Coveted

by Stacey Brutger

  There was an unquenchable hunger in him that wouldn’t be appeased.

  To hunt.

  To kill.

  All to protect…her.

  Though she had yet to peg the man, she knew this beast would never hurt her. The boundless energy and curiosity of his wolf charmed her. A warm brush of fur rubbed against her mind, and she sank her fingers into his thick pelt.

  And nearly fell to her knees at the pure pleasure that vibrated through Aiden. She flexed her fingers, and a growl of hunger rolled from him. He looked toward the castle, the window of her room, and she heard him speak directly in her mind. “Careful, little girl, or the big bad wolf will come knocking.”

  Warm lips brushed against her neck. Then Shayla was snapped back into her body. Her ass landed hard on the stone floor. It took longer for her heartbeat to stop thundering against her ribs.

  Aiden was the devil, effortlessly able to manipulate the connection against her. But he failed to remember one important fact…the connection went both ways.

  And she was a fast learner.

  With a laugh of delight, she relished their next encounter. It was time for a little payback. A vicious snarl echoed in the hallway, tearing her away from her plotting.

  Nails clicked on stone.

  “Halt!”

  Fear trampled through her, and she jumped to her feet. “McHenry?”

  Silence had never seemed so loud.

  Knowing she shouldn’t, that Aiden wouldn’t approve, Shayla went to the passageway between the rooms. In seconds, she had Aiden’s door open and peered into the hallway.

  The glaringly empty hallway.

  “McHenry?”

  She sensed more than heard the pad of wolf’s feet along the cold stone floor. There was a different flavor to this animal. A lick of wildness. Shayla eyed the stairs, quickly shoving the emerald down the front of her dress. No one could know she had it.

  She cast about, cursing her lack of a weapon, and she backed toward Aiden’s room. Her eyes were locked on the darkness as she waited for the beast to burst forth and rip out her throat.

  A shaggy brown wolf padded toward her with a limp. Blood matted his fur. The sight of him stopped her cold, unable to wrap her mind around what she was seeing. “Lassie?”

  Joy shot through her, and she rushed forward, halting just before she reached him.

  Something about the size of him clicked in her mind.

  Too big to be a regular dog.

  “You’re one of them, aren’t you? You’ve been guarding me since I arrived in Scotland.”

  The animal hunched. Energy from the hallway surged forward, wrapping around the beast. Fur peeled away. Bones snapped. The figure stretched. Lengthened. The snout melted, reshaping. Five minutes passed when a male was kneeling in front of her.

  A very naked male.

  Shayla immediately tipped her head back to study the ceiling.

  “My name is Douglas.”

  Shayla turned around when he spoke, her eyes drawn to the bright splash of blood on stone. A new fear curled through her. “Where’s McHenry?”

  A head full of shaggy hair lifted, and the rough-hewn face of a warrior looked up at her. “Alive, but we need to leave before they discover us. I won’t be able to protect you.”

  He stood and swayed.

  And she saw the damage to his side. His body had been ravaged by teeth and claws.

  “You need a doctor.” When she went to help him, he brushed away her hands.

  “I’ll live.” He staggered toward the wall and pushed on two stones, and a whole section receded. He crouched and rummaged through the waiting pack, quickly tugging on a pair of pants. “We don’t have much time. We have to leave.”

  Shayla backed up a step, her stomach raw at the thought of leaving Aiden.

  He’d promised to come for her.

  “But Aiden said—”

  “The first priority is to keep you safe.” He gathered his pack and used his shoulder to push the opening wider. He dug a light out and gestured her toward the tunnels.

  “Of course.” She wanted to remain and fight by Aiden’s side, but he was right. Lassie’s wounds—she was unable to call him anything else in her mind—only emphasized that she wouldn’t be a match in this guerilla-style fighting. He’d saved her life. Protected her more than once at great cost to him. If he wanted to harm her, he could’ve done it at any time. She took a deep breath and stepped into the tunnel. The light narrowed into a ribbon as the door slowly swung shut. Darkness swallowed her. She resisted the urge to scratch at the wall and insist that she go back to the safety of her room to wait for Aiden.

  “Come.”

  Only after some prodding did Shayla allowed herself to be led away. The air in the tunnel was stale, dirt coating the back of her tongue with each breath. Cobwebs shivered, the draft indicating there was another exit. They weren’t trapped. It didn’t make her feel any better. A chill rose from the rocks, the temperature dropping to bone-chilling in under a minute.

  With each step away from the castle, away from Aiden, Shayla’s sense of unease increased. “Shouldn’t we stay to help?”

  “You’ll only be a distraction. Your safety is a priority. The wolves are well trained. They’re hard to kill.”

  His reasoning made her plea seem silly. The further they descended, the more the wind whipped around them, almost howling in an eerie echo of the castle’s inhabitants.

  The air changed subtly, a salty tang that made it feel heavier in her lungs. They rounded another turn, and Shayla stopped. The tunnel opened up into a large cave. Biting cold stole the last of her warmth and she shivered.

  Yeah, that’s why.

  She refused to believe it could be because she was leaving Aiden.

  Moonlight shimmered over open water, waves lapping at the rocks. A set of steep stairs led lower, and Shayla followed Lassie. The last step revealed a small platform of sorts where a boat awaited. A fine mist seeped into her dress, chilling her even more if that was possible. She raised a brow, more than a little reluctant to take the last step.

  “We’ll be able to reach town faster, without attracting attention from the people after you.”

  Everything he said was logical, so why did she hesitate? He patiently held out his hand, leaving the choice up to her. With great reluctance, she scrambled aboard, refusing the assistance. He quickly untied the lead and jumped, landing so lightly the boat barely quaked. A little grumble of disgust winged through her at his ease.

  He set the oars and began rowing skillfully. Before long, they were out to sea. She glanced back at Avamoore, unable to stop herself. Light blazed from the castle like days bygones. She almost expected a dragon to take flight.

  She turned to face Lassie and saw drops of his blood plop to the bottom of the boat in an ever-widening puddle. Concern tightening her chest. “You’re still bleeding.”

  He paused, watching her, before finally setting the oars aside and reaching for his bag. He produced a roll of bandages and expertly wrapped his torso, the stretch and pull of his muscles almost spellbinding. What disturbed her more, he didn’t show any sign of discomfort.

  “I haven’t seen you at the castle.” It wasn’t a question. He glanced up at her with hard, brown eyes. Trepidation skated along her skin. Then she recalled his injuries…animal wounds, not something inflicted by a human. She clenched her fists and swallowed painfully, realizing how big a fool she’d been. The shore never looked so far away. “You’re not one of Aiden’s men, are you?”

  Lassie ripped the bandage and tied off the edge. “It’s no longer safe for you to remain there. I’m trying to rescue you.”

  He was telling the truth, but what he said made no sense. “From whom?”

  He gave her a steady look. “You came here to do a job. You missed our meeting. Within days of your arrival, your room was vandalized. You disappeared hours later. Then you were chased, hunted down by a pack of dogs. You had to fight off men intent on killing you.” He grabbed
a shirt, tugging it over his head, repressing a grimace of pain. “You’re not safe. I’m here to take you back to James. Then we can discuss the job.”

  Shayla tensed, bracing herself to jump into the water and swim to shore. She needed to find Aiden. She tensed to leap when what he said penetrated, and she slowly turned to study him. “James is in London.”

  Lassie picked up the oars, effortlessly propelling them still further away from the castle and temptation. “The staff at the inn became alarmed when you never returned, especially after the incident with your room. He was the only contact they had for you, so they called him.”

  “You organized this, didn’t you?”

  Lassie stiffened, clearly offended, pulling harder on the oars. They glided through the water with amazing speed despite his injury. “You’re nothing more than a means to an end for men like him.”

  Doubts lingered like an aching tooth. Aiden might want her, but he didn’t trust her. He’d locked her up. Had that been for her safety or was Lassie right? On more than one occasion, she caught him looking at her as if trying to figure out what she was doing in his life. “Aiden wouldn’t do that to me.”

  “If he wanted you, he would’ve marked you.” Lassie inhaled deeply and gave a sad look. “Wolves mate for life. You’re just a possession.”

  “No.” Her reaction was knee-jerk. That didn’t sound like Aiden. The opposite, in fact. All he did was argue with her. Half the time he acted as if he didn’t want her there at all.

  “Then tell me, were there any other humans at the castle?”

  Shayla very slowly shook her head, not sure she wanted to hear more.

  “Because they don’t bring people back to the pack, ever, unless they have a use for them.”

  As much as she wanted to deny what he said, it made sense. The way the men at the castle stared at her, Aiden’s refusal to return her to town. Her heart gave a sickening lurch, and she lashed out. “And you think you’re any better?”

  Lassie’s eyes blazed in the moonlight, and she saw his wolf rise. “The rest of my pack is waiting for us back in town with your James. Finish the job I hired you to perform. You’ll be paid handsomely for your trouble and free to go.”

  “How can I trust you? You lied to me.”

  Lassie met her accusation with a shake of his head. “You came of your own free will.”

  “Because you pretended to be one of his men and lured me out here. Take me back to Aiden. They’ll be searching for me.” She refused to believe Aiden could make love to her with such passion if he didn’t care.

  Lassie looked away from her then, but not before she saw the pity. “Aiden is an alpha. You are a human. Even if he does come to retrieve you, what then? Will you go back to his castle and live happily ever after?”

  Shayla hated him a little bit right then. “And if I refuse to help you?”

  His head snapped toward her, and his eyes went hard and shiny. “Then you will be responsible for the deaths of a lot of innocent men.”

  That was the last thing she expected him to say. They stared at each other in stubborn silence when an enraged howl shook through the air. Shayla wanted to smirk at Lassie, but he was right about one thing.

  She and Aiden came from different worlds. She didn’t fit in his life, no matter how much she might wish it otherwise.

  Chapter Twenty-one

  Aiden stormed into the castle with his prize slung over his shoulder. Everyone parted, eyeing the hostage like a tasty treat. He dumped the unconscious man in the middle of the room, glad to be rid of him.

  What put his wolf’s fur on end was the lingering scent of Shayla on the man. Was this her friend, the one she spoke of with such fondness?

  Jealously corroded his guts that this human would try to take Shayla away from him. By rights, he should’ve just killed the bastard for stepping on his land and attacking his men. As he paced, he contemplated all the ways he could get rid of the body, his claws flicked out and retracted again and again in agitation.

  Only one thing stayed his hand.

  Shayla’s displeasure.

  Like a good dog, Aiden had dragged this human back for her, proof that he could protect her.

  Be domesticated.

  Or at least try for her.

  Resisting the urge to kick him, Aiden waited for the guy to wake so he could make it clear that Shayla would remain at Avamoore…remain with him. He tore his gaze away from the human, swallowing the rumble in his chest. When his wolves had first located the intruder, a tang of fear scented the air like perfume.

  It vanished quickly, and Aiden reluctantly gave the guy credit for being a cool customer.

  Then he’d insisted on seeing Shayla as if he owned her.

  Aiden cold-cocked him, putting an end to his pitiful demands. The man little resembled what he’d envisioned as Shayla’s type. He’d expected someone a bit less contained and calculating. Someone less…ordinary.

  Aiden despised the bastard on sight.

  Only one thing saved the human’s life…if Shayla had loved him, she wouldn’t have allowed Aiden to make love to her.

  Dread continued to gather around him. Something about the entire evening didn’t sit right.

  “I failed you, my alpha.” McHenry stepped forward with a heavy limp, his head bowed in shame. “I was expecting a human. By the time I realized my error, it was too late.”

  Aiden stared at the old wolf uncomprehending. “Too late?”

  Blood soaked his clothes, dripped to the floor, leaving behind perfect bloodstained prints of his feet. His shoulder and leg were shredded, severe but not life-threatening to a wolf. He’d been injured just enough to be taken out of the picture but not killed.

  Pressure built in Aiden’s chest as he slowly processed the truth. A wave of fury and pain collided in him, threatening to consume him. “Where is she?”

  “Gone. They disappeared through the tunnels. They must’ve had a boat waiting.”

  Aggression electrified the room. Chairs screeched across the floor as every man in the room jumped to their feet, ready to do battle.

  A roar of rage ripped from Aiden’s throat. She couldn’t be gone. She wouldn’t have left without at least telling him off first. That meant someone had taken her when his back was turned. He took the stairs two at a time, blood pounding in his head, trying not to think what might be happening to her.

  Helplessness left him dazed, the world around him slowing to a crawl. When had he fallen so completely in love with her?

  He would guess it was the first time he’d laid eyes on her in the tunnels, soaking wet and covered in mud.

  Aiden cursed, sickened that he hadn’t claimed her when he had the chance.

  Fucking chivalry.

  He refused to even contemplate that he might have lost her forever.

  The only thing that made it bearable was Shayla was a fighter. She’d stay alive long enough for him to come for her.

  How had other wolves learned about her so quickly? If they even suspected what a treasure they’d stolen, how precious she was to them…

  Aiden didn’t bother unlocking the door, just hurled himself at it.

  The bolt snapped with a ping.

  Metal clanked to the floor.

  Even before he stepped into the room, he knew she was gone. The room was empty and lifeless without her presence.

  Without her there waiting for him, his life would revert back to the way it was before, the bleak future stretched out endlessly in front of him. He couldn’t go back to that hollow existence.

  Already, her scent had begun to fade, and the wolf in him gave a mournful howl. Aiden barely held off the change. He needed to stay human to figure out what had happened. Where things had gone so wrong.

  There was no sign of struggle. He’d heard no scream. It was as if she’d walked out on her own accord. The discovery was devastating, and Aiden had trouble breathing past the crushing pain that riddled his chest.

  Not that he could blame her for runn
ing after the last few days. He was surprised that she’d lasted this long. Mac had warned him about keeping her prisoner, but Aiden hadn’t listened. He couldn’t bear to let her go.

  He would’ve sworn that she’d begun to care for him.

  Apparently not enough to stay.

  With leaden feet, Aiden made his way toward the bed. His gaze latched on her satchel, and he picked it up reverently. Hope plowed through him so painful that his next breath strangled in his throat.

  She wouldn’t have left without her belongings.

  The trickle of relief that she hadn’t left willingly died brutally, fear uprooting the fragile emotions before they could take hold.

  Someone had taken her.

  He’d messed up. He’d been so confident in his ability he’d gotten cocky.

  And Shayla would end up paying for his mistake.

  Swallowing hard against the self-loathing, he yanked on the strap of her bag until it snapped loose. He wrapped the token around his wrist and up his arm, her scent easing the tight knot that had taken up residence in his stomach. The strap of leather reminded him that he was still human, and that she was still alive. He strode from the room, determined to get her back in the only way he knew.

  War.

  Aiden joined Mac in the hallway. Cobwebs and dust covered his clothes. Mac shook his head in answer to Aiden’s unspoken question. “They’re gone. The footprints looks like it was done by a lone wolf.”

  Resolve hardening, Aiden turned toward the stairs when Mac stepped in his path. “There was no sign of struggle. She went willingly.” He ended in a hoarse whisper.

  A sharp stab of pain struck hard and fast. “You’re wrong.”

  “If she chose another, there is nothing we can do.”

  Aiden grabbed Mac by the throat and slammed him against the wall. “Shayla is in trouble, and I have no intention of leaving her to her fate. She’s my mate.”

  No one else would ever satisfy him but her.

  “Finally. I was wondering how long it would take for you to admit it.” Mac smiled, his eyes glowing as his wolf swelled, pushing under his skin. “Now let’s go rescue your Beloved.”

  Aiden gave a fierce smile and dropped him to his feet. Adrenaline pumped through his system, and he slapped Mac on the arm.