Circus Wolf

by Lynde Lakes

  The doubting side-long look he sent her way assured her he felt she was wrong about that.

  ****

  The next morning, silent as a shadow, Hugh got up at sunrise, leaving Tigra to sleep, and headed toward the burial cave. Anticipation and worry tightened his muscles. The sun rose higher, lining the rolling hillsides to the east with radiant yellow light against patches of green. The serrated purple mountains beyond caught the illumination with the brilliance of the silver cross they’d buried with the ashes. He breathed in the crisp air, unable to fully savor the myriad scents of a new day as long as his thoughts were on the vampire’s grave-site.

  He sighed in relief when he found the burial ground as they had left it. From his experiences in the past, he had a difficult time believing the ritual had been a success and the danger was over. He was grateful they were all alive—yet disappointed their curses had not been lifted. He and Tigra had put their lives on the line for each other while destroying the demon, yet their curses remained intact. He was still a werewolf and she was still a tiger woman. He was also grateful they’d managed to rid the world of at least one demon and saved many lives into the future. But he’d counted on having it all. He’d fallen in love with the forbidden and the mesmeric gaze of a tiger woman he couldn’t resist.

  Sadly his fatal flaw, his willingness to protect and even die for her, had failed to release him. And likewise, her willingness to die for him hadn’t released her. He couldn’t let the ancient curses’ hold on them destroy their chances for happiness. He was ready to let go of the tight rein on his emotions and allow himself to accept he could love this wild beautiful creature in spite of their dissimilar species and in spite of the fact she wasn’t, and never would be, the quiet homemaker he’d dreamed of meeting. She was better; she was a woman beyond his hopes and dreams, a wild creature who had excited his blood and touched his heart. Somehow they would solve the inner species problem. Fighting to ignore his injuries and the pain of each jostling step, he ran toward the circus grounds, hoping Tigra could accept him as he was, with all of the dangers and problems connected with their duality.

  ****

  Tigra rolled over in bed and groaned, hurting everywhere. She reached for Hugh

  The sheet beside her was cold. Maybe he was in the bathroom. In a daze, she thought about how far they had come as a team. They’d butted into each other’s flaws, each of them seeking independence, but they’d conquered their problems and little by little, with Hugh’s love, she had overcome her loner nature. She’d learned to trust her judgment, assert her authority, and risk alienating her circus buddies. She was strong before but she’d become stronger—now she was truly worthy of the title Queen of the Tigers. She’d helped Hugh overcome his belief he was merely in the world to help others. While that was the best part of his nature, she’d finally convinced him he deserved to have a special love of his own. Now, she wanted to be that love.

  She threw off the covers and called to Hugh. Silence. She made a carafe of coffee and then without even pouring a cup, she paced her caravan, wondering if Hugh had gone to the cave alone. They were a team and if he went there, she wanted, needed to accompany him. Why had he left without a word? They had important things to discuss. They had sacrificed themselves for each other and almost ended up dead for their willingness to forfeit their lives for each other. But their readiness to die hadn’t freed them of their curses. What if Hugh went back to check on the burial site and Skully had, by some vampire magic, risen from the ashes?

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Scarcely able to breathe, Tigra fought shivers of foreboding. She grabbed her bag and rushed out the door, heading for the hills. Struggling for control, she breathed in the morning scents as she fought the jostling neck pain of each step. She scanned the line of the hills, watching for the entrance of the savage cave of death and hoping their heinous ceremony had succeeded. Ahead the swirling, steamy waters lay sparkling in the hazy sunlight. The cave was just beyond the next ridge.

  Suddenly, like an apparition, Hugh appeared and ran toward her, arms open. The sun came from behind a cloud and its luminous glow traced over the strong lines of his lupine features, lining them with silver. She inhaled his feral scent and when he called her name, she melted inside. He was alive. While the wind whistled around them, he drew her into his arms and stared down at her. His feral silver-gray eyes blazed with determination. He bent and kissed her. While not deeply probing, it was nevertheless, a kiss full of promise. She didn’t want him to stop. “He held her away. “What are you doing out here?”

  “I came to find you. Is everything all right?”

  “I pray it will be.” His breath feathered over her face.

  “What does that mean?”

  As usual, he exuded this raw, hard-edged sensuality that made thinking a struggle. With a concerned heart stronger than her passion, she looked up at his etched face. He drew her over to the pool edge and then gently urged her down beside him. “I need to get some things off my chest,” he said in a ragged voice.

  Their gazes locked. She swallowed and fought the turbulent electricity soaring between them and attempted to organize her thoughts. “Me, too.”

  “I’m irrevocably in love with you, Tigra.” Her heartbeat quickened at his words, his deep, rich tone, and the love glinting in his eyes made her heart reach out for him. “I was willing to forfeit my life for you. And I’ll willingly keep putting it on the line for the rest of our lives to keep you safe.”

  She closed her eyes, reveling in his words. “I feel the same protectiveness toward you.”

  “You’ve shown that in aces. Neither of us put our lives in jeopardy to free ourselves from the curses, but we hoped for it. My desire to have it all didn’t change my overflowing, uninhibited, and unrestricted love for you. And I want you, curses and all, and pray you can accept me as I am—a werewolf…a lycanthrope.”

  Feeling a grin tugging at her lips, she said, “I accept everything about you and I’m willing to sacrifice whatever is necessary for us to have a life together.”

  “Are you sure you can live with who and what I am for the rest of your life?”

  She felt her heart thudding against her breast. “Our diversity will keep things interesting.”

  He blew out a gust of air. “Even bringing children into our relationship?”

  She knew he loved children as much as she did. “Of course. We can adopt.”

  He drew her to him and she melted into a kiss she realized seconds later, she would remember for the rest of her life because it seemed to trigger the magic.

  She watched in awe and fascination as the ghostly wolf within Hugh vaporized, escaped his nostrils, and then hovered over the steamy waters as though waiting for something. A thrill went through her—his no holds barred love for me has cured him.

  Joy for him soared through her. And then another miraculous thing happened, on an exhale, vapor surged from her nostrils. A ghostly tiger joined the wolf and they disappeared into the steam rising from the water.

  “My God, did you see that?” Hugh asked in awe. “I think our love opened a door few people ever walk through. A door where curses disappear and love is forever.”

  ****

  When Vance, aka Skully, didn’t show up for the night’s show, Coleman reported him missing along with Billy Cornwell. When Officers Gonzales and Tanner came out to the grounds to get the particulars, they didn’t get excited about Billy Cornwell being MIA, but they were as livid as Coleman was about Skully’s disappearance. They hinted something in the aerialist DNA made it imperative they talk to him again immediately. Gonzales said he’d already put an A.P.B., all points bulletin, out on him. Hugh remained silent, relieved the officers weren’t questioning him or asking more questions about his brother.

  ****

  The next day, Hugh, Tigra, and Madam Mystic had a quick meeting about their secret. “Then we’re all agreed, to go on with our lives,” Hugh said. “We must accept we were forced into a war that to
save the two of you, and for the sake of the innocent people he would have killed in the future, required eliminating Skully.” Tigra and Madam Mystic nodded solemnly.

  “No regrets, ladies,” Hugh said. “Even if the police could have pinned the theft and murders on him, he would’ve managed to escape. He’s done so in a number of lifetimes. We did what had to be done to assure he’d never violate and kill another innocent young woman.”

  “You’ve made your point, Hugh,” Tigra said. “So let’s move on. On another subject, sort of, Coleman has fired both Cornwell and, not knowing he’d dead, Skully. He said he’s through giving repeated chances to people who just walk off the job without notice. He’s already hired both men’s replacement. And another piece of news, he isn’t selling the circus to that corporation that’s been bugging him. Instead, he’s taken on a partner. And she’s bringing in the capital the circus needs to grow and flourish.”

  “She? Let’s see if we can get a bit more info on that,” Madam Mystic said and waved a hand across her crystal ball. After a few seconds she gave a sly smile. “If I’m reading the spirits right, this partnership might involve more than just business.”

  Tigra laughed. “Well, I hope you’re right. A soul mate might keep him busy and out of my hair. Speaking of keeping him busy, he’ll be gone all afternoon with the new partner, and he wants me to welcome the new hire. I’d appreciate it if you two would to help me make the guy feel welcome. His given name is Bradley Duce Johnson. His aerial stage name is Midnight Prince.”

  Madam Mystic laughed. I wouldn’t miss getting a look at a character with a moniker like that.

  ****

  Ten minutes later the three of them were at the vehicle entrance with a banner that said WELCOME. The sun posed high in the azure blue sky and puffy clouds hung over the mountains, while a warm breeze ruffled their hair and fluttered the banner.

  Suddenly the noise of the crowded arcade behind them was drowned out by the roar of a Harley Davidson Road King.

  “Talk about black, shiny, and gorgeous,” Madam Mystic said.

  Tigra laughed. “Are you talking about the cycle or that ebony glistening Adonis straddling it?”

  Madam Mystic, wearing flowing burgundy slacks smoothed her matching sweater and, thrust out her more than ample breasts. “All that,” she said, her eyes alight with interest.

  The biker pulled up and stopped next to them. He revved his motor before killing it. Recklessness played in his insolent grin, his glinting eyes, and in his powerful, muscle-rippling movements. He removed his helmet and raked his hand through his kinky shoulder-length hair. “Thanks for the welcome.” His gaze sized up Madam Mystic with a seductive up-down swipe. “I think I’m going to like it here,” he said in a very low timber as he stowed his helmet and locked his Harley.

  Madam Mystic stepped forward with a huge smile and glanced at Tigra and Hugh. “Listen, you two don’t need to stay any longer. I’ll surely make this brother feel welcome. How about some ribs and corn bread, honey?” she asked in her calypso accent.

  Tigra laughed. “Great, we have some practicing to do before tonight’s performance. I trust you’ll show him to his caravan and get him set up for tonight’s show.”

  “Don’t worry another second about him,” Madam Mystic said, “I’ll take him under my wing, show him the ropes and, if he plays his cards right, give him a sample of his future.”

  ****

  A week later, Madam Mystic, who Hugh was surprised to learn was a licensed minister, married them in the center ring while the circus crowd cheered. Tigra wore a veil and a white lace scarf to hide her scars and he wore a white silk scarf to hide his. Because they got married during their regular show, his beautiful bride wore the wedding lace veil draped over the little strips of imitation fur he loved so much and he wore his regulation black leather tights. Neither of them minded giving up a traditional wedding because by having their ceremony in the center ring during regular circus hours they could share the event with their whole tinsel commune and all the circus fans in the packed-full capacity stands. As a bonus his brother, Damon, and his family attended, loaded with beautifully wrapped gifts. Hugh hadn’t given it much thought before, but his new bride wasn’t just gaining a husband, she was acquiring a whole family. The family she’d never had.

  He’d never seen Tigra happier. At the gala reception, in the center ring of the streamer and balloon decorated Big Top, it warmed his heart that Tigra fit right in with, and could empathize with, his once cursed family.

  ****

  Tigra felt giddy as Hugh carried her across the threshold of the caravan Bubbles and Madam Mystic had conspired to decorate into a gauzy white and pink wedding suite. Elegant white and gold candles illuminated the beauty and added to the magic she felt racing through her blood. She undid her veil and tossed it across the room as she inhaled the scent of dozens of roses.

  She stared at her new husband. His gaze deepened, and he covered her mouth with his. Love and lust exploded inside her as he increased the pressure and probed slowly with his tongue, raising sensual havoc with her nerve endings.

  He glanced around briefly. “The ladies did a great job.”

  “Terrific,” she said, wondering how she and Hugh would manage to make the kind of love she craved past all of their injuries.

  He stepped closer to the already pulled down bed, and, looking into her eyes, he gently lowered her, sliding her down against the hot, hard contours of his chest, stomach, and thighs. By the time her feet touched the floor, her knees were weak and trembly. She pressed against him, inviting his passion, his power. Pain be damned.

  Frantically, they discarded their circus costumes. The tight, black leather pants fell on top of her little strips of fur. Once in bed beside her, and he drew her into his arms. His bare chest pressed firmly against her pulsing nipples. He looked down at her, his warm breath mingling with hers. “Relax,” he whispered. “I’ll be gentle.”

  His mouth closed over hers; first softly like a summer breeze, then hot and demanding, like a Santa Ana wind. She clung to the dizzying euphoria as his lips trailed down to the swell of her breast. His erection pressed against her thigh, reminding her of their first dip in the steamy pool.

  She patted him. “You’re no longer a lycanthrope, but you still have that Alpha branding touch.” He laughed, and she heard pure joy in his tone. He lifted himself with powerful arms and swung over and straddled her, his flesh scorching hers. Her core heated to a shivery liquid as their kisses grew more frantic. He laid her back prone on the silken sheets. Wild with fever, she arched her back and thrust her hips forward, inviting him to love her. She moaned in ecstasy as he explored the smooth contour of her belly and the moist triangle of curly hair with his hands, his lips. He kissed her, caressing her as his hand slid between her thighs. She arched her hips again to meet his seeking fingers. Then she wanted more. Eager for the hot hardness that throbbed against her apex, she arched again. He rained kisses on her face, then French-kissed her until her core was hot, tingling, and wildly receptive. She clung to him as he gently entered her and began the slow, rhythmic dance of passion. When she thought she couldn’t stand a second more of her rising and agonizing desire, he quicken the pace. She slid her hands around his waist, then lower and dug her fingers into his hard, unyielding buttocks, crying out as he brought her to an earthshaking pinnacle. She exploded again and again, shattering into so many pieces that pain and pleasure joined in an unbelievable orchestration of fireworks. They rode the wave of crazed wildness until Hugh convulsed inside her, and together they plunged over the edge into a grateful release while clinging to one another with their last ounce of strength.

  Hugh rolled off her and they lay side by side, breathing hard and trying to catch their breaths.

  After a few moments, he drew her into his arms again and held her. When the afterglow faded, she looked up at him. He winked at her with his thickly-lashed eyes and then kissed her nose. “She-Tiger or human hellcat, you take my breath
away.”

  She kissed his chest and laughed. “If we can perform a mind-blowing romp in our condition, just imagine what we can do once we’ve totally healed.”

  He clasped her hand and entwined their fingers. “I can’t imagine it being any better. Even in this uncertain world, after what we’ve lived through together, I’m confident our love, passion, and desire will grow stronger as we share and experience life together.” She traced a prominent tendon in his hand. “I’m ready and excited to start that new phase of my…our life.”

  “Excellent, you’re already thinking like a married lady. And I promise to devote myself to making certain you never regret it.” He stroked her cheek. “In a few days, after we pull up stakes and head for Europe, I’ll get my dream of traveling the full loop with the circus beside the woman of my dreams.”

  The End

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