Projected Pleasure

by Projected Pleasure (lit)

  “I didn’t say we were sisters. Sharing the same bloodline doesn’t mean that, exactly. It simply means we share the same original maker, but yours is so pure, I would think he bit you himself. How long have you been a wolf? It’s taken me my whole life to build up this much strength.”

  Josephine wrinkled her nose. “And what’s up with your scent? It doesn’t make sense to me.”

  The guys were staring at Josephine just as shocked as Marley was. How they had even gotten out here, she hadn’t noticed. Momentarily speechless, she tried to think of which question to answer.

  “Not long, only a few days. Who is the ‘he’ you’re referring to?”

  “Only a few days!” Josephine looked toward the guys. They shook their heads, telling her Marley spoke the truth. She looked back at Marley. “Shit, I don’t know who ‘he’ is. Demon or Jordan never mentioned his name. He’s a god, an ancient wolf. Supposedly, he was a great, great, great, distant relative or something of ours. Like I said, they were so secretive around me. They never told me anything.”

  “You said your other brother Demon left when Jordan did. Do you think he’s responsible for the recent attacks on our pack?” Marley asked hesitantly.

  Josephine looked down. “I’m not sure. Demon was always the bad one. He continually made Jordan do things he didn’t want to do. If my twin was in this rival pack you speak of, then, yes, I believe Demon is behind it.

  “But I’m not sure Demon will be their Alpha. He didn’t have it in him. That’s why Jordan was always getting pulled into his schemes. He was the more powerful of the two. Demon might be stronger now. They were both still young when they left me with my aunt. It’s been over four years since I’ve seen either one of my brothers”

  “For what it’s worth, I’m really sorry about Jordan. I don’t think he was all bad. I wish I could tell you why he happened to do the things he did,” Marley said quietly. Just talking about Jordan was making her extremely uncomfortable, but she wanted to put Josephine at ease. She knew it had to be painful for her to have lost her twin, and Marley might not like Jordan, but she was gaining a whole new respect for the twit. The girl could definitely deliver a punch.

  Chapter 18

  Cole couldn’t believe the information about Josie. And the fight was even worse. His instincts pulled at him to defend Marley, even though she didn’t need it. He and Zachary couldn’t help but gape in utter disbelief at the strength and quickness she had displayed. If this was just the beginning for her, how powerful would she become? The thought struck him with fear.

  Once someone in a surrounding pack heard of her power, would they come to test it? Zachary was once considered a prodigy, and plenty of times other packs wanted to dominate them just for boasting rights, but with Marley would it be the same? He didn’t like the feeling that twisted in his stomach.

  Werewolves were all about proving themselves. It was almost certain some cocky new alpha would want to come to test the theory. Could he or Zachary sit around and let them challenge her? No. A war would ensue for sure.

  Cole shook his head, trying to block the majority of his thoughts from Marley. She seemed occupied with Josie on the computer so hopefully she wasn’t paying attention. The last thing he wanted to do was worry her. But he did need to talk to Zach.

  He looked over in his best friend’s direction and smiled. Demetri stared intently into Zachary’s face while it seemed his alpha carried on a conversation with the nonverbal child. Cooing sounds came from the baby as he swung his fists around in the air, obviously in a very happy mood.

  It suddenly dawned on Cole how different his friend had ultimately become in the months he wasn’t here. Zachary used to be so focused and serious all the time. Now he was smiling and talking gibberish to a baby that probably didn’t know what in the hell its father ranted on about. The transformation made him smile.

  So this was the family love his mother always talked to him about. She always said when he found his mate and they started their own family he wouldn’t be so crazy anymore. Now that he thought about it, since he met Marley, he hadn’t done anything he would usually be doing.

  He couldn’t even remember the last time he went out to a bar and tried to meet someone. The need no longer felt necessary. But as for family and kids, he’d probably never know the feeling. Surprisingly, if he had Marley it didn’t matter so much.

  “Outside, you say. Well, if you insist then I won’t deny you. You know, I can’t deny your mother anything, either. What have you both done to me?” Zachary asked Demetri, laughing.

  Cole saw his opportunity and took it. “I’ll walk out there with you. I need some fresh air anyway.”

  Marley looked up from the computer long enough to smile at all three of them and then went back to pointing at clothes and talking with Josie.

  Cole followed Zachary out into the hallway and into the brightly lit living area. When they approached the back doors, his alpha stopped and looked directly at him. Zachary’s gaze pierced his very soul. There was no more babbling father. It was pure business.

  “Shut off your thoughts.” Zachary waited a few seconds and then proceeded. “Marley may not have been listening to you. But I did catch pieces of what ran through her head. You’re worried about her strength.”

  Cole let out a sigh and opened the door. They walked into the garden area, coming to a stop under the large gazebo. “Yes, I think she’ll be challenged in the future. Maybe not too soon since we’ll try to keep her a secret, but eventually people will know. You, of all people, should remember how it is to be a prodigy. Arrogant jackasses think they have something to prove if they beat the strongest.”

  “Yes, I’ve worried about it myself. But Marley’s not to know. She has so many things she’s already worried about.”

  “Agreed. We keep it to ourselves. So, what about Josie? That news came as a shocker, wouldn’t you say?”

  Zachary rolled his eyes and adjusted Demetri in his arms. “Yeah. I sure as hell wasn’t expecting it. How Marley could sense it is beyond me. Cole, I’m almost afraid to admit that I have no idea what exactly my wife is. She’s wolf, but she grows claws in half form. I can’t do half form, and no one else I’ve ever met can, either. Maybe wolves that were purer of blood could, but that would have been hundreds of years ago. I don’t know what to do.”

  Cole took a deep breath and shook his head. “I don’t know what to do, either. You’re the strongest wolf I know. Shit, that anyone knows. Is there a call you can make to get some answers?”

  “I’m afraid the man that held the answers in long in the ground. My father would have known more of our history, but he never shared it with me, and he sure as hell didn’t write it down anywhere. Of course, I did send off the tickets for Marley’s parents. They have to be the source, or at least know of it.”

  “Yes, you may be right. But how are you going to ask them? What if they’re human and have no idea she held lycanthropy? It’s not a question you can come right out and ask.”

  “You’re right. Josie holds somewhat of the same strand, but it’s disappointing she doesn’t know anything about her history. Wait…I know what we need to do.”

  Cole looked at Zachary confused. “Well, tell me.”

  A smile broke across his face as his blue-green eyes began to sparkle with excitement. “Since we might have killed one of the only ones who knows anything, we find Demon. If anyone is definitely going to have information, it’ll be him. There are just some things I don’t understand.”

  “Like what?” Cole couldn’t seem to keep up. Marley’s thoughts about clothing kept pushing into his head. He was not interested at the moment. He wanted to know how to help her. Not fill her store full of new merchandise. Quickly, he shut off his thoughts as best as he could.

  “When Marley was attacked, why didn’t they take her or kill her. She was curled into a ball. She was the easiest target, yet this red wolf didn’t even try. And what about the apparition? Cole, we both know Jordan was the only one
who projected that way. Do you think it’s possible he taught his brother before he died?”

  Cole shook his head, thinking. “How, when he was on the road with us for a year? We always stayed together. Even if he did disappear for a few minutes it wouldn’t have been long enough for him to give a lesson on projection, even if he did do it over the phone. I don’t know what is going on with the see-through figure. I wish I knew.”

  * * * *

  Marley could feel the tension rolling through her body, tightening her muscles. Josephine and she may have been temporarily on good terms, but a part of her still couldn’t get over the fact that she was Jordan’s twin. Gluing her eyes to the computer so she didn’t have to look at the girl caused the throbbing in her head to worsen. She needed a break, something to take her mind off of the past.

  “Why don’t we go for a walk? I think I need some fresh air.”

  “Would you mind if I got some clothes from you and took a shower? I really need to just clear my head. I’m sorry, Marley, but this thing with my brothers is really eating at me. It’s just really hard for me to understand.”

  “I don’t mind, really. Why don’t you follow me and I’ll get you some clothes.”

  Marley stood and led the girl into her and Zachary’s room. Josephine, head down, followed her to the closet quietly. The confusion whether she should say something tugged at her conscience. Should she be comforting the possible enemy? Would Josie turn on them all if she was put in a situation that made her choose?

  “You wouldn’t happen to have an old pair of sweats, would you? I really don’t feel like dressing up right now.”

  “My specialty,” Marley whispered. “If you ask me, you can never have too many.”

  She took out a pair of new undergarments, a navy blue pair of sweats and an oversized AC/DC shirt. A laughed bubbled out of the blonde as she grabbed them and instantly wrapped her arms around the shocked Marley.

  “I was telling the truth when I said I wanted to be your friend. I know it’s going to be hard for us to get used to being around each other because of the circumstances, but I’m willing to try if you are. My parents had high hopes for this pack. I believed them and trusted them. If they wanted to be a part of this, then so do I.”

  Speechless, Marley nodded her head. She watched Josephine walk away quietly. Rooted to the ground, she was more confused than ever. The girl hadn’t lied, she could tell. She really did want to become her friend. And the information about the trust her parents held for the pack left tears clouding her vision.

  Yes, I want to talk to Gerald as soon as Marley gets done with what she’s doing.

  The thoughts plowed through her head almost making her scream. It just occurred to her this was the first time she could recall really hearing them. Surely, Cole hadn’t been sleeping. She saw him leave with Zachary and the baby. Now they were having a conversation and she just now began picking up on it.

  Cole, I want to go. Tell Zachary I’ll meet you two downstairs. Josie’s in the shower, so I think it’s the perfect time.

  Yes, Zachary thinks it best if you talked to Gerald instead of him. There’s something I need to take care of, but I’ll tell Zach you’ll meet him there.

  Thanks, Cole.

  Marley jogged out of her room and headed for the stairs, praying Gerald held new information for them. If they could get some answers then maybe they weren’t back to square one after all.

  Chapter 19

  Easing into the room, she watched Zachary follow her in. Gerald looked so lifeless lying against the white sheets. He lingered so close to death’s door, Marley feared for what she was about to do. The pale boy with charcoal hair possibly held information to questions they needed answered.

  Slowly, she approached the bed. The labored breathing caused her heart to ache. Was he going to make it? She wasn’t so sure. If his health were better, he could possibly go into wolf form and heal faster, but he wouldn’t even have the strength for that.

  Zachary walked up next to her, wrapping his arm around her waist. “Remember what I told you,” he whispered. “He’ll feel more comfortable talking to you. He really likes you. If I question him, he might get scared. Are you sure you can do this?”

  “Yes, I can do it. Is he going to be all right?”

  “I don’t think so. They really did a number on him.”

  She leaned down to the bed, inches away from Gerald’s face. The closer she got, the heavier his breathing became. She could feel her own heart accelerate at his anxiousness.

  “Gerald, it’s Marley. Can you wake up?”

  The light fluttering of his eyelids caused hope to surge through her, but he didn’t open them. “Gerald, I need to ask you some questions. Will that be all right?”

  His lungs sucked in air raggedly while he nodded his head. Marley knew she didn’t have time to waste. “Did you see who attacked us?”

  The quick nod of his head yes had excitement making her toes tingle. “Are they the rival pack we fought with last year?”

  He nodded his head yes again, and she looked toward Zachary. His fist rested against his mouth while he studied the pale boy.

  “Is Demon their Alpha?”

  Dark purple eyelids flashed open to reveal sapphire eyes filled with fear. He shook his head no while his breathing increased rapidly. Scared for his life, Marley tried to calm him. The intake of air was too much. He was going to hyperventilate if he didn’t slow down.

  “Shh, it’s okay, Gerald. We won’t let anyone hurt you.” Marley lowered herself, trying to sooth him.

  While she leaned over him brushing the hair back from his face, pale hands gripped her shoulders with surprising force, pulling her chest down to his face. Teeth broke through her skin while she screamed for him to stop. She could feel the blood start to leave her body. What in the hell was Gerald doing, trying to kill her? Seconds went by and still she couldn’t break his death grip.

  Cole burst through the door, knocking it off its hinges, and helped Zachary try to pry her and Gerald apart. But the longer he drank her blood the stronger he became. Black dots danced around her vision while she fought from sinking into unconsciousness. Finally, a large intake of breath was followed by her release.

  Gerald blurrily came into focus after she blinked a few times. She could feel Zachary pushing cloth into her chest, but she only could hear one thing.

  “Jordan! Jordan’s the Alpha. He’s not dead,” Gerald screamed. “He tried to kill me. God help me, I’m the traitor! I betrayed the pack to get Jordan out last time. Don’t you all see? It’s Marley’s blood that kept him from being killed. It’s one of the reasons he wants her.

  “He said she’d grow into one of the most powerful werewolves and he’s right! Even dismembered, Jordan healed in two days. You didn’t remove his head or heart. You didn’t even burn him!” he screamed, hysterically.

  “What in the hell are you talking about, Gerald?” Cole growled at him.

  The frustrated sigh that escaped the bloody mouth turned into a powerful growl at the end. “Marley’s line is from Helix, the purest werewolf there is. Jordan has done nothing but obsess on how Demetri and Marley are going to be the foundation of his pack. Her and Jordan are marked and every day she gets stronger, so does he.

  “His powers are terrifying. He’s nothing like he used to be. Now he’s ten times stronger. Once he gets her with a child and they start their own line, he wants to eventually merge the two together.”

  Marley couldn’t hear anymore. She was going to be sick. The nightmares that haunted her, that kept her reclusive here in this mansion for so many months, were coming back, crippling her with fear. She needed to leave, to take Demetri and flee.

  “You will not leave,” Zachary boomed down at her. “I won’t let him get to you or our son. I will die protecting you and so will everyone here in this pack.”

  “He’s right,” Cole said, stepping forward. “We won’t let him get to either one of you. I promise you that.”

 
“I’ll protect you, too, Marley. I didn’t know what Jordan had become. I’m sorry. This is so unlike him, but I see he’s not the same person anymore. If you and your husband will allow me, I’d like to join your pack.” Josephine walked through the door, water still dripping from her hair. Marley assumed she must have heard the commotion.

  Zachary removed the cloth that was pushed against Marley’s chest. The wound, amazingly, was already almost healed. Gerald gasped in amazement.

  “I told you! Look at her!” he said excitedly in the background.

  “We’d love you to join the pack, Josephine,” Zachary said, glaring at Gerald and helping Marley to stand.

  She looked at an almost perfectly healthy person in front of her. How had her blood done that? And who was this person Helix? She had so many questions.

  “So what happens to me,” Gerald asked nervously from the bed.

  His words tore her from the questions running through her mind while Cole’s thoughts pushed their way through. She knew the punishment for betraying pack. He caused the deaths of eleven other members who were innocent in all of this. The laws for shifters were the same everywhere—betrayal equals their own demise.

  “You die,” Marley said, advancing toward him. “You are responsible for eleven deaths, the safety of my son, and you’ve betrayed your Alpha. There’s no living through all of that. You know the rules.”

  “You can’t kill me! I told you about Jordan. It’s the reason they wanted me dead. I knew too much.”

  Zachary grabbed her before she reached the bed. “Marley, it’s not your responsibility to take care of my dirty work. Let me handle him. You go let everyone know the news. Until Jordan is found, this house and the remaining pack will continue to be under lockdown.”

  Pausing, she looked at Gerald. “The first time I met you, Zachary was trying to persuade me to go outside, but I was afraid. Do you remember what you said to me?”