Carnal

by Stone, Piper

  Max exhaled, taking a sip of his damn drink before nodding toward the table. “That’s brandy. I think you need it.”

  I wanted nothing more than to rip out his eyes. Instead, I reached for my gun, biting back a snarl of my own. He’d taken it.

  “If you’re looking for your weapon, you’re not going to find it. At least not until we’ve had a chance to talk. However, two of my men are guarding the premises. We can’t be certain the killer wasn’t looking for you.”

  He was so freaking calm, as if he’d been anticipating I’d find out about him. Find out what exactly? That he was some monster? Jesus. I must have been hallucinating, my drink spiked. The man was trying to terrify me. Hell, he didn’t need to. I was already long past that.

  “If you’re wondering whether you were seeing things, you weren’t.” He studied me, leaning forward in the chair.

  “I repeat. Who. Are. You?”

  He sighed for a second time, turning his attention toward the roaring fire. “I am Maximillian Dante Cordero, son of Blackhawk, current alpha of the Wolfen.”

  The words were said in such a matter-of-fact manner that I was more intrigued than terrified. I studied the drink, realizing my throat was scratchy. I was still woozy as I reached for the glass, tingling all over. “Wolfen. What is that?” My God, I was feeding into this fantasy—this nightmare—my grandmother’s belief.

  “Wolfen are an ancient species, born from a disease that wiped out much of civilization.” He tipped his head, studying my reaction.

  I wasn’t certain whether I was supposed to applaud or laugh, but everything I’d feared as a child seemed to be coming true. “You’re a werewolf.”

  “Not in the traditional sense, no, but a wolf nonetheless.”

  “A wolf. Right. Okay.” I took a sip of the brandy, thankful the liquid soothed my throat. He remained quiet. “What else? You kill people for a living? Is that what the whole meeting in the forest was about, to hunt new victims?”

  He took his time, sipping on his drink and raking his hand through his hair. He looked the same as before, gorgeous in every manner, those damn beautiful cobalt blue eyes dazzling. There was no hint of the golden ring I’d seen before. I forced myself to look away, fearful I’d be caught in his web once again.

  “We do not kill humans. In fact, we are not allowed to turn into our beast unless absolutely necessary,” he explained, his voice so smooth, velvety soft.

  “You expect me to believe that shit?”

  “You are highly skilled in several areas, Kathleen, your investigative skills top notch. Trust your instinct. What did you see in the forest?”

  “A nightmare.”

  “Be more specific.”

  “Wolves. Where there were men and women then there were wolves,” I whispered, as if saying the concept out loud would make it true. I grabbed the blanket, pulling it over my shaking body and studying him intently. He was the same in all aspects. “How?”

  “The ability to turn is innate, natural for us from the day we are born.”

  I allowed his words to sink in although they remained swimming in my mind.

  “What happened to this woman you mentioned?” I finally managed.

  He rolled the glass from one hand to the other. “She was killed in the same way as the others, only her arms were crossed in front of her and she was positioned on a bed of thorns.”

  “Thorns? What? What does that mean?”

  “A statement. More for effect, a warning for our people.”

  I couldn’t help but scoot closer, leaning over. “A warning. So, the other murders were a warning to your... species?” Was I actually buying into this shit?

  “I’m certain now. Yes.”

  “Why and who would have the audacity?”

  “That’s a good question. Someone who wants to see the end of our kind, annihilation of the Wolfen.”

  “You mean you have enemies? The big, bad wolf that you are.” I couldn’t help but mock him, even though I had a pang of guilt for doing so. He didn’t deserve my wrath entirely.

  “We have many enemies, Kathleen. Men. Beasts. There are at least a dozen species of wolves that would stop at nothing to hunt down the Wolfen. They will always attempt to destroy our peace, which is why these murders are so disturbing. I can’t gather a clear scent of this creature.”

  “Uh-huh. So, let’s just assume another type of wolf is doing this, what do they hope to gain?”

  He took another look at the fire. “I’m uncertain. Perhaps the spiritual ground. Maybe they believe that if they destroy our ancestry then they will become more powerful.”

  “Ancient burial grounds. Various species of wolves. Oh, and isn’t there an ancient curse? What about the disease?” I threw out. What little I’d read made more sense, even though I knew I’d fallen into some kind of fantasy.

  “There is much for you to read in the book, Kathleen. Everything will make sense.”

  I laughed bitterly, shaking my head. “You’re crazy. You know I don’t believe any of this. Don’t you? You’re right in that I work with facts, not some fiction that an entire group of grown men and women seem to buy into. What total bullshit.”

  He closed his eyes, his chest rising and falling. When he opened them again, he leaned forward, his upper lip curling and his eyes... Oh, God, his eyes. They weren’t human.

  I jerked back, taking several deep breaths. “Don’t.”

  Max inhaled, holding the breath, his nostrils flaring. “I can smell your fear, but I also know you’re excited.”

  “Excited? You’re insane.”

  “Am I?”

  I realized my nipples were aroused, my pussy quivering from being so close to him. “Why are we connected? Was the electricity and the passion we shared a lie?” I couldn’t catch my breath.

  “No. What we feel between us is powerful, more so than any two humans who... mate.”

  “Mate?” I repeated. “Are you trying to tell me that I’m your mate?” I laughed when he didn’t say anything even as a cold shiver trickled down my spine. “You’re serious.”

  Nodding, he finally looked at me once again, his eyes entirely human. “While it’s rare, when I found you, I had to have you.”

  “Oh, my God. You orchestrated everything. Running into me. Suddenly appearing at the damn crime scene. You lied to me. I fell for your bullshit.”

  “I did not lie. I found you the day in the coffee shop. Until then, I did not know you existed. Even though a Wolfen’s senses are far superior to that of a human, we’d never been in close proximity. As far as the crime scene, yes, I followed you there because every instinct told me you were in danger. By then, your scent covered me.”

  “My scent. If your senses are so damn superior, then why didn’t any of you detect me in the forest earlier?” I threw out, once again lightheaded. This was nothing but a fairytale. I closed my eyes, remembering every time we’d been together, the intensity of the sensations and the closeness. Even now, I hungered for him. I thought about his cock, the way he swelled inside of me, keeping him... knotted to me. No. No! I lowered my head into my hand, ready to pass out.

  “There is a reason.”

  “A reason. I’m already floating on some trip, so you might as well tell me.”

  He slowly lowered his glass onto the table, moving beside me. When I bristled, pulling away, he simply turned toward me. “I’m the same man as before, a man who has vowed to protect you and care for you. You are my destiny. I must lead my people out of this or what could be unleashed will threaten both our kind as well as every human on this earth.”

  “The shit I read in the book wasn’t just some ramble of a madman,” I said more to myself than anything.

  “No.”

  “I...”

  He gave me a stern look before brushing the tips of his fingers across my cheek, moving ever so slowly down to my neck. I tried to resist him, to shove him away, but the scent of him alone dragged me into the wildfire that had burned within us from the mom
ent we’d met.

  “You do belong to me, Kathleen, and there is no turning back.” His words were husky, so damn sensual.

  “I can’t do this, Max.”

  “You have no other choice.”

  “Why? Tell me why?”

  A haunted look appeared in his eyes as he slowly moved his hand to the back of my neck but the second his expression changed, I could no longer breathe.

  “Because you are becoming one of us.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Max

  The rage swelling within me was dangerous, more so than ever before. I hadn’t intended on changing her. I’d seen the scratch after she’d collapsed in my arms, the very reason she’d been able to see the transformation without one of us detecting her presence. The only scents I’d been able to grab were wolves. I couldn’t imagine the horror she’d experienced or what she would feel she was forced to do. My father had smelled the change; that much I knew.

  He’d warned me of the possibility and I’d been careless. Protecting her was now vital. The fucker who’d placed the warning was taunting us, using the concept of our own disease against us and for what reason? All I could think was it was a ploy in order to grab our land.

  She’d spent a solid two hours reading from the ancient book, never once asking a question or even making a sound. When she’d finished, she’d gingerly placed the text on the coffee table before grabbing my bottle of whiskey and heading into the kitchen. I’d heard nothing more than the sound of ice cubes being tossed into a glass.

  As my phone rang, I sighed, uncertain I wanted to answer it. Seeing Stone’s number, I was surprised. I hadn’t believed he would listen to anything I had to say. His initial anger was understandable and by all rights, his blame for what had happened in his life was almost as justified as Gregor’s.

  “Stone. Were you able to find anything?”

  “Not a single thing. There were no track marks made by a vehicle or any scent that was detectable. That doesn’t make any sense. A wolf always leaves a trail,” Stone said, huffing.

  I thought about the attack, my ability to see what the wolf had experienced. “Keep looking until daybreak. I’ll need to deal with the murder scene soon.”

  “And the woman?”

  I noticed she’d walked to the door, her gaze hard-edged. “She has an understanding.”

  “Be careful, Max.”

  “I don’t need to hear it, Stone. You’re just going to have to trust me.”

  He laughed bitterly. “And you know trust is difficult for me.”

  “As is with all of us. Keep me informed. We need to make certain every member is accounted for.”

  “Already in the process. This wasn’t a Nightwalker. I could smell it,” Stone insisted.

  I wasn’t certain any of us would be able to. “Let’s just hope the person responsible isn’t a part of either pack.”

  “I hear you, brother.”

  I ended the call, taking a minute before turning toward her.

  “Why does one pack hate the other?” she asked far too casually.

  “An incident that occurred many years ago.”

  She lifted a single eyebrow, her expression one of disdain.

  “My father has never forgiven Stone’s father, who was a local renowned doctor, for being unable to save my mother’s life. The blame and resentment festered until my father mandated that the Nightwalker pack was our enemy.”

  “And you two used to be friends.”

  I nodded. “We used to be very close. Now, I don’t know.”

  “But he’s sworn an oath to follow you like a pet dog.”

  She was doing everything she could to rile me, every beautiful aspect we’d shared lost in the truth. “He was always aware I was considered the up and coming alpha of our community, taking over when my father retires.”

  “Or is killed by one of your enemies,” she snorted.

  “Kathleen, I realize you don’t completely understand. It will take time. Right now, we must focus on the investigation. The hunt discovered nothing, no trace of the killer, but now you’re keenly aware of his capabilities.”

  “What other special gifts do you have? The ability to heal, right?”

  “From the majority of wounds, yes.”

  She inched closer. “What will kill you? I’m just curious of course.”

  “A spinal break or a shot to the head. If you’re debating on whether to kill me, I’m certain you’ll have an opportunity.” My frank words seemed to surprise her.

  “I don’t want to kill you, Max.” She sagged against the door, looking up at the ceiling, a full minute passing by.

  “I care about you very much.”

  “You mean I belong to you, right?” she chided. “That’s what you really believe. I was actually attracted to that for some crazy reason, a dominating man. That isn’t like me in the least. Now I realize that you really believe you have some magical power and that I’m required to mate with you. You can’t imagine how much that turns my stomach.”

  I knew she had to hate me in her effort to fight off the truth she’d seen with her own eyes. “I meant what I said. I care about you and intend on protecting you with my life.”

  “And I meant what I said. I can handle myself just fine around assholes and monsters.” Her face flushed the moment she said the words.

  “Fair enough.”

  Another awkward silence settled in.

  “The wolf followed me that night in the park, didn’t he? He was going to kill me then. And you fought him. That’s how you got the scratches on your neck.”

  “Yes.”

  “I know I shot him twice.”

  I nodded. “You did, but that did little to slow him down. We fought. He got in several hard punches.” I laughed bitterly, wishing everything could be different.

  Her brow furrowed, her eyes shifting. “If I’m truly your mate, that’s why he wants to kill me. That’s why you took me from my own house.”

  “Yes.”

  She inhaled, her gaze shifting up and down the length of me.

  “Can you handle remaining as my partner until we finish this?” I finally asked.

  Hesitating, she stared into my eyes, remaining unblinking. “Yes. But after that, I don’t care what you told me, there is nothing wrong with me. I will never see you or this place again.”

  “If you are entering into the transition, you will feel nauseous at first, your body temperature increasing. You will feel as if you have the flu.”

  “Then maybe that’s all it will be,” she challenged. “The flu. Then what, I turn all furry at the hint of a full moon?”

  “You read the pages in the book, Kathleen. We aren’t forced to turn. Unfortunately, until you can control the change in your body, you will be incredible hungry, your desire for red meat increasing. You will need more rest at first as well. What you will require is someone to mentor you on curtailing the urge to change.”

  “Let me guess, you’re that person.”

  I wasn’t going to argue with her. Perhaps I was wrong and the scratch had come from another source. I knew better. I’d sensed it before but had refused to believe I could be so careless. “We will need to handle the murder like the others without giving anything away.”

  “Trust me, Max, for whatever reason the Wolfen... pack has an enemy, I will treat the case as diligently as I would any of my others. That is my only promise to you. I’m going to change clothes.” She headed for the stairs then stopped, not bothering to turn back in my direction. “This ancient burial site. Is it really true that if it’s disturbed some horrific curse will be unleashed as you call it?”

  “That’s what our elders all believe.”

  “And you have no idea of the location?”

  “No one does. Why?” I asked, able to tell she’d shifted into detective mode.

  “Just curious. While you can buy this wolf creature is on some grandiose power trip, there’s always a reason. People are greedy and tend to do things for m
oney and clout. That would account for the reason that there just might be several people working behind the scenes, willing to give up their decent way of life. Money and lots of it. Something for you to keep in mind.”

  I watched as she stormed up the stairs, realizing she had a very good point and one that hadn’t been considered. The horrific scheme could be about a method of obtaining our land. The best method of doing so? Hire a wolf.

  * * *

  The bloody murder scene was more troubling as the morning light dawned. The poor girl’s eyes remained open, her mouth twisted as if in the moment of death. She was also naked, claw marks covering a portion of her body. The murder had been done in a fit of rage. If I had to guess, I’d say it was because the killer hadn’t been able to capture Kathleen. The killer had taken the time to pull together piles of underbrush and thorns, the scene reminiscent of something far too religious.

  As if taken directly out of the ancient book, which was equally troubling.

  The fucker was toying with us. I glanced around the perimeter, noticing Josh remained on duty as he’d been for hours.

  He studied Kathleen before finally walking closer. “There hasn’t been anyone here since she was found.”

  Kathleen gave him a hard glare before turning her attention to the victim.

  Josh inched closer, curiosity covering his face. “Do you need me any longer?”

  “There’s going to be some visitors from the outside, crime scene investigators and other officers. Show them where to find us.”

  “You sure that’s wise, Max?” he asked.

  “We can’t keep them out.”

  He nodded, taking another glance in her direction.

  “Let it go, Josh,” I hissed.

  He finally backed away, giving me a nod of respect. I sighed, feeling his anger. There were several who were furious I’d brought her into the community.

  “Jesus,” Kathleen muttered, taking a step away and covering her mouth. I knew exactly what she was thinking, that every Wolfen was a true monster.

  I bent down, taking several photographs. She’d taken the liberty of calling it in the moment we arrived on scene, which gave us maybe twenty minutes to spend with the body ourselves. As I tipped my head back, inhaling deeply, she watched me with a sneer on her face. The only scent was the sweet copper stench of blood and the dirt.