by Daisy Dunn
Luke’s scent coated her, warning other werewolves she would be mated soon. He decided he would find out details about her. If any other werewolf had made love to her, he would have attacked immediately, but since it happened to have been his brother, he needed to go at this with control and logic. He loved his brother. Harming him in any way was the last thing he wanted to do. He planned to meet her, woo her, and keep her away from his brother.
Levi paced the house restlessly for hours, waiting for Luke until finally he heard the front door open. With speed and agility, he rushed to his brother’s side. His anxiousness to put his plan in motion gnawed at him relentlessly.
“Hey, Levi. What’s going on? You never meet me at the door unless something is wrong.”
“You could have been killed this afternoon.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I saw you with her in the forest.”
“What? No, you couldn’t have been there. You know I would have sensed you there.”
“But you didn’t. I stood and watched you make love to her, and you didn’t even notice my presence. I find your lack of self-preservation a problem.”
“It’s also incredibly creepy. What the hell were you watching us for?”
“You misunderstand. I stumbled across you by complete accident. When I realized you didn’t sense me standing there, I decided to stay and watch over you to make sure no one would attack you while you were tied up, shall we say.”
“This woman has me vexed. I can’t believe I didn’t know you were there. Thanks for looking out for me.”
Pangs of guilt ran through Levi’s conscience. He truly loved his brother but knew what a ladies’ man he had always been. Levi wanted this woman as his mate for life. His brother had been notorious for taking delight in women and then tossing them aside once he got bored with them. He knew his brother would understand the call of the mate, but something deep inside of him told him to keep his desire for this woman to himself. “You’re welcome. Are you going to tell me about her?”
“Yes. Her name is Ivy. She works at the magic store I told you about over the phone when you rudely cut me off. Why did you have to hurry away?”
Ivy, what a beautiful name. My Ivy. “Oh, I thought I saw something in the forest, and I wanted to keep quiet. It turned out to be nothing.” Levi felt instant regret over his comment. She was everything. He wanted to tell his brother about her and his feelings for her, but he didn’t feel ready to yet.
“Anyway, Ivy is amazing. I saw her walk into her store, and I had to follow. She’s sexier than any woman I’ve ever met, and I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’m drawn to her by some inexplicable force.”
Dammit. Levi’s heart sunk at Luke’s words. He had hoped he fancied Ivy as a toy and nothing more. He didn’t want to hear anymore, his guilt already starting to eat away at him.
“Your silence says you don’t believe me. Well, I’ll prove you wrong. She’s going to be at the town dance tomorrow night. I’m meeting her there, and hopefully, I will get to know her more. I’m dying to know everything about her, from her favorite ice cream to her favorite flower. Levi, I think she’s the one.”
Double dammit. Why does it have to be the same woman? Luke said it, and now he knew the truth. It killed him to have to compete with his brother for this woman, but he needed to. Ivy could be with no other than him. He knew he had a tough fight on his hands, not just to keep from fighting with his brother but to keep the beast contained while he fought for the love of his life.
* * * *
Ivy’s excitement built throughout the day as she prepared herself for the evening dance on her day off. She wore a red spaghetti-strap dress, which plunged in both the front and the back. The hem fell to her midthigh and clung eagerly to her curvy figure. She wore matching red sling-back stilettos, which made her shorter legs appear longer and shapelier. She usually never went without a bra due to her fullness, but tonight, she would let her breasts bounce freely. She pinned her thick hair up in a loose bun at the nape of her neck and clipped a pretty red daisy into her hair behind her right ear.
She took one last look at herself in her full-length mirror in her bedroom. She realized she might have gone overboard on the sex-kitten look, but the heat stealing in and out of her body throughout the day made the choice of outfit for her. Approving her naughty outfit, she headed to the magic shop to meet her friends and go to the dance together.
* * * *
The four women walked into the community centre a bundle of nerves. Each Elemental had their sights on finding a mate, even though they knew it wouldn’t be an easy task.
Ten minutes later, they huddled together in a corner of the dance hall, looking around the room and not talking to anyone. This is ridiculous. “We have to mingle and talk to people. It’s the only way we’re going to meet potential mates.” Ivy scanned the room, looking anxiously for Luke. She suddenly spotted him in the doorway. “He’s here. Good luck, ladies.”
Ivy never took her gaze off him as she teasingly strolled over to him. Halfway across the room, his attention finally turned to her, his smile seductive and his sexuality discernable. He didn’t move, his look insisting she come to him. He wore dark jeans and a white dress shirt, which made his eyes appear a lighter shade of brown than the day before. Her body called to his, and she swore his did the same.
She stopped in front of him and smiled alluringly. Her shyness had slipped away, her heat hitting her with full force. She reached out and took his hand, leading him to the dance floor. The music pulsed to a steady, heart-pounding rhythm, yet she took him in her arms and pressed her body tight against him, slowly, seductively. He wrapped his arms around her and swayed intimately in her embrace. She felt his arousal immediately. She tilted her head up to meet his hungry gaze. Their bodies continued to move together in perfect synchronicity, his erection rubbing against her yearning pussy. I can’t wait any longer. I have to have him now.
She remembered the washrooms by the front entrance down a quiet hallway. “Come with me.” She took his hand and led him off the dance floor.
They quickly arrived at the women’s washroom and entered. Only one toilet sat in the corner of the room, with a large counter and sink directly in front of it. Perfect, a one person washroom. She closed the door behind him and locked it. “Finally, we’re alone again. I couldn’t stop thinking about you.”
A look of guilt crossed his face. “Ivy, there’s something I should tell you.”
The heat took over her rational thought, possessing her like a feral animal. “Do you want me?”
“You know I do.”
“Your desire is all I need to know.” She stepped closer, bridging the gap between them. She reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck, running her fingers through his thick, dark hair while she manipulated her body against his.
A low, sexy growl rumbled from deep in his throat, and his hands reached around her small waist and pulled her tighter to him. She refused to hold off anymore, pulling his head down to hers while her lips sought out his. She kissed him with a fevered passion, and he matched her desire with every returned kiss. She opened her mouth, and instantly, his tongue swept inside, sparring suggestively with hers. Oh God, his kiss is absolute magic.
His hands slid from her waist down to her rounded ass. He squeezed her cheeks tight, pushing her harder and tighter against his hard cock. “I want you inside me. Now!”
He pulled away from her lips and released her ass, moving his hands to her arms and taking a step away. Ivy looked at him, waiting for his next move. He hesitated, seemingly trying to find the right words to say. She tried to move closer, but he held her firmly at arm’s length.
He looked at the ceiling for a moment, took a deep breath, and then turned his gaze back to her. “Before we go any further, I have to tell you the truth about something.”
“Oh my God, you’re married.”
“No, I’m single. I love you, Ivy. No matter what happens, pl
ease don’t ever forget that,” he blurted out nervously.
Her heart sang at his words. He felt what she felt, but he had the guts to say it first. She held him tighter, kissing his neck and throat, and feeling satiated by his mere admission. “I love you, too, Luke, and I won’t forget it.”
He pulled away from her warm embrace and looked her in the eyes. “Ivy, there’s something else I need to tell you. Something I should have told you when you came up to me on the dance floor.”
“What is it?”
He opened his mouth to speak when suddenly a loud knock came from the door, followed by a jiggle of the locked handle. “Is anyone in there?” Flame cried out.
“I’ll be a minute longer, Flame,” she called back to her friend at the door. “I guess we better go so other people can use the washroom.” She jumped off the counter and headed for the door, with the man of her dreams following close behind. He loves me.
Chapter 5
Levi loved every moment with Ivy on the dance floor and in the washroom, but he still had mixed emotions over the situation. He knew beyond a doubt she belonged to him. Destiny brought them together, but he also knew she might end up despising him for not being honest when they first met. He tried to tell her the truth, to admit he wasn’t Luke, but he didn’t try hard enough. Once she touched him, his resolve faded away, and he felt momentarily lost in her passionate kisses.
They left the washroom, smiling sheepishly and holding hands. Flame slipped past them after a quick wave and slammed the bathroom door. They slowly walked down the hallway together toward the dance hall, and Levi’s soul filled with incredible guilt. Mates didn’t lie to each other, and even though he technically didn’t lie, he still hadn’t admitted the truth either.
He stopped and wrapped her in his large embrace. “Ivy, I meant what I said in the washroom. I do love you. I know this must seem to be happing too fast, but I only know what my heart is telling me.”
“I meant what I said as well. I don’t say those words without meaning them. I love you, too. From the first moment I met you, I felt a connection beyond physical attraction. I can’t explain it right, but the pull between us is incredible.”
The time had come for him to tell her who he really was. He’d put his heart on the line, and now he faced having it stomped on. He only hoped she would understand why he’d let things go as far as they did, and forgive him. “Ivy, I really need to come clean about something.”
“You can tell me anything.” She tilted her head up and planted soft kisses on his lips.
He responded to her attention instantly. He held her tighter and kissed her passionately, knowing he might never taste her lips again.
“Ivy…Levi? What the hell is going on here?” The lovers parted and turned to the voice interrupting their intimate kiss. Luke stood before them, his hands balled into large fists. His jaw clenched tight.
Ivy looked back and forth between Luke and Levi. She stepped back from Levi, pushing against his chest to wriggle out of his embrace. She stared him directly in the eyes. “Luke, you never said you had a twin.”
“I’m not Luke,” Levi answered her honestly. “I’m his twin brother, Levi.”
“Is this some kind of sick joke?” Confusion laced with anger crossed her face.
“No, this isn’t a joke. Please, Ivy, let me explain.” Levi wanted to grab her and pull her back into his arms and tell her everything would be all right, but he knew it never would be.
“I think it’s a little too late for explanations, don’t you, Levi?” She took another step back from him. “So, which one of you did I have sex with yesterday?”
Levi cringed slightly at the fury in her tone. He wanted to lie and say she slept with him in the forest, but he had deceived her enough for a lifetime.
“You made love to me. Remember, we met in your store?” Luke stepped closer to her as she turned her angry gaze at him.
“Oh, I remember. So, is this some sort of twisted game twins play? One has their way with a woman, and the next day the other one tries to sleep with them, pretending to be the first twin?”
“You tried to sleep with her, Levi? Even after I told how I felt about her? How could you do this to me?” Luke’s expression changed from shock to fury.
“You two are sick. Don’t come near me or talk to me ever again.” Ivy stormed away, her rage palpable.
A few bystanders stood around, obviously eavesdropping, Flame being one of them. She walked up to the men and shook her finger at them. “Shame on you. If I weren’t a lady, I’d take you two outside and kick the shit out of both of you. I can’t believe you would use one of my dearest friends. She is so full of love. You took her love, made a mockery of it, and threw it back in her face.”
“You don’t understand. I’m in love with her,” Levi said, admitting his feelings to Ivy’s friend.
“I am, too,” Luke professed as well.
“Are you guys telling me the truth?”
“Yes,” they both stated simply in unison.
“I’m Levi. I don’t know who you are, but if you can help me, well, us, talk to Ivy and explain this isn’t a joke, I would forever be grateful. We both love her. We need to get her to understand we’re not playing games, and we never meant to hurt her in any way. I especially messed up by deceiving her,” Levi said, practically begging for Flame’s help.
“Please, can you help us? I feel she’s my mate, and I can’t bear to go through life without her.”
“Well, you guys are a bit on the melodramatic side, but I do sense honesty in you both. I’ll talk to her and see if she’s willing to see either one of you. I can’t promise anything, but I’ll try. Give me your phone number, and I’ll call you after I talk to her, and let you know if you can see her or not.”
* * * *
Simon Jenkins had been sent to Chemainus to scout for werewolves. The hunters had heard werewolves had spread across Vancouver Island and settled into various small towns. Simon had been working his way north from Victoria and arrived in town two nights ago. He wandered the quiet streets, looking for signs or evidence werewolves resided here. He had noticed the flyers posted up all over the shop windows about a town dance. He knew the dance would be the venue to bring out the people who loved to gossip about neighbors and friends.
He arrived at the dance and immediately wandered around, smiling and nodding at everyone who looked him in the eyes. You poor, unsuspecting saps. You have no idea who your neighbors might be.
He drank too much fruit juice and needed to go to the washroom. When he walked down the hallway to the restrooms, he came upon a sexy redheaded woman scolding two men. He didn’t think too much about it until one of them used the word “mate.” Werewolves tended to refer to their partners as “mates.” After listening to the exchange, he realized he needed to follow the redhead to this other woman, who could be useful to catch and interrogate the possible werewolves.
Protocol stated he needed to report his find, but he didn’t want to be a scout anymore. He wanted to be a hunter and longed for the respect the position came with. He would prove, not only to the hunters but also to himself, that he deserved the promotion.
He watched the sexy redhead leave the community centre and followed casually right behind her.
* * * *
Ivy took a cab home from the dance. She didn’t want to ruin her friends’ chances of meeting new people, especially men, so she left without saying a word to anyone. Since she didn’t live too far, she wanted to walk home, but her high-heel shoes rejected the idea quickly.
She stomped into her home, fuming with anger and hurt. “How could they do this to me?”
She marched into her bedroom and kicked her shoes off one at a time. She threw them across her room and flopped back onto her bed. “Don’t cry. Don’t you dare cry over those bastards.” She stared up at the ceiling, willing the tears to retreat as they threatened to spill from her eyes. “How could I have not known they were two different men? Wait a minute. Th
eir eyes were a different color.” She had noticed Levi’s eyes appeared lighter earlier in the evening, but had dismissed it quickly.
She continued to lie on her bed, hurt and alone, until she heard a knock on her door. Who the hell’s at my door? She left the gloom of her bedroom and made her way to the front door.
She saw Flame through the window in her door and immediately opened it up. “I am so glad to see you.”
Flame threw her arms around her and held her tight. Ivy felt the love and compassion her Elemental sister gave her, and allowed herself to let go of the tears she had desperately tried to hold back. Flame rocked her for a minute while the tears fell.
“Why don’t we shut this door and go talk inside?”
She pulled away and let Flame lead her to her living room. They sat down together on the microsuede, green sofa. Flame took Ivy’s face in her hands and wiped the tears away with her fingers.
“It’s going to be all right. I promise you.”
“How can you make such a statement? You don’t know what happened.”
“Yes, I do. I stood in the hallway when you were talking heatedly, shall we say, with Luke and Levi.”
“I don’t want to ever hear their names again. One of them used me, and the other one tried to.”
“Trust me, Ivy, you weren’t used.”
“How do you know that?”
“When you left, I had a chat with the boys. Ivy, they’re both in love with you. This isn’t a game they’re playing. They feel you’re their mate, and the most complicated thing is deciding who to choose.”
“Are you telling me the truth? They’re really in love with me? Both of them?”
