Saving Grace (6 page)

“There’s a lot, but I’m bound by my bloodline not to reveal such secret royal matters. You understand I can’t, not yet anyway, I think. I don’t know. Because I wasn’t raised as a Lycan I don’t really know what you guys know and what you don’t. But I do have other powers. Weird ones. Ones I don’t quite understand.” She took a deep breath. “Sorry, I’m rambling. Have I done something wrong?”

“I do understand and respect your loyalties to your royal bloodline as well as to the Lycans. Forgive my outburst.” Colin stepped toward her and in a shocking move, embraced her with a hug. “Stop worrying about being wrong all of the time, Grace. The fact that you’re protecting pack mates, asserting your royalty—well it all makes me very happy and very proud. You’ve done well.”

Hugging him back gave her a sense of family and acceptance. “Thank you, Colin.” Her chest thundered with elation. A Lycan feeling acceptance from the Alpha—that gave her a sense of being…purpose and place.

Upon releasing her, he gave a soft smile and tilted his head and said, “No. Thank you for making me wrong. I had so many doubts, so many worries. Roman knew you’d adapt quickly. He knew before we even found you.”

At his softly spoken words, a smile spread across her face, filling her with warmth. “He’s biased.”

He chuckled. “I know.” He took a step back and ran his fingers through his thick wavy blond hair. “Look, I know Xander can be a bit cocky, but be forgiving, if you can find it in your heart. The kid has been through a lot. While most Lycans his age are focused on finding a mate and a place in the pack, all he can think about is rescuing his mother. It has made him bitter and angry.”

“His mother?” An unexpected emotion hit her when she heard the word
mother,
the weakness in her knees forced her to take a few steps to reach a chair by the conference table. Turning it around, she took a seat. He did the same.

“Though this situation bothers me to no end, because of the time the Council is taking to handle the situation in the proper manner, as Alpha I’m force to wait it out - like it or not.” He took a deep breath and leaned his elbow on the table. “Xander’s mom was last seen in Scottsdale. She had two stillborns after Xander. The forced breeding had taken its toll and…”

“Oh God.”

“Now you see why we take a more diplomatic approach with him. He’s young. He’s hurting and worried. Because he wasn’t born into this pack, he feels like an outsider and I guess he doesn’t do much to resolve that issue.”

“I understand. But I’m not going to let him bully anyone either.” She leaned back in her chair.

His deep abrupt laughter filled the room, perturbing her a little like a sibling’s teasing.

“What?”

Looking at the bags she still clutched, he chuckled. “Nuclear codes in there?”

“You could say that,” she teased back. “Colin, this is the first real smile I’ve seen from you since arriving. I have to say, it looks good. You should try to do it more often.”

“I’ll keep that in mind. I should let you go.” He stood and walked out of the conference room leaving her behind.

What do you know? Colin is a decent guy.

“Of course, he’s our Alpha.”

Roman entered Grace’s room.

“Lock the door.” Grace wagged her finger at the door as she stood from the bed.

He reached behind him.

Grace smiled when she heard the
click
of the lock.

“You had words with Colin?”

“Nope. He gave me a hug and told me how proud he was. It was all quite civil. He even laughed and smiled.” She took a few steps closer to him.

“A hug? Our Alpha?” He shook his head and she swore she saw a twinkle in his eyes. “Wish I could have seen that.”

“Well,” finally closing the distance between them, she ran her hands over his smooth, muscled shoulders, then looked him in the eye. “I’d like to get down to the whole boyfriend duties aspect of this relationship.”

Roman reached around behind her and cupped her ass, pulling her into him. “I think I’m up for the task.”

She pushed off of him to create an inch of space and looked down to see his erection pushing from his pants. “Did you just make a double entendre?”

He grinned and pulled her back to him. “Cards on the table?”

She nodded. “Cards on the table.”

“I came here for sex.” He wiggled his eyebrows. “I seem to remember you starting something we didn’t have a chance to finish.”

Done with words, she put her hand on the back of his neck and pulled him in for a kiss. Closing her eyes, she inhaled a moment before contact, taking in his woodsy scent.

The moment their lips met, she felt energy spark between them. It happened every time he touched her, though she’d yet to figure out why. His touched calmed her at times, but during romantic interludes, it made her heart race.

His tongue brushed across her upper lip and she opened her mouth in response. One of his hands fisted in her hair, pulling her into him. His kiss was crushing, overwhelming, and hot. She moaned into his mouth as her excitement built.

She pulled at the back of his shirt. He released her long enough to peel it over his head before reclaiming her mouth. With his hands now firmly on her ass, he lifted her up and she tossed her legs around his hips for leverage. He carried her to the bed before easing them both to the mattress.

She took the opportunity to free herself from her top. Tracing the outline of her breasts, his eyes danced. Anticipation of his next move had her heart racing. He bent down and placed his mouth on her bra, blowing warm air through to the nipple beneath. The exquisite torture caused heat to pool between her thighs.

Thoughts of his oral skills raced through her head giving her an idea—the desire to return the favor. She pushed against him, rolling him onto his back. With shaking hands, she pulled at the button on his jeans, which didn’t want to give despite the large cock swelling behind it. Once he took pity and popped the button, she tugged on his jeans, pulling them down only enough to free his erection.

She saw the look of confusion on his face and grinned. With his legs trapped in jeans pulled just below his ass, she had control.

She moved slowly, hovering her mouth just around the shaft, breathing warm air around his cock. He closed his eyes and tightened his lips. Grace flicked the head of his dick with her tongue, but just once. He squirmed beneath her, making his desire evident.

As strong as the need was to have him inside her, teasing him aroused her. She hovered her lips up and down the shaft keeping a minute distance between her lips and his shaft as she continued warming the air around the skin. It twitched with what she could only interpret as anticipation.

“Grace,” he gasped.

She finally placed her tongue at the base and slowly dragged it across the skin until she reached the tip. He groaned when she finally took him into her mouth. Ignoring her own need, she pleasured him. She wanted him, no, she needed him to want her, to crave her and come back to her.

With her knee pinning him to the bed by his jeans, she had control—control she’d never experienced and it was exciting her. She scratched her nails lightly over his abs before following up with her lips.

He pulled her up to meet him, burying his face in her hair. “I can’t hold on much longer,” his whispered words, hot in her ear, set her lady bits on fire. She needed to feel him inside her.

She hopped off of him and they both pulled the remaining scraps of clothes off, tossing them to the floor. Grace swung her leg over, easing herself down on him. The fullness of him overwhelmed her, sending fire bolts down her spine. She shivered for a moment before moving again.

He pumped from underneath matching her pace, keeping a firm hold on her ass. She threw her head back and moaned as he went deeper with each push.

Her eyes widened as the shock of a sudden orgasm surprised her. She held onto his shoulders as her body twitched, sending him over the edge with her as she eased herself onto him, laying her head on his chest.

“I’m sorry,” she gasped. “I didn’t know that was coming.”

“No pun intended?” He laughed.

She smiled, pressing her cheek against his pectoral. “Honestly, I don’t want to stroke your ego, but sex has never been like this for me before.” Her face burned red at the admission.

“Same for me, Grace. It’s been so hard to be a gentleman. But when you surprised me in the woods, which was nice by the way, well, let’s just say it’s all I could think about.”

Satisfied she’d attracted his attention and made her own intentions clear she silently congratulated herself.

“Thank you for the dress. That was a really nice gesture.”

He rolled to his side, taking her with him. Now face to face, he placed his palm on her cheek. “Grace, there isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for you. A dress is hardly the display of gratitude I would like to give.”

“Gratitude for what?”

He smiled then kissed the tip of her nose. “For finally making me whole.”

Her heart felt like it was about to explode from her chest.

“Now you believe me?”
Her wolf made a circle before wagging its tail.
“We have a mate!”

It was the big evening. A new Lycan was being introduced to Grace—yet another pack member she was just meeting.

Carissa, the Lycan beautician was rolling large sections of Grace’s already wavy hair into large rollers and securing them to her head.

“This is great hair you have, Grace. It’s very healthy.” She smiled as she combed through another section. “I’d love to see your wolf. What color are you?”

“Uh, I’m silver with black markings around my face and neck.” That was the first time anyone had really asked about her wolf. She felt guilty for the description. It just didn’t do her wolf any justice.

“Whoa. Dial down the eyes!” She took a step back.

Grace looked in the mirror to see her eyes glowing again. It was only the second time it had happened. It’s not that the violet color was unattractive, she just had no control.

“Why do they do that?”

“Well, you’re either angry or horny…something really emotional.” Carissa stepped back to look Grace in the eye. “You really didn’t know?”

Grace shook her head.

“What were you feeling? Just then, I mean.”

“Guilty for not describing my wolf better than silver with black marks. She’s really beautiful.”

“She?” The Lycan beautician tossed her brush on the bathroom counter. “You mean to say, I.”

Blushing, she said, “Sorry, I’m still getting used to the pronouns here.”

Carissa shook her head. “Man. That’s fucked up. I can’t imagine how fucked up this must feel for you.”

Grace sized the woman up.
What is your point?

She waved her finger at Grace. “Shift.”

“Excuse me?”

“Shift into your wolf. Let me take a look.”

“But the hair?”

Carissa smiled. “Just don’t forget you have rollers in and you’ll be fine. Just shift already.”

Grace stood from the chair and shifted into wolf form.

“Shit. You are beautiful as wolf too. Your fur isn’t just a silver color. It looks like actual silver. It’s very shiny and full.” Carissa reached into her giant black bag and pulled out a different brush—a wired one. She started brushing her.

She flinched at first.

“Don’t worry, hon. Lycan women have me tend to their wolves all of the time. When you have a mate you can ask them to do it for you, if it feels too intimate.” She continued brushing. “Damn nice fur! I’m jealous.”

She tilted her head and studied the woman. She seemed genuine enough. She was being nice.

Then her vision went foggy and pictures flashed before her eyes.
Not again!
A woman standing in red robes was saying a blessing over a baby. It was long ago, 18
th
century from her best guess. Then more images of castles, buggies, bowlers all within seconds. She closed her eyes and reopened them to find the visions gone.

“All done, go ahead and shift back so I can get your face put on.” She smiled as she cleaned the fur from the brush.

“Those were very nice things you said.” On returning to her chair she tried to concentrate on the images.
What did they mean?

Carissa smiled. “Just the truth. You have a beautiful wolf. Mine sort of looks just like me. Fur is black, sort of shiny looking. It’s slick. I like it. But I wouldn’t call it beautiful. Not like yours.”

She was at a loss for words. She had no idea the women would feel conscientious about their wolves as well as their human forms. It made sense…in a way.

“Are you coming to the party tonight?”

“You bet your sweet princess ass! I wouldn’t miss a good vamp party. Got piss-faced drunk last time and as you well know, that’s not easy for a Lycan.” She held a sponge by Grace’s face. “Now close your eyes.”

Grace did as she asked. “Can I ask you a personal question?”

“I’m an open book. Ask away.”

“I—er, I noticed you don’t have a bonding mark.” Grace suddenly felt thankful Carissa was applying a thick foundation to her face to hide the blushing.

“That’s not a personal question. My boyfriend is Fae. They don’t bond in the same way Lycan’s do.” She started dusting more makeup on Grace’s face.

“Is that common?”

Carissa laughed. “Not around here. No. But Colin has had no objections and has promised not to force a Lycan mate on me. I’m happy and he’s happy that I’m happy. That’s what a good Alpha does.”

She had so many questions she wanted to ask. What about babies? Would they be pups? How did Fae bond? She remembered something in the books the vampires gave her but the information just would not come to the front of her mind.

The questions seemed invasive, so she kept them to herself.

“I have a lot to learn. I’m sorry if this has been awkward.” Wiping her sweaty palms on her robe was all she could do to hide her nerves. The embarrassment of not knowing
who
and
what
you are was overwhelming at times.
How many people can say they don’t know their own culture?

Carissa laughed. “Not at all. It’s refreshing. Lycan women aren’t usually this open with each other. But now it’s my turn. Are you banging Roman?”

Grace’s eyelids flew open. She didn’t know if it was the abruptness with which Carissa had asked such a question, or if it was the fact she referred to what she and Roman had as ‘banging.’

“Uh, yeah.” She managed to choke the words out.

“That explains why he has dialed down the cranky pants. You should get an award or something.”

Grace smiled. There was something about Carissa she liked. The woman stood in motorcycle boots and fake leather pants while she made Grace look like a beauty queen. The woman’s black hair was spikey. She looked intimidating but hot, like a dominatrix. She was sure of herself—something she didn’t notice often in Lycan women.

“Well…banging him is reward enough.” She mange to say the words with a straight face but when Carissa burst into laughter, she followed suit.

“I always wondered. Man just has a swagger about him.”

She applied mascara before taking Grace’s hair out of the rollers. After some brushing, pinning and spraying Grace took a look in the mirror. “Wow!”

“You’ll be knockin’ boots tonight for sure!” She tossed her things into her bag and latched it closed.

“I don’t even recognize myself.”

“It’s you—just the hot you.” She patted Grace on the shoulder. “Better go put your dress on. We leave in twenty minutes.”

Grace looked at the clock. “Oh my God. Do you have enough time to get ready? I mean, I hope I didn’t take too long.”

She put her hand up. “I got it. My hair is short and easy. I just have to touch up the face and change clothes. It’s okay. I’m using Tiffany’s bathroom.”

She nodded. “Great. Thank you.” She turned and looked in the mirror, barely recognizing the reflection staring back at her. Carissa had given her a dark smoky eye that made her eyeballs look bigger, brighter, and seductive.

Other than that, her makeup was subtle. Her cheekbones were perfectly blushed while the hollow under was barely darkened, making her face look leaner, stronger, yet feminine.

Her light brown hair was a mix of pinned up but mussed. Softly tousled but in a very well organized kind of way. She stood with her soft pink lips slightly parted as she gazed at herself.

She’d never thought of herself as sexy. Not at all. She knew she wasn’t ugly, but never imagined she could look like this.

Once she managed to snap out of her gaze she hurried to the closet, taking the dress off of the hanger. She pulled a lace out of her boot and stuck it through the zipper tab, holding it onto it while she slipped on her dress, then pulled up on the string, zipping herself without getting a spasm in her shoulder.

She re-laced her boot, then slipped on her heels. Once she had the jewelry on, she glanced in the mirror again.

“You are a specimen, Grace. I’m happy to see you appreciating your beauty.”
Her wolf appreciated her appearance too.

Thanks. You’re not so bad, yourself.

A knock on the door interrupted the lycan-wolf exchange. She hurried to the door and swung it open.

“Holy shit!” Roman’s jaw fell slack. “I, uh, wow. I, uh, look at you!”

She smiled. “Thank you.”

“Ready?” He held out his arm.

With a grin, she intertwined arms and they headed out to the party.

****

The castle could only be seen once you passed through the gate. Otherwise, you just saw trees.
The vampires must have had a witch cast a spell
.

It was everything a castle should be, stone and stained glass towering at least eight stories high. Enormous wooden doors were flanked with carved stone Lyons. If the outside of the castle was this intimidating, she could only imagine the inside. What disturbed her most were the images flooding her mind as she had more visions from the past—memories of dark halls, dungeons, and blood. A barrage of emotions accompanied each vision, feelings for anger, lust, hate and a familiarity of a place she’d never been. Like most people, she’d never been inside any castle. Ever.

As if her life wasn’t overwhelming enough. It had been such a major challenge accepting another being was inside her, that she was half of a whole. It was difficult to adjust to another voice in her head, but she was learning to embrace it. But these flash images were new. Were these the memories of her ancestors? Why was she having visions now? She didn’t remember anything in the vampire books but, then again, that was a lot of information to retain. The vampires had talked about blood memories. Were these it?

Holding her hand, Roman led her in the castle. Her side vision caught his staring at her as she gawked at the extravagant vampire lair.

“Impressive.” She smiled at him before returning her attention to her surroundings.

“Yes, you are.” He nudged her.