Wolves at the Wall

by S. E. Meyer

  CHAPTER XXI

  Anna followed Atticus into the hideout, expecting to find everyone waiting for them.

  “Dad? Sara?” Anna called from the hallway. She entered the dining room and almost ran into Wesley, jogging towards them from the kitchen.

  Wesley smiled, his voice floating into her ears. “Anna, you’re okay.”

  “Yeah, I made it, barely. Where is everyone?”

  “Still in the tunnels.” He turned to Atticus. “We did it. It's over. The people are finally taking notice and standing up to be heard.”

  Atticus nodded. “Thank you for all your help. It's only a matter of time now.”

  “Yes, I've heard thousands are already at Cornelius's gate and ten-thousand more are on their way”.

  “Why is everyone in the tunnels?” Anna asked.

  “Cornelius raided this place, forcing them to hide down there. We need to let them know they can come up. Cornelius had to pull everyone back to the Governor's Mansion for protection.”

  Atticus nodded. “I have those tunnels memorized. I'll go get them.”

  “You want me to go with you?” Anna asked.

  “You two catch up, I'll be fine.”

  Atticus left for the basement and Wesley stepped toward Anna. “We won.”

  “Yes, but I will not stop until I plant a bullet in Cornelius's brain.”

  “It doesn't matter anymore. Cornelius is finished.”

  “Of course it matters,” Anna argued. “He has to pay for what he's done.”

  “It sounds like the people will take care of him for you.” Wesley moved in close, pulling Anna into his strong arms. “Can we forget about it for now? Let's celebrate tonight.”

  Anna pulled away. “I can’t Wesley. All I can think about is ensuring Cornelius’s demise.”

  “Oh, come on.” Wesley grinned. “We won. We accomplished everything we’ve all been working so hard to achieve. Sometime you have to stop and celebrate the win, Anna.”

  Wesley tucked a curl behind her ear with his finger and kissed her cheek. “Let’s go have some fun,” he whispered into her ear.

  Anna surrendered to Wesley’s melodious voice and gentle touch. His words provoked her soul, kindling her spirit, while his brawny embrace fanned the embers, still aglow from their last meeting.

  I could use a little downtime.

  “And there is that rain check.” Wesley smiled.

  Anna returned his smile. She shook her head. “It's a great offer, but I look awful. I'm cold, wet and hungry.”

  “Well then, let's get you warm, dry and fed.”

  ◆◆◆

  After a hot shower, Anna returned to the living room wearing clean clothes and a fresh smile.

  Wesley grinned. “You look amazing. Warm and dry?”

  Anna nodded. “Thank you, I'm feeling better, yes.”

  “Good, how about some food?”

  “We can start with a walk.” Anna took Wesley's hand in hers.

  They toured the streets, taking in the sights and sounds of a city on the brink of revolution. People gathered together in groups, holding signs of the slain dragon. They dared to whisper of what the future could hold now that there was a cure.

  A man bumped into Anna on the street. “Oh, sorry, Miss.” He turned, jogging away with his fists in the air. “No more treatments means no foreclosure. I can afford to keep my house!”

  Anna smiled. “He's excited.”

  Wesley nodded. “Everyone is, Anna. A cure changes everything.”

  They stopped at a place overlooking the north wall. People had brought sledgehammers and mauls, using them to break up more of the concrete barricade.

  Wesley pulled Anna close, pressing his lips to hers.

  Anna's skin tingled.

  They both turned their heads. While standing cheek to cheek they watched the sunset through the opening in the wall.

  “Freedom,” they whispered together.

  “Just another word for nothing left to lose,” they said simultaneously.

  Anna cocked her head. “Joplin?”

  “Huge fan,” Wesley replied as they both laughed.

  Wesley grazed Anna's neck with his chin, sending a surge of electricity down her spine. “My idea of freedom is out there, away from the city. I want to stroll barefoot on a carpet of clover, or dip my toes into a creek while listening to the wind brush bearded barley, not fill my life with meaningless possessions,”

  Anna gazed deep into Wesley's eyes. “Get out of my head, Wesley.”

  Wesley returned Anna's gaze. “I realize we just met, but I feel like I've known you my whole life.”

  Anna understood the sentiment. Like an unseen tether, connected through the ether. It was a genuine connection of thought and feeling between two souls, forged in the fires of time and awaiting discovery.

  Anna ran her hand across Wesley's rippled abdomen. “I know exactly what you mean.”

  And eager for exploration.

  Wesley led Anna back towards his car. “Dinner at my place?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.

  Some wine would be nice, Anna thought.

  Wesley opened the car door for her. “Maybe some wine.”

  Anna smiled, getting into the car. “Thank you.”

  Shrimp cocktail. I love white wine and shrimp.

  Too bad it's so hard to find.

  Anna recalled the time her mother bought shrimp as a treat for Christmas while Wesley got in the car's driver's side.

  Uh, I can't stop thinking about food now.

  Wesley put the car in drive and headed for his apartment on Ninth Street. They had to maneuver through the crowded avenues until coming to a street swelled with people. Wesley had to stop the car. “I guess we're walking from here.”

  They left the car and pushed through the crowd, hand in hand, passing a bar with music playing. People danced in the streets beneath Christmas lights strung between the sidewalks, setting up a makeshift dance floor on the pavement.

  Everyone was drinking, celebrating, and cheering. A man with short brown hair, wearing a blue down-filled jacket held up his glass. “A toast,” he yelled over the music as he stood on a chair. “Tonight we drink, tomorrow we break down the Governor's door and string the lying, greedy bastard in the highest tree!”

  The crowd erupted into cheers and Wesley nodded his head. “See? I told you. The people will lynch him before you get a chance.”

  A new song played and Wesley took Anna's hand. “An oldie, I like this one,” he said, leading her into the street. “Will you dance with me?”

  'You Look Wonderful Tonight' played as Wesley pulled Anna close under the glow of holiday lights. His muscular arms squeezed her torso, inviting a sense of safety she never knew. Security had long since abandoned her, setting sail from Anna’s young shores. The comfort returned with an unexpected tide, abating her sea of sorrows while anchored in Wesley’s words and properly moored in the strong ropes of his embrace.

  Anna freed her burdens through a long breath as her lower lip quivered.

  Wesley’s lips grazed Anna's ear as he whispered the lyrics. “I said my darling, you look wonderful tonight.”

  Anna pulled away. She gazed into Wesley's eyes, studying his blurred features through the hint of a tear. “Who are you?” She asked, turning to dab her eyes.

  Anna's stomach growled as the song ended.

  Wesley took her hand. “Sounds like you need to eat. Come on, my place is just down the street.”

  They entered Wesley's apartment and Anna scanned the living room.

  Wow. It's so clean.

  “Nice place,” Anna said.

  “Thanks,” Wesley replied, opening a bottle of wine. “It might sound weird, but you know what goes great with white wine?”

  Anna shrugged.

  Wesley reached into the refrigerator and removed a platter of shrimp cocktail. “Shrimp.”

  Anna smiled. “I love shrimp! Who are you Wesley Shriner?”

  Anna devoured the plump, meaty crusta
ceans in between long drinks of wine.

  “I didn't realize how hungry I was,” she said. “It's been a rough few days.”

  Wesley leaned in to wipe Anna's lower lip with a napkin. “You have a little cocktail sauce.”

  Instead of wiping it off with the napkin, Wesley put his lips on hers, sucking Anna’s lip into his mouth.

  Anna took in a breath through her nose, pulse throbbing throughout her extremities as Wesley slid his lips across her cheek before finding the lobe of her ear. She moved her hand through his thick hair while Wesley kissed her neck, coaxing goosebumps to rise along the back of her neck and thighs.

  Through quickened breaths, Anna whispered a moan.

  Wesley slipped his hand between her tingling thighs, knocking over Anna's glass of wine with his elbow.

  Wesley jumped as the flute's contents flowed across his chest before dripping onto Anna's lap. “Oh, sorry. Sorry,” he apologized, pulling napkins from the table and placing them onto her thighs.

  “It's okay. You only got me a little wet.” Anna blushed, placing a hand over her mouth. “I mean, most of it got on you, and my glass was almost empty.”

  Here we go again. This guy makes me say dumb shit.

  Anna laughed through flushed cheeks.

  Wesley smiled, righting Anna's glass and re-filling it. “I have a pair of sweats you can change into.”

  Anna grinned. “Now I see the master plan to get me out of my pants.”

  Wesley's eyes widened. “What? No. I figured I'd charm them off you.” He laughed.

  A wave of emotion overwhelmed Anna's senses. She leaned in and kissed Wesley with full lips before pulling his shirt up over his head. With her hand cupping his chiseled chest, Anna touched her lips to his firm abdomen.

  Wesley knelt at her feet. “Let’s get you out of those wet pants.” He unbuttoned her jeans and slid them below her hips while brushing his chin across her lower belly.

  Anna licked her lips with an eager tongue while tugging on two handfuls of Wesley’s hair.

  Wesley lowered her pants to the floor while kissing her trembling thighs. He slipped Anna’s pant legs over her feet, one at a time and then stood while wrapping one arm around her back. As he placed his other arm behind her knees, he lifted Anna, cradling her in his arms.

  Anna gazed into Wesley's eyes as he carried her to his bedroom. She let out a wine induced giggle. “Who are you Wesley Shriner?“

  CHAPTER XXII

  Anna opened her eyes, waking to the smell of coffee. She pulled the blankets over her head and snuggled deeper into the bed as Wesley entered the room, naked.

  A smile pulled at her lips as Anna slipped her hand from the blankets. She reached out, grasping the flesh she hunted and pulled Wesley back into bed.

  “Coffee's done,” he whispered.

  “I'm not,” Anna said.

  They made morning love until sunlight found the bedroom windows.

  Out of breath, Anna rolled onto her back. “Now that's a great way to start the day.”

  They rose, dressed, and entered the kitchen. “You seem like a cream no sugar kind of girl,“ Wesley said.

  Anna nodded. “You sure know what I like.“

  Wesley made fresh omelets while Anna enjoyed the cup of coffee.

  “Thank you Wesley,” she said, stuffing a mouthful of egg into her mouth.

  “For what, the omelets? You're welcome.”

  “No, for such a wonderful night.”

  Wesley nodded. “I should be the one thanking you. You are an amazing woman, Anna. Thank you for being here. Thank you for everything. I'm glad you came.”

  “Me too.” Anna grinned. “Twice.”

  Wesley returned the smile. “I'm not only talking about sharing your body. Thank you for sharing your mind. I don't believe I've ever connected with anyone on such a deep level. We talked for hours last night, in between, um, sessions, and it went by in minutes.”

  “It was wonderful, and I had a great time, but I should get going. I want to see my family.”

  Wesley nodded. “Understandable.”

  “What are your plans?” Anna asked.

  “I'm leaving.”

  Anna wrinkled her brow. “Leaving? Going where?”

  “My grandparents owned a cabin in the woods a few miles south of the city. Now that this is all over, I'd like to find it. Get out of the craziness of the city and stay there for a while.” He cocked his head, gazing into Anna's eyes. “I was hoping you would come with me. We could find some peace together. Freedom.”

  “I can't. I need to find my dad and sister.”

  Wesley rose and kissed Anna's forehead. “Well, when can I see you again?”

  Anna pressed her lips together. “Um, well. I'm not sure, Wesley. That's not a good idea.”

  “What do you mean? Are you joking?” Wesley laughed. “Ah, you got me there.”

  “No, I'm serious.”

  “After the night we just had? You honestly aren't interested in repeating it?”

  “Well, yes, that would be great, but more than one night leads to attachments. I can't do that.”

  “Can't, or won't?”

  Anna shook her head. “I just can't, okay?”

  “No, it's not okay. What did I do? Did I do something wrong?”

  “You did everything right. Look, It's not you. You're perfect.”

  “Then, I don't understand, Anna. Now I'm getting the 'it's not you, it's me' line? Was it the sex?”

  “Definitely not the sex. I’ve never had sex like that. It was amazing.”

  “Then what is the problem?”

  “I hate to be cliche, but really, it's not you, it's me.”

  Wesley took a sip of coffee. “That's your problem, Anna. You won't allow yourself to let love back into your life. I can see it. You have a huge heart. You have the capacity to love the world, if you would only let yourself.”

  Anna clenched her jaw. “You're mad, so now you're going to psychoanalyze my problems?”

  Wesley set his cup on the table. “I'm not mad!” He let out a breath before starting over with a lowered voice. “I'm not mad, I'm hurt, and frustrated.” He threw his arms up while dropping his eyebrows. “I mean come on, after one night, we're finishing each other's sentences. I know what I feel when I'm with you and I know you feel it too. I can see it in your eyes. I understand you're scared, no, terrified to do this, but how will you ever know if you won't just give it a chance.”

  “You don't understand shit,” Anna snapped through flushed cheeks. “You don't get to tell me what's good for me, or what I need. You don’t understand what I've been through.”

  “What I know is you're afraid someone will break your heart again.”

  “Again? It hasn't healed, Wesley.” Anna swung her head. “Look, I have to go. I'm sorry I hurt you.” She stood and turned towards the door.

  “Anna, I'm begging you, give us a chance. Fate has found us.”

  Anna spun on her heel. “What, after one night you're saying we'll live happily ever after? You're going to love me for the rest of my life? Is that it?”

  Wesley took a step towards her, hands outstretched. “No, but if you give me the chance, I'll love you for the rest of mine.”

  A tear found Anna's cheek. She wiped it away with a flick of her wrist. “We had a great night, Wesley. Don't ruin it by trying to turn it into something it's not.” Anna turned for the door.

  “Wait,” Wesley said. He walked to the kitchen, returning with a pad of paper in hand.

  “What are you doing?” Anna asked.

  Wesley scribbled onto the paper and then tore it off before handing it to Anna. “Here. In case you change your mind and want to find me.”

  “Goodbye, Wesley,” she said before walking through the door.

  As she approached the end of the hallway, Anna crumpled the piece of paper and stuffed it into her jacket pocket.

  She ambled into the crisp morning sunshine, attempting to push away her guilt.

  Anna le
t out a sigh.

  What ever happened to no strings attached?

  Anna's phone rang. She fished it from her pocket and sucked in a breath, reading the name on her screen. 'Cornelius Cromwell.'

  “What the hell do you want?” she said, answering the call.

  “Miss Wool,” Cornelius croaked. “Right now I'm pointing a gun at Sara's head.”

  “You're lying.”

  “Am I? Here, say hello.”

  “Anna?” Sara whimpered.

  Anna swallowed hard. “Sara, are you okay? Did he hurt you?”

  “No, but sis?” Sara replied.

  “Yes, I'm here, Sara.”

  Sara sniffled. “I'm scared.”

  The phone trembled in Anna's hand as Cornelius's voice trickled into her ear. “Your move Miss Wool.”

  Anna got into her car.

  Son of a bitch, son of a bitch, she thought slapping the steering wheel with the flat of her free hand.

  Anna took in a long breath. “What do you want?”

  “I'll make a deal with you, Miss Wool, but you must make a decision. Is blood shed on the battlefield thicker than water of the womb? I'll let your family go, but here's what you need to do.”

  ◆◆◆

  Anna entered the hideout's dining room. “Atticus,” she called jogging into the kitchen.

  “Atticus.”

  “In here,” Atticus's voice came from the stairwell.

  “Anna, I have bad news. I've been through the tunnels, I searched everywhere. I can't find them. Everyone's gone, including your family.”

  Anna nodded. “Cromwell has them.”

  Atticus's jaw slacked. “My God, Anna.” He slammed his fist on the kitchen counter. “We need the people to raid that place. I hope they kill him. Damarion is the next highest ranking elected official in the chain of command. If Cornelius dies, Damarion takes over as Governor.” Atticus nodded. “Yes, Cornelius Cromwell must die.”

  Anna bit into her cheek. “I have a plan. Jax researched options on how to access the Governor's mansion when we were looking into hacking the Shepherd. There's an emergency escape route underground. They built it in case the Governor needed to be evacuated from the mansion.”

  “What's your plan?”

  “We go in, gain access, get to Cornelius and I put the bullet with his name on it where it belongs.”