by Michele Hauf
She’d like to believe that. She could believe that. She would.
“You see everything around here at face value,” she said. “What I want to know is why haven’t you eyes for Lana?”
“She’s taken. And I don’t do blondes. I like them dark, mysterious and, apparently, a little cold.”
She ran a palm down her arm. Her skin wasn’t cold—oh. He’d been talking about her demeanor. Oh, Lexi, when did you become the ice princess?
Long time ago, her conscience answered with a sigh. Too long to change now.
She was set in her ways. Driven toward accomplishment, and blind to life’s pleasures, such as getting the things she desired. She wasn’t worthy of a true werewolf’s attentions, and she had accepted that. Perhaps Tryst’s mixed blood was all she could ever hope for in a mate? If so, then it was time to venture into the forbidden and take that chance she’d always wondered about.
She hadn’t realized Tryst had moved until she noticed him leaning over her. He ran his hand along her jaw and gently cupped her head as he leaned in. He was going to kiss her, and much as her brain screamed to push him away, because that’s the kind of girl she was—she didn’t let any man take what he wanted from her—Lexi ignored her strict common sense and let whatever was going to happen, happen.
As their mouths connected, his hair spilled forward to tickle her cheek. Softly, his lips touched hers, not demanding. He wasn’t sure if she would allow it, so he was using caution. Perhaps testing the ice, to see if it was safe to tread?
Please do, she thought. Break my ice. Fall into me.
Lexi spread her hand around his back, her fingers crushing into the soft fleece shirt that had to be a loaner. She clutched, pulling him toward her, following instinct and resisting better judgment. Tryst deepened their kiss, opening her mouth with a lash of his tongue to her upper lip. He traced along her lower lip and he flicked it across her teeth, teasing her to do the same. Their tongues pressed, tip to tip, then glided along each other. He tasted like chocolate and smelled like snow. The heat of him warmed her from crown to toes as it spread little fire trickles through her blood.
Lexi opened her mouth wider and danced her tongue with his, drawing him into her, luring without realizing she was leading him. The wolf groaned deeply and clutched her head with both hands, standing over her, straddling her legs, his knees crushed against her thighs. She wanted to pull him down onto her, but the position excited. He above and in command, and she taking what he wanted to give her, arching upward to meet him because she wanted to do that—to surrender to his command. To be his—a werewolf’s lover.
And what he commanded stirred her heartbeats to a rapid pace and ignited a desire she’d long wondered if it even existed. By the gods, it did exist, and this wolf sparked it to a flame.
He threaded his fingers through her hair, the scurry of his slightly fumbling touch shivering down her neck and lifting goose bumps on her skin. Her nipples tightened. Wanting, so desperately, she arched up toward him, her knees bending and her foot curling out to tuck behind his knee.
Just when she thought to draw him forward with a clever turn of her toes, she heard someone clear their throat.
Trystan stood abruptly, the loss of his mouth against hers drawing up a soft moan from Lexi. She swiped her fingers across her hot, moist lips and spied her sister standing in the doorway, hands on her hips and an admonishing shake of her head bringing Lexi down from the thrill of the moment like a crash on the half-pipe.
“Uh.” Tryst looked at her with a wince, then, shrugging a hand through his hair, sheepishly stepped toward the door. “I was just leaving. Talk to you later, Lexi.” And he vanished, leaving her to face the brunt of Lana’s accusatory smirk all by herself.
“What do you want?” Lexi asked, glaring at her sister through her glasses, and thankful that no one could see her eyes through the blue mirrored lenses.
“I’m not sure.” Lana sashayed in and inspected the empty cup sitting on Tryst’s chair. “If I said I wanted a handsome, virile wolf to kiss me like that, I’m not sure the outsider would give it to me, or that I’d welcome his touch. He’s not one of us. And yet, you’ve snagged yourself a wolf, sister. I’m surprised.”
“And why is that?” she asked, trying to pull a nonchalant blankness over her face, when all she wanted to do was lie back and revel in the delicious sensations of pleasure that still coursed through her body. “He’s just a…”
“A what?” Lana waited hopefully, pushing the painful screw in deeper with her forced sweetness. “A good kisser? Does Daddy know you were kissing a nonpack member?”
“Don’t tell him, Lana. He’s not doing well. The last thing I want to do is—”
“Break the old man’s heart.” Lana pouted. “You know it would kill Daddy if he knew his daughter was fooling around with an unaligned wolf.”
Good thing Lana had no clue to Tryst’s heritage. She’d use that against him in a flash by going straight to Sven.
“Though he is cute.” Lana coyly twirled a strand of hair around her finger. “How’d you manage to snag his attention? You walk around like an old pouty puss all the time. And those stupid glasses. Does he know your secret?”
Lexi stood abruptly, bringing herself face-to-face with her sister’s smirk. “Lana, I swear I will—”
“Will what? You going to beat me up if I tattle? Just like your boyfriend beat up my boyfriend?”
“He is not my—Tryst was just trying to make sure Sven didn’t operate equipment he had no sense in using in the first place, and look what happened.”
Lana sighed. “Sven may be stupid, but he means well.”
“He upset you so much you went crying to Daddy.”
“I needed a hug. Is anything wrong with that? Well, you wouldn’t know what physical touch is like. Or would you? You two were getting closer and closer—”
“Not as close as I’ve seen you and Sven. Sometimes it looks like the two of you are doing tonsil surgery on one another.”
Lana tossed her hair over a shoulder and gave Lexi her classic imperious lift of the nose. “He’s a brute, I admit that, but he’s going to be the scion.”
“Did Father tell you that?”
“Not yet, but who else? Sven is the obvious choice. And then when Daddy dies…”
Lexi gripped her sister by the sleeve. “Don’t you dare say that.”
“Well. I can see snogging with the outsider did nothing to settle your bitchiness. Let go, that’s silk. It’ll wrinkle.” Lexi dropped her sister’s arm. “Be careful, Alexis. You’ve never been in love before. Hell, you’ve never had a real, lasting relationship with a man. You might jump too far, and then, well, falling for an omega wolf won’t be good for the pack, you know that. They’ll beat the crap out of him if they know he’s touched you. And if any bits of him survive that beating, they’ll sweep him up and toss him out to feed the winter hawks.”
“That’s disgusting, Lana, especially coming from you.”
“I’m just trying to warn you. I care about you, Lexi. You know I do.”
Lexi nodded. “And the way you show it is so touching.”
Lana drew her gaze down Lexi as if she were made of rock, a look she’d mastered when she was eight, before turning and sashaying out, leaving the bedroom door open.
Plopping onto the couch, Lexi closed her eyes and blew out her breath. Lana was right. Dallying with an unaligned wolf would set off every male in the pack. Despite the fact none of them would touch her with a ten-foot pole, the notion that another wolf could have her would never jibe with their pack creed: to protect the family at all costs.
She glanced outside. In two nights the moon would be full. Traditionally, the night before and following the full moon were nights of intense sexual desire for the male wolf. He needed sex to sate himself or the werewolf would come out. The full moon was the eve reserved to let out the werewolf for a much-deserved run.
Lexi usually stayed in her locked room on those two nights, not
that any of the males came near her, but a few made attempts now and then. If they hadn’t an outlet, like a visit to a nearby town to find a woman, or a mortal female they could turn to, or even one of the seven females in the pack, then they’d take themselves away from the castle for a long night run.
The avalanche had packed them inside the castle like sardines with no means to travel away. How would the pack males sate themselves tomorrow night? And would a nonpack male like Trystan have the same intense desires?
* * *
Trystan was wandering toward his room when the male he knew as Liam nodded at him and said, “I’ve just come from the principal’s quarters. He wants to speak to you.”
“Okay.” That was weird. Another chat? “How is he doing?”
“Not well. So don’t stay any longer than he wishes you there. Got it?”
“Right, thanks. Er, I heard you were working on the snowplow. Need any help?”
“As a matter of fact, yes. You got any mechanical skills?”
“I rebuilt the engine of my Jeep last year.”
“All right. Stop by when you get a chance.”
Tryst nodded and headed down the hall to the south tower, running over all sorts of scenarios in his brain. He’d be admonished for fighting with Sven, even though he had taken the brunt of the blows, and had officially been marked the loser. He’d be castigated for not keeping the idiot wolf off equipment he had no right operating. Again, he had tried. Or he’d be sent away because he was not needed here. How to leave though? He could take off walking and be in town in a few hours. No problem, save for the bitter winds currently burnishing the icy snow crust to sandpaper. Would the principal be that cruel? No doubt, in his condition, he would do whatever was required to keep his pack safe, no matter how much Tryst had helped thus far.
Prepared to accept the expulsion with grace and thanks, Tryst knocked on the door and heard a weak “Enter.”
He wandered inside and through the conference room into the principal’s private quarters. It was dark, with only a night lamp on by the bed. The principal set down an electronic reading device and settled his head against the pillow. He looked thin and his eyes were shadowed, the skin beneath them swollen and dark.
Going down on one knee, Tryst bowed his head for a few moments then rose. “How are you feeling, Principal Connor?”
“Not well.”
“The wolfsbane not working?”
“It is none of your concern.”
“Sorry. Any friend of my father’s I also count as a friend.”
“Forgive me. I’m testy. You didn’t deserve that.” Connor gave an acknowledging nod. “You are aware your father and I are friends in the manner that we agree to disagree, but rarely will you find us sharing drinks.”
“Of course.” While Rhys Hawkes was open and kind to all breeds, Tryst understood that the principal probably used some friendships for a political means. “Liam said you wanted to speak to me?”
“I’ve heard you’ve been tagging along behind my daughter.”
“Uh…”
He wouldn’t exactly call it tagging along. More like worshipping, taking any chance that he could get to catch her smile. And the kiss. That incredible contact between two hungry mouths. Hot chocolate and sweet lips and wicked tongue. Did he have to mention that?
“Principal?”
“Alexis is beautiful. I can understand your interest in her. But she’s not on your radar, boy. I know you’re stuck with us for a while, and I do appreciate that you are willing to help us dig out.”
“I’d be honored if you’ll allow me to stay on and help.”
“That pleases me. You’re one of few who is sensible and seems to have some practical yet useful skills. But tomorrow night precedes the full moon.”
Tryst nodded, sensing where the man was headed.
“Most of the males avoid my daughter for reasons she prefers to keep to herself. You, apparently, have not learned that she is like wolfsbane to the male wolf.”
“I don’t understand.”
“What I’m saying, outsider, is you’d best get yourself away from the castle tomorrow night, and stay away from my daughter if you don’t want me to have Sven tear your head from your shoulders.”
Now that had been clear as a bell. “Message received, Principal. I’ll take a nice long walk tomorrow night.”
“And the night following the full moon, if you are still around.”
“Of course. Is that all, Principal?”
“Yes.” The old wolf coughed and Tryst could see how painful his condition must be as the man’s face clenched and he clutched his chest. “Don’t make me regret my kindness toward you, Hawkes.”
Tryst bowed again and backed from the room. “You can trust me, Principal Connor.”
He closed the door behind him and immediately regretted his words. He’d just agreed not to touch Lexi. What the hell?
But only on the nights preceding and following the full moon, his conscience prodded. You can touch her any other time.
He doubted the principal would appreciate Tryst’s interpretation of his stern request.
“Hell.” He strode down the dark hallway, feeling he was navigating a minefield. One wrong step in castle Wulfsiege, and he’d lose his head.
Chapter 7
Six in the morning and the castle grounds were quiet. Tryst plodded across the packed snow before the castle courtyard where Sven had managed to plow a few rows before breaking the equipment he figured must have cost the pack a cool quarter million.
He was a pretty good judge of character, and he’d known at first punch that Sven was not the brightest bulb on the string; nor did the bruiser conceive that the world was connected and he was not the star. Karma was going to give that wolf’s knickers a fierce twist someday.
He wandered through the open doorway of the shed and past a bunch of parked cars. A red Porsche caught his eyes, and he guessed it belonged to the blonde princess. He wondered which one Lexi drove. He pegged her for a Range Rover, but possibly that brown Jeep 4x4 back in the corner, too. In the center of the huge shed sat the plow, where a bright work light hung from one of the yellow side mirrors. A man lay under the machine. His suede leather work pants were dirty, and his scuffed boots had seen a lot of wear.
Liam was an exemplary man, Tryst knew without having spoken more than a few words to him. The wolf was quiet yet observant and, like Tryst, seemed to live to help others and do whatever he could to lessen burdens.
“What’s the prognosis?” he asked, squatting near where Liam lay.
“It’s going to take a couple days for sure. He blew out the hydraulics. I had to order a part, which should be delivered in two days if the roads are cleared. You’re up early.”
“It’s nearly daybreak. I never miss a sunrise. So can you use some help?”
A torque wrench was handed out from under the machine, and Tryst snatched it. “Find the hex bolt where I’m pointing,” Liam directed, “and give it a twist.”
He did as he was told and, with concentrated effort, the two managed to remove the hydraulic mechanism and lay it out on a cardboard flat in the center of the dirt-floored shed. Moving the light over the work area, Tryst wiped a smear of grease down his stomach. He had stripped to his shirt and jeans in the process of removing the hydraulics. Good hard work always brought up a sweat.
“You and Sven friends?” he dared to ask as Liam squatted over the floor, tracking the parts on the printout he’d downloaded online.
“Sven is a tool,” Liam offered, and then shrugged, “Yet he’s in line to become scion, although you didn’t hear me say that.”
“Not a wise choice for someone who may eventually lead the pack,” Tryst commented. “Especially if the principal is ailing, and could be thinking incoherently. Should he be allowed to choose a successor?”
Liam shrugged. “This is an unusual circumstance. We hadn’t expected to lose Vincent when the principal was in such poor health. Wish I knew what was wro
ng with him, if only so his daughters could have peace of mind. They both keep a stiff upper lip, but this is tearing them apart.”
Tryst had noticed that about Lexi, though he wasn’t sure about the sister. The blonde he’d read as a spoiled brat, prancing around in high heels and perfect hair. But that didn’t mean she couldn’t be torn up inside over her father.
“I think you should be scion,” he proposed. “You’re the most levelheaded wolf on the premises.”
Liam granted him a rare but sheepish smile. “Yeah, but I’m not banging the princess. Though, I hear you’re trying to.”
“Bang Lana? Hell no.”
“I’m talking about Lexi, the tall, cool, dark one. You’ve been tagging around behind her like a puppy wagging its tail.”
“I have not.” Tryst kicked the snowplow tire. “Maybe.” He paced the edge of the cardboard flat and shoved his hands over his hair. “All right, she is pretty, and smart, and—”
“And trouble.”
“What is that about? Why is it all the males seem to walk a wide circle around her? She is the best-looking female in the castle.”
“Besides her sister,” Liam suggested. He appeared to give that statement some thought.
“And what’s with the dark sunglasses? I’ve never seen her without them. Do you know what her problem is?”
“Yes, I do, and if she hasn’t told you yet, I respect her too much to blabber it to you.”
Tryst sat before the big tire and leaned back on his palms, kicking out his boots before him. “Hell, it must be bad.”
“It ain’t a bouquet of roses, that’s for sure. But you do know it’s not wise for an unaligned wolf to go sniffing around the principal’s daughter?”
“So I’ve been told. Principal Connor had a harsh word with me last night. He wants me to stay away from Lexi tonight.”
“Just tonight?”
“And the night following the full moon. But he didn’t mention the other nights of the month, so…”
Liam dropped the schematic and his eyes met Tryst’s. “Listen to the old man, and fill in all those other days on your calendar. Trust me on this one, Hawkes.”
