Night Angels (Beast & Beauty)
Page 7
He was momentarily surprised at her emotional outburst and at a loss for words. But then again, what did he expect? He was fast realising this was a family, of sorts. Of course they'd take care of one of their own. Guard them fiercely. Love them even. Mutt obviously had serious problems, based on his brief observation.
“Right, yeah, I guess you've got to do what you can. Such a shame... about Mutt. Sorry.”
“So... what do you think of our little bit of paradise?” She changed the subject rapidly, with a cheeky smile and a wide sweep of her arm. He looked around the room once more. There wasn't much to say. It had white walls, dark wood slatted blinds, a wood tiled floor, and one large chest of drawers with a black lamp on top. A simple white duvet sat on the wooden bed. It was spartan, to say the least. No girly stuff was evident anywhere. No make up, hair brushes, perfume... Roxy was very low maintenance, unless she'd hidden it all somewhere. Not that she needed any maintenance or enhancements. Apart from the dark lipstick she wore, she was definitely au naturel. And so damn gorgeous, he kept noticing, every five seconds it seemed.
“It's okay. Apart from the bed I've been ordered to share,” he said with a small grin in return.
“It's just for sleeping on. I'm not forcing myself on you, I have my pride.”
“Glad to hear it,” he said, sitting down on the bed.
“Kyle?” she began questioningly, sitting down next to him.
“Hmmm?” He turned his head to look at her.
“Can you call a truce? While you're here. I know what I did was really out of order, from your perspective. But I had really, really good reasons. I've been searching for someone like you for a long while, you know?”
“Oh yeah, our fateful meeting, destiny, and all that fucking crap...”
“Please don't start on me. It really was just like that, you don't understand how we are yet... Our kind... We're instinctual... And we've got a sixth sense about things, we kinda see stuff. It'll come to you as well, in time. Then you'll realise, I was right... about us,” she replied in a heated emotional voice, breathing heavily, and staring into his eyes all the while with such an earnest, open expression he was actually moved. His eyes dropped to her voluptuous denim covered chest, which was heaving up and down with such a force it took his breath away. He tried to focus on the situation logically. But her deep and meaningful look worried him. This wasn't just an average 'boy-girl fling' going on here. It was all out, for life, possession.
“Look Roxy, I'm having a hard time accepting all this. Don't expect me to act like we're best friends all of a sudden. I'm not sure I can ever forgive you, you know, let alone pal up.”
“I'm not asking for that. Not yet. But can you stop hitting me over the head with the guilt trip all the time. It's done now. Please?”
“I can't promise, but I'll give it a try,” he compromised.
She stuck out her hand. “So, a new start then... as best you can...” He took her offered hand and shook it. He tried to ignore the fact that her hand felt very pleasant in his. He had the distinct impression that if she pushed it, he'd have problems refusing her advances. She was so very beautiful, dazzling up close, pleasant, kind, and welcoming in nature. Added to that she had the sweetest little ass he'd ever seen. Watching her ride her bike had been a real turn on. Her long wavy hair whipping in the breeze was more than hot as well.
His eyes dropped to her bare legs, so tantalisingly close.
Mmmm, what a pair of beauts they were... In fact, the whole of her was... Just incredibly, incredibly beautiful...
He tried to stop himself thinking the erotic things that she had stirred up in his mind, but he couldn't. An image of the two of them naked on the bed had fixed itself in his head. He felt a rush of the wildest heat run through him and his throat dried instantly, so much so that he almost choked. He coughed and stood up, trying to concentrate on other things as he turned to face her.
“Right then, full moon. What's gonna go down?” he asked with a steely determination, trying to be cool.
“We go on the rampage, babe,” she purred far too cutely. Why was she turning him on when this was so serious a subject? He forced himself into the issue at hand.
Rampage? Well yeah, that was one way to put it...
“Is there any way to stop us rampaging?”
“We tried a pit but it didn't work.”
“What's a pit exactly?”
“A deep hole in the ground, what else? But some of us got out, somehow... jumped on each other probably...”
“Tried anything else?”
“Loads of things. Nothing's strong enough to keep us in. We're out there, and it's a matter of 'damage limitation' as Tank puts it...” she laughed.
“So where d'you go, running amok?”
“In the farmers' fields. There's tons of food, pigs mostly, and it seems to work, the distraction of animals, I mean.”
“I see,” he replied, digesting this information. So raw meat was on the menu tonight. He'd kill for the first time. And even though it would be an animal that he'd be targeting, a sheep, or a pig, he felt uneasy about it. He was actually nauseated at the thought of ripping into something. Hopefully he wouldn't know much about it, would he?
“Are you aware, of what you do?” he asked her, hoping she'd say no.
“Only a little, here and there. But it's like a dream, that you have no control of. It's a form of madness, you know. Moon madness. Your mind is taken over, your body too. We lose the free will to change when we want to, because it's forced upon us...” She paused and looked at him with concern on her pretty features. “... and there's something I really need to tell you. I'm so sorry Kyle, but you'll find your beast really difficult to handle this first time. Because you haven't even had your 'rush' yet. That's the first time you change and it's so intense. The full moon isn't the best time for the 'rush' to happen. I didn't stop to think and my timing was kinda off, I feel so bad about that, so sorry.”
A chill ran up and down his spine.
“In what way will it be difficult?” he asked in a quiet voice, feeling more than a little alarmed at the prospect.
“Fast and painful. I'm really sorry,” she replied, reaching up and touching his arm gently.
“Oh good, anything else you want to hit me with, while I'm down?”
“No, that's the worst of it. But I want you to know, I'll be there for you the whole way. I'll try and help as much as I can.”
“Roxy... What the hell....? Fuck!” He put his head in his hands and sat down again. Tears pricked at the back of his eyes. Suddenly, it all caught up with him and it was overwhelming. He wasn't about to bawl in front of her though, and tried to hold them back. But he couldn't stop one tear escaping, and it ran down his face. He wiped it away quickly with the back of his hand, smearing it across his cheek. “Do you mind leaving me for a bit? I want to be alone,” he croaked, looking up at her in appeal.
His new heart thumped hard in his chest, with a surprising intensity, as she picked up his hand and kissed it, rubbing her blissfully soft lips back and forth across his skin. He stopped breathing as she lifted her forefinger and traced the dampness on his cheek, her eyes soft and caring. His mind swam with her tender, sweet gesture. He was weakening, and fast. He pulled himself together with a lot of effort, and a deep breath, and withdrew his hand from hers.
“Roxy... Give me a minute, right?” he asked again, in a much firmer voice.
She stood and left the room. He sat on the bed, deep in thought, and struggling with his emotions. He took a series of deep breaths and stood up, pacing around.
He could handle it. He'd felt pain before and he'd survived.
But that wasn't his biggest issue anymore.
What he wasn't sure he could handle was Roxy. She was invading his thoughts, and too fast. Melanie seemed to be pushed to the back of his mind. How could this be, considering how heated and intimate they'd been? Unless it was the 'new him' taking over? Maybe he was attracted to his own kind now?
Or maybe I'm just more attracted to Roxy, full stop? He thought with a shocking realisation.
Melanie had bowled him over, shaken him up and forced him out of his self imposed, solitary world. But now that he was out, he really wasn't sure he wanted her any more. She hadn't played on his mind. He hadn't ached for her. In fact, she'd hardly entered his thoughts. But then again, he'd had a lot of heavy stuff going on.
He wondered who he'd choose if he had the two of them in front of him right now and he had to make a choice. But he already knew.
It would be as easy as sleeping and breathing, being with her. To start with, he didn't have to hide anything.
And he was forced to admit, despite the fact she'd disgusted him only a short time ago, and her monster face was just about the ugliest thing he'd ever seen, he'd never been attracted to anyone so much in his entire life.
He was lying back on the bed, smiling a little, when the object of his lust came back in the room and sat beside him.
“You'd better sit up, or I might throw my pride away and eat you,” she grinned.
“Maybe I won't mind.”
She raised her eyebrows.
“I was joking... You're gonna have to beg me for it. And you will.”
“Don't hold your breath sweetheart. I don't want you dying on my account.”
She leant over him, and hung her face an inch away from his, breathing on him. She nipped at his lip and ran her tongue across his mouth. The effect was electric. His ignition was on, and he was revving up powerfully fast. He swallowed his groaning reaction and bit his tongue hard, trying to calm down. She got up and looked at the effect she had on him proudly.
“Just a little taster to keep in your mind. Start thinking some pretty begging words up, wontcha baby?” she smiled a big white smile, and her eyes crinkled up with mischief. “Now then... up you get. We're having our usual, out there,” she motioned.
He stood and followed her out and back to the rest of the gang.
Kat was busy pouring out a tray full of vodka shots. Kyle wasn't much into hard liquor with no sweetener, but he'd have a go.
“Hey hon,” she said with a hot smile in his direction, and motioning for him to come over.
She slung an arm around his shoulders and whispered in his ear. “This takes the edge off. We have a half a dozen before we get going. I guarantee you won't remember a thing about what happens later...” She laughed briefly as she placed one in each of his hands and proceeded to knock her own two back without a flinch.
“Mmm mmm, what a taste. And what a feeling!” she sighed with satisfaction.
She waited expectantly for him to do his.
Well, here goes...
The harsh spirit set his throat on fire and burned a trail down into his stomach. The second was easier, less of a shock. It wasn't that bad, in truth. Very pleasant after-effects were becoming apparent.
“Wow... that's a hot head rush!” he gasped with a chuckle.
“Like a hot rush do 'ya honey?” she purred.
That was definitely a double entendre. He felt a little uncomfortable standing so close to her now.
“Kat, pass 'em 'round will 'ya,” Tank said with an obvious snap, giving Kyle a dirty look. It was clear that the alpha wife had committed a serious faux pas by talking to him, touching him, and giving him a shot before the head honcho got his.
Or would that be Hells Alpha? He thought in amusement. The vodka was definitely loosening him up pretty fast.
They all took two shots down, with the exception of the thoroughly pregnant Saffy. Obviously were-babies were given the same care and attention pre-natally, as human ones.
Then they started round two. Roxy stood closely by his side as Kat served first their illustrious leader, then herself, and then the others, leaving Kyle until last. It was quite clear where he stood in the pack.
Did he actually think that? That he was a part of this pack?
Must be the vodka.
He was already feeling quite drunk. His head was swimming. Four was enough. Despite Kat insisting he have another two, he had to refuse. Maybe he'd get used to this in time.
They all stood up and toasted him on the last one. Then Angel called him a were-virgin, which made them all laugh. He felt a tinge of pleasure about that, momentarily. Until he remembered the pain coming up at his deflowering ceremony.
Then they all filed out, into the front yard.
They weren't getting on their bikes, surely? Not after downing six large vodkas?
Obviously drink driving didn't hold much importance in the pack.
Roxy took his hand and gave it a squeeze. He looked at her with a glazed expression as she led him to his bike and they got on, starting up their engines. They set off, back down the bumpy terrain and onto the road, Tank leading the way and heading for their feeding grounds, he supposed. Like a pride of lions gathering for their hunt on the Serengeti Plain. He suddenly realised why they drank before the event. It wasn't like they were off to a Harley round-up for an evening picnic. This was a serious and nasty business. Who'd want to go sober? Apart from poor old Saffy, who had to, of course. He kept his bike in as straight a line as he could. But he was quite aware of Mutt weaving around all over the road in front of him. He wasn't the only one either. He chuckled to himself. He was actually having a load of fun.
Shame it was gonna end soon, when the beast got down to business.
Chapter 5
They lay around on the grass under a copse of trees next to a field of sheep, as the sun made its final descent. The air was cool and a little damp and the sky was ablaze with pink and blue streaks. It was a beautiful sight to behold. The moon was already up, large and full. Never before had it played such a significant role in his life as now. His whole body was about to undergo change, pain, and an experience that most would likely describe as hell on earth. And all because of the presence of a large, natural satellite, many thousands of miles from the earth, that was merely in its fully illuminated phase. It didn't seem real or possible. But then again, not much about the last few days in his life actually did.
Despite all that, he felt strangely calm at present.
The calm before the storm.
The vodka definitely helped, and he was thankful for the warm buzz in his mind and body.
“You okay babe?” Roxy asked, touching his arm.
“S'pose...” he muttered. She sat up and hung over him, looking deeply into his eyes, her long hair sweeping across his chest. He reached up and gave it a playful tug and treated her to a cheeky grin. She smiled back briefly, and then looked around them and up at the sky. “C'mon, it's almost dark, we need to undress. It's about to happen and werewolves don't need clothes...” She smiled as she began a little striptease in front of him. He was aware of the others moving around him but his eyes were riveted to her. He developed tunnel vision, watching in rapture as she unbuttoned her biker vest and slipped it off, revealing an exotic red lacy bra covering her even more exotic breasts. He'd thought Melanie to be an ample size, but Roxy was even more voluptuous. He was definitely a breast man... but then again, those legs of hers were something else... long and slender and silky looking. Perhaps he was just a Roxy man?
He started hardening rapidly. He forced himself to look away, realising he had to undress too, and didn't need this type of excitement right now. He didn't want to flash a hard-on at everyone, did he? He subtly slipped out of his clothing, thinking about his job for a few seconds, to calm his mind. He looked around at the others. They were all lying face down, naked, waiting. He lay next to her and they stared at each other. His eyes skimmed over the smooth rounded cheeks of her backside and the slimness of her waist. He was sure his eyes were full to the brim with lust. He could see hers were. He knew he had a perfect body now, one that most women would want, and she wanted his desperately. She slid across to him, closely, and rested her arm across his back, her hand in his hair. She began massaging his scalp with her fingertips.
“Relax, go
with it. Don't tense up, right?” she whispered.
“Okay...” he replied. Unfortunately he was getting very tense and very nervous.
The sun had gone and almost immediately there was a crackle of electricity in the air around them. A tingling feeling invaded his body and he felt his face begin to tighten, his jaw and nose starting to ache painfully. Roxy's was transforming too, her monster taking shape slowly before his eyes. He didn't want to see any more and closed his eyes tightly shut. At that point everything began to heave inside him. A heated acute pain struck at every cell he possessed. He grunted with the exertion as he was pulled and pulled again in every direction. The slick creaking, stretching sounds of his transformation, almost made him feel sick with disgust. He curled up in a ball, a primal need for self protection overcoming him, as panic began rising within and his mind lost its focus. The excruciating pain obliterated his every thought, pulsating waves of shooting through him like so many sharpened spears.
His eyes flickered open for a second as another blinding level of discomfort overtook him. His whole body was sprouting dark hair rapidly, and it itched with a fiery burn all over his skin. He wanted to tear at himself, to relieve the dreadful sensation. He looked at his hand, deforming itself into a paw, huge curved claws pushing their way forth, agonisingly, from his newly formed, stubby, hairy fingertips.
“Roxy, oh God....” he groaned, panic stricken and in such pain he could hardly breathe... But his voice wasn't his own any more. It was growling, sounding evil and harsh to his wolf-like hearing. Then he was snarling, like a beast... because that was what he had become, just now, under the glare of the blinding full moon.