Wolf: An Enchanted Story

by Cara Carnes

  Stephan.

  I’d broached my desire to know more about him my second day here, but Nalla hadn’t been forthcoming. Maidens of my village rarely ventured to ask such questions of the men, so I understood my lack of right to ask. The compulsion overwhelmed me, though, even after a week with Nalla. Nothing she taught me mattered as much as learning more about him. “When will I see Stephan again?”

  Nalla set the remaining poultice compound on the small table beside her. She stood. Silence made me apprehensive. Heat stained my cheeks as I imagined her studying me. The scrutiny was new to me. Few within my village offered me more than a dismissive acknowledgement. Yet this woman listened attentively, as if she wanted to know more about me. As if she understood.

  She cared.

  “You think of him often.”

  Denying the truth of her statement would accomplish nothing. “I’m indebted to him and your people for saving me. It would be impossible not to think of him.”

  Her lips curved into a grin reminiscent of Stephan’s. “You have no reason to hide your curiosity. Many maidens of our pride have interest in Stephan. Even more vie to be his mate.” She lifted a pot of hot water from the fire pit and poured a cup. She dribbled drops of a liquid into it. “Drink this. It will aid your healing.”

  I took the cup and sipped, allowing the warm liquid to heat me, as it had each time she’d given it to me. “Thank you.”

  Silence met my gratitude. I chewed my lip. Asking my question again would be disrespectful. I should be grateful for all she’d done. But I longed to see Stephan again. Surely I could find him on my own. The glade hadn’t seemed that large. “Perhaps I could walk around the village today? Osana mentioned she’d take me.”

  “Osana is young, only fourteen winters. Escorting you through the village isn’t something she should do.” Nalla approached me. “Not all our people welcome your presence.”

  I’d suspected as much, but hearing it increased my growing guilt. “I’m willing to earn my keep. Hard work is something I’m used to.”

  She sat beside me on the small cot and took my hands. Her fingers trailed across my bruises and rough palms. “I have no doubt you toiled over labors much of your day.”

  “I launder well and tend fires and gather wood. Cooking escapes me at times, but I skin and salt meat with skill. My father wouldn’t have it any other way.” I hoped she’d realize the importance I placed on helping.

  “Do all maidens in your village do so much?”

  I shook my head. “My situation was quite different.” To say the least. Tending the fires, clothes and wood needs for three families often took from dawn to well past dusk, especially in the seasons when there were skins to tend to. “I had much to atone for.”

  “What could you possibly have done to bear such burdens?”

  I swallowed my resentment, knowing my emotions weren’t something she needed to deal with. “Two men died because I foolishly ran into the woods. I must tend for their families as if they were mine. My father demanded it as one of my punishments.”

  I must’ve been fumbling with the talisman without realizing. Her fingers touched it, the soft caress too much like my gran’s. My mother’s. “You bore much for naught. What you did for Stephan should’ve been praised.”

  “They thought my story a foolish tale.”

  I could tell she wanted to comment, but she stood instead. A cool breeze flowed into the room as the door swung open.

  Stephan.

  My pulse quickened and I fiddled with the hem of my borrowed dress. I gawked at his powerful body as he greeted Nalla. His eyes danced with adoration when around her, and I wished I could see the same glimmer in his eyes when he thought of me.

  The same type of clinging leather pants molded against his powerful thighs. Muscle rippled across his stomach, partially visible through the open wood-colored vest. His chest was unmarred by hair. My fingers longed to trace the contours of his smooth skin.

  Heat spread through me to center at my nether regions. I squeezed my thighs together and looked down because I was afraid my cheeks were stained with shame. My attraction to him had grown, and my body refused to behave.

  His long legs brought him to me faster than I was prepared for. I stood, my legs wobbling as my breathing accelerated. His hands grasped my arms, steadying me with a strength that made me shiver. Not even the mightiest of my village’s fighters were so honed and muscular. I’d seen enough of his people to know none of the men in his pride were like the men I was accustomed to.

  “Thanks.”

  Thanks. Not only was it a naïve and foolish thing to say, but it came out with a meekness that made my mind scream at my blathering tongue. I’d thought of clever retorts and envisioned conversations with him about many things for the past few nights. I’d even fantasized about him.

  And all I had to say when he stood before me was “thanks”. A flicker of darkness appeared and disappeared in his golden eyes.

  Nalla shuffled a chair. The dragging sound across the bare floor of the eating area pulled me from my lustful thoughts. I focused my attention to where his fingers touched my skin. Tingles danced there and spread through me like molten fire. Heat rushed to my core. My pussy moistened. My nipples hardened.

  I fought the urge to tug on my dress or look down to see if it was apparent. I refused to sever my contact with him.

  “She’s been asking about you.” Nalla’s voice quashed the connection I’d felt. I stepped back enough to allow my heartbeat to slow, but his assessing gaze remained on me, and I was lost in the tumbling waves of desire his presence had incited.

  “Really?” His voice, filled with curiosity, made me smile. “I’ve been catching up on pride issues. Some of it is quite tedious. I’m sure your company would have broken up the monotony.”

  “She has a restless spirit, much like you.” Nalla chuckled. “Were she one of us, she’d be prowling in animal form.”

  Stephan grinned. I couldn’t understand their amusement, but I knew she had no ill regard for me. She sat at the table and regarded us.

  “Is her leg healing well?” he asked.

  I hadn’t realized how injured my leg was until Nalla had begun treating it. “Those poultices of hers don’t burn anymore. Surely that’s a good sign.”

  Nalla laughed. The rich tones of her wise voice soothed me. I hadn’t realized I missed my gran until that moment. They were too alike for me not to be drawn to her.

  “She’s been asking about your talisman and wanted to walk the village. Perhaps you can appease her.”

  “Sure.” His voice was low. “I’ll gladly tell her why she has our talisman and what it represents.”

  “Your father wouldn’t approve.”

  “Then it’s a good thing I stopped heeding his advice long ago. If anyone has need of me, send Fallon for me.”

  Fallon. “He’s your brother, right?”

  “I see you’ve been learning of my family. I trust Nalla’s delighted in telling you many stories of my foolish youth.”

  I wished that was the case. The woman had offered nothing.

  “I will, now that I see you approve.”

  Stephan chuckled and touched my arm. The contact made my skin tingle. “Let us go before she starts now.”

  His arm rested on my back just above my waist. Cool air whipped through my hair when we exited the home I’d been locked away in. Unable to contain my glee, I paused and took a deep breath.

  “I should’ve come sooner, but Nalla kept telling me you needed to heal.”

  “She’s very protective.”

  “It’s in her blood. Women in my clan have been healers for many generations.” His hand fell away from me when we began to walk through his village.

  Everyone halted their activities as we passed. I found their scrutiny disconcerting. The first few moved to their knees as if about to undertake a chore I didn’t understand. All the homes we passed resembled one another. Most displayed a talisman on the entry.

&
nbsp; I tried to study them without being obvious, but decided it best not to when Stephan drew me closer to him.

  “Your people don’t like me.”

  “They’re unaccustomed to strangers. There’s a difference.” The sincerity calmed my nervousness even though I doubted it was the truth for everyone.

  “I’ve heard some of them yelling at Nalla.” I winced when his jaw twitched. “She tries to hide it, but I hear them. They want me gone.”

  “She should have told me this. I would’ve dealt with their meddling myself.”

  I shook my head. “They have a right to be upset. I’m doing nothing to earn my keep and am not of your pride.”

  We continued our path toward the woods and my pulse quickened when I realized he didn’t intend to remain within the village. A few awkward smiles greeted me once we neared a group of homes with the same talisman that I wore around my neck.

  “This is your family’s area?”

  He nodded. “On my father’s side.”

  “Why isn’t Nalla here? She displays this talisman, yet is on the other side of the village.”

  “She’s on my mother’s side, but may display whichever talisman she feels within her soul since she’s a healer. She’s chosen this one since it’s stronger than her other option.”

  “Do all your kind get that option?”

  “Only the healers or those within the royal line.” His hand returned to my back and drew me toward him until my thigh brushed his as we walked. “You gather information well.” My mind swelled with his admiration.

  He paused and turned me to face him. His attention moved to the village, now a good distance from our secluded cove. I was fascinated by the large tree misshapen by time. Its trunk was hollowed near the base. A small sitting stool rested within the area.

  “This is my retreat.”

  “It’s beautiful.”

  His fingers grazed my cheek. My heart flailed in my chest. He’d brought me here—trusted me with his private spot. Could he be feeling the heat between us as I did? My breathing became ragged. My nipples ached with a hardness my naïve mind couldn’t deny. My entire body yearned for Stephan.

  “You have no idea what hunger you incite in me, Hannah.” His breath fell against my forehead as he drew me forward until my hips collided with his groin. “Your thoughts drive me mad with the need to possess you.”

  I stumbled on his statement, but any attempt to understand it vanished when his hand wrapped in my hair and he drew me to his lips. I closed my eyes. Unable to breathe, I prayed my pounding pulse wouldn’t explode with the turbulent flames of anticipation burning me.

  His lips caressed mine and his tongue tasted my mouth, tracing the contours before foraying to my tongue. I swallowed his groan, thinking it more of a growl. My arms wrapped around him.

  The kiss was unexpected and unlike any of the wayward advances village men had made—not that many had tried. I followed his lead and clung to him, my body burning with a need I didn’t understand or know how to sate. All I knew was Stephan would absolve me from my raging desires.

  His kiss grew more demanding, more consuming. I relished his body crushed against mine. Heat spread through my legs as he lifted my dress. I moaned when he guided me toward the tree until my back was pressed against it. His hand ran up my thigh while his mouth claimed mine.

  His other hand rubbed an aching nipple through my dress. I longed to strip and feel his fingers on me there. A growl echoed around us and mingled with my gasp as his fingers found my pussy.

  Hot lips moved to my ear. The huskiness of his voice rumbled through me. “You’re so wet for me, Hannah.”

  He slid a finger slid into my pussy. I writhed, savoring the contact as his thumb rubbed my sensitized bud. The contact was so new to me. I had no idea how to react. Clinging to him, I ran my hands down his back, then up and under his vest. I clawed at him as his mouth claimed mine.

  Stephan’s fingers tormented me. Rushing waves of desire overwhelmed me. Pleasure hummed within my blood. He growled as I climaxed, my pussy clenching his fingers.

  “That’s it, Hannah. Come hard for me.”

  I did.

  Pleasure exploded within me. I thought I was on the verge of death. My breathing was ragged and my nails dug into his back, moving downward to draw him even closer.

  The passion he drew from me sated most of the pulsing need I’d felt, but I knew there was more. There had to be.

  His hands cupped my face moments after my reasoning returned. Minutes sped away as he held me afterwards, his soothing voice massaging away all thoughts except one.

  Stephan.

  “You all right?”

  I nodded, not trusting my voice. I’d screamed and gasped such pleasure I doubted my ability to speak at all.

  He looked over his shoulder as I kissed his throat. “Death had better be taking one of our pack, or you’ll incur my wrath.”

  Unease filled me. Something had stopped him. Someone was here. How could I have been so foolish as to do these things with Stephan where anyone could see? My senses returned with crushing speed. Heat spread through my cheeks as I noticed the man who resembled Stephan too closely not to be Fallon.

  “We have need of you, my king.”

  Chapter Four

  A king.

  Few things surprised me after the harrowing ordeals I’d been through the past week. I was stunned. My gaze met his, but he turned away. “We’ll be there shortly, Fallon.”

  “You’re a king?”

  He couldn’t be. Not Stephan. Not the man who’d brought me to such all-consuming passion. I would’ve gladly gifted him with my maidenhead right there—in the forest.

  A king.

  Anger boiled within me as I realized he’d withheld the information. All the whispered conversations and sidelong glances when I asked about him made sense.

  “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  His whispered response made my heart patter faster. “The only man I wanted you to know was the one the boy became. My throne has nothing to do with what exists between you and me.”

  I shook my head but couldn’t bolster enough anger to shove him away. The need to believe him clouded my doubts. “But you’re a king. That’s who you grew to be.”

  I accepted the bitter bile of reality rising in my stomach. A common peasant had no business befriending royalty—even if it was royalty from a different group of beings. Lusting for a king. What would my father say?

  A king had just kissed me. Had his fingers inside me. Made me come.

  Guilt and shame flooded my mind, drowning the embers of desire he’d stoked to life. He turned to speak to his brother, and I noticed the fresh scratches running down his back. I’d marked him.

  As if I had the right to claim him.

  “I need a moment, Fallon.”

  “I’m sorry, brother, but I cannot give you more time than I already have.”

  Stephan sighed and I wondered how long Fallon had waited. Had he seen us? Heard us? I refused to venture down that path.

  “What is it?”

  “A legion marches from Tash.”

  Fear pummeled me as I imagined surviving another attack. I couldn’t witness more death and destruction. Not again. My nostrils flared as I recalled the stench of burning flesh. There was time to run, but where would I flee? Stephan’s arm circled my waist, and he drew me toward him. I gasped panicked breaths.

  “Summon all the alphas. I’ll be there momentarily.”

  “We have nothing more to discuss.” There was nothing he could say. He’d kept his true identity from me. Not that it should matter. It did. Part of me knew a peasant had no business with someone of his stature—no matter what he might think.

  But a bigger part of me longed to overlook any class distinctions and pick up where we’d left off. His fingers inside me had brought more pleasure than I could have imagined. My body still hummed with the release I’d experienced. Would it always be so?

  “I hope that includes he
r thoughts thundering through the air like a blast of hot wind.”

  Stephan’s face reddened slightly when he glared at his brother. “You have no tact.”

  “I have no mate. A couple more nights of those lusty thoughts of hers and I’ll bed her myself.”

  I stared at Stephan, too stunned to respond to his brother’s statement. Fallon walked away.

  “We have much to discuss, but now is not the time. I must go.”

  I had to have some semblance of answer. “Can your people read my thoughts?” It seemed unfathomable, a diabolical and twisted notion of wizardry only old villagers could concoct.

  “It’s complicated.”

  I clenched my fists and took a deep breath. I didn’t want to hear his answer, but I knew I must. “Yes or no?”

  “Yes, but…”

  I stormed toward the village, too infuriated with the breach of trust to speak to him. Someone should’ve warned me. He should have told me. Had he been privy to all my thoughts?

  I spun around and found myself nose-to-nose with him. “You read all my thoughts?”

  He grinned. A twinkle of fiery flecks spotted his eyes. “I found the late night arguments quite interesting. No one has ever practiced calling me a lummox before.” He ran his fingers down my cheek and rested his thumb on my lips. “Tell me, Hannah. What of our encounter do you think I should practice more?”

  My pussy clenched. My mind whirled with lustful memories I longed to feel him holding me again, tasting my lips. His kiss was heady ale I knew I shouldn’t drink, but my thirst was too fierce to ignore.

  “Stephan,” Fallon said insistently.

  “Go to your people. What may or may not exist between us can wait.”

  “Tonight we will finish this.”

  I nodded, knowing I had no intention of doing so. My time in his village had neared its end, and the sooner I accepted it, the better I’d be. His people had no desire for my presence, and it was clear now there were many reasons to avoid remaining. I couldn’t control my thoughts any more than I could my breath.