But no, the emotions seemed too real. The imprint was real, and he couldn’t possibly be pulling a con so elaborate and painful. He didn’t have a hidden agenda. She shook her head. “I don’t feel any different, Mom. I don’t feel stronger or more powerful.” It was perplexing.
“You may not feel it, Ava, but I can, and so can others who go looking for you. When you turn twenty-one, the mark will appear on you. Anyone who sees it, senses it, will know who and what you are. Your scent will be overwhelming and it can’t be avoided. Your true powers will come to light, and I’ll show you the way as you discover exactly what you can do.” Sarah laid a hand on her leg. Ava was grateful; she needed the comfort. “I’m here for you, Ava, always. I know you have fears, but you can’t let them cripple you, or everything will be lost.”
And that was the kicker. She had to follow a very particular path to assure that every race, supernatural and otherwise, would survive. Her anxiety filled every inch of her body. She tried to process her mother’s words as she heard, “I’m not going to lie to you, Ava. Coming into your own and fulfilling your purpose won’t come without trials, and it’s going to mark the beginning of a great war between the orders, the likes of which have never been seen. But I fully believe in my prophecy and your capability to restore the balance. You will succeed.” Sarah’s tone was full of confidence, and Ava felt a modicum of reassurance, though she barely recognized her mother right now.
Ava wanted to express the same confidence, but she wasn’t sure she would ever truly feel it. Hell, a few minutes ago, she had fretted over whether or not Caleb was serious about her or not. That was an average problem for an average girl her age. If she couldn’t handle that without chewing her nails till they bled, how on earth was she going to carry this responsibility without dropping the ball?
She had no idea what to expect or how soon all of this was going to take place. She tried to concentrate on the concrete. She would turn twenty-one in a week, and she would be marked. There were feral vampires bent on revenge seeking to destroy both her and her mother, who was weak and ailing because she’d chosen to protect Ava more than she’d cared to protect herself. And Ava was sleeping with – or had slept with – a werewolf who may or may not have a vested interest in her blood.
Terrified and without direction, Ava decided to take control of the one thing that was currently in her power. She couldn’t do this alone. She needed help, and that meant nothing could happen to her mother. Sarah was going to get stronger again, if it killed Ava to make it happen.
For now, she had to let the rest of her unanswered questions rest. Neither she nor her mother were in any place to continue the discussion. Now more than ever, Ava’s mother needed to rest, and Ava took her hand, kissing it softly before rubbing it against her cheek. Sarah lifted her other hand to cup Ava’s chin, and there was no need for a verbal exchange. The actions spoke volumes.
Ava knew she could rely on her mother and no one else to teach her what she had to do, as well as to guide her through her fears. Eventually, she might have to stand on her own, but her mother would still back her, and when that time came, Ava was determined to make her mother proud and prove her right. She would be ready. And in the meantime, she would help her mother fight to regain her strength so they could make this happen together.
******
Ava sat at the bar after her shift, enjoying a cold beer and watching the news. She needed to take her mind off the more desperate things she’d learned, if only for a few minutes. In the grand scheme of things, hearing about mudslides in California devastating homes or some guy walking into his office and killing three men seemed less disconcerting than her own situation.
She’d decided to wait for Kelly, needing to talk to her, get this off her chest, and hear the opinion of the best friend who always managed to keep her grounded, even if she did have a penchant for melodrama. It was good to know that, with everything else changing around her and the world tilting too far on its axis, Kelly was the one thing she could count on to never change.
“You alright, kiddo?” Lil asked, wiping her hands with a towel behind the bar. “You look deep in thought. Is it your mother?”
Ava gave her a smile. She was grateful to Lil for her patience, allowing her to take off so much time to care for her mother. Now, as she looked at Lil, she recognized the scar on her neck for what it was. Certainly she’d gotten it in a fight, just as she’d explained, but she had managed to avoid adding the detail that it had been a fight with another werewolf. Ava was curious of the circumstances but didn’t dare ask.
“No, thanks for asking. She’s doing better. I just have a few things on my mind.”
Lil raised an eyebrow. “I thought as much. You’ve been quieter than a bear in hibernation all night, and that’s not like you. You’re a bit of a chatterbox. You know I’m here to help, even if you just need to talk about things.”
Ava appreciated the gesture. She knew Lil still thought a lot of her issues revolved around her mother’s health and wanted to be there in case something happened. Despite her harsh mannerisms, Lil had a motherly way about her that came out with her treatment of Ava and the other waitresses. She started to say something, but Lil’s eyes were elsewhere, and Ava followed her gaze toward the front door.
Her breath caught as she saw the reason for the twinkle of familiarity in Lil’s eyes. Ava clamped her mouth shut as Caleb sauntered toward the bar and took a seat in the barstool right beside her. But he didn’t look at Ava, his gaze locked on Lil, and she watched intently – and a bit nervously – at their exchange.
There was a certain pride in Lil’s expression as she addressed Caleb. “What’ll you have, baby brother?”
He gave her an adoring smile, the kind Ava imagined she would have given an older sibling. It was almost worshipful. “Just a beer, Lil.” The bartender nodded, turning to reach into her fridge, and Ava’s heart froze, for an instant thinking that Caleb intended to purposely ignore her.
But he shot her a heated gaze that made her insides burst into flames and winked at her before Lil turned back around and served him. Casually, he turned to smile at Ava. “Hey, Ava.”
His tone was deceptively cool and collected, and as she felt his tension seeping through the air and into her, she realized he was trying to hide his reaction to her. Unfortunately, Ava didn’t have as much discipline and found it very difficult to maintain her composure. It had been too long since she’d seen him.
Her body was going haywire, at the sound of his voice, at his nearness, and all the memories of their passionate night came flooding back with drowning force. She also had questions, wanting to know where he’d been this whole time that she’d been so worried about her mother, so overwhelmed with more talk of destiny and responsibility than anyone should encounter in a lifetime.
Instead, she inhaled Caleb’s aroma, and it served to calm her desires slightly, a small satisfaction in the grand scheme of things. With a long, slow exhale and a swig of her beer, Ava replied in what she hoped was a cool and friendly tone, “Hi, Caleb.”
Lil eyed them both, and Ava pretended not to notice the suspicion in her gaze as she said in an overly cheerful voice, “Great! You two already know each other. Saves me an introduction.”
Ava said nothing, and Caleb mimicked her silence. She had the impression that Lil didn’t miss a thing and suspected that sparks flew between the two of them. But before the boss could say anything further or demand some sort of response, the news program stopped, and alert flashed on the screen, drawing the attention of all three of them. “We interrupt this programming with a Breaking News Bulletin.”
Ava focused intently as a field reporter came on the screen, with a caption stating that he was in Addis, two towns over. “Three people were killed last night in a brutal attack in Addis. The circumstances are uncertain, and details are sketchy, but the police have stated they believe the deaths resulted from an attack by a large animal. Investigations have just begun, with each incident occurrin
g separately, to determine for certain that all three deaths can be linked to the same predator. We’ll be updating the story as more details become available. In the meantime, you are urged to stay safe and indoors after dark.”
The newscaster came back on the screen, and Ava took a pull on her beer. “Jesus. An animal? Come on.” She watched Lil’s face scrunch in disapproval. Obviously, the woman had her own suspicions as she shook her head, stared at Caleb, and turned back to the screen.
Curious as to what was on her boss’s mind, Ava asked, “What is it, Lil?” She hadn’t missed the silent communication between the siblings, either.
Lil threw her towel in the sink. “Nothing. It’s just bad for business when there are a bunch of crazies on the loose.” She stared at Ava for a long moment, and then leveled another meaningful gaze on Caleb before turning back to the flat screen.
Ava’s gut turned with suspicion. Lil was obviously bullshitting, but Ava wasn’t going to press the issue any further. She had several concerns, most of which were related to the things her mother had told her. She glanced at Caleb, noting his hands clenched in fists in his lap. He, too, was still fixated on the screen, and his face held a stony expression. Ava grew annoyed, thinking about the number of secrets in this tiny ass town.
She wanted to know what the hell it was they knew that they refused to share.
Ava was sick of surprises. Wouldn’t it be easier if everyone just spit out all the hidden crap they carried on their chests? She’d be shocked to hell, and then she could get over it and go about her business before the week was out. And the tension so many people held in their shoulders would disappear. Restless, she stood and carried her empty bottle to a case behind the bar, and as she came back, Caleb caught her by the arm.
She stared at him, surprised at his contact. “You wanna get out of here?” he asked, swiveling in his chair with the same restlessness.
Ava checked her watch and shrugged. “Sure. Are you going to finish your beer first?”
He took one more long draw on it and sat it down on the counter. “You finish it, Lil.”
The bartender stopped what she was doing and stared at them, her eyes speaking volumes about her disapproval. She leaned on the bar, her eyes narrowing. “How is it that you two know each other again?”
Ava held her breath, but Caleb caught her hand and pulled her toward the exit. “Mind your own business, Lil,” he called over his shoulder.
Ava didn’t have to turn around to know that Lil was burning a hole the size of Texas in Caleb’s back. He’d intentionally not answered her question and goaded her with his response. It made Ava nervous; the last thing she needed was her boss breathing down her throat about Caleb the next time she came in to work.
He led her silently down the trail that led to the field where she’d been attacked as the sun was just setting on the horizon, and he stopped next to a large willow tree at the edge of the clearing. Ava leaned against it, her chest rising and falling softly as she closed her eyes and inhaled the beauty of nature.
Chapter 20
Caleb watched the rise and fall of her breasts as they strained against Ava’s shirt, and he remembered how soft they had been in his hands, how sweet her nipples had tasted. He had to do something to divert his attention. Quickly.
He cleared his throat. “I heard about your mother. I didn’t want to disturb you while you were taking care of her. Is everything okay?” Ava opened her eyes, glanced at him, and looked away. He could sense her apprehension.
“She’s starting to feel better now.”
Her words were crisp, and Caleb was disturbed by it. “What’s wrong with her?” he asked, wondering if maybe Ava had discovered the worst. Terminal cancer, a blood disease.
He watched Ava think about her response and saw when she decided to limit the details she gave him in the hardening of her eyes. Did she think he wouldn’t understand? Or was there something she was forbidden to say? “She’s got a virus that’s been going around. She’s just a little weak, that’s all.” She looked down and fidgeted with her hands.
Caleb didn’t think she was purposely deceptive, and he knew she must have a reason for not being honest. He wasn’t offended; he’d left her to her own devices in hopes she could swallow what he’d fed her and make up her own mind about things. Instead, she’d been bombarded with her mother’s sudden illness and likely hadn’t processed a damn thing about his feelings for her. He let his hand fall on her arm, lightly racing up and down as he leaned against the tree beside her. “I’m sure she’ll feel better soon.” He flashed her a small smile as she glanced up at him.
He could feel the goose bumps he raised beneath his fingertips. He continued lightly dragging them over her skin, liking the electrical sensation and her reaction to it. She closed her eyes and breathed deeply as he noted her nerve endings lighting up. It encouraged him, and he leaned in, tracing his lips over her neck beneath her ear and down a line to her collarbone. He captured the skin there in his mouth, rolling his tongue over it as he nipped with his teeth. He was tender with it, and he could feel her melting beneath it.
Leaning in even closer, he nuzzled his nose to her cheek and drew in a breath. “You smell so good,” he whispered, the sound coming out as more of a growl as the scent of her excited his arousal further.
Caleb smiled to himself as Ava’s breath caught, her pulse quickening beneath his touch at those words. He slipped a hand inside her buttoned up shirt, pushing it sideways and forcing two buttons to come undone as he dipped into her bra and pulled out one of her breasts. He lightly tweaked her nipple between two fingers, and she let out a moan, licking her lower lip. Caleb traced his tongue down her neck and dipped his head to her breast, circling her nipple with his tongue and then lightly nipping at it.
He smelled the moisture as it poured between her thighs, and he sighed in contentment at the effect he had on her. Beads of sweat formed at her temple and around her hairline, and he murmured against her skin. “So beautiful.” Her head fell back against the tree.
Her heartbeat was louder in her chest, pulsing faster and harder through her veins, and her arousal grew by the second, the intoxicating musk of it filling his nostrils. He slid his fingers beneath her skirt, pulling the band of her lace panties to the side as he let his fingers glide back and forth against her damp folds. He watched her face as she opened her eyes, her breathing heavy and panting, and she didn’t protest as he slipped a finger into her very wet opening. She let out a moan, and her eyes fluttered closed as she moved against his hand, rocking back and forth to work with his rhythm.
She clutched at his shoulders for balance, and Caleb smiled to himself as he felt her growing wetter and more ready for him with each stroke. He loved tormenting her, the sight of her so aroused boosting his own desire. With each caress, the sultry expression on her face pulled him in deeper. “Does it feel good, Ava?” he whispered in her ear as he pushed his finger deeper.
She gasped, and his smile spread wider. She didn’t answer, instead wrapping her hand around his neck and pulling his lips to hers in a desperate kiss. Her tongue swirled with his, and he felt her body tremble against his as he savored her taste and took advantage of the opportunity to slide a second finger inside and stroke her walls faster.
She twitched and moaned helplessly, and he enjoyed leaving her powerless under his touch. She clung to his arm with her hips swirling as his muscles tightened and flexed with his work and she pressed harder against his hand. She was almost ready, and he slowed, thinking, not yet.
“Please, Caleb!” she begged, spreading her legs apart to grant him better access.
“Please what?” he asked in a deep, rich salacious tone laced with his amusement at her need.
He stroked her nub with the pad of his thumb faster, and he waited for an answer.
******
Ava was beside herself, craving that final explosion. She needed his fingers inside her again, his thrusts akin to heaven and her body sizzling as he worked her
clit.
He was driving her mad, and yet she couldn’t find that ultimate satisfaction. She cried out, her eyes popping open as his fingers shoved inside her warmth again, pushing deeper than before. She clung to his arm as her body arched and twisted beneath his powerful ministrations. She knew he was watching her, taking in her expressions as her face contorted with agony and ecstasy. She felt him taking note of her every breath and heartbeat as he toyed with her sensitive body, making the orgasm last for so long.
But with the first wave of climax ending, another crashed over her with even greater force, and she didn’t care what he saw or how she acted. He brought it to a pinnacle that made her gasp and moan over and over as his fingers filled her, stroking her walls so fast it felt like constant torture. “Fuck, Caleb. It feels so good. Please, don’t stop!”
The words were choppy, spoken on the hills and valleys of her swallows of air, and she fell apart as he hit a new spot, giving her what she asked for. Her body spasmed out of control, something in her stomach twisting with the insane pleasure, and she moaned loudly, letting out a long breath of air. Her muscles contracted so tight she thought she might break his fingers, and he pulled out, stroking her nub softly back and forth, letting her pulse slow from the point of a heart attack so she could recover.
When she finally managed to open her eyes to look at him, Caleb lifted his fingers to his mouth and licked them, making sounds as though it was the most delectable of desserts. His eyes were wild, and his mouth curved into a wicked grin. Ava groaned as he teased her, and she bit her lip, giving him a naughty smile with a hooded gaze. “You like driving me wild, don’t you?”
“Yes, I most definitely do.” He leaned in for a kiss.
Imprinted By The Alpha (BBW Paranormal Shape Shifter Romance) (The Marked One - Book 1) Page 10
