by Leia Shaw
“You’re sure acting like one.”
Was she? She stilled and let him carry her to the bedroom. “I’m not acting like a child, Cristian. I’m being logical. This was a mista –”
He tossed her onto the bed. “Shut up.” The words lacked heat, as usual, but it was a command nonetheless. He stood over her, his eyes brimming with a fire she’d never seen in him before.
Had Mr. Cool-headed Alpha finally lost his patience?
“I told you I’d crack that shell, Natalia, and I meant it.”
He lowered his body onto hers and she had an overwhelming urge to submit to his ministrations. She grunted at the admission and struggled to get away. But he bore down on her with his full weight, almost cutting off her air.
“You’re not going to pull away from me now, puiule.” His voice was a fierce warning. “I won’t let you, so you might as well get used to me.”
No. No, no, no. This was all wrong. She hadn’t meant for things to go this far. She brought her hand up to hit the pressure point behind his ear in an attempt at escape. He caught her arm and thrust it above her head then did the same with her other wrist. She’d underestimated his speed. And now she was good and fucked.
“Listen to me,” he ordered sharply. “I know about pain and loss. And I know about revenge. I had a mate too.”
She blanched and froze under his body. He eased up a bit.
“I watched her die. Don’t you think I wanted to run away and hide? To shut off my emotions and build a wall so I never had to feel again?”
“I –”
He shook her a bit. “No. It’s my turn to talk.”
She rolled her eyes and resisted the urge to not so politely remind him he’d asked her a question.
“I didn’t shut down. I didn’t abandon life to walk around like an empty shell. I endured.” He released her wrists and sat up on his knees, keeping her pinned with a somber gaze. “And so will you.”
She scooted back and leaned against the headboard. His presence made it hard to breathe and she desperately needed space.
“And did you avenge your mate?” she asked.
He shifted and sat on the edge of the bed. “I did. Do you want to know how? Do you want to know about the pain I suffered?” Though he phrased the questions gruffly, like an accusation, she could see the sadness in his eyes.
She nodded.
“It was the late sixteen hundreds. Laurel enjoyed going to the village to visit the elderly and the sick. I warned her to stay within the pack’s protection but she didn’t listen.” A faint smile reached his full lips. “She was a little like you in that way. Only she was interested in healing, not…”
“Killing?” She arched a brow.
His smile grew wider, hints of fond memories in his eyes. “Laurel was a gentle soul. It made her all the more vulnerable.”
“What happened?”
The smile faded in an instant as his gaze flickered away. “Some of the clergymen grew suspicious. She walked among the sick but was always healthy. And she showed no signs of aging once she hit adulthood. They accused her of being a witch.”
Natalia’s brows furrowed. Late sixteen hundreds, here in America, was the pinnacle of the Salem witch trials. “Out west?”
“No. The pack emigrated from Europe to escape our own persecution in Romania. We lived in New England during that time.”
She was never happier she’d spent those years exploring Asia. It was a hellish time for supernaturals in British settlements. “I thought they executed by hanging during the witch trials.”
“They did. It didn’t work. So they burned her instead.” The coolness in which he said it reminded her of her own voice.
“Where were you?”
“There. Watching.” His eyes grew haunted as he rested his gaze on her. “The alpha at the time let it happen. Laurel was a good sacrifice. It took the pressure off the rest of the pack. It took six men to hold me back. I would’ve shifted if they hadn’t shot me up with a crude tranquilizer before then. But I was seething with fury. When I woke the next day, I was in a rage. I escaped the guard and dragged the alpha into the center of the pack camp and killed him.” He exhaled a humorless laugh. “Almost didn’t win.”
So he did know something of revenge. Then why would he preach not to go after it? “And that’s how you became alpha?”
He nodded.
“Bet you didn’t even want it.”
“Nope.”
They stared at each other for a moment in silent understanding. “What a pair we are. Broken by pain.”
“Not broken. Battle-scarred.”
She pictured him in a red-hot fury, those muscles that had just held her against the shower wall beating the shit out of a man instead. Oh, yes, he’d have been a formidable enemy. Then he’d been forced into the pack hierarchy. A reluctant alpha. Not always good for the pack. He probably hadn’t even thought of the implications when he’d killed his wife’s murderer.
But he didn’t act like a reluctant alpha. Not now, anyway. From what she’d seen, he was a natural leader. Hell, even she had to resist the urge to follow him. She looked at him. His head was down, staring at the carpet, that thick blonde hair hanging in front of his face. Her fingers yearned to run through it. Then she blurted, “You’re a good alpha.”
He snapped his gaze to hers with a look of surprise. Then he grinned. “I know.”
She could’ve kicked herself. “Just when I thought you weren’t like all the others you get all cocky and –”
She cut off when he gripped her ankles and yanked her down the bed until she was underneath him again. He pulled her legs apart and settled his hips between them. Her stomach fluttered and heat rushed between her legs. How could she want him again?
Maybe it had something to do with his glorious, golden body hovering above her. She looked down at her nipples, firm and aching for him.
His gaze bore into her, intense with desire. “I won’t tolerate your coldness any longer, Natalia. I know there’s more inside you. I see past these bullshit shields you hide behind. I see you.”
She stared up at him. The scary truth was, he did see her. Better than anyone she’d ever known.
He thrust into her and she cried out. They made love, this time a passionate explosion of carnal desire. They licked and scratched and bit, rolling and growling, each trying to get the upper hand. And when they finished, they collapsed into an exhausted pile of intertwining limbs on the bed.
There was no energy left in her to process what Cristian had said. She could only think of one thing. Sleep. Wrapped in his embrace, one of his heavy legs thrown over hers, she could rest without fear for her safety. For just this one night, she was at peace.
Cristian’s scratchy face nuzzled into her neck and he whispered, half asleep, “Mine.”
Her droopy eyelids flew open and panic gripped her.
“Shit!” she hissed. “Shitassmotherfucker!” The sneaky werewolf just claimed her.
Taking advantage of his sleepy state, she squirmed away to the other side of the bed. She stared at the wall, full of fear and apprehension. Just the word sent a shudder through her body. Mine. It meant possession…power. No. She’d vowed never to belong to anyone again.
His unyielding arm snaked around her waist and pulled her against him, her back to his chest. It was useless to fight him. His grip was firm around her. Sure, she could’ve done a few fancy ninja moves to get loose, but where would she go? It was full daylight and she desperately needed sleep. She sighed and acquiesced. Better to gather her strength for whatever the werewolf threw at her tomorrow.
Both of them still naked, she’d never felt so vulnerable and insecure. She fumbled for the blanket.
He must’ve taken it as an attempt to break free because he growled in her ear, “Stay.” Then he slapped her ass to punctuate it.
She gasped at the bold reprimand. He must’ve lost his furry werewolf mind! She tried to twist in his arms to deliver her own bold reprimand – by
means of bashing in his head – but he tightened his hold then nipped her ear.
“Give up your plan of revenge, Natalia,” he whispered.
“No.”
“Don’t make my mistake. Killing the alpha didn’t heal me. Pain begets pain.”
“I have to do it.”
“You want to do it. There’s a difference and you know it.” He pinched where he’d slapped earlier.
Seriously, the man had turned into a tyrannical monster. “What makes you think you can pinch and slap me? I’m the Huntress,” she said with as much dignity as a naked woman trapped in the arms of a man could. “What’s wrong with you? Did your Chinese food go bad?”
He chuckled in her ear and it sent shivers down her spine. “No, draga Natalia. I just decided you need a little taming.”
Taming? Curse his Romanian alpha werewolf soul!
She remembered the mysterious phrase he’d said earlier. “What did you say in the shower?”
“Hmm?” He sounded so contentedly drowsy she almost smiled.
“You said something in Romanian.”
“Oh. Esti de rupere inima mea.” His whisper tickled her ear. “You’re breaking my heart.”
Chapter 14
Cristian rolled over, drowsy but content while nestled in the warmth of the covers. A sigh escaped him as he patted the bed for Natalia. When he couldn’t feel her, his eyes flew open. He scanned the room. She was gone.
He groaned. The woman was determined to drive him insane. And now he had to waste time hunting her again. This time, when he caught her, he’d tether her to his side.
The bathroom door swung open and a slender figure stepped out, dressed in leather, her long hair pulled back in a ponytail. Natalia looked at him, her eyes hardened with icy cruelness. The air went out of his lungs. Partly in relief she was here and safe. And partly because she looked damned sexy.
“Get your lazy ass up,” she said without a hint of teasing. “We have work to do.”
So his Ice Queen was back. He growled and counted to ten in his head, taming the frustration at her hot and cold routine. He could see the steely look of absolution in her eyes. One step forward, two steps back. He’d name it the Natalia Tango.
Maybe a soft plea would work. “Come back to bed, Talia. We have time.”
“No. What happened last night was a mistake.”
“It wasn’t a mistake. It was the connecting of two people in pain.”
“That’s exactly where you’re wrong,” she said coolly. “I don’t feel pain. Stop humanizing me. Those traits are long gone.”
Of course she would pull away after the first sign of intimacy. “They’re not gone. Hidden deep inside you, yes, but you haven’t truly pushed your humanity away. Do you know how I know?”
She opened her mouth, but he cut her off.
“Because you care. If you’d lost your humanity, you’d be no better than the Slayer. But you care about the missing kids. And you care about him being caught.”
She stared blankly then shook her head. “I’m doing my job. That’s all.”
He smiled at her attempt at self-preservation. “You can’t fool me, Talia. And the days of fooling yourself are numbered.” He sat up and stretched his muscles. “Best be prepared, sweetheart. You think I pushed you before? You haven’t seen anything yet.”
Her eyes narrowed then she walked away and set to work arming herself. And, yeah, it was still the hottest damn thing he’d ever seen. Too bad she had that all-work-no-play stick up her ass.
But they had a break-through last night. He’d seen a glimpse of who Natalia de Castile truly was. Mysterious? Yes. Focused and self-controlled? Most definitely. But there was a world of passion in her. He would bet she even had a nurturing side. She probably would have made a wonderful mother.
A long sword sliced through the air beside him as Natalia warmed up her wrists. He laughed to himself. A protective mother, at the very least.
He turned on the six o’clock news while he packed his weapons and clothing, preparing for another long night of hunting. At least sleep had been peaceful. He’d thought he’d spend all night fighting with the urge to grope the vampire resting in his arms. But he’d drifted to sleep easily, the whole time thinking his days of loneliness were finally over.
His feelings went beyond curiosity now; beyond intrigue and attraction. He liked her. And he enjoyed spending time with her. More than that, he deeply respected her. He yearned to understand every bit of her. To find the true woman buried beneath the shields she’d built around her heart. He’d already pictured her in his life. Admittedly, the picture was blurry. He wasn’t sure where she fit. But after last night, he could care less. He was keeping her.
He turned and watched her go through the weapons. God, she was beautiful. Even jabbing the air with lethal pointy objects, she looked like a dream.
She would make a great companion for an alpha. She had leadership potential and wasn’t intimidated easily. But was she capable of love?
“…The recent increase in animal-related deaths has experts baffled…” Both Natalia and Cristian spun toward the TV. The reporter prattled on about the local bear and wolf population and the statistics regarding attacks in the last decade. But it confirmed what they already predicted. The Silver Slayer was heading right into the Montana Rockies.
He looked over at Natalia. “So, how do you feel about snow?”
***
Snow indeed. Natalia had forgotten how quickly winter came in the northern Rockies. It was only September but a few inches of snow covered the ground as they headed into central Montana. She looked at Cristian, calm and comfortable behind the wheel. They hadn’t spoken much since the night before. To be honest, she’d been giving him the cold shoulder. He was taking it well. Maybe he finally got the message. A future between them was impossible.
“We’ll stop in Helena for warm clothing,” he said then put up a placating hand. “And before you argue, I’m not trying to take over, but my alpha side demands I provide for us.”
How long was he going to use the “my alpha side” excuse? It was growing tiresome. Maybe she should start biting his neck, claiming “her vampire side demands it”. Knowing him, he’d probably like it. She scowled and kept her gaze on the scenery outside the window. “All right. But I pay for my own clothes.”
Until now Cristian had been quick to pay for their provisions, finding excuses to keep her occupied while he did so. But encouraging an alpha male to provide for a woman he was interested in was all kinds of trouble.
Most supernaturals could endure extreme temperatures, but that didn’t mean it was comfortable. And it would slow them down. So they stocked up on heavy coats and layers of clothing then headed straight into the heart of the northern Rocky Mountains. Glacier National Park.
Inches of snow turned into feet of snow as Cristian navigated the treacherous mountain roads. Since the news report that evening, they hadn’t found a single clue to go on. Natalia guessed the Slayer was heading to Canada where there were lots of small towns, wide open spaces, and rugged terrain that would make him harder to track.
They argued for a good half hour about the next step. Natalia wanted to weave through the mountains, positive she’d catch his scent and find him. The snowy peaks and valleys would slow most people down, even supernaturals. But she was lighter on her feet, faster. Finally, she’d have the advantage. And she wouldn’t waste it.
Cristian thought they should take the fastest, most direct route to the Canadian border – there was only one crossing that side of the state – and wait for him there.
“It’s too risky,” she told him when they stopped for gas. Losing patience, she paced in front of the car. “If he caught wind we were there, he’d find another way to cross. Even if he didn’t know we were there, it’s too predictable.”
Cristian folded the map and leaned against the hood of the car, crossing his arms over his chest. “It’s the easiest way across and we know he likes easy. He stays in the ba
ckwoods. He takes easy victims. And he’s in a hurry ‘cause he knows we’re trailing him. He’ll take the easy way, I’m sure of it.”
They were at an impasse. Play-nice-with-stubborn-werewolf time was over. “You can do whatever the hell you want but I’m going through the mountains. On foot if I have to.”
He rolled his eyes as her resolute tone. “All right. Let’s compromise.”
“What?”
The corners of his mouth lifted into a cocky smirk. “Do I need to tell you what that means?”
She gave him a look. “Do I need to tell you what patronizing means?”
He laughed. “How about this? You get two nights to explore the mountains. If we find nothing, we go to the border.”
She didn’t like this compromising, not one bit. But it wasn’t entirely unreasonable. If after two nights she had nothing to go on, a plan B would be needed anyway. Whether that included the border or not didn’t matter right now. She’d ditch the werewolf in a heartbeat if she had to. But why not make peace and agree to this so-called compromise? For now. “Okay.”
He nodded, his face a somber mask. “I know that was hard for you, Natalia. But I’m very proud of your effort to work as a team.” A teasing smile spread across his face. “Gold star for today.”
“Oh, shove it.” She shouldered past him then climbed in the passenger seat.
Cristian set off in the direction of the mountain pass. “The Slayer will need somewhere to rest. Even our endurance has its limits. The chalets are closed but it wouldn’t be hard to break in. And they’re sheltered from the elements. I suggest we travel to those first and hope to pick up his scent on the way.”
She’d been thinking the same thing. “Why, Cristian, that is pure genius.” The sarcasm dripped off her tongue easily. She cursed under her breath. What the hell was going on? She didn’t normally provoke people.
He rubbed his hand over his mouth and murmured, “Insolent woman.” Then louder, “If you were pack, I’d punish you for that.”
All kinds of naughty thoughts popped into her head. Heat blossomed across her cheeks. She wouldn’t ask. She definitely wouldn’t ask. “What would you do?” She winced. Apparently her brain and her mouth were no longer communicating.
