Fang Chronicles: Emily's Story

by D'Elen McClain

Brandt sat on the opposite side of the bed allowing them to grieve.

  Finally the tears slowed and they lay quietly. Weeks before Brandt explained that wolves needed touch and now she understood.

  The door opened and Dmitri stuck his head in. “Brandt, I need to have a word with you.”

  Brandt looked at Dmitri and reluctantly stood. Placing a soft kiss to the inside of her palm, he followed the vampire from the room.

  The three siblings fell asleep.

  When Emily opened her eyes the following morning she was alone with Mandy. Her sister was touching her with one hand and hogging the sheet. Emily quietly got out of bed and went into the bathroom. After brushing her teeth and putting on a bathrobe, the only item of clothing she could find, she left the room and walked into the living room area of the suite. No one was there so she made her way out the door and down the hallway following the voices her sensitive ears picked up. She walked into another suite and Brandt rose from the couch walking quickly toward her. Without giving her a chance to protest, he picked her up and carried her to the couch then sat down with her in his lap. She shyly looked at the others but no one seemed to think it strange so she laid still and listened. Brandt gave her a gentle squeeze and he kissed her forehead.

  “Everyone will be on their guard now and attacks will be more difficult.” Dmitri’s voice was strong and direct.

  “We had no idea the cats were organized or that they found vampires willing to take them.” The anger in Samson’s voice was palpable. His wild gaze shot around the room and looked everywhere but at Amy.

  Brandt spoke up, “The vampires are the biggest threat. Even with three we are in for a bloody war. And, we have no way of knowing if they only have three. Incorrect assumptions will get us killed. We know they had help from prides across the southern border but confirming their numbers will be almost impossible. ”

  “My bears will have more information in the next few days. I know it’s not in our nature to sit still but we need to know what we’re facing. Have you heard back from your wolves?” Dmitri looked at Brandt.

  “They checked in but don’t have new information. Marcus spoke to his military connections and we can have half our men back from their service overseas if it becomes necessary. The government wasn’t happy but the last thing they want is for the public to get wind that there is a beastkind war going on. Keeping our existence quiet is their biggest concern.” Brandt’s hand held Emily’s head to his chest and he softly kissed her hair.

  A sleepy eyed Mandy entered the room and the meeting broke up. Brandt kept Emily in his arms and began walking back to their suite.

  “I can walk.”

  “I realize that but I’ve been away from you for the past few hours and I need to hold you. Be quiet.”

  Mandy giggled; a sound they both appreciated.

  When they entered their own rooms, Brand turned to Mandy. “Go find your brother and tell him that food is on its way and if he wants any he had better hurry or Emily will eat it all.”

  “That wasn’t nice.”

  “If you don’t want to share I won’t give them any.”

  “That’s going a little too far, don’t you think?” She couldn’t help her grin.

  “Okay, I’ll let your sister eat but I doubt Caleb has gone very long without food.”

  Caleb was shoving a piece of pizza into his mouth when he walked in behind Mandy. Brandt only raised his eyebrows as he sat on the couch with Emily.

  “What are we having for lunch?” said Caleb after he swallowed his last bite.

  Emily laughed full out this time.

  Mandy sat on the couch with Brandt and Emily. She took Emily’s hand in hers and held tight. Emily knew they were the same age but Mandy had a sheltered upbringing and had felt safe her entire life. This was the first time she was truly scared and she needed comfort.

  They ate spaghetti and Brandt’s fork lightly stabbed Caleb’s hand when it reached for the last of the bread.

  “Ouch, what did I do?”

  “My mate is eating the last piece of bread and it is not up for discussion.”

  Emily took the bread and split it in half. She disregarded the sour look on Brandt’s face and offered a piece to her brother. He didn’t look at Brandt, just shook his head no, and then smiled and grabbed Mandy’s hand. “The bears are playing poker. I need you for a distraction so I can win some of my money back.

  “Only because they’re good looking and I need some eye candy right now,” was Mandy’s reply. The two bickered on their way out of the suite causing both Brandt and Emily to smile.

  Brandt stood up, ignoring Emily’s protest and carried her to their bedroom locking the door behind them. He lowered her legs slowly to the floor and then untied the sash on her bathrobe opening the sides and slipping the material past her shoulders. It slid to the floor at her feet.

  Her hands went to the bottom of his shirt and began pulling upward.

  He stopped her and he stepped back slightly removing his clothing himself. His hands moved up to her cheeks and he lightly placed his lips on hers kissing her with incredible tenderness.

  Emily needed her mate but gentleness was not what she wanted.

  Chapter 27

  His broad shoulders tightened as Brandt picked her up and gently lay her on the bed. Ignoring her hot gaze, he ran his fingers through her silky straight hair and fanned it out across the sheets. He then stroked down the soft curves of her beautiful face and neck before gliding over her breasts. Dark eyes followed the path of his hands and reveled in the sight and feel of her body. Feather light touch, traveling down the softest thighs on earth, past her calves, and lower to her feet where his teeth nipped the sensitive pad of her toe before giving a soft lick.

  Dreamy sighs escaped her lips while she fought against her body’s need to move.

  The touch of his lips slowed, revisiting every inch of her skin to relearn the taste and scent of her. Gentle bites and moist lips followed his hands, setting off tiny arcs of energy. His exploration slowly continued.

  “Brandt, please.” Urgent almost begging; her voice quavered with need.

  He glanced up, eyes now completely black met passion filled blue, and he released a groan from deep in his throat. “I am kissing and worshiping every inch of your body. Lie back and let me love you.”

  Emily had never heard such desperation in her mate’s tone. Biting her bottom lip did little to keep her anxious sigh from escaping. Closing her eyes she tried to withstand his sensual torture. His mouth moved ever so slowly up and across her sensitive breasts. Finally, her searching fingers were able to grasp his erection and apply pulsing pressure along the thick pliant length.

  Again his grip was uncompromising when he pulled her hand away giving a low growl of displeasure.

  This time, her growl showed annoyance and matched his. She needed him buried deep inside her. She growled again.

  It was her wolf that noticed the change in his scent. What she thought was gentleness and then desperation was Brandt holding tight to his beast. His restraint was at an end and she felt his raw energy charge through the room.

  Ice cold rage, barely held in check, edged his words through tightly clenched teeth. His eyes drilled into hers, “I’ve seen the video. I watched you die. Even knowing you live, your death has imprinted on my mind. This, right now, is for my wolf. He needs to soak your essence into his soul and know you live. I will give you what you want when his needs are met.” He breathed in deeply exhaling more aggression. “You will let my wolf do this.” Pure male alpha power detonated with his words.

  Emily knew she would die. Every nerve ending begged for release but she didn’t fight, her wolf acknowledged her mate’s need. By the time Brandt’s lips reached her brow, her moans were loud and desperate. She inhaled sharply, trying to steady herself. Lifting her arms, she clenched her fingers painfully into his biceps. Past the point of need, alpha she-wolf was taking over.

  Without warning, as if she had no hold on him a
t all, Brandt flipped her to her stomach, his weight pressing into her back.

  She instantly began to struggle.

  “No, I am not finished.” The small amount of control he maintained was ready to snap.

  She squeezed her eyes tightly closed feeling the sensual torment scorch through her body.

  Brandt struggled with his beast. Breathing in her scent was not helping, and his wolf strained within the man. Finally the path of his mouth, teeth nipping and lips kissing, ended at her calves.

  He straightened. Grabbing her legs, he thrust her thighs apart. One hand pressed into her lower back to hold her still. With his other, two fingers touched her moist entrance and then without warning plunged into her heat.

  She exploded upward but he applied pressure to her middle back pushing her body into the soft bedding.

  His fingers moved. Slowly.

  In and out, the sweet torture continued and her hands grabbed fistfuls of cotton sheet. Her need centered on his fingers, her desire unbearable. With no warning, sharp burning fangs entered her neck at the juncture of her shoulder. She screamed and her body bucked uncontrollably. Strong hands lifted and flipped her over.

  At last, past the point where she had any control, he thrust forward burying himself deep. Her fingernails dug into his back not caring about the damage. Her body throbbed, desire building, every nerve, every inch of her body, needing release as the heat traveled, centering between her thighs. Blood covered lips found hers and her shattering release screamed past his mouth.

  His fingers painfully grabbed her hair at the base of her neck and pulled her head sharply back, his eyes savage. Words, agony to get past his elongated fangs, growled from deep in his throat. “You will never leave me.”

  She would never leave. Her world centered on him. He was the water that quenched her thirst, the air that filled her lungs.

  Unrestrained, his body moved fast and her inner muscles tightened around his erection in wave after wave of pleasure. She screamed again as her sex continued to pulsate.

  His mouth came down hard on hers and finally his hot release exploded into her body. His growl ignited from deep in his throat. His seed found home.

  Their harsh gasps slowed, becoming even. He gathered her hair into his hand and pulled her head back gently for another soul-shattering kiss.

  When he finally released her she looked into his eyes and watched them return to their natural deeper shade of brown. “You never lost me, I could think of nothing but you.”

  He tightened his hold inhaling her scent while letting his strained muscles ease.

  She knew something more was wrong. She continued to smell his uncertainty. The damage caused by the cats had faded and the bullets had not killed her. Her thoughts were troubled but exhaustion took over and she drifted off to sleep.

  ***

  Another day of waiting, Emily felt stronger, almost back to normal. She longed for home. They were all bored so her sister and brother taught her to play poker with a couple of grumpy werebears.

  Caleb made introductions, “This is Honey, and he enjoys taking my money by the handful. Korep,” He nodded at the other bear, “Gives me a chance every so often but I think they both have a sixth sense when it comes to cards.” There was no animosity in Caleb’s voice and it was obvious they had all become friends.

  Emily’s curiosity over the bears was difficult to hide and she took sideways glances while they played. Honey was huge and if she had to guess he was at least six foot six. Nothing about him was sweet and it was hard not to laugh when thinking about his name. His shirt appeared painted on his torso, every inch of corded muscle clearly defined. His hands were the size of sledge hammers but they held cards like delicate crystal. Brown hair kept out of his way in a ponytail fell several inches down his back. The most surprising thing about him was his lips. Belying his strength, they looked soft almost plush and had an unwavering pout.

  Emily looked back and forth between her sister and this goliath. Mandy almost drooled while tension sizzled. They needed to get her home, quickly.

  The other bear was slightly smaller, though alone no one would dare call him small. His brown eyes were direct, almost cold but he grinned more often than Honey. He also cast glances between his friend and Mandy. Their reaction to one another seemed to bother him the same way it did Emily. Not good.

  The cards helped pass the time and also kept her mind off Brandt. Her body continued to tingle from his lovemaking the day before though the intensity of it worried her. She tried to imagine what she would feel if it was him in the video. Her wolf helped to shield the pain but if she watched Brandt beaten and shot, she didn’t think she would be thinking of a slight pain adjustment.

  In the afternoon Brandt walked in and asked her to accompany him to another meeting.

  He lifted his hands in defeat when he bent slightly thinking to pick her up and she growled. They walked into Dmitri’s suite and sat side by side on one of the couches though Brandt made sure they were touching.

  He started the discussion, “I received word from my wolves that the cats crossed the border into South America. There has been no word on Nicolas’ body but a full out search is impossible at the moment.” Brandt placed his hand on Emily’s thigh and squeezed slightly before continuing, “Zenya disappeared from Marcus’ ranch last night. The babies are safe but we’re sure now that she was supplying information to the cats.”

  Emily stood instantly dislodging Brandt’s hand. “That is not true. She wouldn’t do it.” Her voice was angry and her belief in her friend absolute.

  Dmitri spoke up his voice tight. “You knew her a short time. The bottom line is that she’s a cat and her first loyalty will always lie with her own kind. Marcus made a mistake when he took her in and we all paid for it.”

  Emily’s eyes shot fire staring with deadly intent at the vampire. “What have you lost? Are any of your bears dead? You just said cats stick with cats, if that’s true then why do you care? Marcus and Amy protected their young and gave them a nursemaid. She may be a cat but she loves Amy and those children. She would have risked her life to save them.” Refusing to back down or lower her eyes she didn’t flinch when Dmitri’s went amber.

  “Brandt, control your mate.” His fangs flashed and his gaze never left Emily’s.

  Brandt’s tone remained even, “My mate is alpha. I cannot change her thoughts and she will speak her mind like we all do. However, we are uneasy and stressed; fighting one another will get us nowhere.” He looked at Emily. “Dmitri is not your enemy.”

  She took a deep breath and slowly sat down while gaining control of her anger. She knew Zenya had not betrayed them but this was not the time and they needed the vampire. Her eyes again met his. “I offer apology. I owe you for saving my life. I have few friends and one is now dead. I only wish to protect them.”

  His ire cooled and his eyes slowly reverted to their previous color. Sorrow reflected in his voice, “Maggie and I had a relationship many years ago and I cared deeply for her. I will avenge her death or die trying. We are all on edge and it is I who should ask your pardon. I have never met a female alpha and sometimes forget that it’s ingrained to hold eye contact. It would also help if you were not so beautiful.” He quirked the side of his mouth making him even sexier and he knew it.

  Emily blushed.

  Brandt looked at the vampire, his gaze darkening. “Mine.”

  Dmitri laughed. “Yes, you have made that perfectly clear with your possessive scent.” He then winked at Emily.

  The tension dissipated and Samson spoke for the first time. His voice remained tight though he managed to sound unaffected by the vampire’s statements in regards to Maggie. “When are we returning home?” His clouded eyes went to Brandt but stayed even with his alpha’s chest.

  “It could be a few days. I have something private that I must handle first. It does not involve the wolves or bears.” His voice left no room for discussion. It was also obvious he remained unhappy with Samson and h
is anger overrode his second’s obvious devastation.

  Sam tipped his head down further in acquiescence.

  Emily looked back and forth between the two. She could feel the grief surrounding Samson. She turned fully to Brandt, she had no idea what her mate had to do that was more important than going home, but she would not question him while they were with the others.

  They discussed a few additional issues and then the meeting broke up.

  Emily and Brandt walked back to their suite. He led her straight into their bedroom and again locked the door.

  She didn’t know who was in control, he or his wolf, but the assault of his hands, mouth, and teeth bordered on desperate. He didn’t seem to mind the bloody scratches left on his skin.

  They lay without talking until their breathing slowed and she whispered huskily, “Please, talk to me? I know something is wrong.”

  “You are mine.”

  “That doesn’t answer my question. There is something you are not telling me.”

  Without a word, Brandt got out of bed, walked into the bathroom, and closed the door behind him.

  She heard the shower turn on and she groaned in angry frustration. The damn man could stew for a while by himself. Mandy promised to help her with reading and she needed to get her mind off her exasperating mate.

  That night they slept together but for the first time they didn’t make love. He was gone when she awoke. Letting out an irritated growl, she put clothes on without brushing her teeth or hair and went in search of her stubborn wolf.

  He was in the poker suite talking to Caleb and Mandy. Complete silence descended when she entered. Her siblings looked at her and then nervously glanced away.

  “What’s going on?”

  Brandt didn’t give them a chance to speak. “We have company coming in an hour, "His voice distant. “You should probably shower and dress accordingly.”

  “Who?”

  “We’ll talk about it later.” He left the room, casting a stern look at Mandy and Caleb.

  Emily regarded her siblings. Neither would meet her gaze which made her angrier. Storming out of the room, she headed to the shower and childishly slammed every door behind her. She prepared herself for company but stayed in her room when ready. She knew it was best if she didn’t see her mate before the mysterious person arrived.