Charlotte swallowed the lump in her throat. “I saw...a werewolf kill my sister. He nearly killed me too. Truth is, I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for a witch's potion. The potion gave me a second chance at life, but nothing given, nothing gained. So I gave a Promise. I promised to hunt and kill rogues. So I joined the Enforcer training program. I was about to pass the Final test...” She gave him a look.
Lucas released her hand abruptly and scrubbed a hand down his unshaven face. He stood and started to pace like a caged animal. “Yes, that's what you told me. I was just hoping that you've changed your mind—about werewolves. I wanted very much to hear you say that you don't hate werewolves, at least not anymore.” He sighed deeply before muttering, “And...you gave a Promise.”
“Yes. So...”
He stopped and stared at her. “So if you can't become an Enforcer...”
“I'll become a lawless vigilante and hunt rogues on my own,” Charlotte said, meeting his fierce gaze unflinchingly. “It's my Promise, and my life.”
Lucas slammed his fist against the bed frame, making Charlotte jump a little, and began to pace again, this time more furiously than before.
Charlotte squinted at him, straining to listen to his angry, rabid, nonsensical mutterings and catching the words “protect” and “my mate”. From the looks he threw at her, there was no doubt that he was referring to her. But as she told him, she could never mate with a werewolf. He was seriously deluded if he thought that he was going to claim her as his mate.
And he was even more deluded if he thought he was going to wrap her up in cotton candy and “protect” her.
“Ah...I hate to interrupt your monologue, but...I'd like to have my clothes back now,” she said carefully.
He stopped, his eyes turning a deeper shade of gold. “Your. Clothes,” he grated at last.
“Yes.” Duh. Was he slow or what? “Where are my clothes? I'll like to leave now,” she said in a louder, firmer voice.
“You'll like to leave,” he said slowly, his eyes glinting dangerously.
“Yes. I will be leaving now,” she repeated, this time with a touch of anger.
“The moon is full tonight,” Lucas informed her.
“Yeah. The better to light my way,” she snapped.
Instead of anger or annoyance, she saw amusement in his eyes. The corners of his sexy mouth was curving up and he moved towards the bed. Charlotte shrank back, grabbing the covers up to her chin. She could feel heat rolling off his massive body in waves, making her own body heat up and tingle. Her erect nipples brushed against the cool silk covers, and she had to bite her lip to stop from moaning.
Her hands began to tremble, as she struggled against the urge to throw the covers back and lie naked and writhing before him, presenting her bare body to him like a sushi platter. Her thighs were threatening to fall open for him, and she had to clench them hard together. What was it about him that made her act all wanton and womanly? She was a hunter, but with him, she felt like the prey, and to be honest, she rather liked it. She would like...to be caught by him.
Charlotte swallowed. “I said...”
“I know what you said,” Lucas answered, his voice low and deep. He was leaning over her now, his arms on both sides of her, imprisoning her against the pillows with his powerful arms and body. “You want to run.”
“I...yeah,” she said, kicking up her chin in defiance. “Give me back my clothes. And I'll run along.” Before I do anything stupid.
“Your clothes are on the chair.” He stepped back and indicated a chair just beside the bedside table.
“Oh. I'll dress myself. Thank you,” she said quickly. When he leaned against the bedpost and didn't budge, her irritation flared. “Don't tell me you're going to watch?”
He merely shrugged.
She glared at him. “Turn around.”
“Can't.” There was a hint of arrogance in his smile.
“Can't? Won't, you mean,” she snorted.
“I can't turn my back on my mate.”
Infuriating!
“I. Am. Not. Your. Mate!”
Silence. But his smile widened.
“Fine,” she huffed. It was clear he wasn't going to budge. And she didn't have all night. She would get dressed, and get out of here.
Throwing back the covers, she stood and marched over to where her clothes were neatly folded and placed on the velvet seat of the chair. They were clean, neatly pressed and all the rips and tears had been skilfully and seamlessly mended.
She could feel his eyes on her naked body, and it made her throw her head back and shake out her hair. She started, but it didn't stop her from swaying her hips as she walked. Was she trying to seduce him? She heard him growl and she couldn't resist glancing over her shoulder.
Lucas was digging his claws into the ornately carved footboard of the bed, his eyes glowing and feral. The veins were bulging from his neck and his breathing was harsh and ragged. She could almost hear the pounding of his heart and the snap of bones in his body as he fought the wolf in him. Dragging her eyes slowly down his powerful frame, she saw his erection tenting the front of his sweatpants.
There was a loud crack and the footboard splintered under his hands.
His claws dug into his palms and she saw blood trickle from between his fingers.
“Lucas!” she gasped.
“Run, Charlotte,” he gritted out. “Now!”
She wasted no time yanking on her clothes. She simply pulled on her t-shirt and leather pants sans underwear and stabbed her feet into her boots. Frantically, she looked around for her jacket. She saw it hanging in front of a long mirror at the corner of the room, but it was too far away and from the looks and sounds of it, Lucas wasn't joking. He had told her to run. She would do well to heed his warning and get away right now.
His eyes were now completely wolf, and his muscles seemed to have swelled bigger. His chest and biceps were about to burst out of his t-shirt, and his shoulders stretched and rippled even wider.
“Run!” The last word was a command. Run hard. I will chase you. His eyes glowed, flashing an intense gold.
How was she going to outrun him?
His snarl was savage as she sprinted past him towards the towering double doors. With a tug, the doors flew open and she shot out into the carpeted landing. The front door was at the foot of the wide, curved stairs and she ran madly down the marble steps, reaching for the gold handle. The massive, oak door opened with a whisper and she slipped out into the sprawling gardens. The driveway was long and straight, and as she ran, she looked back at the grand mansion behind her. She couldn't help marveling at the beautiful architecture and thinking that Lucas had a very nice home. She had glimpsed his hall as she clattered down the stairs, and it looked tastefully furnished and cozy.
Shaking her head to get rid of all these distracting details, she concentrated on making her escape. The tall, iron wrought gates were wide open at the end of the driveway. Thank God! She couldn't imagine trying to climb those. She would probably impale herself on one of those spikes at the top of the black gates. Hurtling through the gates, she cursed loudly when she saw that her only refuge was the woods in front of her. No roads? No street lamps? Just how far away was she from the city?
She heard Lucas howling her name behind her, and she headed for the woods in a flash. No time to plan her route. She'd just have to play it by ear, and keep running.
As she raced through the forest, she felt a rush of thrill and exhilaration as the adrenalin kicked in. Her senses were heightened, and she listened to the whispers of the forest. Taking a deep breath, she inhaled the clean, fresh scent of the forest. The trees leaned in, as if wishing to share their secrets with her.
She could hear the crisp rustling of the leaves and the clear snap of twigs as she ran. Glancing up, she saw the full moon through the gaps in the forest canopy and breathlessly followed the silvery shafts of moonlight.
Hearing nothing but her own hammering heartbeats, Charlotte ran full t
ilt ahead, swiping away low hanging branches and vines. Adrenalin pumped through her veins and she absently patted down the side of her leg, preparing to pull out her silver daggers which weren't there.
She swallowed hard, recalling Lucas's look of dark desire and raging hunger. But strangely, seeing his wolf rise so close to the surface and feeling the rampaging ferocity of his animal lust didn't frighten her. It...excited and challenged her.
She wanted to run through the woods, and she knew that he would chase her.
The thrill of the chase.
And the sweet passion of surrender.
Charlotte increased her pace, listening to her own ragged breathing. Was Lucas closing in on her? Her heart thudded and skipped at the intensity of the game they were playing. It was fierce. It was arousing. It felt dark and dangerous, but she wasn't running because she was afraid. Her body had never felt so alive as at this moment. Every nerve and muscle was on fire, burning and aching. The light of the full moon pierced cleanly through the gaps in the canopy, creating pools of shimmering light on the forest floor. Bathed in the moon's silver light, the forest was well lit and hauntingly beautiful.
Even as she ran, Charlotte was aware of the lush, ripe flowers and fruits all around her. The scent of night blooming forest flowers and sweet fruit swirled in the air. There was the sound of a waterfall in the distance, and Charlotte instinctively followed the sound. Cocking her head, she listened to the sound of falling water and began to make her way towards it. She kept moving until she caught a shimmer through the shadows. Pushing through the thick undergrowth, she parted the curtain of vines and heart-shaped leaves, and gasped. Sparkling diamonds cascaded down the towering rock face and the smell of fresh, clean water made her inhale greedily. She could hear the calls and chirps of insects and small animals, and the songs of various birds. This place was brimming with life.
Breathlessly, she braced herself against a tree trunk and closed her eyes. She could feel the soft spray from the waterfall on her face as she lifted her face and arms. Her fingers brushed against some curling vines and she stretched her arms high over her head to grasp the vines, luxuriating in their thick, velvety texture. She exhaled a slow sigh as her body began to relax. She was rotating her wrists slowly, letting the velvety vines twine around her wrists and hands. The spray from the waterfall felt cool and refreshing against her hot, sweat-slicked skin. There was no other sound but the sounds of nature.
“Charlotte.”
She jumped at Lucas's low voice. He was standing silently behind the tree, and as she blinked, he prowled slowly forward, until he was standing in front of her, his solid body just inches from hers. His shirt was gone, torn and ripped from his body. His sweatpants were slung low on his narrow hips and she saw a line of hair trail down from his navel and disappear into his waistband. As she stared at his rock hard body, at his beautifully defined muscles, she unconsciously licked her lips, and molten heat pooled low in her body. Lucas's nostrils flared as he inclined his head towards her. “I can scent your need,” he growled.
She squirmed and let out a shuddering breath.
“Charlotte.” His hazel eyes glowed with a fierce, hungry light as he breathed her name. She shivered and pressed her back against the tree trunk. He looked so much, too much like a predator, a hunter. But now, there was nowhere to run.
She was acutely aware of the predatory animal lurking just beneath the surface of the man, a dangerous, alpha wolf. She tried to twist away, but suddenly his hands were on her waist, holding her, caressing her and pulling her inexorably towards him.
“Lucas,” she said breathlessly, as she tilted up her face to see golden wolf eyes staring out of that handsome human face. The wolf growled and Lucas slanted his lips across hers in a hungry, scorching kiss. The wolf was ravenous, predatory, demanding.
She parted her lips with a gasp and he immediately pressed her closer to him and deepened the kiss. She could feel every hard surface and angle of him, his muscular arms and legs, his ripped body and his demanding erection stabbing into her soft belly. Her eyes fluttered and she moaned against his mouth. Lucas swept his tongue across her lower lip and pushed his tongue deep into her mouth to taste her. Groaning, she melted against him, her thighs clenching with need.
Gripping her body possessively, Lucas kissed her so hard that she almost lost consciousness. Finally, he drew back with a hiss.
She opened her eyes to the light, hazy spray of the waterfall. The water droplets seemed to sizzle on her heated skin. Through the cooling sensation of the water, she felt hot breaths on her cheek, against her ear, on her neck. She felt a firm, warm pressure on her wrists, against her body, pressing her back against the tree trunk.
She blinked up to see Lucas's lips hovering so near her own, his face angled to kiss her again. He was holding both her wrists above her head in one hand, while his other hand was moving down her hips to her thigh.
Charlotte shivered at his touch, and her body arched towards him. She blinked up at him, marveling at how handsome he was. His lashes were dark and long over his half closed eyes, his skin tanned and covered with a light sheen of moisture. Such a powerful, hot, virile male, and he wanted her.
Her whole body was buzzing and thrumming with heat and anticipation. She panted and writhed against him, loving the dark desire that flashed across his eyes. She felt a surge of triumph and power that she could tempt and arouse Lucas to such a degree, teasing him to the point of madness.
But you could only play with a wolf for so long.
Lucas raised his head to the moon and howled. It was a long, lone note that sounded so beautiful and powerful. It was a rousing sound, a sound that ignited every nerve in her body.
It was a mating call. A call her body and heart ached to answer.
She threw back her head and let out a cry, in answer to his. Heat exploded from her core and she quivered with a fierce need and desire. She needed Lucas. She wanted him. Now.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Lucas growled at the sight of Charlotte writhing against the tree trunk, her arms stretched high over her head in sweet surrender. Her hair was a tangle around her face, and she was panting with exertion and need. The spray of the waterfall mingled with her sweat to form a mesmerizing, almost unearthly sheen on her skin. She looked beautiful, ethereal, exquisite. Her feminine scent, the unmistakable scent of her arousal, was heady and intoxicating, and it was driving him out of his mind. Lucas wanted to take her right now, hard and fast. Her generous breasts were heaving and straining and threatening to spill out of that teasing t-shirt.
“Lucas...” she rasped, her voice trembling with need.
He could feel the raw power of her desire, and knew the unbearable ache and hunger that was consuming and tormenting her. “Lucas, please!” she panted, her emerald eyes going wild with desire and desperation.
Lucas pushed his claws out. Undressing her slowly was out of the question. Slashing his claws down that frustrating fabric, he ripped that offending top away to reveal her bare, quivering breasts. His erection pulsed painfully in his pants as he grabbed one creamy breast in his palm and squeezed. God, the feel of her, the softness and sweetness of her in his hand. He wanted to taste her, lick and bite her, mark her completely as his.
Her green eyes shone like emeralds in the moonlight, her long lashes glistening with sparkling water droplets. Lucas ran the back of his large hand down her cheek and over those plump lips. “You are so beautiful,” he whispered hoarsely. “So perfect.”
Charlotte inhaled a shuddering breath as he leaned in. Her eyelids fluttered and she shook her head from side to side, the undeniable need to mate overwhelming all her senses, or what remained of them.
He closed his eyes at the overpowering, rich scent of her need, her hunger for him. When she tilted up her face to him, he took her mouth immediately in a harsh, demanding kiss. This was no soft, tentative kiss. It was all heat, all demand, all painful hunger. His lips crushed against hers, tasting her, taking her. She gasped at
his fierce, unrelenting demand, before melting against him. When she moaned into his mouth, he gripped her pebbled nipples between his fingers and plucked them. He pinched and rolled them, feeling them lengthen and harden further. As he kneaded her breasts, he felt her erect nipples stab into his palms and he groaned. God, he didn't know how long he could last. His lips moved down her neck, her bare round shoulder, her chest. He flicked her hard nipples with his thumbs and her body bucked. So sensitive, so responsive.
She arched her back with a whimpered plea, and he knew she wanted his mouth on her. Lucas licked his lips, savoring the sight of her creamy skin and dark, glistening nipples. With a growl, he lowered his mouth to one breast and suckled her hard. Sucking and nibbling at her soft, sweet flesh, he circled her nipple with his tongue before licking and flicking the hard nubs until she thrashed her head from side to side. He moved to her other breast and laved his tongue over the swell of her breast to her nipple. When he nipped that dark pebble between his teeth and tugged at it, she began to pant, her hips rolling against his leg. He closed his eyes and sucked hard, his fingers clamping down on her other nipple to squeeze it forcefully. The burst of pain and pleasure through her body made her jerk wildly against him.
A gasped plea escaped her lips. “Lucas...please, oh please...”
His mate was begging him, begging him to ease her, sate her, fill her.
His claws sliced out and an instant later, her leather pants were in shreds around her ankles. He yanked her boots from her feet and threw them over his shoulder. There would be no more running, no more running from him.
Charlotte was now completely naked before him. His wolf eyes raked down her bare, curvy body. God, she was so beautiful.
Her hair was matted and plastered to her face and neck, and her body was undulating against the tree trunk. Her breasts were heaving with her heavy breathing and she was rubbing her thighs together, trying to ease the ache between them. She needed him. She jerked her hands against the vines, trying to free her hands so she could grab him. She strained her body against him, her hot, wet body scorching his.
Alpha Mate: BBW Paranormal Shifter Romance Page 11
