Dark Illusions: The Beginning

by Ariana Browning

  “Promises, promises,” she teased.

  Cameron shook his head. “You like it rough don’t you? I can oblige if you keep it up. I’ll take you here on this table if you’re so inclined.”

  Kat looked across the room to the other Raaka members. She watched Sean and smiled when he looked her way, but spoke to Cameron. “Treat me wrong and you’ll regret it.”

  Cameron glared at Sean when he turned away from Kat to look his way. Sean shrugged and went back to talking to the others. “You keep it up and you’ll get chained to the fucking bed and not be turned loose,” Cameron hissed.

  “Afraid of being overheard, Cameron?” Kat laughed, “Maybe I’m pushing you so you will tie me down. Ever think of that? Or maybe—” She leaned in closer, playing with his fingers, knowing if she didn’t cool him off, she’d be in trouble, “—I’m trying to piss you off.” She leaned back and smiled. She trailed a finger down her neck to the opening in her shirt, flicking her attention up at the mirror, unable to resist. She knew how much he would hate seeing her enjoy Cameron’s presence so much.

  “Dangerous game, Kat.” Cameron smiled, even though he didn’t want to play into her hands.

  She gave him her most seductive smile and asked, “And what would that game be handsome?”

  He shook his head at her blatant seduction. “You want me to take you on this table, don’t you?”

  “Well, I thought of leaving, but hey, this table works.”

  “Kat. . . .”

  “Cameron. . . .”

  “That’s it,” Cameron growled. He jumped out of his seat and grabbed her by the wrist, causing her to gasp. He dragged her behind him and stormed out, intent on taking her back to the penthouse.

  “What’s the matter?” Cara asked Julian from the doorway when she noticed the look of concern cross his face.

  Julian turned her way. “She hates me, Cara. I saw it just now. She remembers, and she hates me. The transformation is complete. She will never want anything to do with me.”

  Cara nodded. “You could feel it when she walked into the club. The Raaka certainly reacted to their new alpha female like they were in heat. She’s exuding an aura and scent that I’ve never experienced. You can feel it better than I, can’t you?”

  Julian turned back to the window, back stiff with everything he wasn’t saying. “It was always there. It’s stronger now. I couldn’t kill her, Cara. He knew that.”

  “Yes, he did.” Cara walked over to Julian and placed her hand on his back. “He used it against you to get what he wanted. How did the meeting with him go yesterday?”

  “He’s still here, isn’t he?”

  Cara nodded and walked away. Julian wouldn’t be saying another word. It would’ve taken everything in him not to kill Cameron for going against clan law, but that he did said quite a lot. What, she wasn’t sure quite yet.

  This was not going to end well.

  For anyone.

  Forty Nine

  Kat sat in Cameron’s office while he discussed business with Cyrus. Some merchandise shipments were coming in, there were problems, and she was bored with it all. While they talked, she found her mind wandering, and it ended up on Julian. She didn’t know why. That night in the mausoleum, weeks ago, came to mind.

  What Julian told her was true. She felt hatred toward him that she couldn’t even understand. It wasn’t her hate, it was the blood flowing through her. She hated him for what he did to her clan.

  Why though? Why did he do it? She’d seen, in those memories she experienced, what he was capable of and it scared her. It scared her how much of an animal he was, what he could do to her. He was so different with her though, so soft and so gentle—nothing like the monster from her memories.

  It didn’t make sense. What was it about her that turned that hard man so gentle and kind most of the time? She didn’t look forward to seeing Julian in a few hours. The clans were having a gathering, and all the leaders needed to meet there, along with a few chosen associates. That meant Sean, Jake and Max would be coming. Kat smiled and her thoughts turned to Sean.

  Cameron didn’t know she was beginning to enjoy Sean’s presence a little too much. Since Sean was around her so much, his scent surrounded her. Cameron had no way of knowing when Kat took advantage of it, and advantage of it, she did love to take. One instance in particular, she had because Cameron placed Sean on “Kat watch” in a conference room alone with her, and why resist that temptation?

  She’d pissed Cameron off—when didn’t she enjoy doing that?—and he’d demanded her to wait in the conference room until he came back to deal with her. Sean was in charge of making sure she didn’t run, which she didn’t mind. It was the first time in days they were left alone after her Awakening, and she was curious as to how far she could push him before he’d snap.

  ****

  Cameron slammed the door on his way out after she crossed her arms, determined not to give in. She walked over to the desk and hopped up on the edge, grinning at Sean.

  “So, do you find me as aggravating?”

  Sean smiled from beside the door and walked over to her. “I’ve told you what I think of you, Kat. You’re pure trouble. Pain in the ass even more. I know what you’re thinking, princess. Be careful.”

  “Do you?” She laughed. “Well by all means, tell me. Why I should be careful? You don’t seem to mind.”

  Sean’s eyes grew dark and he moved closer. His voice thickened as he told her, “Why would I have a problem with it? Can you even begin to imagine what I enjoy? Or what I’d love to do to you?”

  Kat’s body warmed under his gaze and his voice wrapped around her. “Maybe I should ask you to dance then?” She grinned, “Oh wait. I’m already on fire. Maybe that would be a bad idea—”

  Before she could finish her sentence, Sean’s grin grew darker and he closed the remaining gap. He slipped between her legs and seized her hips, hauling them toward him and pressed her against his arousal. He clamped his hands down harder on her hips, eliciting a cry from her. He smiled in satisfaction. “That’s tame, but give me more and I’ll show you how good pain feels.”

  Kat tried pushing away and couldn’t, so she took hold of his shirt and reached her hands inside to trail her fingers down his muscles. “Cameron’s been there done that, big boy.”

  Sean grinned and leaned down to her ear. He tightened his grip on her hips and she cried out. “Yes, but I haven’t even started. How many women do you think have died from having sex with me?”

  Kat pushed far enough away to look in his eyes. “And how many of these women were me? How many were immortal? You think you’re scaring me?” She lowered her voice, “Sean, Sean, Sean. . . .”

  She reached up and grabbed hold of his mouth, taking his bottom lip in hers. She bit down and drank the blood that flowed over her lips then kissed him. The heat inside her grew with great force. She pulled away and found a dark smile on Sean’s face.

  “Well aren’t you a tease.”

  Kat licked her lips, “Tease? I’ve only just begun.” She looked at his mouth and bent her head to the side.

  Sean tangled his hand in her hair and sunk his teeth into her neck. He reached his other hand between her legs and thrust a couple fingers deep within, causing her to moan.

  Kat purred as Sean worked her to the brink with his mouth and hand. She closed her eyes and inhaled his scent, moving her hands around to his back. Digging her nails into his bare skin, she raked them down his back, bringing blood. His bite grew fiercer, and he released a deep growl of pleasure.

  Her pleasure peeked and the explosion ripped through Kat, making her dig her nails further into his back. At the height of her climax, he bit down harder, eliciting a cry of pain from her as his teeth hit a nerve. Sweat trickled down her spine, and Sean pulled away to give her a rough kiss. His dominance over her was irresistible. She wanted it rougher.

  As if sensing it, Sean’s hand moved down her thigh and around her back, slamming her against his body. Her body ting
led closer to another climax when he tightened his grip in her hair and dug his fingers into her back. He sunk his teeth into her lip and sucked the blood from her bottom lip, growling when Kat whimpered. She gave in and another explosion ripped through her. She purred with pleasure against his mouth.

  Sean backed away from her, muttering, “Damn, Kat. You’re going to get me in fucking trouble. Like a damn addiction.”

  Kat’s body screamed in protest at Sean’s retreat. It took a moment to register what happened. Noticing the hunger in the depths of his gaze, she smiled, glad she wasn’t the only one who wanted to continue. “And yet you stop? Curious.”

  Sean shook his head. “I think we both know neither of us would stop if I didn’t back away. Worth the trouble?” He paused while she readjusted herself, raking his eyes over her, and added, “Definitely.”

  “But Sean. I promise it would be worth it. So let’s continue.”

  Sean laughed, “No way, woman. Cameron wouldn’t appreciate the damage I would inflict. Might take you a few days to recover.”

  A mixture of fear and excitement rolled through her. “Ooo, do show me.” She giggled.

  Sean narrowed his eyes, “Fucking trouble.” Kat saw the shadow of a grin pass over his lips as he turned to leave the room. She smiled.

  Had to go stand on the other side of the door to resist, huh? Definitely have to try this again.

  ****

  Kat shook the thought out of her head. Cameron interrupted her thoughts with, “Kat, why don’t you go get ready? I want you in that maroon dress I bought you.”

  Kat gave a slight nod and saluted. “Yesiree.”

  Cameron shook his head. He knew the last thing in the world Kat wanted was to go to the gathering, but that’s why he knew it was the perfect time for her to stand by his side. Julian would be furious. He’d bought her a floor-length dress that shamelessly showed off her body and he couldn’t wait for Julian to see her in it.

  Cameron still remembered the look Kat gave him when she saw it. She knew why he bought it. He made her try it on and she took his breath away. It hadn’t stayed on long. Sean walked in afterward to bring him papers for one of their shipments, and the hunger he was hit with when Sean gazed upon her was what Cameron hoped for. The dress was a keeper. Nobody could keep their attention off her, which filled him with a huge sense of pride.

  Cameron watched her sitting in the chair off to the side of his desk. Despite being bored out of her mind, she could still attract men from miles away. Her beauty was unquestionable. Her brains and strength made her all the more irresistible.

  “Can you go one night without giving me shit?” Cameron asked.

  Kat looked at Cyrus watching her and then Cameron. “I know what you want from me tonight mister. Why should I behave? Maybe I should flirt with every man there.”

  Cameron gripped the pen in his hand until his knuckles turned white. “We both know you enjoy the dress and have no problems with people putting you on display. You simply take pleasure in doing the opposite of whatever I want from you. I already know. Remember what I will do if you were to act up.”

  “Fine.” She’d learned Cameron wouldn’t hesitate punishing her for disobeying. He’d proven it more than once.

  Cameron smiled, pleased. “Thank you.”

  “Uh-huh.” Kat muttered, standing up and smiling at Cyrus before she stalked out.

  “She keeps you on your toes doesn’t she?” Cyrus asked.

  “That she does.” Cameron laughed. “But she’s learning I won’t tolerate her shit. She’s proving to be a good mate. The fights are well worth the aggression she builds up. I can never get bored, that’s for sure.”

  Fifty

  Kat stood next to Cameron while he talked to the visiting Raaka men at the gathering. He had a tight grip around her waist, pressing her body into his. If she so much as moved an inch, Cameron’s hand tightened. A few times he almost caused her to cry out. Her patience was wearing thin. He wanted to show her off, but yet he wouldn’t allow her to move. And that drove her crazy. Kat got to the point where she wanted to want to act up just because of it.

  When she’d had enough, she whispered in his ear, “I’d like a drink. You want one?”

  A few of the other Raaka nearby acknowledged her request with a smile. Their hunger still burned in their gaze from when she and Cameron had arrived. She grew impatient with them as well. At least Kober and Cage covered up their feelings around her—if Cage was even attracted to her. It was tiresome to watch these men lust after her. She wanted Cameron to do something, tell them to stop, tell them to back off. Something, but he enjoyed it too much. He didn’t understand that as much as she liked it sometimes, she was sick of it.

  Cameron looked her way and smiled. “Yes.” She nodded and went to move, but he tightened his grip and whispered in her ear, “Behave.” She gave him a sarcastic nod before slipping away.

  Approaching the bar, she was struck with the feeling of someone watching her, but ignored it. More Raaka members desperate to find her alone.

  Unable to shake the feeling she looked up and right into the piercing gaze of Julian. She kept her attention on him while she moved through the crowd, wondering what he was thinking. He watched her with the same intense gaze he always did. The gaze that always sent her inhibitions for cover and made her want to do anything he asked. The one that stripped her naked and bared her soul. The one that read her with far too much ease.

  Something stirred within his gaze while her attention remained on him. This wasn’t the first time she’d seen him since the mausoleum. Those times consisted of her glaring at him and making it clear she wanted nothing to do with him before stalking away. She tried giving him the impression she wanted to be in a relationship with Cameron and she was happy, but this was different.

  Making it to the bar, she asked the bartender for two glasses of bourbon. She didn’t plan on drinking hers, she just needed an excuse to get away from Cameron.

  Julian’s gaze still weighed heavy on her and she liked it. She glanced across the room while she waited for the bartender to pour the drinks and found herself mesmerized by him. The feeling stirred again, stronger than before.

  The hatred was as strong as before, but as he held her transfixed, the fierce love pushed back in. The moments in the mausoleum came back to her and she remembered telling him, “I don’t want to hate you Julian.”

  Julian wrapped around her the same way he did when they first met, his aura slowly enveloping her, caressing her, testing the waters. The feelings of that first day returned. It seemed like much longer she’d stood there watching him as his warmth surrounded her, not fighting it.

  A sense of safety wrapped around her and lured her into his embrace. She remembered the feeling of his arms wrapped around her after he brought her back from Vincent’s captivity. She remembered the feeling of him coming to find her in the mausoleum and saving her life. The love returned, shoving the hate to the background. Everyone in the room disappeared.

  Kat knew it was dangerous to allow those feelings to return, but she couldn’t tear herself away from his gaze, which was just as dangerous. Cara stood by his side with her arm wrapped through his. Other leaders were around him, including Kober and Cage, but he watched her. Shaking her head, she glanced over at Cameron talking with other Raaka. She looked around the room at the other Raaka clan members, engrossed in conversation. Lucky for her.

  If Cameron knew her feelings for Julian were overturning the hatred, the trust she’d earned would be shattered. She would be caged in his penthouse until she proved her loyalty to him. It would be disastrous if Cameron found out her love for Julian was more powerful than the Raaka’s hatred.

  It didn’t matter that Julian was Runsasi and she wasn’t. She didn’t care if they were supposed to live as enemies. Julian was the prince. He was allowed to choose who he wanted. That didn’t mean they couldn’t be together. Julian felt what she felt. She knew it.

  Kat stared at the back of Camero
n’s head, wondering what he would do if he found out she fought the hatred she was supposed to feel. He would hurt her. She knew that much. He would prove his control over her.

  Julian was talking to someone who stood off to the side. She watched him, wishing she was the one his arm was wrapped around, instead of Cara. Watching him she could almost feel his arm around her. I love you, she thought. Julian, she whispered in her head, wishing he would take her away. Wishing he would wrap his arms around her and make the world disappear.

  Julian turned her way, hearing her plea, and she felt it. He wanted her. He wanted to come to her. She pictured him walking over to her, wrapping his hand around her neck and pulling her mouth to his. She’d collapse against him and his arm would wrap around her waist, pulling her closer. She was his. Cameron forced her to live as his mate, but she was Julian’s. Julian claimed her the first moment he’d seen her, hadn’t he?

  An eternity passed in that single moment, and Kat knew if she didn’t get back to Cameron, he would notice and know there was something wrong. He’d get angry and he’d take it out on her. She closed her eyes and with a final reluctant glance at Julian, walked over to Cameron, handed him the drink, not daring to look back toward Julian. She needed everyone to believe she still hated him. She needed it more than anything. Maybe even for herself.

  As soon as she stopped next to Cameron, he wrapped his arm around her waist in possession. Cameron watched her when she looked at the drink in her hand, then passed it to the closest man to her. He smiled and nodded a thank you before gulping it down. She leaned her head on Cameron’s shoulder. He would think it meant something else, rather than her feeling frustrated and bored.

  Fifty One

  Kat went to her condo the next night to pick up a few of her belongings, and when she exited her room Kober was awaiting her in the living room. She smiled and said, “Kober. Hey,” as she moved over to her bag on the couch. She shoved her clothes within, then gave him her full attention.