Reluctant Guardian

by Elisha Bugg

  She knew showering here was a bad idea, and now she was stuck like this.

  Thane would come and check on her if she didn't come down soon, and he couldn't see her like this.

  In the corner, she spotted a chair with some clothes piled on top of it. Rummaging through the heap, she found a shirt large enough to cover her. Picking it up, she held it against her, gauging its size.

  Thane's rich aroma drifted to her nose making her inhale deeply, holding the soft cotton against her cheek.

  She never thought a simple scent would relax and comfort her like this.

  Why did she have to be desire him?

  He shouldn't be the type of man she was attracted to, but it didn't matter how much she told herself she hated him, she knew she was lying. She craved his touch and his gentleness, hoping that each time she saw him, she would witness the softer side of himself that he tried so desperately to hide.

  Suddenly footsteps sounded in the hall outside, coming in her direction.

  With no other choice, she threw the shirt on.

  As she suspected, it was massive, hanging halfway down her thighs, the sleeves burying her hands under the fabric.

  But, at least it stayed up around her shoulders.

  A knock sounded at the door behind, drawing her attention away from the mirror, gasping when whoever was behind the door didn't wait for her to call them in.

  "T-Tynan?" she stuttered, spinning to face him and backing away toward the bathroom so she could lock the door between them if needed; even if she doubted it would hold against him for long.

  "I wanted to apologize for how I acted before. I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions, but in my defence, it's kind of hard to think when you're being shot at."

  "I-it's fine. Really,” she replied, taking another step away from him as he walked further into the room.

  Now that Thane wasn’t here to protect her, she felt vulnerable, her body already shaking and tensing.

  "I'm not going to hurt you, Anya," he sighed, running his hand through his golden hair. "I understand if you're scared of me, but you don't need to be. Hell, you trust Thane and he's worse than me."

  "You attacked me, then tried several more times, even after you promised not to. Thane has always helped me."

  He raised a brow, seeming shocked by what she was telling him but shrugged it off before she could ask questions.

  "I'm sorry. I just wasn't thinking clearly," he replied with a heavy sigh, plonking down on the edge of the bed staring at his feet.

  "Why were the hunters following you?"

  "I don't know. Maybe Lucas was right when he said that they wouldn't let me walk away so easily after showing me what they had."

  "What do you mean? What did they show you?"

  "They took me to Lucas. Richard, he was going to use a dagger to force him to change, but they let me ask him instead of using violence," she paused, taking a tentative step toward him. "I didn't think he would change for me, but he did."

  "I don't understand. Why would they let you intervene? Why would they keep him alive all this time?"

  Anya knew they were rhetorical questions, but she couldn't help but wonder how long Lucas had been missing. It was clear Thane knew who he was too.

  "When was he taken?"

  "Almost twenty years ago."

  Anya's heart broke. How could they be so cruel, keeping him in that prison for all those years?

  "He must have been just a boy when they took him," she thought aloud.

  Tynan laughed. His eyes shining a yellowy green as he looked up and smiled widely at her, his cheeks dimpled either side of his mouth.

  "Lucas is well into his eighties, love."

  Impossible.

  Lucas couldn't have been older than mid-thirties. No wrinkles or grey hairs. Nothing to show his age.

  She turned to Tynan and stared. What about him, and Thane? Neither of them looked much older than her. Possibly even the same age. But how old were they really?

  "We don't age the same as humans. We have to mature much faster," he sighed, stroking fingers through his hair once again as his eyes seemed to water. "But as we become adults, our ageing process slows."

  Lucas's, Tynan’s, and even Thane's eyes held so much emotion, so much pain. Anya couldn't help but wonder what traumatic things had happened in their past. Why they seemed to hate humans.

  She suspected the hunters were to blame.

  "You know, it's funny. I'm not usually this awkward around women," Tynan joked in an attempt to break the ice. "Then, I guess I don't make a habit of attacking them either. I really am sorry."

  Anya watched him as he sat in silence, sensing he was uncomfortable with the way things were between them. She now understood why he'd attacked her, maybe she would have done the same; but she wasn't sure she could trust him.

  "I don't blame you," she muttered, taking another hesitant step toward him.

  "I shouldn't have been so careless. If I was paying attention and concentrating like Thane had taught me, I would have known that you weren't with them. I might have even worked out why they were following you."

  "Thane taught you?"

  "Yeah. He's a great mentor, one of the best in fact. He won't accept any praise though.”

  "Lucas taught him, you know," he added as an afterthought, frowning as he watched her shift her weight from her injured ankle.

  "Thane is one of you, isn't he?" she asked, hoping to distract him from her weakness. If he did intend to attack her again, she couldn't let him know she was still hurting.

  Tynan stared at her, his eyes swirling with different emotions, flickering from their normal light brown to the glowing greenish amber she’d seen before.

  "I thought you knew."

  "I had my suspicions, but he's never told me."

  He cursed under his breath, springing from the bed and headed for the door.

  "It's best you talk to him. I've said too much already."

  "Wait," she called, wincing as she reached out and grabbed hold of his arm before he managed to disappear out the door.

  When he looked down at her hands, she let go quickly, remembering who she was holding on to.

  "I met a wolf recently, is it him?"

  Tynan turned around and leaned forward, closing his eyes and inhaling deeply by her neck. She couldn't help but shiver as his warm breath tickled her sensitive skin. When he reopened his eyes, they were glowing brightly, taking her breath away.

  "Like I said, darling," he smiled wide, resting his large hand on her shoulder. "Talk to Thane."

  Damn. She had hoped that Tynan would slip up and tell her what she wanted to know, but he was smarter than she gave him credit for. But why was he smiling at her like that?

  "What?"

  "I can't believe I didn't notice it before. Again, I'm sorry I scared you and hurt your leg. It will never happen again. You have my loyalty now, and forever."

  He kissed her forehead and winked, making his way down the hall.

  “Wait,” she called, limping after him.

  She couldn't let him leave. Not yet. She needed to know more about Thane before she lost the chance.

  “I don't understand.”

  “I’m sorry, but there's not much more I can tell you. Not yet.”

  It went without saying that he didn't trust her.

  Understandable considering how they met, but she couldn't help but feel disappointed.

  All she wanted was to understand Thane. To know what had happened in his past to make him the way he was.

  She turned to walk away as Tynan fled down the stairs, but something caught her eye behind her, forcing her to turn back.

  At the bottom of the stairs was Thane, his eyes almost white as he stared up at her.

  She pulled down on the shirt, trying to conceal herself, fearful what he would make of her wearing his shirt. Slowly he walked toward her, staring at her as though she were prey to some hungry beast.

  Anya knew she shouldn't flee and anger
him more, but she didn't know what else to do.

  Before she'd realised it, he had ushered her back into his room, his eyes still burning on her skin.

  "I'm sorry," she blurted out, worried he was angry with her. "The clothes you left me were too big, so I grabbed something quickly before, Tynan came in."

  Thane continued to stride toward her, letting the door swing closed behind him. His hungry eyes wandering over her body, warming her from head to toe.

  "T-Thane?" she gasped, breathless.

  He didn't stop, not until his body was inches from her own, her back pressed firmly against the frame of his bed, his body heat seeping into her own. A hardness pressing into her abdomen.

  He wasn't angry at all.

  He placed a hand on her shoulder and played the collar of the shirt between his thumb and fingers.

  "Do I scare you?" he whispered in a deep, husky voice that sent shivers down her spine.

  All she could manage was to shake her head, her heart pounding like a drum in her chest.

  "Then why are you trembling?" he said softly, bending his head toward her neck and inhaling deeply. His hand skimming lightly over her chest and ribs.

  Suddenly his eyes flicked back up to hers glowing painfully bright like they had at the bottom of the stairs, yet she couldn't look away from their swirling depths.

  "Y-you're not wearing anything beneath?" his voice cracked.

  Again, she shook her head, unable to speak.

  He rested his hand on her hip, caressing her side with his thumb as he pulled her closer, making her mind go numb and her knees turn to jelly.

  She'd been craving his touch for so long. She never imagined it would feel this good.

  He snatched his hand away, his eyes still burning white. His chest rising and falling quickly, his forehead glistening with sweat.

  Why did he stop? She wouldn't let him. Not now that she'd felt his hands on her body.

  She pushed up on her tiptoes and pressed her lips against his, tangling her hand in his hair when he didn't push her away.

  A loud moan escaped his lips as he took hold of her waist once more, pulling her even closer to return her kiss.

  Anya pressed her body against his, craving his warmth against her skin, losing herself to her desires. She couldn't get enough of him.

  For a long time, she'd convinced herself that if she could just let go and kiss him again, this mad desire she felt for him might vanish. But kissing him and having his body pressed up so close to her now, she knew she was a fool.

  Thane deepened the kiss, pushing her against the bedpost, pressing into her with his firm body. Slowly, trailing a line of kisses from her mouth down her jaw, nibbling at the sensitive spot between her ear and her collarbone. She moaned and clenched her thighs tight as goosebumps erupted over her body.

  Never had a kiss felt this good.

  Following her instincts, she dug her nails into his back, causing him to growl against her neck, bringing her to all new levels of pleasure as he bit down harder. Mixed feelings of pain and pleasure confused her senses.

  He placed one of his hands on her bare thigh, stroking his way up frustratingly slow, making her shiver as he pressed in closer to her. The friction of his trousers against her core making her dig her nails in deeper.

  Suddenly, his eyes flickered open, but they were no longer the eyes of a man looking at her. She could see the wolf she now knew he was, staring back at her, claiming control.

  He turned his face away from her as his canines grew into long sharp points. His eyes were full of sadness, slowly dimming to their usual shade of blue.

  He removed his hand from her skin and roared so loudly into the air, she could feel his chest rumble from the force of it.

  "I'm sorry," he whispered, his voice gravelly and raw.

  By the time she'd regained her composure, he was gone, his footsteps already pounding on the stairs.

  Anya leaned back against the wooden frame, stunned and confused.

  Why did he stop?

  It may have surprised her a little to see the wolf take over. Nervous what would happen when she spotted the fangs protruding from his mouth, but she hadn't wanted him to stop. Not once did she feel threatened, or have the urge to run.

  Anya plonked on the bed behind her, glancing at the spot they'd been kissing, and gasped.

  The frame of the bed had four deep gashes carved into the wood, near where her head rested.

  She walked over to the post and ran her fingers along the grooves.

  "Is this why you stopped?" she muttered to herself, resting her head against the marks.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Thane longed to climb the stairs and go back to Anya, craving her touch and warmth against his skin, but how could he lose himself with her? Even if she wasn't human like he'd first thought, she spelt trouble for him. She drove the wolf insane and messed with his better judgement.

  His control was on the brink of snapping, yet still she pushed harder, forcing him to flee before he did something terrible.

  How could she be so foolish? How could he?

  He rested the back of his head against the wooden door and sighed.

  He couldn’t deny that he cared about her. She'd somehow enticed feelings from him since day one, something not many others were capable of. His need to protect her overwhelming his other instincts, despite what he may or may not believe she is.

  What was Edwin playing at?

  Thane suspected the old man knew more about this girl. Who she was, and why her eyes had glowed. Hell, he even seemed to think she could be in trouble with the hunters no matter how much he denied it. He watched her constantly, arranging his meetings around her.

  Was the old man planning on Thane's reaction to her? Was it why Edwin kept secrets from him?

  Somehow, he was determined to find out, but not before he dealt with the trouble at hand.

  Two people were in his house, both of which he'd prefer not to be there.

  Tynan, someone Thane actually trusted and considered a friend, even if at times he annoyed him, like tonight. It was his lack of judgement and incompetence that meant Anya was here in the first place.

  He needed to keep his distance from her, not be stuck in the same house with her upstairs, wearing nothing but his shirt to cover her curvaceous body.

  When she'd kissed him, pressing her warmth against him, he couldn't help but respond.

  This beautiful, brave, and foolish girl was going to be the death of him.

  He paced side to side in the kitchen, rubbing at his temples, trying to rein the beast back in, but with her scent clinging to his every fibre, he knew it was futile.

  He growled loud and deep, releasing his claws, destroying the furniture around him. Fur bristling beneath his skin, itching as the wolf fought to be free.

  He wanted to escape and run off some of the tension, but how could he leave Tynan alone with her?

  Anya was still wary of him, not that he could blame her. A huge jaguar springing at you from the darkness had to be terrifying for anybody to endure.

  He'd even tried to attack her several times since, despite Thane's warnings.

  No, he couldn't leave her alone and let Tynan hurt her.

  As though sensing he was being thought of, Tynan peeked around the door, letting out a low whistle when he saw the carnage Thane had created.

  "Damn. I didn't realise it was this bad, Thane."

  "I don't know how much longer I can keep this up. I was this close to losing control and taking her," Thane roared, gesturing with his hands.

  "Have you ever thought she could be your mate?"

  "Don't be ridiculous."

  "Come on, Thane. It all makes sense. Your reaction and uncontrollable desires. Her need to be near you despite her fear."

  Thane knew she didn't fear him. She never had, despite him clearly intimidating her. She always moved closer, always felt the need to touch.

  But there was no way she could be his mate.

>   "Impossible," Thane growled, letting his claws loose on the surface beside him.

  "I can't believe I didn't notice it before," Tynan muttered, ignoring Thane's reaction as he shook his head and sat on the only remaining chair Thane hadn't destroyed in his rage.

  "Your scent is all over her."

  "That can't be."

  "Why do you think the wolf's losing it?" he asked, motioning to the chaos around him. "The beast always knows when they've found their mate, and whether you believe it or not, deep in her skin is your scent."

  Thane had convinced himself for so long that it was just his imagination, that he was just hungry for the contact he'd been starving himself of.

  He'd fallen for his own lies.

  "I can smell her in yours too, Thane. Why do you bother trying to resist it? You know you can't for long."

  "Look at me Ty. Do you really think she can handle me, especially like this?"

  Tynan glanced around the room again and shrugged his shoulders, "She's tougher than you give her credit for. Most people would run screaming. Hell, you terrify me sometimes. But her. She trusts you, she even sticks her ground. That's impressive."

  "She's not seen what I'm capable of. All she sees is someone strong enough to protect her."

  "Perhaps she's not the weak human you thought she was."

  "I may care about her safety, but to think she could be my mate?"

  "Are you really willing to risk losing your mate because of her being human? Lucas wasn't as quick to judge."

  “I don't know if she is human. Not anymore. But that's not the problem.”

  “Then what is?”

  Thane didn't know how to respond.

  No matter how hard he tried to deny it, Anya meant something to him. Whether it was his need to protect, or whether she was indeed something more. But could she really be his?

  The irrational behaviour, her scent on his skin. Even his uncontrollable lust for her all told him she could be his. But could he let her in?

  His trust in others had been destroyed a long time ago when everyone he cared for was taken from him. How would he begin to trust an outsider, someone who knew nothing about them, or him?

  It didn't matter to him what she was. It hadn't for a long time. But would she still have faith in him when she discovered his bloody past; or would she run, tipping him over the edge?