelling, she wanted to rub every inch of her body along his. She wanted to touch his demon body with hers.

Oh how she wanted.

He stood. Taking her hand, he pulled her up to her feet. He turned with her toward the mirror and gathered her silken hair in one hand. He used his other to caress her neck. Releasing her hair, he reached down to the bottom of her t-shirt and swiftly pulled it up and over her head, giving her no time to object. His hand went to the waistband of her flannel pants and pulled them down her long legs. “Step out.”

Her feet kicked free. She focused on his every move in the mirror.

“You are beautiful just like this.” He flowed back to wolf form and mentally spoke, “Emily, change now.”

Her demon looked back from the mirror, white fur in striking contrast to his larger black wolf, both of them different and so very much the same.

Backing up, he instructed her to do the same.

The other two wolves born from Malcolm’s assaults did not have her coloring. His mate was unique. Prodding her gently to move slightly, he put his head next to hers so they stood together in the mirror. “You are exquisitely beautiful. I need you to stand still and not move.” This one thing was driving him crazy. He needed to inhale her female scent, the fragrance of his mate. His nose began trailing slowly over her body, imprinting her essence into his brain, into his cells, and into his heart.

Her alpha was incredibly strong and she had no idea the damage she could do. He took his time. Spice; sweet and savory met his nose as he tasted the aroma on his tongue.

Arousal hit him hard.

It was torture, it was bliss, and it was not the time. His nose traveled back to her snout.

Her pink tongue tentatively came out and licked the side of his mouth.

It was exactly what he wanted to do and returning the favor, he tasted deeply of her scent, his rough tongue skimming over her face.

Emily stood so still, her world collapsing. Her demon was never touched, never accepted, never loved but his monster caressed her.

His long snout became the angular jaw of the man. His hands settled on her beast’s jaws, holding her head in place. Looking directly into her eyes, he spoke, “There is no evil here. There is no demon. You are a beautiful wolf. My heart aches for what you have endured. You must trust me to keep you safe. You will soon be free to let your wolf run, I give you my word.”

Emily shifted to her human form, her knees lowering until she was beside him. Turning from the mirror, watery eyes met his. Longing to trust him, she felt a small spark of love fill her heart. Her physical body felt something different though she had no idea what it was. The need felt like hunger but this hunger consumed her entire body.

The expressions shifting across her face told their own story and gave him hope. Her thoughts easily coursed through his mind but his thoughts froze on her last.
Desire
. Feeling himself stiffen and grow, his frustration came through in his voice. “Get dressed while I take a quick shower. I’ll only be five minutes.” With a groan and unable to handle his own simmering need, he turned and walked away.

Cold water did little to relieve his body. Stupid, he was stupid and needed to go gently, slowly. He quickly washed up. Who knew what she could find in the cabin to hurt herself with. When finished, he wrapped a towel around his waist and went to check on his mate. Now clothed, she gazed out the window with longing. It broke his heart. Making a quick decision, he dressed and sent a mental message to his pack telling them to clear the area. This time he told them to make sure Kinsee was away too. The pack had three children of various ages but Kinsee was the only one able to get more than a few feet from her parents. He didn’t want any accidents. If Emily killed a cub, her life would be forfeit and he would carry out the sentence. He would die with her if it came to that.

Taking the comb off the dresser, he walked toward the bathroom to fix his hair.

“Can I do it?” Her shy voice held hope and longing.

Smiling, he changed direction and went toward the couch. They reversed the sitting arrangement from the evening before. He felt the comb run through his short brown hair. He usually only swiped a comb through it once or twice but he let her familiarize herself with his body and scent. He felt the comb pass across his head several times and then her small hands traveled along his shoulders, gently rubbing like his hands did the night before. Reaching up he took her fingers within his, stopping her movements. Tilting his head, he gazed into her eyes. “That feels wonderful but if you let me braid your hair, I’ll take you outside to feel the sunshine.”

He stood and went to the bathroom and then the bedroom. He couldn’t find any hair ties so he broke off a piece of thread from a spindle. He went back to the couch where Emily waited. Combing through her hair quickly, he then plaited it into a single braid down her back. Her fingers went to the woven hair feeling its texture. He wasn’t very accomplished with female grooming but she looked adorable.

Standing, he clasped her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. His authoritative voice compelled, “You will not change form. You must learn to control it and going outside will temp your wolf to run. We are staying near the cabin. Do you understand?”

Irritation changed her scent slightly. Her jaw went rigid. Glowing blue eyes challenged him for a split second and then looked down. Not understanding the shifts in her mood, anxiety flooded her. One minute she wanted him touching her and the next she wanted his blood to flow. She spent years lowering her eyes to her mother but that was becoming harder to do with him. She wanted his eyes to lower and felt a strong need to make him do it. Remembering what happened in the bathroom, she knew she wasn’t strong enough but that only increased her apprehension.

He fought not to grin. His she-wolf had sharp claws and he knew in the coming years they would have many fights for dominance. She wasn’t even near the peak of her strength. Pulling her close, he gave her stiff body a brief hug then released her. Taking the key from his pocket, he unlocked the door. He intertwined their fingers and used his stronger grip to subdue any urge she had to flee. They stepped outside.

Her heartbeat accelerated rapidly. She tentatively followed. He knew it was partially instinct that she tried not to show fear to a stronger wolf. He also admired her bravery. Inhaling deeply, the clean air leeched into his wolf and he knew it was doing similar things to hers. His fingers tightened to remind her of his words about controlling her wolf and not changing. He noticed too that her alpha scent was growing stronger. Challenging was in her blood. It would take her months to fully control her beast. His sexy grin turned in her direction. Thoughts of dominating his alpha she-wolf spiked his desire again.

He squelched his thoughts and sat down on the edge of the porch drawing her down to his side. One of his hands remained entwined with hers and the other went to her thigh and gently rubbed in a soothing motion. Her unease dissipated. When her wolf completely calmed, he released her hand and jumped to the ground not bothering to make use of the steps. “Come and get your feet dirty,” Raising his arms he beckoned.

With no hesitation, she jumped.

Unhurriedly, he lowered her to the ground. His eyes, etched with desire, held hers and his hand lifted to her chin. With a gentle squeeze her mouth opened slightly and he rubbed his finger over her bottom lip. He blinked and then pulled himself together. Looking down with a bemused grin, he wriggled his toes in the pine needles.

Bending her knees, she placed her hand in the dirt then lifted it to her nose. Her lungs expanded. Wild, like her demon, the earth called her. No cage, no longer hidden from the world. Fur fought with human skin. Shaking her head she controlled the need to become demon. Fighting the change was something she had done for years but the outdoor smells made it harder. When she won the battle, she tempted herself again and bringing her hand back to her nose, took another deep breath and smiled.

Chapter 10

Bemused, Brandt cherished every change in her facial muscles and relished her wild, musky scent. He craved a time when they would finally run free side by side.

Snapping his head up, a scent grazed his nostrils interrupting his thoughts. Against his direct orders there was another werewolf coming toward them. It was Clem’s brother Zeb and without breaking stride, he walked within twenty-five feet of Brandt and Emily. Showing no submission, he glared into Brandt’s eyes.

Brandt’s rage flared. Emily’s look of fear and uncertainty increased his fury. Channeling his anger he focused on the other werewolf. “What the fuck are you doing?” He said and followed his words with a low deadly growl.

“I came to challenge.” Zeb could feel the hot violent pressure swirling around his alpha but he wasn’t backing down and he wasn’t lowering his eyes.

“You’re a dead wolf.”

“It won’t be easy to kill me. I’m not my brother.” Spitting on the ground, Zeb’s loathing and resentment exuded from his voice, “You’ve brought a feral into our pack. She needs to be put down.”

Two hundred pounds of angry alpha used every ounce of will to hold his ground and not tear the other werewolf to shreds. “It might not be easy but I think I’ll enjoy killing you more than killing Clem.” The waves of Brandt’s fury flooded the air.

“The challenge has been made and when I win I might try out your sweet little piece of ass before I slit her throat.” Zeb deliberately turned his back on his pack’s alpha.

Control shattered, Brandt’s bare feet ate up the ground. Neither he nor Zeb could shift easily and risk being caught up in their clothing.

Knowing his words and actions would cause this type of response; Zeb turned and launched himself at Brandt. The ground absorbed the impact of their bodies. Bone crunched. Brandt’s fist connected with Zeb’s nose. Blood sprayed through the air. Alpha fists pummeled his enemy’s face. Lust, his need to mate, his anger over Emily’s anguish, and fear took hold and his need to kill Zeb intensified.

Zeb, realizing his mistake, scrambled to get away. His fist connected a solid blow which allowed him to put a few feet between himself and his alpha. His deliberate bating of Brandt was not his original plan. Seeing the beautiful she-wolf egged him on and he reacted with little control.

Neither noticed the white wolf until she launched herself into the middle of their battle. Her body took Zeb to the ground and razor sharp fangs descended into his throat.

“Stop!” Brandt’s voice conveyed complete command.

She hesitated, her eyes traveling from her prey to the man looking at her with authority. Her teeth bit further into Zeb’s bare throat. Shaking her head, his blood flowed into her mouth. She finally released her hold, backing away with a low rumbling growl from deep in her throat.

His rage tapered down as he watched his mate control her need for the same blood he was after. His voice betrayed no concern that she had not followed his order immediately. His mind linked with hers. “Zeb challenged me and I will kill him soon enough.” He thought about telling her to go inside but then decided he’d pushed his luck by ordering her not to kill Zeb.

Derision and fury laced his words, “In the almost impossible event that I lose, she will challenge you for alpha.” He let that sink in. Emily’s dominant scent mingled with his and finally overpowered even Zeb’s rage, forcing him to lower his head and eyes.

With growls coming from his human throat, Zeb backed slowly away and faded into the heavy forest growth.

Deadly dark eyes turned to Emily, softening immediately. She was underweight, abused, and deadly. Perfect.