by Zena Wynn
****
Sean drove out of Derrick’s apartment complex parking lot to a nearby shopping center where he pulled in and parked. He gripped the steering wheel so tight his knuckles showed white. After his breathing slowed and he achieved some measure of calm, he took out his cell phone and dialed one of the numbers recently programmed inside.
“’Lo.”
“Spook, it’s me.”
“Serge, checking in so soon? How’s the vacation? Seen your girl yet?”
Sean let his head fall onto the driver’s seat backrest. “Not going so good. Got into a bit of a situation and lost control,” he confessed.
In a serious tone, Spook asked, “Where’s the body?”
He sucked in a deep breath. “I didn’t kill him. Hooch is alive. Unconscious, but still breathing.”
“Oh, well in that case, you didn’t lose control at all. With your strength and training, if you were truly enraged, dude would be dead,” Spook said in a relieved tone of voice. “Why don’t you tell me what happened.”
Sean reported the sequence of events, starting with his meeting with Derrick and Von and up to a few minutes ago when he left Derrick’s apartment.
“Did you shift?”
“No.”
“Good. Think he’ll cause problems?”
He gazed out the window as he thought. “No, I don’t believe so. His ego won’t allow him to admit he’s been bested. Not only that, dude’s a minister now. I don’t think he’ll want his congregation knowing he knocked his fiancé out cold or why.”
“How’s your lady friend? She okay?” Sean could hear the concern in Spook’s voice.
“I don’t know. She left during the fight. She’s got to be hurt, though. Hooch packs a powerful punch and she went down hard.” His fists clenched again and he gritted his teeth as he remembered the sight of Von crumpled on the floor.
“Damn,” Spook said with feeling. “All right. First things first. Give me the dude’s address and if you want, I’ll arrange for someone to go over there to smooth things out. Sounds like you trashed the place pretty good. Fixing things ought to help.”
Sean thought about it. Did he want to fix things with Hooch? No, not really but for Von’s sake he would. He rattled off the address.
“Now, about your lady. You said you were only trying to comfort her and things got out of hand?”
“Yeah. As much as I love her, I wouldn’t have taken her with her fiancé in the next room. That wasn’t the plan.” Sean still wasn’t sure what happened.
“Were you aroused?”
Sean thought back to Von’s scent, her voice, and her see-through bra and panties that revealed every line and curve of her body. The feel of her tight, wet pussy gripping his shaft as she rode him. His cock engorged and began to throb. “Yeah.” It came out a growl.
“Pheromones,” Spook said, as though that explained everything.
Sean cleared the wolf out of his throat. “What?”
“Pheromones. Lycans have powerful pheromones. Makes us irresistible to the opposite sex. One sniff of you and she was a goner.”
Sean scowled. “So you’re saying this whole thing between us—her reaction to me—was hormone induced?”
“Well, yes and no. The pheromones would draw her to you and possibly lower her guard, but it wouldn’t make her to do anything she didn’t already want to do.”
Knowing Von wanted him as much as he wanted her made Sean feel somewhat better. Otherwise, what happened between them would have been little better than rape. But still, he couldn’t help remember the dazed, drugged look in her eyes and it made him wonder just how much control Von really had over her actions. The Von he knew would never have—
“Did you bite her?” Spook asked, interrupting his train of thought.
Had he? He had to think. He remembered being almost hyper focused on Von. Everything else fading into the background. After a moment of silence he said, “I did. My beast was riding me pretty hard. I couldn’t resist.”
“Staking its claim. I figured from the way you talked about her she was the one for you. Your other half obviously agreed. Congratulations on your mating. We’ll have to throw you a party once you get back.”
“What do you mean, mating?”
Spook sighed. “Didn’t you pay attention to anything I told you about women and Lycans?”
“Not really,” Sean admitted. “I remember you saying the virus attaches to the Y-chromosome and that our sexual appetite would increase. Mostly I focused on the knowledge I needed to get us out of that hellhole we were in.” And later he’d been worried about keeping his ass out of some secret government lab when the military found out what he’d become.
“Yeah, there was that,” Spook agreed. “Okay, here’s the Cliff Notes version. As Lycans we do have stronger appetites and crave more sex, but the wolf-man only comes out to play when mating is involved. That’s how we know she’s the one. Only your mate can bring the wolf to the surface during sex. The wolf’s bite marks her and creates a bond.”
That sparked a vague memory. “You said we’d be able to pick up on each other’s emotions?”
“Yes. The bond is empathic in nature. When it’s really strong, you’ll be able to hear each other’s thoughts, but that happens over time, not immediately.”
A thought struck Sean and he sat up straight. “Shit! I not only bit her, I licked the puncture wounds. She won’t get infected, will she?”
Spook laughed. “This mess has you really frazzled, doesn’t it? Females don’t have Y-chromosomes, remember?”
“Oh, yeah,” he said, a bit sheepish at having forgotten something so basic.
“Other than the empathy thing and a few health benefits like an increased immunity and faster healing, she won’t be affected at all. Don’t worry. Mating’s a good thing. It’s the Lycan version of exchanging marriage vows, all legal and binding,” Spook assured him.
Sean rubbed his face. “Great. Now all I have to do is break the happy news to my bride that while she might be engaged to Hooch, according to Lycan Law she’s married to me.”
“No worries, Serge. She obviously loves you.”
Maybe. But does Von realize that she does? “We’ll see.”
“I’ll make my calls now. Call me if you need anything else.”
“All right.”
Sean pushed the button on his phone and tossed it onto the passenger seat. He examined his bloody hands and scraped knuckles. When he saw Von fall his only thought had been to kill Derrick with his bare hands. He still wasn’t sure where the needed control had come from. Even now, anger coursed through his veins.
Maybe it was the knowledge that Von could be seriously hurt and need his help that allowed him to stop and go to her aid, only to discover she’d left. Instead of unconscious, she must have merely been stunned and since she’d run off, he had to assume she was okay. Physically, at least.
Discovering Von wasn’t there to witness the carnage had immediately freed him to finish teaching Derrick a lesson in the treatment of women he’d never forget. Derrick’s fortunate the pizza delivery guy arrived when he did and threatened to call the cops. Otherwise, who knows what would have happened?
As he’d told Spook, Derrick would live. He’d be battered and bruised and might want to lay low until his face healed, but no bones were broken and no permanent damage done to his body. Sean wanted Hooch dead, but knew Von would never forgive him for killing his former friend, no matter the provocation.
Sean flipped down his visor and looked in the mirror. Derrick managed to land a few punches of his own. His lower lip was busted and one eye was darkening into a hell of a shiner, but by tomorrow most of the damage would be gone. Being a Lycan gave him phenomenal healing ability.
Spook had said he’d be able to feel Von’s emotions and she his. He tried sensing what she was feeling so he’d know what he was walking into when he went to see her, but got nothing.
Maybe the bond wasn’t complete. Derrick had interr
upted them before they could climax. It’s possible that biting her was only part of the process. Maybe he needed to cum in her body to complete it.
He sighed. There was so damn much he didn’t know about being a Lycan, despite Spook’s best efforts to teach them. He remembered the basics. Uncontrollable change during a full moon. Increased appetite for everything. Quicker tempers. More territorial about things or people belonging to him. Faster reflexes. Stronger, more lethal body. Enhanced senses.
Sean vaguely remembered bits and pieces about sex. Cautions against getting too aroused, being too rough, losing control. None of which he’d been interested in at the time. Talking about sex made him realize how long it had been since he’d been laid. With an increased sex drive and no means but his fist to take care of matters, the last thing he’d wanted to do was think about or discuss it.
While the others asked millions of questions, partly in an effort to take their mind off their current circumstances, Sean plotted and planned out their escape. Once they got out of there and made it back to civilization—he never doubted once that they wouldn’t—his next major concern was the debriefing and battery of tests they’d undergo, both physical and psychological. How would he and his men make it through the process without revealing what they’d become?
It had come as a hell of a shock to find out the military already knew about Lycans and had specialty units filled with them. So much for his fears of being a lab rat.
Sean exited his truck, figuring a walk would clear his head and help him figure out how to approach his mate. He didn’t need a Psych degree to know the state of mind Von would be in. She’d fucked another man and been caught going at it by her fiancé. Von didn’t believe in casual sex and had no way of knowing what they’d shared wasn’t simply a mercy fuck on his part. She’d be blaming herself, figuring like any man, he’d taken what she offered and run with it.
Not that she had the highest opinion of the male species to begin with. With his background in the foster care system, he knew all about being the target of predators and sleeping with one eye open. At least she’d had family to run to.
He wanted to rush to her side and reassure her of his love and commitment, but was she ready? She’d been with Hooch a long damn time. Not once since he’d known her had Von ever mentioned the possibility of being with another man. Habit was a lot harder to fight than love and after seeing them together, he could tell Hooch had done a number on her. Did he have enough time to combat it, make Von see reason?
Sean reminded himself of his and Von’s eight years of friendship. That had created a bond of sorts between them. Their relationship may have begun because of Derrick, but it continued on its own merit. Now there was a physical connection as well. He was her first—and only, if he had anything to say about it—lover. They say you never forget the first.
The question is, would Von think of this as a good or bad thing? Only one way to find out. He headed back to his vehicle and punched Von’s address into the truck’s GPS.
Chapter Seven
“WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO YOUR FACE?”
Von jolted awake. “Huh? What?”
“Your face,” Marketta forced out between clenched teeth. “What. Happened?”
“Derrick—”
“Oh, hell, no! Tell me that fucker didn’t hit you.” She whipped out her cell phone and punched in a number. “Yeah, Moose, it’s me. Grab some boys and—”
It hurt like crazy but Von managed to lunge up and knock the phone from Marketta’s unsuspecting hands. It bounced off the bed and onto the floor.
“What’s the matter with you? Do you know how much I paid for this phone?” her cousin griped as she stood to go get it.
Von grabbed her arm and held on with strength born of desperation. “My fault,” she said. “Don’t. I’m to blame.”
Marketta narrowed her eyes. “I can’t believe this shit. Next you’ll be telling me you accidentally ran into his fist. What the hell is wrong with you? He HIT you. You know we don’t play that shit!”
“Let me explain,” she pleaded, still holding on tight. Oh, God, why hadn’t she thought about her cousin’s reaction before calling her to come over? The last thing Von wanted is anyone else knowing how she’d humiliated herself and what came after, but if she wanted to avoid the violence Marketta was about to set into motion, she’d have to tell all.
Her cousin stared at her for a long moment. “I doubt anything you say could justify this,” she flicked a finger at Von’s face, “but you got five minutes. Make it good.”
In the background Von could hear Moose calling her cousin’s name. She looked at the phone and Marketta followed her gaze. “Let go.”
Von released her and she went and picked up the phone saying, “Sit tight for a minute. I’ll call back in a few...mmm-hmm...yeah.” She push the disconnect button and crossed over to the dresser and leaned her butt against it, hands crossed over her chest. “Talk.”
Slowly, painfully, reluctantly, Von told her cousin what happened from the meeting with Sean at the restaurant until Von’s phone call asking Marketta to come over. When she finished, Von collapsed upon the pillows, her head once more throbbing in pain, waiting for her cousin’s reaction.
Marketta shook her head. “Damn, girl. You fucked Sean in Derrick’s apartment where he could walk out at any moment and see?”
Von flinched and turned her face away in shame.
“Damn...” That’s all her cousin seemed to be able to say. Quiet descended. Von was once more shamed by her actions and her cousin, no doubt in shock.
Finally, Marketta stirred. “Look, I’m not saying what asshole did is right. Hitting a woman is plain wrong. I don’t care what the provocation, but you’re right. No need to get the boys involved in this. Although I’m still tempted...”
Von glanced back at her cousin to see Marketta caressing her phone and eyeing it consideringly. “Don’t tell anybody, ’kay? I don’t want them knowing I...” She couldn’t finish.
Marketta set the phone on the dresser and came and sat by her on the bed. “Von, you have nothing to be ashamed of. I know you’re blaming yourself but this whole thing is Derrick’s fault.”
When she tried to protest, her cousin cut her off. “Listen to me! He came over here and got you all stirred up. Hell, Von, he’s been jerking your chain for years, and I’m not just talking about sex. When you went over there to finally do something about it, he pushed you away. Cruelly, in front of a witness. Personally, I’m glad Sean was there. Yeah, so things got a little out of hand between you two. Just means that’s some strong chemistry between you and Sean.”
Von shook her head, denying that last bit. “No, there’s nothing between Sean and me. He just...”
Marketta arched both her eyebrows. “What? You think you raped Sean? A big strong man like that?” She laughed. “Honey, you’re so clueless it’s ridiculous. I told you the hunk was here for you. Granted, I didn’t expect you to offer yourself to him on a platter, but I’m not surprised he jumped on it, or rather, let you jump on it.” She wagged her eyebrows, laughing when Von flushed.
“Marketta!”
She shook her head, smiling crookedly. “I’ll say this for you. You never do things halfway. Let me get some ice for that swelling.”
Her cousin left the room before Von could get her thoughts together. Her mind still stuck on the image of her lowering her body onto Sean’s penis. In spite of the pain she was in, the memory of him moving inside of her, the feel of him stretching her deep within was enough to arouse her all over again.
Marketta came back with ice in a sealed plastic bag with a towel wrapped around it in one hand, and a glass of water and bottle of painkiller in the other. Von took two pills then set the icepack on her face. As she felt her eyes closing, she told her cousin, “Don’t let me sleep too deeply.”
“I know how to treat a concussion. I’ve handled my share of them. What about your job. What’s your schedule?”
Von’s eyes pop
ped open. “I’m off tonight but—”
Seeing her alarm, Marketta said, “Don’t worry about it. I’ll call. Tell them you were playing football with the family and it got a little too rough. You caught an elbow in the eye and for them not to expect you in until the swelling and coloration recedes. God knows you never take any time off. They can manage a few days without you.”
Von wasn’t an advocate of lying, but in this case she’d make an exception. “Thank you,” she told her cousin in a soft voice. With Marketta’s story, she wouldn’t even need a doctor’s note.
“Yeah, that’s what family’s for. We cover each other. Speaking of family, I’d better call Moose and tell him never mind, but Von...”
Marketta waited until she was looking at her before continuing, “That bastard touches you again and we’ll fucking bury him.” With that promise, she walked out of the bedroom.
Von sighed, readjusted the icepack to a more comfortable position, and closed her eyes. Marketta was dead serious and Von knew it. Unfortunately, Von’s mother with her drug habit and whorish ways wasn’t an abnormality in her family. They had family members on both sides of the law, but the younger males, unfortunately, tended toward the criminal mindset: drug dealers, pimps, gang bangers, to name a few. Even the straight ones didn’t mind crossing over for the right reason, and messing with a family member was considered justification enough.
Derrick knew about her momma and Marketta, of course, but she’d never really spoken about or introduced him to the rest of her family. It wasn’t that she was ashamed of them. She just knew after his reaction to her momma and cousin that Derrick wouldn’t understand. His home life was so different from hers. She was ‘hood—public housing, welfare, and weekly crab boils with the family—and Derrick was Amen, only his father was Clifton Davis, the pastor, instead of Sherman Helmsly, the deacon.
Her family knew she was involved with “that preacher’s son” and that she’d “found religion.” As long as she didn’t try to convert them, they were cool with it. Derrick had no idea of the hell he’d unleash if what happened to her became known.
