by Croft, Nina
“And you don’t feel in control now?” Joe asked.
“No. Usually I can ignore my wolf, but lately he’s always there, as though he wants something.”
“What else.”
“This woman—I can’t leave her alone. I’m aware I’m risking her life but there’s something inside me that whispers that she’s mine. Ours,” he amended. “Wolf wants her, too. He growls when I send her away, howls when I kiss her.” He grinned. “He snarls whenever Sophia is around.”
“Clever Wolf,” Pete said.
“I know when Lissa’s near, sometimes I feel her awaken when I’m lying in the darkness. I dream of her and her scent fills my sleep and she smells so good.” Shit, had he really said that? He looked up from his examination of the tabletop to find the other two watching him. “It’s not good is it?”
“Well, you’ve got the symptoms.” Joe shook his head. “I never thought it could happen with a normal. How does she feel about you?”
“I think she loves me.”
They sat in silence for long minutes.
“There are people who say that for some the wolf exists inside even before the bite. The bite wakens something sleeping inside you. That’s why not everyone survives.”
“So what you’re saying is that in effect werewolves are born, not made.”
“A bit of both, I suppose. I’ve never heard of anyone who became wolf without being bitten, but legend has it that it’s happened. In times of great stress or need, the wolf will waken and come to your aid. Sounds like a fucking fairy tale doesn’t it?”
It did and the last thing he needed in his life was more fairy tales. “What has this got to do with me?”
Joe shrugged. “Maybe you recognize the latent wolf in this woman.”
Maybe. He took a pull of his beer, while he decided on his next question. But Pete spoke before he got a chance. “I’m surprised Sophia didn’t call you to the meeting tonight.”
“What meeting?”
“I’m not surprised,” Joe answered. “The only ones she called were her cronies.”
There was a small group of wolves loyal to Sophia, because she gave them what they wanted—violence. They were the ones who had killed Babs, and a wave of foreboding washed through him.
Sophia had been in to see him after Lissa had left earlier today. She hadn’t mentioned Lissa, which was strange. Sophia must have known she’d been in his office with her scent all over the room.
Instead as she left, she’d cast him a look of malevolent gloating. He’d been so relieved to see her go without causing trouble he’d thought no more about it. That had been a drastic mistake.
He pulled out his cell phone and called Lissa’s number. He got voice mail, stabbed it off, and called Julia instead. She picked up on the second ring.
“Where’s Lissa?” he asked.
“No ‘hello’? And don’t be so impatient, she’s on her way.”
Dread rose like nausea in the back of his throat. “On her way where?”
“To meet you, of course.” Now, she sounded vaguely worried.
“When and where?”
“About half an hour ago and where you told her to.”
“Where Julia? It’s important.”
“What’s going on?”
“Just tell me.”
“Fairston Forest. The car park at the visitors’ entrance. Don’t you have a cottage there? What’s happening, Daniel? Who sent that message?”
“Sophia.” As soon as he mentioned the name, he wished he could take it back. He didn’t want Julia worrying or getting involved. “It was just a misunderstanding,” he said. “But don’t worry. I’m on my way over there.” He ended the call and was already rising to his feet as he shoved the phone in his pocket.
“What’s going on?” Joe asked.
“Sophia sent a message to Lissa pretending to be me. Lissa’s on her way to Fairston.”
“Lissa is your woman?”
Daniel nodded.
“Shit,” Joe said. “The meeting. Sophia is going to kill her.”
“I know. I have to get out there. She’s half an hour ahead. There’s no time.”
Joe and Pete rose to their feet as one. “We’ll come with you.”
“You’re sure?”
Daniel curbed his impatience as a glance passed between the two men—their help might make the difference between Lissa’s survival or death. They both nodded.
“We’re sure. It’s time to put a stop to the killing,” Joe said.
“Time to put a stop to Sophia,” Pete added.
“Then let’s go.”
Chapter Eleven
Fairston Forest—Visitors’ car park.
Lissa followed the arrows leading to the parking. They took her deeper into the forest along a narrow road edged by tall trees. It was almost full dark, the trees huge, shadowy shapes, and a prickle ran down her spine. She hoped Daniel would be there to meet her.
When she pulled into the car park, there was one other car in the large otherwise-empty space. A low, sleek, black sports car—she supposed it might be the sort of thing the director of a multinational company might drive. And thinking back, Julia had said he had a sports car of some sort.
She turned off the engine and sat with the headlights still on, her hands gripping the wheel. Maybe she should just drive off. She’d see Daniel some other time. Some other place.
Where the hell was his cottage? There were no buildings in sight. This was the middle of nowhere. Well as “middle of nowhere” as you could get within easy driving distance of London. He’d said he had something to show her, but even her usually fertile imagination couldn’t come up with any ideas as to what that might be.
Maybe she was being too much of a pain in the ass and he’d decided to kill her off and bury her in the woods. She let out a nervous titter at the thought, then clamped her lips closed. She was being ludicrous.
Just turn out the lights and get out.
With the lights off, she could actually see better. The last of the sunlight cast a dim glow so she could make out the shapes of the trees. Beneath the trees was total darkness.
She climbed out of the car and stood, her hand resting on the door, and then she slammed it shut.
“Daniel,” she called out but didn’t expect an answer. Some inner sense told her he wasn’t close.
A light breeze rustled the leaves and carried a faint musky scent. Like Daniel, but not Daniel. She turned slowly, stumbling slightly in her heels. Her new sandals were a total liability on the uneven ground, but she hadn’t considered she’d be hiking through the woods. When he’d mentioned the cottage, she’d envisaged some swanky place fit for a billionaire businessman.
The moon edged over the tree line, and the night was clear and filled with stars. A tremor of anticipation ran through her, coiling in her belly, tensing her muscles. In the distance, a dog howled. She almost went back to the car, but something drew her toward the line of trees and as she got closer, a figure materialized among the shadows.
“Daniel?”
But she knew it wasn’t Daniel.
Sophia stood beneath a huge oak tree, casually leaning one shoulder against the wide trunk. Her face was lowered as if she was studying something interesting on the ground, but she looked up as Lissa approached, sensing her presence. Or more likely, she heard her stumbling over the gravel.
Sophia was more casually dressed than Lissa had ever seen her, though her idea of casual and Lissa’s obviously had no point of reference. She wore tight black leather pants and a black shirt. Her skin appeared pale in the dim light, her eyes glowed, and her full scarlet lips curved up into what had to be the nastiest smile Lissa had ever encountered outside of a shark.
Lissa came to a halt, seriously considering dashing back to her car.
“What’s the matter, Lissa? Daniel is waiting for you and he asked me to fetch you,” Sophia said.
“Waiting where?”
“Just a little way.”
&
nbsp; Lissa swallowed. No way was she following The Evil One, who had recently threatened to rip her hands off, into the woods in the middle of the night.
For the first time, a truly horrible thought occurred to her. What if Daniel hadn’t sent that message?
She stared at the woman in front of her and her dawning horror must have shown in her eyes, because the shark’s smile was back on Sophia’s face.
“Really, Lissa? Coming into the woods in the middle of the night—all alone—is that wise? Anything could happen.”
Shit, she was in trouble. She cast a quick sideways glance at the car. It was only ten feet away, and she hadn’t locked the door. Maybe she could make it.
“Go for it,” Sophia murmured. “I enjoy the chase.”
That was so creepy. Sophia was completely insane. But she was only one woman and there was no way she could have a weapon hidden in that outfit.
“You’re seriously off your rocker, do you know that?”
“You think?” Sophia still seemed way too amused and confident.
“I’m going,” Lissa said. “And you need to see a doctor.”
“You’re not going anywhere.”
“Oh, yes—” She broke off as two men appeared out of the shadows behind Sophia and took up position on either side of her. They were big, tall, and bulky and dressed like Sophia in black leather pants and T-shirts stretched tight over the bulge of too much muscle. Lissa glanced into their faces and didn’t like what she saw. Anticipation.
What exactly were they anticipating?
She had a horrible idea she was about to find out. For the second time it occurred to her that she was in big trouble here. “Daniel will never forgive you if you hurt me.” She hoped that was true.
“Daniel will do as he’s told.”
Why? What hold did Sophia have over him?
“It’s a pity he’s not here to see Jack and Brent here have their fun with you,” Sophia continued.
Ugh.
She didn’t look again at the two men, just started to inch her way backward, rising up on the balls of her feet.
“Don’t bother,” Sophia murmured. “They’ll catch you. Come along nicely, and while I won’t say it will hurt any less, it might be over quicker. And don’t underestimate that, because I can guarantee very soon you are going to wish you were dead.”
It was finally sinking in. Sophia meant to do her real harm, even kill her. For a second, fear held her immobile, every muscle locked tight. A shudder ran through her. She might not make it, but no way was she going like a fucking lamb to the slaughter. Taking a deep, steadying breath, she whirled around and ran.
Something blurred over her head, moving too fast to follow. One of the men landed lightly in front her. She skidded to a halt and turned, to find the second at her back. Sophia’s laughter, soft and malicious, sounded close by, but everything in her focused on the two men.
The one in front moved quickly. His fist came out, clipping her on the side of the face. Everything went black, her legs collapsed, and she was scooped up in strong arms.
Her mind flew back to Daniel and the last time a man had picked her up in his arms. She wished she’d told him she loved him. Even if he didn’t love her back. She hoped he was going to feel real bad that his girlfriend had killed her—served him right for going out with a raving lunatic.
Then she was flung over a shoulder and the air left her lungs with a whoosh.
“Take her to the meeting place,” Sophia said from close by.
She tried not to think of what was to come, just gritted her teeth, and concentrated on not throwing up. They were weaving quickly through the trees but the journey seemed to last forever. She didn’t want it to end, didn’t want to find out what Sophia and her friends had in store for her. Dread rose inside her, and she tried to force it down. Real terror could stop you from thinking and she needed to stay focused. If there was any chance to get away, she had to take it.
She tried wriggling, kicking out with her feet, but the man carrying her hardly seemed to notice, just shifted her slightly, his big hand clamping down on her ass to hold her in place. Finally, he came to a halt and tossed her to the ground.
Lissa landed in an undignified heap and lay with her eyes closed. Panic clawed at the edges of her mind, and her breathing was fast and shallow. She tried to slow it, concentrating on each breath, holding it until some of the fog of fear faded and she could think again.
Opening her eyes, she saw she was in a clearing. There were no lights but the moon was bright and she could make out what appeared to be a huge wooden throne at one end.
She pulled herself up onto her knees. Sophia was in front of her, but the two men had disappeared. Could she make a dash for it?
“I’d advise you not to even think about it,” Sophia said.
Yeah, right, she was going to take The Evil One’s advice. She put her palms on the ground and pushed herself unsteadily to her feet. Her face ached where she’d been hit, but otherwise she hadn’t sustained any other injuries. Yet.
Something moved at the edge of her vision, and she whirled around.
For a few seconds, she saw nothing. Then they came out of the darkness, huge forms emerging from the shadowy trees. Her mind refused to make sense of what she was seeing. She concentrated hard, and they slowly came into focus.
They stood upright like men, but their features were not human. Their bodies were covered with dark fur, their heads misshapen with protruding jaws, long curved teeth, and pointed ears.
No freaking way. Blinking hard, she screwed up her eyes and looked again.
“Werewolves!” She stared, wide-eyed, at the woman in front of her, something clicked in her brain, and for a second, wonder replaced the fear. “They’re goddamn werewolves. Wow.” The word seemed somehow inadequate.
She glanced away and back to Sophia. Was she the same? Lissa was guessing yes. Jesus, Daniel’s sisters had gotten it right, closer than they could have ever thought. Sophia was a total bitch.
“Glad you’re impressed. This is our half form. We find it easier to stay in control and perform certain tasks. Not quite as aesthetically pleasing as our full wolf form as you’ll soon see for yourself.”
“Thanks, but no thanks. I think I’ll skip that one. Some other time, perhaps.”
Sophia ignored the comment. “It will be the last thing you do see. I told you what I’d do if you touched Daniel. And my friends are hungry.”
Lissa swallowed, her mouth dry as she realized that Sophia and her furry friends really meant to follow through on her threat and rip Lissa’s hands off. Then kill her. And eat her. She was going to die here, if she couldn’t talk her way out of this. Or run.
She reckoned she was going to die. Painfully.
She wanted Daniel.
Was Daniel a werewolf? And with that thought, a whole load of shit made perfect sense.
Why the fuck hadn’t he told her?
Though it was hardly something to bring up in everyday conversation. She could just imagine it—Hey, Lissa, marry me and we can have beautiful puppies together. Yeah, like that was going to happen.
Now she was furious. With herself for being such a fool as to come here. With Daniel for not telling her what was wrong with his “perfect” life.
Around her, the bodies pressed closer. A bitter, feral stench filled her nostrils, and she swayed.
She raised her hand as if to ward them off and opened her mouth to scream, but before she could utter a sound two of the creatures leaped for her and she went down, crashing to the forest floor where she lay, winded. She tried to hold on to the anger, it felt better than the fear, and she squirmed against the cruel fingers that dug into her flesh, unable to free herself from the hard hands that pressed her into the earth. Terror surged through her, and she fought, writhing against them, but they were stronger than anything she had ever encountered. After a minute of pointless struggle, she forced her body to go limp.
They dragged her to her feet to stand b
efore Sophia.
As Sophia studied her, her face filled with a curious anticipation. When she caught Lissa’s eye, she grinned and pulled her shirt over her head, tossing it to the ground.
“Shit, if you’re going to kill me, kill me,” Lissa said. “But please don’t make me look at your naked body.”
Sophia ignored the comment and unbuckled her belt. Then she leaned down, tugged off her boots, and shrugged out of the leather pants to stand before her with absolutely nothing on.
Ugh! This was way more of Sophia than she had ever wanted to see. She suspected what was about to happen and wanted to clamp her eyes tight shut but couldn’t tear her gaze away from the other woman.
Nausea churned in Lissa’s gut, and her legs trembled with the need to run. Sophia stalked toward her, coming to a halt only a foot away.
“Hold her,” she said, and the claws tightened on her shoulders.
She swallowed, her breath coming hard and fast, her heart pounding. Gritting her teeth, she glared defiantly at her, hoping her fear didn’t show. If she was going to die, she didn’t want to die in a whimpering heap in front of Daniel’s bitch of a girlfriend.
“It was only a kiss,” she said. “Okay, maybe a kiss and a bit of groping, but it never went any further.”
Sophia’s eyes changed, glowed amber in a face that was blurring, losing its definition. Lissa gasped but still couldn’t tear her gaze away.
There was no painful transition; instead, her body flowed into her new form, until she stood before Lissa on all fours, a huge wolf, with a dark red pelt and yellow eyes. The wolf raised its head to the sky and howled.
Lissa fought then. She couldn’t help herself; it was as though she was faced with some primordial terror from her nightmares. A sense of unreality overtook her. She struggled, squirming and twisting until she could fight no more, and she hung, limp and exhausted, only held upright by the hands that still gripped her shoulders. Sophia stood before her. Lissa searched for some faint glint of humanity but could find none.
This was the end.
She threw back her head and screamed.
Chapter Twelve
Daniel gripped the wheel and concentrated on keeping within the speed limit; it wouldn’t do to be stopped by the police.
