Captive Wolf (Werewolf Erotic Romance) (Amber in Darkness #1)

by Julianne Reyer

  Scott didn't believe in coincidences. And he loathed the idea of destiny.

  Yet her scent was here, sharp, in the middle of the road, like a siren's song calling for him to reconsider.

  Another car swerved past him, honking with impatience. Scott shot the driver a look full of daggers. Then he eased the throttle, letting the rear tire spin the bike.

  As he slammed one gear to the next, zipping dangerously around the cars on the thin road, he realized the gas gauge was on empty. Of course, he thought with a snort. Just my luck.

  As he raced down the last incline, the engine began to sputter but thankfully it got him down the hill before it cut out. Then he just let it coast up to the closest pump.

  A young man in greasy overalls stepped out of the station, rubbing his fingers on a dirty rag.

  "You almost didn't make it," he laughed as he stepped up to Scott. "Lucky, man."

  Scott grunted and handed him one of the fifties. "I'll need the change back." He glanced down at the name printed on the patch over his breast. "Dan."

  "Sure." Dan lifted the pump and popped the gas cap off the back. "Hey, this bike looks familiar. You buy it off Bob from the bar?"

  Scott lowered his brows.

  Dan raised his hands defensively. "It's your business. I don't need to know." Then he crossed his arms. "You should really wear a helmet though."

  Scott growled under his breath.

  Dan cleared his throat. "I'm just saying. I lost a lot of buddies on the road because they refused to put on a brain bucket. You never know when something unexpected will come out of nowhere."

  With the last of his patience wearing thin, Scott turned his back and stared out over dense trees and scattered buildings. The motel was just down the street. All he needed was some gas, then he'd pack up his belongings, and be on his way.

  "Well, even if you don't, at least remember to stop and smell the roses. You know what I mean?"

  Scott closed his eyes and rubbed his brow. "Now why would I want to do that?"

  Dan gave him a confused look. "You might not get another chance to." His brows raised as he stared back with tight lips. "You could be dead tomorrow."

  Scott rubbed his chin as the man pulled the pump out and hung it back up. The light smell of lilacs wafted off Scott's fingers from where he'd touched her slender body, struggled with her, where she'd yielded just briefly.

  "I'll get you that twenty bucks in change."

  "Wait." Scott glanced over his shoulder. "Just bring me a ten."

  The man smiled wide, his white teeth gleaming from the light of the setting sun. "Thanks."

  As annoying as Dan had been, he was right. There might be times where a whole curriculum full of philosophy classes didn't have anything on the simple words of a gas station attendant. Sometimes you just had to stop and enjoy the moment.

  And Scott knew, in a way that was fundamental and bone-deep, that he would never forgive himself if he left without finding out what was going on with those two. He had enough guilt as it was. He didn't need any more.

  It wouldn't hurt to stay just one more night.

  ***

  The engine growled like an angry demon as Austin punched the powerful muscle car up the hill. As they pulled up to the rambling old mansion, Amber gave him a smile. It wasn't like she knew anything about cars, but Austin's boat-like black beast was still the coolest one she'd ever ridden in. Angular, striking and loud, she guessed it might be older than both of them put together. Nothing like the boring, nearly-identical cars in the suburbs where she'd grown up.

  And she knew he liked to show off for her.

  With one foot resting on the dashboard, she spooned up the last of her ice cream and stared up at the towering house. It wasn't so easy to come back to, even though she didn't have anywhere else.

  "Thank you for taking me out." She set the empty cup on the dash. "The ice cream was really good."

  He chuckled and killed the engine. "I knew you'd like the Cold Stone."

  There was the tiniest edge of something in his voice. Apprehension? And a thin hint of an accent she'd never been able to place. It never came out unless he was distracted or tense. Not that he would want any of that to show through his normally cool demeanor. But she'd spent enough time with him. She could tell.

  The sun was setting over the hills, casting rays of orange light over the sky, bathing the old multistory building in elongated shadows. The pooling darkness reached for them, grasping, encroaching on Austin's car—the only vehicle that ever parked in the driveway.

  "We're pretty late." Amber stepped out onto the worn cobblestones. "Will we get in trouble?"

  "Doubtful." He frowned as he closed the car door. "They don't rise this early."

  She let out a breath of relief. Every time they did this, her heart raced with anxiety. But after being cooped up in the dark for so long, their rare excursions were the only times she truly felt alive.

  Most of the time, she saw herself as some kind of wraith: a distorted image of herself, lost in the shadows of the huge, empty house. That is, if she even remembered herself clearly, as she had been, before. Honestly, she wasn't always sure if she did.

  Everything had been brighter for sure, every acute pang of emotion, both her own and people around her. It had been chaotic and exhilarating, not to mention maddening. Part of her didn't miss that at all. But another part of her despised the silence, and the seductive apathy that chewed away at her soul.

  Yet the veil had been lifted, and the light had spilled into her sensitive mind with one blinding thought: I'm not alone. But she'd flinched away from him, her senses burning from the savage maelstrom swirling off the dark stranger. And though she'd run, fought, even bitten him, she couldn't stop thinking about him now. She hadn't been this electrically-charged in like, well, ever.

  Truthfully, she didn't know what she wanted. Not now, and not for a long time. And meeting another werewolf had just made that worse. Of course, she'd told herself before that there must be others out there. Maybe she hadn't expected him to have such a strong presence: fierce, intense… sexy. She stopped herself, wincing.

  The real problem was that he put the whole situation into sharp relief, casting a bleak light on just how much trouble she was in.

  She dropped her gaze to the ground, following Austin along the winding stone path as he strode up to the house.

  He heaved open one of the large double doors. "Don't worry about it. If they find out, I'll take responsibility."

  But as the heavy door slammed closed behind them, she knew something wasn't right. Hell, she could smell it—like ashes mingled with a thick layer of dust.

  Candlelight flickered from the wall sconces and fat tongues of fire licked in the hearth. Austin tensed, his jaw tight as he gave her a brief glance.

  Amber's mouth went dry. Her stomach clenched in a tight ball of fear.

  "You're late." The resonant voice drifted through the dimly lit room. "Did you have fun while you were out?"

  Next to the fireplace, sat a dark figure in a bright red velvet-covered chair, his body shrouded by a heavy, hooded cloak. Firelight reflected off the gleaming sword laid across his knees.

  "Lucius." Austin's voice cracked as he stepped into the room. "I apologize for my tardiness."

  The man rose to his feet, carefully sliding the sword to his side. Then he pushed back the cowl, exposing a round, bald head and sharp ears. Amber shivered as his ghostly pale eyes swept over her.

  "Where did you take my pet while you were out?"

  Austin's eyes flicked to her. "We just got some ice cream, master. Surely it wouldn't hurt to let her see the sunlight occasionally."

  Lucius sneered, exposing his sharpened teeth. "It's cute how you pretend to be sentimental about the beast."

  He strode forward and with only a few quick steps, he loomed over her. His fingers curled under her chin, his sharp nails scratching over her skin.

  "Curious that my little birds say you visited the library."<
br />
  Amber held his stare as he lifted her face. Who was it? She wondered idly, trying not to flinch from his claw-like nails and reptilian gaze. Which of the students lounging in that courtyard had really been watching them? She swallowed, but the heavy knot of dread stuck in her throat.

  Austin raised his arms. "She likes books."

  "I do not care what she likes," Lucius snarled, squeezing his hand so his nails dug into the tender flesh under her jaw. "Now why did you really go out today?"

  Amber whimpered as blood dripped down her throat.

  "Master," Austin said with desperation in his voice. "I told you already."

  "No. You have not." The tall man took a step back, releasing her face. "Give me your hand, little pet."

  The malice in his words cut to her core, and yet his eyes held her captive, their cold depths undeniable, pulsing with authority that couldn't be questioned. She tried to ignore the anxiety churning in her stomach as she lifted her arm, with her palm up.

  "You know why I love this sword, little pet?" His white eyes playfully gazed at her like some grotesque predator toying with its kill. As he lifted the blade, she wrinkled her nose.

  "It's made of silver alloy, among other things." He casually set the point down on her hand.

  She gritted her teeth as heat flared up her arm and her skin began to sizzle.

  "It's the only one of its kind: capable of slaying almost anything, be it human or…" His tongue curled out of his mouth and licked the blood off his fingertips. Then he glanced back at Austin. "Superhuman."

  She knew better than to pull her hand away but the pain was excruciating. Her flesh blistered, her muscles shook, and her tendons spasmed, flexing her fingers like a dying spider. A cry stuck in her throat and a tear streaked down her cheek.

  "Master!" Austin shouted.

  "Tell me why you went out today."

  Austin gnashed his teeth as Amber trembled. A whine pealed from her throat. She swayed, trying to keep her balance under the weight of the searing agony.

  "Stop," Austin cried. "I found a man who may—or may not—be of interest to you."

  Lucius lifted the sword.

  Amber sank to her knees, clutching her wrist; steam rose from her burned hand. A riot of colors swam in her vision, but they were muted, far away, stained by the very soul of this place. It might be too late for her now, but her stomach lurched with the terrible thought that Austin might tell Lucius about the stranger they'd met.

  "Austin," she gasped. "Don't—"

  Lucius struck the blade against the tile floor. "Silence, beast! You do not speak in my presence."

  "Master, please." Austin lowered his arms. "He's doing research into the paranormal."

  Amber shuddered; relief flooded her senses, assuaging the pain in her hand, which seemed not to matter at that moment. Right, she thought. The professor he went to see. Please, let them talk about that.

  Lucius turned to Austin, his almond-shaped eyes just slivers of white under his lowered brow. "And why would this interest me?"

  "I thought he might have discovered that we exist."

  With a casual swing of the sword, Lucius braced the blade against his shoulder and strode close to Austin. His sharp teeth flashed as he sneered.

  "I don't believe that your intentions were that charitable." His gnarled fingers slid down Austin's neck and under the collar of his shirt. "I know you better than that." He pulled his hand back, briefly lifting the chain that was hidden under the cloth.

  Austin stared back at him with defiance. "It doesn't matter anymore—which is why I didn't bother you with it." He swallowed before continuing. "What he discovered wouldn't interest you anyway."

  Lucius let the necklace drop from his fingers. "What, may I ask, did he discover?"

  Austin tilted his head and he gave a brief nod at Amber.

  Lucius glanced back at her with a look of shock.

  Amber blinked. "What is it?" The question squeaked out before she clapped her hand over her lips.

  The taller man's chest heaved with a deep chuckle. Then his eyes widened, his back arched and laughter pealed from his lips. The cackle echoed off the vaulted ceiling. Amber grimaced; the sound made her ears ache.

  "Well, you're right about that." He caught his breath before leaning close to Austin. The sword glinted from the candlelight as he held it against the younger man's throat.

  "If I ever find out that you've betrayed me, I will end your existence." His voice was barely a whisper. "Remember that, boy."

  "You wouldn't dare," Austin snarled.

  "You might find that I am willing to make major sacrifices for the sake of convenience. Don't tempt me."

  Lucius turned and strode to the hall. "We will be going out for the evening. Don't leave without my permission again." Then he disappeared through the shadowed doorway.

  Austin let his breath out and rushed over to Amber. "Are you all right?" He took her hand, examining the burn with gentle fingers.

  "I'll heal." She sniffed back the tears that still threatened to spill down her face. "I was so scared. I thought you were going to say something about, you know, him." The stranger's name still stuck in her throat, as if saying it would be giving in, acknowledging the impact of his earlier presence. Or the fact that she couldn't stop thinking about him.

  "I wouldn't do that." Austin retrieved a handkerchief from his pocket and wrapped it over her palm. "I'm looking forward to seeing him again."

  She squinted. "What do you mean?"

  "When we go to the club, silly." He cupped her cheek and smiled.

  "But Lucius sa—"

  "I know what he said." He stood up abruptly. "We're still going."

  "He was leaving town. He's probably in another state by now."

  Austin stepped in front of the fireplace, his arms crossed as the flames danced in his pale eyes. "He'll be there."

  ***

  Amber's thighs ached and sweat trailed between her breasts into her corset-like top, but she didn't care. As she moved her hips, grinding against Austin through her black pleated skirt, she let her reservations go with the thumping electronic beat.

  Even though her mysterious stranger hadn't shown up, she was having a good time, and Austin was acting unusually affectionate. They moved as if they were joined, bobbing and stepping with the beat: her black and white striped stockings pivoting and weaving along with his casual, hip-hugging leather jeans.

  The other dancers slid past them in a blur of bare skin, somber black, gleaming accents, and billowing waves of arousal. It surrounded Amber like a heady drug, fueling her excitement, swelling within her. She didn't need the empathy or her keen sense of smell to know the air was saturated with pheromones, heralding the unified desire for sex.

  Austin crooked a grin as he bent toward her, his lips a hair's breadth from hers. But when she tried to kiss him, he moved out of reach with a laugh.

  She'd often wondered if his sexuality was truly reserved for men. There were more than a few times that she'd caught him staring at her as she dressed, or lingering too long when he bathed her. She loved his attention; she could have easily washed herself yet he always insisted.

  As to why he'd never made any move to go further, that she couldn't quite say. He had to know that she wanted him to.

  His hand brushed down the curve of her backside and she gasped. Emboldened by his touch, she traced her fingertips up his crotch and felt his hardness, trapped under the supple leather pants.

  He moved his head in close, his chilly lips kissing her ear.

  "Let's sit down for a bit," he called over the loud music. "I'll buy you a drink."

  She nodded but a part of her frowned. This was the most fun she'd had since… ever. And it wouldn't be a stretch to think it was her last night on earth. She wanted it to go on for as long as possible.

  Their coats were in a booth on the second floor landing, overlooking the dance floor. So she followed Austin up the stairs. But as she reached the top, she caught the light
smell of leather and motor oil.

  Her gaze darted to Austin; she gaped for a moment. Austin simply chuckled. "I told you he would come."

  Her dark stranger—as she had no right to call him, but she liked the sound of it—sat in the middle of their semi-circle booth, with his arm splayed over the headrest. No doubt he'd been watching them grinding together on the dance floor. The thought made her a bit giddy.

  Her eyes fixed on his unruly hair, tracking down the shadow of stubble along his strong jawline. A crooked grin played on his face as he nodded to her.

  Scott. Her heart reverberated like a gong in her chest. His name is Scott, and he really is here. Not just some fantasy in your head.

  The way he was sitting, like he owned the middle of the booth, there was no choice but to sit next to him. Amber sat nervously on the padded bench. "I thought you were leaving town."

  "I missed checkout time. Would have cost the same if I stayed, so I figured, why not?"

  Austin slid into the booth on the other side. "I'm glad you did." He gestured at a nearby waitress and leaned back. "Can I buy you a drink?"

  "Thanks, but I'll get my own." Scott gave a pointed glance at Austin's bare wrists and then winked at the neon-green band around his.

  Austin merely shrugged and turned to watch the scantily clad waitress approach their table. Amber smiled; she might have seen a nervous twitch in his neck, which was unusual enough for Austin. But at least she wasn't the only one who felt a bit awkward at this table.

  "So what'll you have?" the waitress drawled, obviously bored.

  "A Coke for her." Austin cocked a thumb in Amber's direction. "Just water for me." Then he shot a glance at Scott. "And him, I don't know," he muttered under his breath.

  "Whatever's cheap on tap." Scott brandished his wristband. As the waitress departed, he shrugged and flashed a wolfish grin in Amber's direction. "What can I say? I'm easy."

  She trembled and clutched the corner of her coat in her lap. But it was the good kind of shiver, the kind that made her head buzz and her loins ache.

  If she'd thought the pheromones on the dance floor were concentrated, sitting next to Scott was dizzying, all-consuming. It was all she could do just to hold on, try to keep herself from being swept away by his naked desire.