Longing for Her Wolves: A Reverse Harem Paranormal Romance (Hungry for Her Wolves Book 2)

by Tara West

  The first thing he wanted to do was make love to Amara. Then he’d work on repairing his relationship with Hakon. After that he’d sleep. After so much physical, mental, and emotional stress, Drasko felt he could sleep for an eternity. But sleep would have to wait until after this war.

  Drasko stayed awake by sheer will and lots of adrenaline. When he wasn’t on patrol, he was in the barn welding shields with Amara’s grandfathers. The shields were meant to deflect amethyst darts.

  Drasko stopped when Luc bristled. “What is it?”

  Luc turned up his nose as the wind shifted. “The Stormwatchers and Albescus. Their scent is growing stronger.”

  “Where?” Drasko asked.

  Luc pointed to the winding road that led to the house. Drasko whistled to the others. Of all the times for their enemies to strike. Amara’s fathers had left to take Katarina to her parents, which left them short four men— five if they counted Dimitri, who was still recovering.

  “What’s going on?” Constantine asked as he and Andrei joined them, woolen caps pulled low over their foreheads and hands tucked in their coat pockets.

  Luc said, “The Stormwatchers and Albescus are coming.”

  Constantine’s face paled, then colored. Amara’s grandfathers joined them in the front yard, as did Rone, Skoll, and Van.

  “Where’s Hakon?” Drasko asked.

  “Sleeping with Amara,” Rone answered.

  “Call him,” Klaus said to Luc. “We need a strong show of force. He turned to his oldest grandson. “Constantine, get Dimitri out here, too.”

  Constantine’s jaw dropped. “But he’s not healed, Bunic.”

  Three pickup trucks came into view. “He can sit on the porch. They don’t need to know he’s still healing.” He gave everyone a stony look. “Remember your shields and dart guns. They’ll fight dirty, and so will we.”

  AMARA WOKE WITH A START when her baby showed her the disturbing image of their enemies driving toward her bunics’ home. She nudged Hakon. “The Stormwatchers and Albescus are in the yard.”

  “Stay here.” He practically flew off the bed and raced out the door.

  Stay upstairs and wonder what the hell was happening? No way. She heaved herself out of bed. Tatiana and Dejan were in the hall, helping Dimitri down the stairs. Amara followed them, her heart plummeting when Dejan took Dimitri outside. He wasn’t ready to fight. She shared worried looks with Tatiana as they joined Bunica, who was watching through a crack in the front door.

  She shivered when a blast of icy wind hit her. Bunica draped her shawl over Amara’s shoulders, and she thanked her. She clutched it tightly when three old trucks with snow chains barreled into the drive, kicking up ice and snow.

  When the Stormwatchers and Albescus got out, stalking toward her family like wolves circling a flock of sheep, her heart pounded wildly.

  Bunic Klaus stepped forward clutching a shield, his hand resting on the dart gun in the holster on his hip. “What are you doing here?”

  “Returning your tools.” Chieftain Obren threw a bag at Klaus’s feet.

  Tatiana gasped when Constantine lurched forward. “Have you been to our house?”

  The Albescus gathered around their leader, snarling. The Stormwatchers hung back, issuing threatening looks from behind the backs of Daniella’s family. Amara figured they stayed behind because they were cowards like their ancestors, not because their second alpha had his arm in a sling.

  Chieftain Obren looked Dimitri over with a smirk. “It’s not your house anymore. I gave it to the Stormwatchers as restitution for Chieftain Thunderfoot stealing their land and home.”

  Dimitri left the porch, shaking a fist at him. “You can’t do that!”

  Amara squeezed Tatiana’s hand while sucking in a gasp. Dimitri wasn’t fit to be walking by himself, much less wage a war.

  The chieftain threw back his head with a laugh. “I already did. The’ve moved in.”

  “That’s our house!” all four of her brothers yelled in unison.

  The Albescus and Stormwatchers piled into their trucks, spinning away so fast, Amara’s brothers had to dodge flying debris.

  Drasko grabbed Dimitri when he tried to run after them.

  Dimitri slipped on the compacted snow, nearly falling. “Let me go!” He struggled to get free.

  Bunic Klaus turned to his grandson. “They want you to follow them. It’s a trap, meant to divide us.”

  “La naiba!” Constantine screamed. “Our house.”

  When he, too, tried to follow the retreating trucks, Hakon restrained him.

  “Stay here.” Bunic Klaus said. “They are trying to draw us out.”

  Constantine shook off Hakon with a sneer. “We’re supposed to let them steal our home?”

  “Yes, for now, unless you want to end up like Dimitri. You will not be able to take them all on, and we can’t go with you and leave our women and houses vulnerable.”

  Constantine flushed with fury. “But all that work.”

  Bunic Nicolae placed a hand on Constantine’s shoulder. “We will get your house back.”

  “Twice they have struck us, and we have done nothing.” Constantine shook him off, leveling everyone with a fiery glare. “How many more of our houses will they steal? How many more of our brothers will they maim?”

  Klaus jutted a finger toward the house. “Inside!”

  Judging from the way Amara’s brothers were giving each other stealthy looks, it was easy to tell they were formulating a plan for revenge. Stubborn wolves.

  Amara and Tatiana stepped back, making room for the men as they came in. Amara’s mates and their dads kept watch outside. Amara led Tatiana into the living room. She lowered herself on the sofa on shaky legs. Frightened, she rubbed her tummy, soothed by her baby’s magical energy.

  Amara’s bunics laid their shields beside the door, then unwound their scarves and slipped off their coats.

  “We will not retaliate until Dimitri is healed,” Klaus said, striding over to the stone fireplace. “Besides,” he continued as he warmed his hands, “your fathers aren’t here to help.”

  Constantine threw his coat on the floor, ignoring Bunica’s growls. “By then they will have struck again.”

  Again, he and his brothers shared secretive looks.

  The glow from the flames danced across Bunic Klaus’s weathered skin. “My number one priority is keeping our women safe. We can’t do that if we’re on the offense.”

  Constantine protested. “But, Bunic!”

  Klaus grabbed a poker and waved it at Constantine. “Stand down, nepot.”

  Tatiana sidled up next to Constantine and laid a hand on his arm. “Material things can be replaced,” she cooed. “I don’t want to lose you.”

  He appeared to melt from her touch, like the frost on the eaves under the noonday sun.

  Amara appreciated her sister-in-law’s presence more than ever. If her brothers listened to anyone, it would be her.

  Amara’s grandfathers joined Klaus by the fire. Klaus said, “You will have your revenge, I promise, but we must wait for the right time.”

  “When will that be?” Dimitri asked sullenly.

  “Wait until their guard is down and after Amara’s baby is born.” Klaus nodded toward Amara. “This strife isn’t good for your sister.”

  Amara’s cheeks colored, and she absently massaged her sore lower back.

  “The Stormwatchers and Albescus don’t wait for their women,” Dimitri said.

  Wow. Amara couldn’t help but be hurt by the sting caused by her brother’s words. He made her sound more like a burden than a member of the family.

  Bunic Nicolae leveled Dimitri with a scowl. “Because they don’t care about them.”

  Tatiana let go of Constantine and stomped over to Dimitri. “Dimitri Lupescu, you listen to me.” She glared and jabbed him. “You are not going to fight the Stormwatchers until you are well again and you have your grandfathers’ blessing.”

  Dimitri pushed her hand away. “Y
ou can’t order me around, Tatiana.”

  “I can and I will.” She followed his retreat, hands fisted on her hips and chin held high. “I’ve dealt with stubborn alphas my whole life. You think I can’t handle you?” She pointed toward the ceiling. “Upstairs, before I send your bunica after you with a sponge!”

  Amara’s heart caught in her throat when Dimitri and Tatiana engaged in a stare-down for several interminable seconds. Finally Dimitri shuffled to the stairs, dragging himself up each step like a dog with his tail between his legs.

  Just before he reached the landing, he and his brothers shared a look that made Amara’s skin crawl. That’s when she knew if her bunics didn’t plan an attack soon, her foolish brothers would go without them.

  With lots of grumbling and cursing, Constantine, Andrei, and Dejan stormed from the house, ignoring Bunica when she begged them to stay and have a bite to eat.

  Tatiana stared after them. “Those pups need to be taught some manners.”

  Shaking her head, Bunica sat beside Amara, taking her hand in a firm grip. “You realize once you heal Dimitri, they’re going after the Stormwatchers?”

  “I know.” Amara grimaced. “Should I slow the healing process?”

  “Nu,” Bunica said. “Dimitri will fake being well and go anyway. You need to heal him completely, so he has a fighting chance.”

  “Yes, Bunica.” Amara hated that her bunica was right. She had a sickening feeling in her gut that her brothers were being ruled by vengeance and not common sense. It seemed to be a theme among wolves.

  DRASKO STIFFENED WHEN he caught Hakon’s scent and heard his familiar gait as he crunched through the snow. It took all of Drasko’s willpower not to turn around when Hakon stopped behind him. He leaned toward the warmth of the campfire, his attention on the line of trees illuminated by the setting sun.

  Hakon cleared his throat, then sat on a log beside him. “Hot tea from Bunica.”

  Drasko looked over at Hakon, whose expression was unreadable. He held out a thermos. “Thanks.”

  Hakon’s reply was a stiff nod. Drasko took the thermos, rubbing his cold-numbed hands against the warm metal.

  “Do you think I was a fool to bring Amara here?”

  Hakon’s question threw Drasko off guard. Did this mean he cared what Drasko thought, or was he just making conversation? He dared not get his hopes up. Never once had he doubted his brother’s decision to bring Amara to Romania. Dimitri would’ve died if not for her healing powers. “You had no choice. You’re a good protector. Amara is lucky to have you.”

  Hakon nodded, then threw some wood on the fire. Sparks flew.

  Drasko suspected Hakon had more to say but was having trouble getting the words out.

  “She thinks I’ve been too hard on you,” Hakon mumbled, toying with a stick.

  He sucked in a sharp breath, hardly believing what his brother was saying. He slowly released the pent-up air in his lungs. “You’ve kept her and the baby safe, and that’s what matters most.” Truthfully, if their roles had been reversed, Drasko would’ve done the same thing.

  Hakon continued to gaze into the fire. “She misses you.”

  Tears threatened at the backs of his eyes. He’d longed for conversation with his brother, but he’d never though it would be this hard. “I miss her.”

  Hakon clasped Drasko’s forearm. “I know it was an accident.”

  Drasko was taken aback at Hakon’s sincerity. He looked at Hakon’s hand on his arm. He wondered if Hakon realized how much that simple act of kindness meant to him. He took a slow sip of tea, hoping to quench his parched throat. “I shouldn’t have lost my temper with our father.”

  “No, you shouldn’t have.” Hakon squeezed his arm before letting go. “But the veil changed you. How is your rage now?”

  Drasko contemplated his answer. Even though he feared Hakon’s reaction, he deserved to know the truth. “Every second of every day, I fight to hold onto my sanity.”

  Hakon frowned. “Any other protector would’ve snapped by now.”

  “Any other protector doesn’t have Amara.” He glanced at the bedroom window, where he knew Amara slept. She’d been his one ray of hope, despite the overwhelming gloom that threatened to tear him apart.

  Hakon pulled back his shoulders, his gaze narrowing at the window above. “You’ve done a good job keeping watch without any complaints.”

  “I don’t need praise for that.” Drasko snorted. “Keeping my family safe is my duty.”

  Hakon nodded, then heaved an audible sigh. “I plan to ask Father to shorten your banishment.”

  Could Hakon have been for real? Drasko had to swallow back the emotion, which threatened to cut off his words, before he could speak. “You don’t have to.” But he wanted to, the ache from his longing slicing a rift through his heart.

  “You’ve suffered enough, and it’s time our family healed.” Hakon’s deep voice cracked with emotion.

  Drasko gazed at his brother a long moment. “And you trust me around her?”

  “I do, and I think her touch is what you need to heal your soul.”

  Relief swept through him. For the first time in many moons, the shroud of depression released Drasko from its dark clutches, flying from him like a phantom swept away by the wind. He set down the thermos. “Thank you, brother.” He hesitantly leaned against Hakon, unsure if his brother would accept a hug. When Hakon opened his arms to him, he wanted to cry with joy.

  They broke apart too soon, but Drasko knew they needed to focus on the horizon. Drasko refused to let the enemy surprise them and take his family from him again.

  “I’ve come to relieve you.” Hakon patted him on the back. “I know you haven’t been sleeping well.”

  “I don’t think I can sleep tonight.” There’d been a slow change in the air, like a silent and deadly cloud of toxic gas blanketing the landscape and destroying everything in its path. “Something’s coming.”

  Hakon’s nostrils flared. “I sense it, too.” He slowly rose. “What do you think it is?”

  He thoughtfully rubbed his stubbled chin. “I’m not sure, but we need to stay on our guard tonight.”

  “I agree.” Hakon sat back down. “I’ll stay with you.”

  They watched the horizon, the stress from potential threats eclipsing the joy in Drasko’s heart about winning back his brother’s love. Something was amiss. Drasko wasn’t sure what, but he’d give his last dying breath to make sure the evil didn’t harm Amara.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Tatiana cracked open Dimitri’s door with her hip, balancing a tray of food. Amara followed her, stomach preceding her into the room. Her belly was going to need a new zip code if she didn’t pop soon. Another week, she told herself. She just had to hang on for a week. Maybe by then her brothers would’ve calmed down enough to listen to their bunics. In the meantime, she’d developed sharp pains just below her belly. Not too frequent, but painful enough that it felt like a gremlin was stabbing her crotch with a twelve-inch blade. She hadn’t told anyone about it. Her family had enough to worry about.

  Tatiana coyly smiled at Dimitri and set the tray on a table beside the bed. “I brought you dinner.”

  He turned away, hands fisted in his lap. “I’m too angry to eat.”

  Tatiana sat beside him and scooped up broth with a wide spoon, holding it under his chin. “Eat or Amara won’t heal you.”

  “Fine,” Dimitri grumbled.

  Even though Amara knew he was well enough to feed himself, Dimitri let Tatiana feed him. By the time he’d finished the broth, they seemed to be lost in each other’s eyes. Then Tatiana fed him buttered bread, biting her bottom lip when he came close to nibbling her fingers.

  Amara rolled her eyes at the amorous couple. “You two are making me gag.”

  Tatiana said, “Now you know how I feel whenever I have to watch you and my brothers groping each other.”

  She stiffened, heat creeping into her cheeks when Dimitri gave her a pointed stare. “We don’t gro
pe.”

  Tatiana snorted. “Every time I turn around, they’re grabbing your ass.” She turned to Dimitri, shoving the last piece of bread into his mouth and gasping when he took advantage, sucking her finger.

  “I finished my meal.” Dimitri winked at Tatiana. “Where’s dessert?”

  She swatted his chest, laughing. He yanked her down on him.

  “Stop!” she cried, moaning when he threaded his fingers through her hair and planted a kiss on her lips.

  “All right!” Amara pulled them apart, then sat abruptly when the pain in her lower abdomen returned. She rubbed her stomach with a groan. “No more kissy face. I have work to do.”

  “Yes, you need to heal me.” Dimitri cracked his knuckles. “So our brothers and I can break Stormwatcher skulls.”

  The pup sounded way too sure of himself. “The only skull that will be broken will be yours if you disobey our bunic.”

  He waved her off. “We’re not waiting, soră. They tried to kill me and then they took our home. We put a lot of effort into that place.” He looked at his mate with such longing, Amara’s heart seized. “We wanted to make it perfect for you, Tatiana. We had plans to add a private bathroom, just for you.”

  “Really?” She beamed. “Thanks.”

  “Thank Amara. She told us you needed one.” He hung his head. “Though I guess it doesn’t matter now.”

  She hid a smile. The sneaky wolf was trying to get them to feel sorry for him. Was he trying to win them over so they’d help him and his brothers sneak away?

  Tatiana clutched his hand. “I thought a bathroom was important to me, but after almost losing you, I realize what’s truly important. Please promise me you won’t go after them until the time is right,” she begged. “Promise you’ll wait for your grandfathers to come up with a plan.”

  His expression hardened. “I can’t make any promises before speaking to my brothers.”

  So it was just an act!

  Tatiana cried out, her hands flying to her face.