Isabelle's Mate (Shifters of the Bulgarian Bloodline Book 6)

by Daria Wright

  “I…” What was she supposed to say? What the fuck was going on?

  “Don’t ask questions. Whatever you do, don’t ask questions.” It sounded like a threat. Melina’s heart skipped a beat, but she nodded. She backed away from Josh, suddenly scared. He stared down at the ground. She couldn’t wrap her mind around anything that was happening right now. Was it some sort of kink? If she didn’t come back until the morning did that mean he would sleep here? Wouldn’t that be hella uncomfortable?

  “What’s the code?” he whispered.

  Melina’s brow furrowed. Code? Oh. It clicked. The code she had to remember to unlock him. “3421.” She said it softly.

  “Don’t forget it. Now leave, it’s almost time.”

  Time? Time for what?

  She didn’t dare ask. Instead she turned on her heel and rushed out of the room as fast as she could without running. She made sure the door was locked behind her, her pulse racing. What was going on in this house? What was wrong with these people?

  “Melina,” Chris made his way down the hallway towards her. He carried a stack of papers.

  “Yes?”

  “I’ll need you to sign a couple things before you retire for the night.”

  Right. Josh had mentioned something about paperwork.

  “And then if you need anything I can grab it for you, no need in you going out.”

  Wait, I’m stuck here? She didn’t say it out loud, but that’s what she was thinking. She couldn’t believe they were acting so calm about this. This was not how you went about hiring a... Well, what could she really say? She’d agreed to become his girlfriend for a price. I’m in way over my head. She thought as she made her way over to Chris. He motioned for her to follow him into her bedroom. “So, I’ve got to sell my life away?” It was meant to be a joke, but she wasn’t sure if it came out like that.

  “If you chose to leave, then you are free to at any point,” Chris said.

  Melina bit her lip. There was something about Josh that made her way to stay. Maybe it was the $9000 or maybe it was him – she couldn’t be sure.

  “Why does he sleep in there?”

  “Didn’t Master Josh tell you not to ask questions?” Melina’s cheeks flushed.

  The next morning Melina slipped out of bed quickly. She rushed for the door and typed in the code to unlock it. She stopped in the doorway, staring at the scene in front of her. Her cheeks brushed a deep shade of pink as her eyes locked onto him- all of him. She rushed towards him and crouched down, unchaining him from the wall as she pulled him into her arms. He was much heavier than she thought he would be, but that didn’t matter. She managed to stand with him and get him out of the room. A door stood open, it looked like there was a bed in it. She carried him towards it, her mind numb. She couldn’t even try to figure out what had happened. His clothes had been torn and laying on the ground. It didn’t make sense. She lay him down on the bed as gently as she could.

  He stirred. “Mel…” he whispered, reaching out to her.

  “I’m here.” She sat down on the bed beside him, her hand reaching for his.

  Chapter Five

  It continued. It took all she had not to ask about it, but the pay was damn good. She was making $9000 a month without having to do anything, except lock Josh in that room and let him out every night. And this went on for a couple days. Over those days he went with her to get her stuff, and slowly they actually started spending time together. It was strange, but she was beginning to like him more and more.

  “Is this your family?” He asked looking down at an album that had been in her suitcase.

  “Yes, that’s where my great-great-great-great-great grandma used to live. She was a servant there, though. It’s not like she owned the place.”

  Josh’s heart raced. He knew she hadn’t owned the place. That house had been owned by his family since it had built. He nodded, not sure what else to say. He knew they had been born close to the same place, but…. If her family worked for mine… that would mean they most likely had known about the curse. He turned away from her as he heard a buzz coming from her pockets. She reached for her phone quickly. With his hearing Josh could hear both sides of the conversation.

  “Hello?”

  “Hey, Mel. It’s Seth.”

  “Hi, Seth! What’s up?”

  “Um, well… actually I was calling because I was wondering if you wanted to do something tonight.”

  Josh could feel her eyes on him. He turned to her.

  “I don’t know… I might be busy…” She stared at him, waiting for him to voice what she was or wasn’t allowed to do.

  “He can come here. I’ve got an arcade you may take advantage of, as long as you are free at 9:00.”

  Melina nodded, a wide grin spreading over her face. “I started working at a penthouse, why don’t you come here? There’s an arcade.”

  A soft laugh. “I don’t have to pay to take you out on a date? Sounds perfect to me.”

  Josh’s brow furrowed. If he were going to take Melina out on a date he’d be happy to pay for her. After all, a unique woman like her deserved it. But he didn’t say that, otherwise he’d have to admit to being able to hear both sides of the conversation.

  “Awesome, I’ll see you later.” Her eyes sparkled as she hung up.

  Josh gave her a soft smile, trying to ignore the jealously. “If you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to look into something.” He had a theory that he needed to check out. Something that would make his pull to her make so much more sense than just the fact that she was female.

  Josh didn’t say anything to Melina that night. They ate dinner without a word, and when Seth showed up Josh made his way into his office. He didn’t look happy about it, and Melina felt guilty. I don’t know why. It’s not like I owe him anything. He was just her employer, right?

  As the night went on Melina tried to enjoy herself, but it just wasn’t right.

  “So it must be pretty nice living here. I mean, it must pay well, right?”

  “It pays alright.”

  “Maybe you can take me out on a date sometime.” Seth grinned.

  Melina shrugged. “Yeah, maybe.” He moved towards her, his eyes sparkling. It wasn’t that she had an issue with him asking for her to give her to pay, it was more the way he said it. He closed the distance between them, his hand reaching out and touching her hip. Melina glanced down at her phone. It was getting closer and closer to 9:00 and she wanted to make sure she wasn’t distracted.

  “You know, I miss seeing you around.”

  “You do?”

  “Yeah.” He pulled her closer. His lips crashed against her. His hand tracing down her body, making their way lower and lower. Melina’s heart skipped a beat. She pushed him away. She wasn’t into that. Anyways, she as on the clock.

  He pulled her closer, his fingers tightening around her. Melina’s heart raced as he fingers slipped up her shirt. She tried to push away but wasn’t strong enough.

  Arrrg!

  It didn’t sound human.

  “What the-?” Seth pulled away from her to see what it was. Melina opened her mouth to scream but it was too late. He turned back to her, his hand covering her lips. “Hush, we’re just going to have a little fun.”

  Something crashed against the door. Melina heard Seth swear but she couldn’t make out his words. She was too busy staring at what had just entered the room. She’d never seen something this big before. Growing up, they’d never gone to the zoo. Melina’s eyes widened as she stared at it. The gorilla let out a loud roar.

  “Jesus fucking-” Adam let out a breath, but he didn’t finish his sentence. Instead the beast rushed towards him, flinging him out of the way. Melina screamed as the creature turned its attention to her. How can this be happening? How had it gotten in here? What about Josh and Chris, were they okay?

  The beast moved towards her. Melina scrambled back, trying to keep distance between them. Her heart raced as she fell back, her ass hitting the floor. The beast to
wered over her, his eyes locking on her.

  Melina’s mouth fell open as she stared into those eyes. Those sad green eyes.

  “Josh?” She whispered. The beast reached out for her, taking her hand. Melina’s heart raced as she tried to process everything. She could feel herself getting dizzy. No. she thought, but it was too late. Everything went black.

  It’s gotta be a dream. She thought. She could feel her back against the bed. Yes, that was it. It was a dream. She was in her bed now and she had just been dreaming. Odd dream. She thought. She forced her eyes open to make sure everything was the way it should be. The second she opened her eyes she wished she hadn’t. It hadn’t been a dream. The big gorilla stared at her. He sat beside the bed.

  Melina froze, not daring to move. If she moved, he might attack her. Oh god. Seth. “Where’s Seth?” she asked, as if the gorilla could answer her.

  “He’s not here anymore,” Chris answered.

  The gorilla made a noise, his eyes locked on Chris.

  Chris stared at the beast. “Don’t give me that look, sir. I’ll say whatever I damn well please. And you don’t behave I’ll shoot you.”

  The gorilla looked away. Melina’s brow furrowed. “Wait…” There were so many steps she was missing here. How was she supposed to make sense of anything?

  “How are you feeling, ma’am? Master Josh has been worried, he hasn’t left your side at all.”

  “I… I’m fine. Confused, but fine.”

  The gorilla left the room without saying a word. Melina looked from the doorway to Chris. “Should I…”

  “No, he will be back in a moment.”

  Melina winced as she heard screams.

  “It happens sometimes. He changes without meaning to, but he can sense when the change is wearing off. He doesn’t like people to see that side of him.” The screams continued for a couple of seconds, but it felt like hours. Pity tugged at her. She didn’t understand what was going on at all, but she felt bad for the pain that man was in.

  Finally, they stopped. Seconds later, in a silk robe, Josh walked into the room.

  “Sir, are you alright?”

  “Yes, thank you. You may leave now.”

  Chris didn’t look like he liked that idea, but he nodded and walked out of the room, leaving Josh and Melina alone.

  “Where is Seth?”

  “Dead.” Josh looked away, his cheeks turning red. Melina stared, her mouth open. Had she heard him right? “Chris had someone come deal with it. You’ve been out for a few hours, Melina. Are you okay? Did I hurt you?”

  “No… no you didn’t.” But Seth would have. She remembered the last thing he’d said to her. Her heart dropped into the pit of her stomach. She took a deep breath. “So…”

  “I have a lot to explain, I now… and nothing to say.” He padded into the room and sat down on the bed, making sure he was covered- not that it mattered. Melina had gotten used to seeing him naked over the past weeks. “I wish I could explain everything, but all I know is that this has been happening all my life. It is my family’s curse. All of us must suffer with it. Most stay in the same house. The one that our great-great-great-great grandmother used to work in, but I couldn’t stay there. I couldn’t be around all of them. So Chris and I… left. I thought I could control it. I thought I was getting better but… it’s been getting worse and worse. That is, until you came around.”

  “Me?”

  “I knew having a woman around would help. But… you, it’s like you make everything okay… when I smelt your fear, and his arousal, I just lost it.” She heard his voice break.

  Melina reached out, touching him softly. Their fingers tangled together softly. He looked up at her, smiling. She returned his smile.

  “Remember how I said I didn’t have any friends?” She waited for him to nod. “Well, I lied. I have you.” His cheeks turned a deep shade of pink as he reached out and brushed the hair out of her face. He leaned towards her, his lips touching hers. It was nothing like the way Seth had kissed her.

  Melina’s arms wrapped around him, pulling him closer to her. A soft moan passed through her lips.

  He pulled her close to him, guiding them down onto the bed.

  Melina reached through the fabric of his robe, her fingers tracing over his muscular frame. Josh’s lips trailed along her jawline, down her neck. Her clothes were torn, but that didn’t matter. They were removed quickly. His lips touched her breasts softly. His eyes locked on hers as her legs opened, welcoming him to a spot close to her.

  Maybe it was just everything that she’d been through or maybe it was more, but she felt this… urge to have him. To devour his kisses, to feel him against her. Her arms wrapped around him as she pulled him closer. Their eyes locked as she slid into her. Melina gasped, her fingers pressing into Josh’s chest.

  His lips locked on hers as he thrust into her softly, drinking in her moans. Heat surged through Melina. She bit back a moan as pleasure overwhelmed her body.

  Stroke. Stroke. Stroke.

  He thrust into her, his pace growing faster and faster. She reached out, grabbing his hand in hers, their fingers tangling together. Melina moaned louder. Her eyes rolling back.

  “Oh yes.” Melina arched. Her hips rising to meet his. “More.” She almost begged.

  Josh complied, thrusting into her faster and faster.

  “Oh,” She sucked in a deep breath, her hips rising to meet his with every thrust. Josh’s thrust increased. Faster and faster.

  Stroke. Stroke. Stroke.

  “Look at me,” he rasped. Melina’s eyes opened, locking on his.

  They stared at each other and for a split second she was reminded of the creature he had been. The thing that had saved her life last night. Her free hand reached up and tangled into his hair, pulling him down into a kiss.

  Stroke. Stroke. Stroke.

  Faster and harder. Josh’s lips traced along her jawline softly.

  Melina’s eyes rolled back, pleasure overwhelming her body.

  Stroke. Stroke. Stroke.

  Faster and harder.

  The new pace sent her over the edge. She gasped, her eyes rolling back as pleasure overwhelmed her body. She screamed, Josh lowering her lips to hers as he thrust into her faster and faster.

  Stroke. Stroke. Stroke.

  He flattened, crashing into me once more. He helps himself above me, his eyes sparkling as he lowered himself down, giving her one more kiss.

  She pulled him close to her, their lips locked together.

  Chapter Six

  Melina woke the next morning feeling better than she had in a long time. She replied the events of the night in her head. She had a friend, someone she could count on, and someone who made her feel like she mattered. She grinned as rolled over, thinking about the he’d made her feel. The grin vanished from her face as she looked around. He was nowhere to be seen.

  She slipped out of bed. It’s not a big deal, she told herself. It was probably just that he was up before her and didn’t want to lay in bed. Right? She took a deep breath, trying to remain calm as she made her way into the kitchen.

  “There you are.” She tried not to sound nervous.

  “Melina.” He didn’t turn to look at her. She could feel her heart drop into the pit of her stomach. “Please, pack your bags as soon as you can. It would be best if you leave.”

  “What?” she could feel the tears well in the corner of her eyes. She’d thought they had something last night. She had thought… “What about-”

  “None of it matters. After last night I understand, I can’t be around you. If you stay here, I could turn at any point and hurt you. I could kill you.”

  “I don’t care-”

  “This is not up for discussion. Pack your things and leave.”

  Melina stood there, shocked. “But… I don’t have anything… anywhere… anyone…” She stammered. She had no clue what she was supposed to do.

  “The money has been wired to your account.”

  Without a
nother word, he walked away.

  Melina stood there, tears rolling down her cheek. She knew she had to go pack, but she couldn’t bring herself to move.

  Epilogue

  Melina stared down at the phone as she ended the call. Jenny was worried about where Seth had gone and had been calling again to see if Melina had heard from him. Of course, she lied. She felt horrid lying, but what else was she supposed to do?

  Melina closed her eyes. It had been a month, but she still hadn’t gotten over everything, and it’s not like she could go to a therapist for it. She took a deep breath. It’s going to be fine. She thought. Things were starting to fall into place. There was a musical coming up that she was going to try out for. If she got the part, she’d be able to focus on something other than him.

  Ding.

  Melina’s brow furrowed. She didn’t have company, so why was her doorbell ringing? She pushed herself up and made her way over to the door. Maybe its just those shoes I ordered, she thought as she reached for the handle. She opened the door and stared, her mouth falling open.

  Josh stared back at her, giving her a soft smile. “Hi.” He sounded nervous.

  “What are you doing here?”

  “I… I came to see if you wanted to come back, to the penthouse. It sucks without there. I miss you, Melina. I thought I could make it without you but... I can’t.”

  He stepped towards her.

  Melina stepped back, remembering the way he had kicked her out. “You-”

  “I fucked up, and I can’t ever take that back, but I want to make up for it. Please, will you give me a chance to be your friend again? More than your friend.”

  How could she say no? A soft smile touched Melina’s lips. Of course.

  The End

  The Bishop’s Daughter’s Romance

  By: Elaine Young

  Chapter One

  Ruth took a deep breath as she stepped into the church looking around. Although the community was small, the church was a beautiful place.