The Shadow Wolf

by Bonnie Vanak

  “How long has he lived here?”

  “A few years. He does repairs and keeps an eye on my apartment when I’m gone. In return, I give him reduced rent.”

  At her inquiring look, he added, “I own the building.”

  “I see. And you rent out to vampires?”

  “Vampires, Draicon, even a Fae. Stephan was tossed out of his clan two decades ago for some minor infraction. Sienna, the Fae who has the apartment in the back courtyard, is a runaway. I gave her a job and a place to stay. Sienna keeps the green plants and the gardens in the courtyard.”

  “Everyone in this building is a paranormal you took in because you felt kinship to them, isn’t that right, Gabriel?”

  “Yeah. We’re all misfits. But I’m the only real monster.”

  Megan cringed as her own words were thrown back at her.

  “I’m sorry, Gabriel. I wish I could take it back. I’d do anything to take it back.”

  A sparrow landed on the railing, cheeped. Gabriel went inside, returned with a plate filled with crumbs. Soon several sparrows began feeding.

  “You call yourself a monster and you feed sparrows. Monsters don’t play the fiddle or have friendly conversations with their vampire neighbors, either.”

  “Whenever I shift into a Trans-Feral, it always drains me and I strive to find my human side. It’s why I came back here.” He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “My family, I always avoid them afterward. I can’t stand the way they look at me after I turn Trans-Feral.”

  The way you looked at me.

  Megan swallowed past a thick lump in her throat. “Fine. We can live here, then. I’ll find a job at one of those little shops. I don’t have sales experience, but I’m a hard worker and…”

  Realizing he wasn’t responding, she fell silent. Megan traced a single bead of condensation on her beer as it slid downward. She had no idea how to get him back. Or if she ever could.

  A group of people below waved. Maybe she could jerk him out of his inertia. Setting down her bottle, Megan stood up. After grabbing the beads on the balcony, she swung them around her head.

  “What are you doing?” Suspicion threaded through his deep drawl.

  “Throwing down beads. It’s tradition, right?”

  The group hooted, hands stretched out for the treat. Megan ran them teasingly between her breasts. She stripped off the conservative white blouse. Below it she wore only the lacy white bra he’d enjoyed unhooking in the dressing room.

  “What the hell are you doing?” he demanded.

  She aimed him an innocent look. “Isn’t this what you do when you throw beads?”

  As her fingers reached behind her bra, a deep growl came from his chest. Gabriel bolted off the couch, spilling his beer. He threw the beads down and lifted her into his arms.

  “No one sees you naked but me.”

  “Where are you taking me?”

  “Into my bed.”

  Hoots and hollers of approval sounded below. Gabriel shut the door with a powerful kick and laid her on the bed. Skin stretched tightly over the bone structure of his face, he looked wild and Feral.

  “Is this what you want, Megan? Have a wild beast ravage you? Because that’s all I am, a monster.”

  Without fear and in total trust, she looked up into his swirling amber eyes. “You’re no monster, Gabriel Robichaux. You promised you would never hurt me and I trust you.”

  With a wary look, he watched as she undressed. Savage hunger flared in his gaze as she lay naked on the bed.

  Her heart pounded in fear, not of him, but of their bond. She’d badly damaged his faith and trust in her. Could he accept her again?

  A vein throbbed in his temple as he removed his clothing and joined her. He looked wild, sexy. Amber fully took over his eyes.

  Splaying his fingers across the back of her head, he took her mouth. Hard, demanding. When they pulled apart, she put a finger to her kiss-swollen mouth. Blond curls tousled, she felt wild and primitive.

  Gabriel put a possessive hand on her breast, flicking the taut nipple. A lick of tension, the air shimmered with danger. Acid sexual need. A cry for something more, deeper.

  This was the first step, she promised herself. Sitting up, she slid her arms about his chest.

  “I can take whatever you want to give me,” she told him.

  Intent glittered in his Feral gaze. “Be careful what you ask for, chère,” he said softly. “Because I will give it.”

  “A threat?” Megan traced his lips.

  He took her fingers, lightly bit one. “A promise. And when you come, you’ll come hard, my name on your lips. Nothing but the feel of me inside you, my body knowing yours, the pleasure I alone can give you.”

  Sultry and sexy, his mate slid her arms around his neck. Muscles went taut as she kissed and licked his collarbone.

  Trust shone in her blue eyes. Not fear.

  Passion pushed him over the edge. All he could scent was her musky arousal. His body tightened as she took hold of his stone-hard erection.

  Her inexperienced hand stroked him with some hesitancy, then emboldened, she explored. Megan ran her fingers around the head, touching the moisture weeping from his cock. When she brought her wet finger to her mouth, he lost it. Gabriel dove for her.

  She rolled away. Playful. Teasing. Want arced the air between them. Megan leaped off the bed, wriggled her hips at him. He gave a low growl.

  “A chase? Very well, ma petite.”

  It didn’t last long. He caught her around the bed’s opposite side, threw her down. So hard he hurt, he trapped her with his body. Gabriel gazed down at her face.

  It was soft with emotion.

  Something in his chest batted aside the Feral beast. Wonder. Deep affection. Despite the hurtful words she’d hurled at him, he ached at the thought of losing her.

  He was falling in love.

  The thought choked him.

  Risk his heart? Not again. Never. Gabriel barricaded his thoughts. Instead, he let the hunger consume him.

  The space between her legs grew moist for him. Raw heat fired by the intensity of his need kicked up further. Sensitized, Megan quivered for his touch as he reached for her.

  A slow, taunting smile. A lick of his skilled tongue across one breast. A promise of fire.

  His teeth on her skin, lightly. Her fingernails on his chest, hard.

  He was pure power, his belly flat with defined muscle as she palmed his torso.

  “My wolf,” she whispered.

  An answering growl. Her nipples painfully erect, she pressed against him. He bent and took her breast into his mouth. Erotic heat shot through her, each flame sizzling higher. He released her breast, kissed his way down her body. Fingers tunneled through her damp curls, he sought her heat.

  And turned it higher. He teased. Tormented. Pushed her until she shattered with a single cry of his name. Just as he’d promised.

  Then he slid between her legs and inside her body in a powerful thrust. They strained against each other. Gabriel growled. She moaned.

  It was raw and wild and earthy. Her own wolf howled in response as climax danced out of reach.

  Then he angled his thrusts and the heat burst into an inferno. Megan screamed his name again, as he shuddered against her.

  Filling her with his seed, his passion.

  His potent Feral magick.

  Chapter 21

  The sex had been wonderful, rough and passionate, Megan thought.

  But they hadn’t made love. It was only sex, like he’d had with dozens of anonymous women. Gabriel’s mask was permanently back in place.

  Deeply troubled, Megan dozed off. A shrill ring woke her up. Gabriel rolled over, snagged the phone.

  “Yeah?” His voice was deep, sleepy and sexy. He sat up, scrubbed the dark bristles on his angular jaw. “Ah, damn, forgot. Okay, we’ll be there.”

  When he hung up, he sat on the bed’s edge, his long legs dangling off the side. “That was Raphael. My family is throwi
ng a party tonight at the Blazin Cajun to celebrate the anniversary of the first restaurant opening. Rafe is bringing over your suitcase with all your clothes. We have to be there in an hour. I’ll take a shower first.”

  The bathroom door slammed behind him. Megan put on her clothing, dread pooling in her stomach. Time to meet the parents. Would they accept her?

  Or look with silent condemnation in their eyes as his brothers had?

  When the doorbell rang, she answered it. Dressed in black leather, Raphael walked inside with her backpack and a plastic garment bag. He set both items down carefully.

  “My mate, Em, saw the dress and figured you’d want to wear it tonight, so she had it pressed.” He shoved his hands into his pockets and studied her.

  Raphael, the Immortal. Megan swallowed past her anxiety and lifted her chin. She stuck out a palm. “We haven’t been properly introduced. I’m Megan, Gabriel’s mate. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

  He took her palm and turned it over, staring at the crescent birthmark. Raphael released her hand, his expression shuttered. “Pleased to meet you, Megan. A word of warning. I’d cover up that mark if I were you and curb your powers.”

  “I’m used to it.”

  Raphael nodded. “Good. Keep it covered at all times. Even tomorrow at the family picnic.”

  Her mouth trembled. “Among your family?”

  The even look he gave her filled her with dismay. “My parents don’t like Shadows.”

  The Shadow mark burned as if lit by fire. Heat warmed her cheeks. More discrimination, even among his own family?

  The Kallan’s look softened. “Don’t worry, Megan. Gabriel will take good care of you. You’ll be good for him.”

  But as he left, she said softly, “I thought so, too, but now I wonder.”

  Crowds packed Gabriel’s Blazin Cajun restaurant. The turquoise dress made her feel pretty and feminine. Megan touched the covered birthmark, wishing she didn’t have to disguise herself.

  Gabriel had introduced her around with possessive pride, making her hopeful the rift between them could mend. His parents, Remy and Celine, were so charming and friendly, she wondered how they could have treated Gabriel like a misfit.

  Absently she rubbed at her right hand, feeling it itch. Remy came over with a smile, handing her another beer.

  “It’s crazy, my son’s business, everyone wants to congratulate him. He’s done good.” Warmth filled his gaze. “I’m so glad he found you, Megan. Gabriel has needed a mate for a long time now. You will keep him steady.”

  She liked his father and made easy talk with him as Remy chatted about the restaurant and his family. His pride in Gabriel was obvious. Yet she wondered how he would have reacted at the cemetery, seeing Gabriel’s Feral side emerge.

  Megan scratched her hand again. Remy’s gaze fell downward.

  His smile vanished as he saw the exposed silver crescent moon. Gabriel’s father set down his beer. “Please tell me that’s a bad joke of a tattoo.”

  Something inside her snapped. “It’s not.”

  Spotting his wife, Remy nodded. “Come with me, Megan.”

  She didn’t want to, but his firm grip on her elbow left her no choice. Gabriel’s father escorted her to a small, private office. Papers were stacked neatly on a crowded desktop beside a sophisticated computer system. She breathed in the reassuring stamp of Gabriel’s scent. Celine joined them and closed the door.

  “This office is soundproof. We can talk freely,” Remy said.

  He picked up Megan’s right hand and showed it to Celine, who gasped with dismay.

  “Another Shadow.” The disgust was evident in Remy’s face and tone. “You must leave, now, before anyone sees you and thinks we’re harboring a fugitive.”

  Gone was the friendly Draicon who had greeted her with warmth. Megan lifted her chin. “It’s okay.”

  She explained about Tristan giving her full immunity, along with the twins. Celine and Remy exchanged worried glances.

  “Those little girls, Alex’s miracles? They are Shadow, as well?” Celine looked upset.

  Remy slid an arm around his mate’s slender waist. “Don’t fret, chère. We’ll teach them just as we did Amelia. No one will know they’re different.”

  Because different is bad, Megan realized, seeing his expression.

  Celine’s full mouth twitched. “You must understand, Megan, you can’t be seen here. It will hurt Gabriel’s business he’s worked so hard to build up. It’s best if you avoid public contact, as well. We can’t risk anyone seeing what you are, immunity or not. Shadows are not like us.”

  Her mouth dropped. “Are you saying…”

  “It’s best if you leave now. Tomorrow, at our house, it will be safe to show this.” Celine looked upset. “I’m sorry, chère, but it’s too dangerous to be a Shadow here.”

  She understood, and yet felt the familiar resentment. Was this what Simone had faced, living with Alex? Always hiding, always told never to fully be herself? It didn’t matter if she’d gotten rid of the hated purple tunic that marked her as an outcast. Or if she hid her birthmark.

  They’d treat her just the same.

  Remy escorted her out of the office. Megan plastered a wide smile on her face to hide her anger.

  And the shame she could not avoid.

  She found Gabriel sitting at a table, surrounded by admirers. He looked relaxed and happy. Telling him what had transpired would upset him. This was his night. Megan beckoned him and he left his seat.

  “I’m leaving,” she told Gabriel.

  He searched her face. “You’re upset. What happened?”

  Megan steeled herself and hated the lie forming on her lips. “I’m tired, that’s all. It’s been a very draining day.”

  Gabriel glanced around. “I’ll take you home.”

  But someone called his name and he hedged. Megan saw people clamoring for his attention and knew how important this night was to him. It was his “normal” half, the human contact he needed. “Let one of your brothers take me home. It’s okay, Gabriel. Stay. You need this.”

  Worry flashed in his eyes. “I don’t like the idea…”

  “I insist.”

  He bent down and kissed her cheek. “I’ll be home shortly.”

  But as Damian walked her to the door and the crowd pressed around Gabriel once more, she suspected he would not be home soon.

  Because here, in his restaurant, he could act as normal as his family pleased.

  She wanted to scream her outrage for both of them.

  Megan paced the balcony. A chill skated down her spine, despite the tide of warm, humid air drifting from the street below. Nearly 2:00 a.m. and he wasn’t home yet.

  Then she heard a familiar, deep voice singing a Cajun tune. Megan saw Gabriel coming down the street.

  His arm was around the waist of a young, pretty blonde wearing a very short pink dress. The blonde was giggling and curled tight next to him.

  A greeting died in her throat. She heard the downstairs door slam. Minutes later, the door to his apartment opened. She sensed him at the doorway of the balcony.

  “Why aren’t you in bed, asleep?”

  “I couldn’t sleep, not without you. I was worried about you. Guess that was stupid of me, seeing you have company to keep you occupied.”

  He came outside. “That was Sienna. She’s the Fae who lives downstairs.”

  “I see.”

  “Megan, I was taking Sienna home because it was too dangerous for her to walk alone. There are demons out.” His voice was gentle.

  Jealousy bit her like stinging gnats. “And you had to personally escort her home?”

  “She’s my employee and a little drunk.”

  “Fae get drunk? On what, nectar?”

  “Champagne. She’s allergic. My bad. I thought I’d hidden it away, but she found it. Sienna loves the stuff.”

  His sudden grin melted her. Megan rubbed her tired eyes and gave him an apologetic look. “I didn’t mean to sound shrew
ish. It’s just that you and me, I want things like they were before what happened in the cemetery….”

  How could she explain to him that she only wanted to mend the break between them? Gabriel’s grin faded. “It’s late and you need sleep.”

  Suddenly her nostrils flared. “Do you smell that?”

  Gabriel went preternaturally still. “Demon.” He bolted for the railing, inhaled the air. “It’s gone.”

  “I don’t understand. I never was able to scent them before. I’ve smelled that on the island. That was a demon?”

  “Just like the one that possessed Jay.” Gabriel shoved a hand through his hair. “Let’s get inside.”

  But in bed, he fell immediately asleep after giving her a small peck on the cheek good-night. Megan curled into a ball on her side in misery, wondering if she could ever make up for the cruel words said to him.

  Or if he’d ever forgive her.

  Gabriel’s reticence continued through the morning. Conversation was stilted over chicory coffee and beignets. Only after she dressed in freshly pressed trousers and a dark red crew-necked shirt for his parent’s barbecue did he look directly at her.

  “You look so lovely,” he said in a husky voice. “But you always do.”

  Breath caught in her throat as he pulled on fingerless leather gloves. In a tight black T-shirt, faded jeans and a black leather jacket, he looked sexy as hell. And dangerous. Gabriel pushed a hand through his long, dark hair and slid on sunglasses. He handed her a helmet.

  “Let’s go. We’re taking my bike.”

  In the courtyard, the woman Gabriel walked home last night leaned against the brick archway. Yellowed light reflected off the silver glitter in her now auburn hair. She wore a baggy blue T-shirt and sleep shorts. A silver and copper bracelet with a snake’s head adorned her left wrist.

  Her face was a delicate blue, contrasting with her large gray eyes. Megan tried not to stare.

  The woman hiccupped. She gave Megan an apologetic smile. “Hi, Megan. I’m Sienna. Thank you for letting Gabe escort me home last night. I was scared to walk alone, and I was drunk. I must look pretty green to you.”