AMAZON KINDLE VERSION A Siberian Werewolf In London EDITED 3 9 2012

by Caryn Moya Block

  Melisande couldn’t deny the look of pain and terror on Brencis’ face. She rushed over. Ripping Grigori’s shirt open, she pushed the towel onto the wound. There was so much blood. God, what were they doing? Brencis slipped Grigori’s pants off and moved up next to her.

  “Call him. He needs to wake up. He’s got to shift. Do it, Meli.”

  “Grigori, can you hear me?”

  “Use your bond. Reach for him. You’ve got to hurry. He’s bleeding out. The bullet must have nicked his heart.”

  Melisande followed the mating bond into Grigori’s mind. She saw his soul, a tiny light getting weaker. She cried out, and following her instincts, she grabbed at it, surrounding it with her will. She poured strength into the light and called to the man who was her mate.

  GRIGORI!

  Melika?

  “Tell him to shift, Meli, quickly. It’s the only way.”

  Shift, Grigori. You are injured badly.

  “Pour strength into him. I will as well. He won’t be able to shift in his weakness. Hurry!”

  Shift, Grigori!

  Melisande concentrated on pouring strength into Grigori. She felt Brencis as he joined her. The light that was Grigori grew stronger and began to expand. Melisande was pushed out of his mind. She looked down to see Grigori’s body beginning to glow, rainbow flashes burst around him.

  The light became too bright, and she closed her eyes. She still held the towel to his chest and felt him when he moved suddenly. She opened her eyes to find a large wolf, lying on its side, panting under her hands.

  “Holy, Shit!” Melisande said, crab-crawling backwards until the kitchen cabinets supported her back.

  “Grika! Thank God, I almost lost you that time. You shouldn’t have jumped in front of that bullet,” Brencis said, his hands buried in the fur of the wolf.

  Melisande watched in amazement. The wolf was Grigori? That’s impossible, she was losing her mind.

  “Thank you for saving me, Grika. But I would never want to cost you your life,” Brencis continued.

  The wolf began to glow. Melisande turned her head and closed her eyes. What was wrong with her? She opened her eyes to see Grigori and Brencis hugging. Then Grigori turned to her. The fact both men were naked wasn’t lost on her. But what just happened?

  She looked at Grigori’s chest, and though covered in blood, the wound was gone. She reached out and touched his skin, needing to make sure the bullet hole was really healed.

  “Melika?” Grigori asked uncertainly.

  All of the fear at Grigori being shot suddenly turned into something else. Melisande’s hand tightened into a fist, and she swung, hitting Grigori in the jaw. He fell back away from her, his hand going to his injured face.

  “You, bastard! You lied to me!” she yelled.

  “Nice hit,” Brencis said chuckling.

  “Shut up! You lied with him.”

  Melisande got up and stormed upstairs. Running into her room, she locked the door behind her. She looked down at the blood covering her nightgown and hands, and tears started running down her face.

  Hurrying into the bathroom, she stripped and turned on the shower. What was she going to do? He had never trusted her. How could he have kept being a wolf a secret? How could he say he loved her and lie to her? Who was she really mad at? Grigori for keeping secrets? Or herself for being stupid? There had been so many clues. She always got pictures of wolves from Grigori’s thoughts. Why didn’t she put it together? Had she been deluding herself?

  CHAPTER TEN

  Grigori sat on the kitchen floor in shock. The coolness of the ceramic tile, hard against his behind, contrasted strongly to the heat coming from his bruised cheek. His mate had hit him in anger. He heard her crying upstairs, her sobs barely audible as she stood under the water of the shower. What should he do? How was he going to make this right?

  He struggled to get to his feet, still feeling a little wobbly from blood loss. Brencis jumped up to help him as he swayed.

  “Let me help you upstairs,” Brencis suggested as they made their way out of the kitchen and to the stairs.

  “She hit me.”

  “Yes, quite a good one, I might add.”

  “But, I got shot. I almost died.”

  “Yup, I’d say that might be part of the problem. She’s suffered a shock. Give her some time. She’ll be okay.” Brencis steadied him as they started climbing the stairs.

  “But will I be okay?”

  “Are you saying the shift didn’t heal everything? Should I call in a healer?”

  “Don’t fret like a mother hen. I’ll be fine in a few hours.”

  Grigori was glad when they finally reached the top. He held onto the banister a moment, catching his breath. This weakness upset him. He didn’t like feeling feeble. Glancing down at the blood starting to dry on his chest and arm, he realized he needed to clean up.

  Brencis hovered at his side as Grigori made his way to the bedroom door. He reached for the handle to enter, but it was locked. Leaning his head against the door, Grigori sighed.

  Melika, please unlock the door.

  Go away, Grigori. I’m angry at you.

  The water turned off in the bathroom. Grigori heard Melisande moving around in the room.

  Please, Melisande, I’m still feeling rather weak. Open the door, Milaya moya.

  I am not your sweet. Get out of my head.

  Meli, I am not leaving until you let me in.

  Melisande heard Grigori slowly sink to the floor outside the door. She wanted to run over and open it, but that would mean giving in, wouldn’t it? Why hadn’t she figured out he was a wolf? Was he anything less than the man she fell in love with because he shifted his shape? Was she so close-minded she couldn’t accept he was more than human?

  “Grika, if the faithless bitch won’t take care of you, I will. Come. Let me get you cleaned up.” Brencis’ angry voice could be heard clearly.

  “No, Brencis. Don’t call my mate names. That is unacceptable. You will show her the proper respect. I am not moving until I see her.”

  “Idi K Chyortu, Dammit, Grigori. If she loved you, she would care for you. You are weak from blood loss, and you’re a mess.”

  “She is feeling betrayed. I have wronged her.”

  “You can’t stay here naked on the floor. Let me take you to my room.”

  “No, Brenka. Go. I will wait for my mate.”

  Melisande waited with bated breath. Would Brencis leave Grigori alone in the hall? Was she being faithless? He had been shot and almost died. He was weak and needed to be cleaned up. Was she being stupid in her righteous anger? She heard Brencis swear and then move down the hall.

  Melisande threw open the door. Grigori lay slumped on the floor.

  “Brencis, help me get him inside,” she demanded.

  Brencis turned around, a look of hatred on his normally stoic face. She knew he thought badly of her. But he walked over and scooped Grigori up and carried him into the room. Placing him on the bed gently, he patted his cousin on the shoulder.

  “I’ll clean up downstairs and check in with Valerii. Rest, Grika, regain your strength.”

  Grigori stirred and sat up on the bed. Melisande quickly placed pillows behind his back to support him.

  “Forgive me. I am weaker than I thought.”

  “You are lucky to be alive,” Brencis said with vehemence.

  Melisande knew the remark was for her benefit. Brencis turned and left the room.

  Melisande looked at Grigori. He skin looked pale, except for the red blood. She went into the bathroom and wet a towel to begin washing his chest. At the first touch of the warm towel, he reached up and grabbed her hand.

  “Forgive me, please, Melisande. I’m sorry you found out our secret in this way.”

  “Be quiet and let me clean you up. You look like hell,” Melisande said, pulling her hand free so she could continue to bathe him.

  “I wanted to tell you. But the right time never came. How do you tell the woman you
love, you are an animal? A monster from out of legends?”

  “You’re not a monster. A wolf is not a monster. You should have trusted me.”

  “Yes, I’m sorry I wronged you. Please say you will forgive me.”

  “I can’t say that right now. I’m not sure what I’m feeling or if I should stay.”

  “Don’t leave me, Melika. I love you. Neither of us can live comfortably without the other.”

  “Go to sleep, Grigori. You’ll feel better in the morning. I promise to be here when you wake up,” Melisande said as she took the soiled towel into the bathroom to rinse. She couldn’t leave him when he was so weak and vulnerable. Tomorrow was soon enough to decide what to do.

  “Come to bed with me. I need to feel you close to me, lyubov moya.”

  Melisande sighed with acceptance. She needed to feel him close to her as well. She came out of the bathroom and slipped off her robe. Then she climbed into the bed and let Grigori hold her close.

  Being in his arms always felt so right. Was it so hard to understand why he might be afraid to tell her he was a wolf? He almost died tonight. All of her dreams of a family and home were wrapped up with this man. He was her future. Tears started to slip from her eyes. She had almost lost him. Her dreams would have gone up in smoke.

  “Oh, God. I almost lost you,” Melisande said, crying in earnest.

  “Shh, detka. I know. I’m here, milen’kij.”

  Grigori listened as his mate cried out her fear. Then her breathing became soft and even as she slept. He held her close, needing the contact. When he relaxed, he drifted off to sleep.

  The next morning, Melisande woke up with a start. She sat up rubbing her eyes. The clock on the nightstand read six. It was early, and after last night, she was tempted to stay in bed a while. Grigori slept beside her, dark circles under his eyes. His pallor still seemed weak. He probably needed a good breakfast with lots of protein. Deciding she would make sure he got what he needed, she slipped from the bed and put on a robe.

  Entering the kitchen, she was surprised to see Valerii sitting at the table, drinking a cup of coffee.

  “Good morning. Are you okay?” she asked.

  “Sure, just a long night. How is Grigori? Has he recovered? Brencis said it was a close one last night.”

  “He’s still sleeping. I thought I would make him a hearty breakfast.”

  “Good idea. He’ll like that.”

  “Brencis hates me. He called me a faithless bitch.”

  “I’m sure he didn’t mean it. He is very protective of Grigori. He loves and idolizes him. I guess we all do.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Grigori is a natural born leader. He trains all the young men of the pack. He even trained the Alpha. His family goes back many generations and is said to have royal blood. But more than that, he is honorable and self-sacrificing. He is truly noble. We all wish to be like him. You have mated with a fine man. You should feel honored.”

  “I got a little angry last night. I hit him.”

  “Yes, Brencis said it was a good strike. Not to worry. It takes a lot to hurt a lycanthrope.”

  “What’s it feel like, being a wolf?”

  “We are still the people we normally are. But we connect to the earth. It feels wild and free. We can smell things from miles around. We can run faster, jump higher. We connect to all nature on an elemental level.”

  “Can I turn into a wolf?”

  “No, it is not an illness or a curse. It is genetic, like having blue eyes or brown.”

  “Oh, then my children might have it.”

  “Yes. We hope so at least. Our numbers are dwindling. For a while we thought our race was doomed to extinction. But then our Alpha found a psychic woman and mated with her, like Grigori did with you. Something about your psychic abilities makes it possible to mate with our kind.”

  “Would you like some eggs and bacon? I’m cooking them up for Grigori. A few more won’t be any trouble.”

  “Thank you. I would appreciate that.”

  “Where is Brencis? Should I cook some up for him as well?”

  “He should be down in a few minutes. I’m sure he is hungry. But it may take more than food for him to forgive you. The bullet last night was meant for him. Grigori saved his life and in so doing almost lost his own. They are very close, like brothers.”

  “I understand. I’ll apologize to him.”

  “You must prove yourself. Turning away from your mate, when he almost died, is unheard of in our pack. Brencis does not understand. I’m not sure I do either. But I know being human, it must have been a shock to you. Do you love Grigori?”

  “Of course I do. That’s why it hurt so much. It felt like a betrayal.”

  “Well, because Brencis loves Grigori, what you did seems like a betrayal to him. It will all work out. Just be patient with Brencis. Once he knows you really love Grigori, he will accept you.”

  “Thanks for listening. You’re a good guy, Valerii. I’m going to take this upstairs. Help yourself to what’s left in the pan.”

  “Thank you. I will.”

  Melisande carried the tray with the food and coffee up the stairs. Brencis was coming down the hall.

  “There’s eggs and bacon for breakfast. Help yourself.”

  Brencis gave her a cold look and continued past without speaking. Melisande gathered her courage.

  “Brencis? I’m sorry about last night. It was the shock of everything. I felt the bullet when it hit. It was like I was the one being shot. Then the pain and the blood. I freaked out. Please forgive me.”

  Brencis stopped at the top of the stairs. His body stiff in anger, he refused to turn around when he answered her.

  “Grigori is too good for you. You do not understand what a wonderful mate you have been given. You were going to throw him away like garbage. I would break the mating bond and save him from you if it was possible.” Then he continued down the stairs.

  “Well, Valerii, tried to warn me. Brencis really does hate me. I guess I really screwed up last night.” Melisande muttered to herself as she made her way to the bedroom door.

  She pushed it open and walked in, setting the tray on the table next to the window. Melisande sat on the side of the bed and gently pushed the hair from Grigori’s forehead. He was so beautiful. She shared his mind and thoughts. He was an honorable man. She caressed his face and noticed the faint discoloration on his jaw. She did hit him pretty hard.

  He stirred, and she leaned forward to kiss his lips. She nibbled and licked until he kissed her back. His arms came around her to pull her close.

  “None of that, or the eggs will be cold. Wake-up so you can eat the breakfast I fixed for you.”

  Grigori opened his eyes and looked at her. She saw the question in their emerald depths.

  “I take everything you are into my keeping, and give all that I am into yours,” Melisande said, repeating the formal words of mating.

  Grigori’s eyes flashed with delight and triumph. He pulled her head down for another kiss.

  Melika, you are mine, always.

  And you are mine, Grika.

  Grigori surged up and caught her around the waist, then he flipped her and came down on top of her. Melisande laughed in delight.

  “You are feeling better, but the eggs really will get cold.”

  “All I want to do is sup from your delectable lips.”

  “Maybe afterwards. Right now I want you to eat food. You are still too pale.”

  Just then Grigori’s stomach gave a large growl. He looked down at it.

  “I guess I am a little hungry,” he chuckled.

  “Then let me up. There is hot coffee as well.”

  Melisande made sure Grigori ate every bite of breakfast. Then she followed him into the shower. She washed his chest, ensuring that all the blood was truly gone. Then she washed his back. He soaped her up as well, running his slippery hands over her breasts and stomach. They took turns washing each other’s hair. When they were fina
lly finished, they each dried the other, making sure the skin of their partner was buffed a rosy pink.

  Melisande asked questions about being a lycanthrope and the pack. Grigori told her about Rosie and her lycanthrope children.

  “Rosie adopted lycanthrope children?” Melisande asked.

  “She said she found them. I’m not sure how,” Grigori answered.

  They played and tickled each other, then kissed and caressed each other. They would have stayed wrapped up in each other for the rest of the day.

  But at lunchtime, there was a knock at the door.

  “I know you two are having fun, but I really need to talk to Grigori about my outing last night. Plus, Rosie is here to begin dinner,” Valerii called from the door.

  “Come in, Valerii, we are dressed,” Grigori called to him.

  “I should go down and tell Rosie we are going out tonight,” Melisande suggested.

  “Hurry back, Melika. There are no secrets between us. I want you to hear what Valerii tells me.”

  Melisande leaned over and gave Grigori a quick kiss, then headed down to the kitchen. Valerii gave her a wink as she passed by. He walked up to Grigori.

  “I found Funenko,” Valerii said.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Grigori glanced at the clock. It was almost six. Barras’ car would be arriving to pick them up any minute. Inspector Lewis had arrived after lunch, and Valerii took him to the building he followed Funenko’s men to. They were watching it, hoping for a break. Lewis also provided guards for the townhouse because they would be gone tonight.

  Grigori had spoken to Rosie about her children, but except for getting her to admit they had wolf spirits, he still didn’t understand how she had found them. Rosie said she had heard them needing her, and Grigori thought she might have some kind of psychic ability that allowed her to connect to the little ones. Grigori stressed how important it was that the children learn pack law. Rosie agreed to let Grigori teach the little ones and help them to control their shifting.

  Grigori fidgeted with his tie. Meeting Melisande’s family made him extremely nervous. He had almost lost her last night. Would her cousin try to convince her to leave him? He felt his wolf begin to rise and a snarl escaped his lips.