“I can’t… I can’t want him in that way. Kyle can’t be my vice.”
“Maybe your wolf just needs sex, like mine,” he said. “Try with someone else.”
“She didn’t just want sex, she wanted him.” Laina leaned her head back and stared at the ceiling. “He brought his dog into Four Paws in Carlton City.”
“Huh?”
“He was just passing through. The dog got sick. Becca took care of it after I left. He asked me out the night of the ball. I missed our date. But, my wolf wanted him then too. She’s asked for him twice.”
“Shit, Laina.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “Well, if he is the playboy the tabloids make him out to be, maybe you can find a way into his bed.”
She sat up quickly, causing bathwater to splash onto the floor. “I will not! I’m not a whore, and if I have an affair with a human, it sure as hell won’t be one who promotes the objectification of women.”
“It’s not like that and you know it. The wolf wants what she wants. You get in there, you do the deed, and you take off. She’s happy; you’re happy. This is about physical needs and your metaphysical health, nothing more. You don’t want to become a stalker, do you? You don’t want to find yourself three months from now masturbating outside his window.”
“It doesn’t have to be like that. There have been cases when a vice has faded with time and distance. I’ve never indulged my wolf’s desire. I might be able to redirect her.”
“Good luck with that.”
“Turn around. I’m getting out.”
Jason slid to the other side of the toilet and stared at the door. She pulled the plug on the drain and stood up to grab a dry towel from the rack. Wringing out the wet towel, she hung it up to dry before wrapping the new one around her body. “Okay.”
“What about the fairy box? Did you do Monty’s dirty work?” Jason asked, turning back toward her.
“Yes. The box is activated and in the dustiest corner of the kitchen. The place will be crawling with rats by tomorrow. If the health inspector doesn’t close Hunt Club down, at least temporarily, Monty hasn’t bribed the right people.”
“Good. Hopefully, that’s the end of it. The packs should be here tomorrow. We need Monty to be cooperative.”
“It’s three o’clock in the morning. I think we can officially say the packs will be here later today, which is why I sorely need to get some sleep.” She started for her room.
The toilet rattled as Jason removed himself from its porcelain lid. “Hey, Laina.”
“Yeah.”
“I know you think that if you work hard enough and study long enough, you can cure yourself of being a werewolf and escape what it means. You can’t. This isn’t a disease. There is no cure. You’re a supernatural being. It’s magic, not medicine. And if your wolf wants Kyle, there’s no shame in it. Do what you have to do.”
“Just like there’s no shame in marrying someone I don’t love to perpetuate the Fireborn bloodline? Like how there will be no shame in cheating on whoever the male might be because marriage is nothing more than a practical business arrangement and I am simply a uterus in need of impregnating?”
“Come on, Laina…”
“No. Don’t deny it. That’s exactly how the pack thinks. That’s how Silas thinks. Maybe that’s how you think. Well, let me tell you how I think. I think love exists, real love, the kind of love that brings you to your knees and holds you tight during the storm. I believe that sex means something and so does marriage.”
He groaned.
“Maybe it doesn’t have to mean something, but I want it to. I don’t want to grow old with someone who simply served a purpose in my life, like an ugly Christmas sweater I wear every year because it’s become some kind of preposterous tradition. I need intimacy. I want tenderness and love. Yes, real love.” Tears had formed in her eyes and her voice was narrowly short of yelling. “I want what Mom and Dad had.” And that was that. There was no holding back the tears. They stormed her face with a vengeance.
“So that’s it then. This is about our parents.”
She whirled on him. “Don’t you want what they had? The pure, unadulterated affection we grew up with?”
Jason frowned. “Everyone aspires to that, Laina, but you have to remember, they were both purebreds. They were one of the lucky ones who loved the person they were supposed to marry. It’s not like one of them was human.”
“Cameron asked me to marry him at the ball,” she said suddenly.
“Cameron is gay.”
“You caught on to that, huh?”
“Uh, yeah. I think most people know. They just don’t talk about it.”
“Well, is that good enough for me? Should I be happy that someone asked? Should I be satisfied with a platonic marriage?”
“Only you can answer that, but I would think choosing Cameron would be far preferable to having someone chosen for you. You’re twenty-nine and female. You’re running out of time.”
“I could refuse altogether.”
“Disobey Silas? How? You’d have to break your connection to your alpha.”
“It’s possible. It’s been done before in extreme circumstances.”
“You’d be shunned by the pack. It’s suicide, not to mention it would break my heart. We could never shift together.”
His forlorn expression caused her to start crying again. Jason strode up to her and pulled her into his arms. “Don’t cry. Whatever you decide to do, I’ll always be your brother.”
She hugged him back. “I miss Mom and Dad. I hate Alex Bloodright. I hate Jonah. I hate what they’ve done to us.” She sobbed into her brother’s arms. “Will we ever be free to move on from this… nightmare?”
“I don’t know, sis. I just don’t know.”
Nine
The wolves arrived in shifts and Laina guided them in discreet units to the forest behind Monty’s. Not the forest the humans could see, but one that could only be accessed through the door in the back of Monty’s office, enchanted and otherwise inaccessible. If anything, the space was safer than Rivergate Manor, aside from the fact that an ogre with suspected tendencies toward organized crime guarded the door.
“How have you been?” Cameron asked as he helped her set up the tent that would serve as their mess hall for the next three days. It was possible for the pack to appear human and go about their business during the day, but they rarely did. The preference was to stay together, a three-day wolfapalooza, a family reunion.
“As well as can be expected,” Laina said. “Monty is about as agreeable as… well, an ogre.”
He shook his head. “Thanks for doing this. I still can’t believe your older brother offered you up like a sacrificial lamb.”
“Speaking of my brother, where is everyone’s favorite alpha?” she asked dryly.
“You don’t know? He left when the rest of us scattered to the wind. Said he was going to track down Jonah and end this before anyone else got hurt.” Cameron shrugged. “It’s my job to know where everyone is, yet Silas didn’t tell me where he was going. I thought he’d tell you.”
Laina frowned. As much as her brother could be a pain in the ass, she loved the man. Where was he? The alpha never missed a shift on purpose. She retrieved her phone from her back pocket, the one Silas had given her in case of an emergency, and texted him. A few seconds later, the device chimed as his response came through.
I’m fine. Won’t be there. You can handle it without me.
She showed it to Cameron.
“Hmm. Spoken like a true leader.” He stroked back his black hair, longer now that they neared the shift, as was his facial hair. “Shall we grab a burger before the main event?”
Before she could say yes, Monty bellowed her name from the pub door, the ogre’s eyes sweeping the woods until he locked onto her. “Laina, you’d better get in here. We’ve got trouble.”
She broke into a jog. “What is it? Has something happened to Jason?” As she broke through the enchantment that hid
the forest beyond, the trees and flowers faded away and were replaced with the illusion of a dark alley, complete with potholed lane and city dumpster. Monty motioned her inside, then slammed the door on Cameron’s face.
“Hey—”
“Fucking Kyle Kingsley is standing in my bar holding a fairy box and asking for Anna.” The malice in his voice was as real as his foul breath.
Feeling lightheaded, she strode from the back room and into the bar proper. She came up short at the sight of the man her wolf had pined for since their last encounter. Kyle Kingsley.
His eyes widened in recognition. He knew who she was—who she really was. Mouth pressed into a straight line, he shook his head. “I’m not sure what this is.” He held the fairy box between his fingers. “But rats seem to love it.” He tossed the box at her.
Catching it in one hand, she noticed the lid was closed. That explained why Kyle could see it but not who found and closed it. Those were not things a human could do. She forced her expression to convey total ignorance. “Why are you giving this to me?”
“Who the hell are you? The paperwork you gave Wesley said Anita Woody but you told Nickie your name was Anna.” He pointed a finger at her. “But I know you from before. You’re—”
Monty coughed, cutting him off. “I think you’ve got the wrong girl. This one was here workin’ last night. Wasn’t she, boys?” Jeff and the other regulars chimed in affirmatively, no doubt hoping to be rewarded for the lie with a free beer.
“Really? My security cameras disagree.” Kyle’s hazel eyes narrowed. He pulled himself up to his full height, which almost rivaled Monty’s. “I get it, Monty. You’re worried I’m going to move in on your business. But this is a felony.” He pointed at the box. “And if you think this shit is going to work, you don’t know me.”
“Lots a girls got her colorin’. I think you’re confused.”
“Coloring, yes. Bruise the size of a man’s fist across her jaw, no. This is the one.”
“Aww, fuck you, Kyle. You’re barking up the wrong tree. I had nothin’ to do with this. If the girl’s in your video, take it up with the girl.”
Laina whirled on Monty, her eyes flaring with anger. Did he just throw her under the bus? Bastard!
“Don’t look at me like that. It’s you who’s fucked up. Fucked up big time by the looks of it.” Monty placed both hands on the bar and stared at her expectantly.
Laina turned back to Kyle, her wolf growling and snapping inside her head over Monty’s betrayal. At least the anger was doing a good job of fighting back her lust and her fear. How could this happen? Especially now, with the shift happening in a matter of hours. What if he had her arrested? Becoming a wolf in a prison cell would be disastrous.
“Can I talk to you privately, in the back room?” She pointed a trembling hand toward the storage area. It was all she could do to maintain her composure.
He nodded and followed her inside, allowing the door to squeal to a close behind them in the same tone as a coffin lid. She faced him in the narrow aisle between the cases of alcohol, a bare bulb shedding a harsh circle of light above their heads.
“You came here instead of going to the police,” she said. “Thank you.”
“Don’t overthink it. I’m sure Monty knew this when he forced you to do what you did, but it isn’t in Hunt Club’s best interests to call attention to a rat problem in the kitchen, even if it was sabotage. If I file a police report, this will be all over the news. Although, I will do it if I have to.”
“You don’t have to.”
She waited patiently as he stared her down. Why offer information you didn’t have to give? Information that might incriminate her?
“Why did you blow off our date?”
Surprised, Laina spread her hands. “I thought Becca explained.”
“She implied you were dead! I think her exact words were ‘Due to a personal tragedy, the animal hospital is closing indefinitely and details can only be released to immediate family members.’ What the fuck happened? Why is a veterinarian from New Hampshire slinging beer in a hole-in-the-wall in rural Wisconsin? What are you doing here, Laina, besides trying to sabotage my club?”
“Shhh.” She brought her finger to her lips. “No one can know who I am.”
“Explain.”
Her thoughts darted, searching for some shred of truth she could share with him, although why it pained her to lie was beyond her comprehension. “I can’t go into details,” she said slowly, “but it was a domestic violence situation. I’m in hiding.”
“Husband or boyfriend?” His voice broke as he asked the question.
“Neither. A relative. An enemy of my family. It’s a long and twisted story. He’s very powerful, and my survival depends on concealing my identity. I did what I did to your club because Monty would have thrown me out if I didn’t. I’m sorry. I’ll do whatever you want to make it up to you.”
She’d stepped in closer, without even meaning to. Her lids drooping low as she breathed in his scent. Her wolf had forgotten all anger and fear and was panting, tongue out in his direction. Oh how she wanted his hands on her body, his mouth on hers. He was so close now, she could feel his heat, smell the cedar and pine scent that seemed to follow him everywhere. Had he moved that last inch, or had she?
“Are you suggesting that you have something to offer me that would make up for your attempt to disrupt my business operations?” His breath brushed her face, and she looked up at him through her lashes.
Wolf whimpering, a vivid fantasy played out in Laina’s head. She’d drop to her knees, unzip his pants, and take him between her lips, showing him exactly what she had to offer. With all the willpower left in her, she forced herself back a step. Her knees turned to liquid, and her bottom lowered onto a crate of vodka.
“Hey, are you okay?” Kyle asked, suddenly concerned.
She shook her head but didn’t elaborate. “Kyle, I’m sorry. I think you know this wasn’t my idea, despite what Monty says. He knows my secret and blackmailed me into it. I don’t know what to say to you, but I beg you not to get the Sable Creek PD involved. I’ll do anything. Anything you want. But please keep my secret.”
He nodded. Relief flooded her body. Tension she didn’t even know she was holding eased and she blew out a deep breath.
“I won’t tell anyone,” he said softly, “on one condition.”
“What?” she asked. “Money?”
He made a face as though she’d insulted him. “No, I don’t want your money.”
“Sex?” she asked. Please let it be sex.
“No,” he said curtly. “I would never extort sex from you or anyone else. While I am certain sex with you would be quite pleasant, if we partake in that particular activity, I want it to be because you enthusiastically desire it and not because you’re scared I’ll send you to prison or have you murdered.”
She hung her head and forced her wolf, still trying desperately to show her enthusiasm for sex, down deeper into her psyche. “Then what can I give you?”
“I need you to train my dog.”
“Milo?”
“Yes, Milo. He’s not adjusting well to the change in ownership. He’s made quite a mess of the place. I need you to come and stay with me for a while. Figure out what’s wrong with him and teach me what to do.”
“You want me…wait, you want me to live with you while I train your dog… full-time? Monty will never allow it. I have a job here.”
“Oh, Monty will allow it or Monty will need a lawyer. I’ll talk to him.” He pointed a thumb over his shoulder.
She swallowed. Even now, one look from the man made her squirm. How would she survive sleeping in the same house with him?
“Yes or no, Laina. Considering what you did, I don’t think I’m asking too much here.”
For a moment, she flipped the idea over in her brain. “I have an obligation to fulfill to my brother who is hiding here with me. Is three days from now soon enough?”
He nodded and offered h
er his hand. “It’s a deal.”
As she shook on it, he hoisted her from the crate so that her body weight fell flush against his chest. Her lips parted. Her eyes met his.
“I was disappointed we never had that date,” he murmured.
“Me too.”
“I’m not comfortable with this.” Monty clenched his fists. “Who’s going to take care of this place while you’re playing with Pretty Boy’s dog?”
“Do you want me to tell him no? I only offered because he threatened to get the police involved. If you’d rather handle this in the courts, I can stay,” Laina said smugly.
Monty’s fish mouth bent in an exaggerated frown so pronounced it looked like an upside-down “U.” “That Bastard. Go. Do what he tells you to do. But Jason better pick up the slack around here, or it’ll cost you both.”
Jason pulled her aside. “Are you sure about this?”
“What other choice do I have?”
He nodded. “I’ll take care of things here. Although, I wish it was me staying at Hunt Club. I could keep those ladies busy.” Jason smirked.
She rolled her eyes and returned to Cameron, who was more than a little peeved about being locked in an ogre’s enchanted forest. After accepting a supportive hug from her best friend, she told him everything, even about Kyle being her vice.
“Do you know what you’re getting yourself into, Laina?” He extracted his phone from his pocket and typed “Kyle Kingsley” into the Internet search bar, then handed her the results.
She thought she might be sick. Kyle in a tux with a woman on each arm. A shirtless Kyle in the park with his head on the lap of one woman and another rubbing his feet, while yet another ate sushi off his abs. Kyle, naked in bed, the photograph taken through a woman’s cheetah-painted legs as she straddled his hips. There were hundreds of photos, each more scandalous than the next.
“I’ve never had a vice,” Cameron said. “I can’t imagine what you’re going through. But by the goddess, Laina, be careful. This guy makes your brother look like a prude.”
Vice (Fireborn Wolves Book 1) Page 7
