Falling For The Wolf (Crystal Lake Forest Wolf Shifters Series Book 4

by Ovidia Pike

  “I...did,” she said, and I watched as tears began to slide down her cheeks. She wiped them away in frustration and turned her back to me to hide her face, but I moved around her, bringing my hands to her cheeks to wipe away her tears with my thumbs. I didn’t know why I was comforting her, only that I needed her to stop crying, and that I no longer wanted to see coldness in her eyes. She stared at me with wide eyes, not hiding anything in her gaze for once. I pushed her hair away from her forehead gently with my hands, tucking the loose curls behind her ears as I leaned in and kissed her softly on the brow.

  “I’m sorry you lost someone you love,” I said to her, though I had no love for the princess. “I know how that feels.”

  “I know,” she said in a whisper as I took her hands, pulled her toward me and wrapped them around my neck. I wrapped my arms around her waist and held her there for a moment, pressing my lips to her forehead again as her fingers curled in the hair at the nape of my neck. I kissed her forehead again, then met her eye before planting a kiss to the tip of her nose, then finally her lips. I lingered there for a long second before her mouth parted for mine, accepting the kiss, sucking on my bottom lip as I slipped my tongue into her mouth to taste her. I held her tight against me, so close that I could feel her heart racing against my chest as the kiss went on, grew deeper and hotter, until her breathing was ragged and my hands were on her hips instead of her waist, her arms still around my neck.

  She jerked away suddenly as if she had been electrocuted, and before I knew what was happening, she spun a swift kick that knocked my feet out from under me. I hit the ground solidly on my back, gasping for breath as I looked up at her.

  “Never do that again,” she said sharply, her jaw trembling as she spoke. She left me there then, hurrying away deeper into the woods. I stayed on the ground for a long moment, then climbed to my feet.

  “Camilla?” I called out, immediately wanting to apologize for crossing the line that had been established between us. There was no answer, so I undressed and shifted, sniffing at the ground in order to find her scent. I couldn’t go home—couldn’t let her go until I made things right by telling her how sorry I was for invading her boundaries. I felt anxious and stressed about it as I followed her scent, got close enough to see her standing in the woods with a tall, pale, faceless man. I instinctively cowered, backing behind a tree, knowing that I shouldn’t listen but unable to stop myself from doing so.

  “I’m not doing it,” I heard her saying in a loud, choked voice as she talked to the man, her face tilted upward in a bold stare. “I’ll kill Gabriel—I’ll gut him. But I’m not—I can’t kill Sophie. She didn’t do anything.”

  “There’s no way for you to be able to kill Gabriel without ridding him of his natural mate first,” the faceless man said. “Nobody can do that, least of all an ordinary shifter.”

  “I am not an ordinary shifter. I’m a warrior,” she said, standing up taller. “I can fight him. Sophie doesn’t need to die.”

  “You seem to misunderstand, Camilla,” the man said, folding his hands behind his back. “I’m not asking you for a favor. You will do this.”

  “There’s no way you can possibly make me,” she said heatedly. There was a cracking groan, the sound of branches snapping, and I realized that the man was laughing despite his blank face.

  “Your friends are scattered throughout my woods,” he said. “So far, I’ve let them live. I’ll pick them off one-by-one if you don’t kill them both. And your friend, too. Sam. Our deal was that you do this and I’ll keep them safe. If you don’t—”

  “You’re not going to lay a finger on Sam,” she spat. The man took a step toward her and for the first time, she cowered back.

  “Do as I say,” he said menacingly, before turning around to vanish in the trees. I took off just after this exchange, not stopping until I got back to my hut, my mind spinning from what I’d just seen.

  Chapter 9: Camilla

  I waited in the woods for Sophie, feeling frantic, like my whole body was going to implode with anxiety and tension. Sweat poured down my neck as I stood behind a tree, keeping an eye on the access road where the Jeep would be pulling up at any minute. I felt like screaming, like running away, trying to kill the faceless man myself or die in the process. I knew, though, that it would put Sam and everyone else I loved in danger. I thought about Sam and our kiss, how good it had felt, how right and natural and tender his touch had been. I tried to ignore the hollow feeling in my gut every time I thought about it, watching as the Jeep pulled up and Sophie climbed out. I tensed waiting for her, still unsure of how to do it, knowing I’d have to, regretting every second I watched her. I took a step back as she started down the path, and I cursed myself when her head swiveled to catch my eye. Her mouth lifted into a smile and she gave a small wave, leaving the path and coming toward me.

  “Hi,” she said brightly. “What are you doing out here?”

  “Just...looking around,” I said quickly, pulling my eyes away from her, unable to look her in the face. My hands clasped in front of me, wringing nervously. I saw her frown out of the corner of my eye. She put her hand on my arm and squeezed it comfortingly.

  “What’s wrong, Camilla?” she asked. “Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine,” I said, still not looking at her. “I’m just restless.”

  “You’re not training today?”

  “No—I thought I’d let Sam do it on his own. They don’t seem to respond to me like they do him.”

  “He is a sweetheart,” Sophie said. “He’s so kind. I can’t imagine anyone would dislike him.”

  “Other than Gabriel,” I pointed out. She grunted softly.

  “Yes, well, he’s different,” she said in a tight voice. I finally looked at her to see a frustrated look on her face.

  “He’s an ass,” I said abruptly. She laughed.

  “He is, but...there’s something else there. Something soft. I’ve seen it.”

  “There’s not a soft bone in that man’s body,” I said.

  “There is,” she insisted. “He’s just...afraid, I think. Afraid of losing control over what he has, and afraid that there’s nothing left for him if he loses it.”

  “You would be here for him,” I said.

  “I...think I would,” she admitted, blushing. “I—”

  “The two of you love each other.”

  “I don’t love him,” she insisted. “I mean, we barely get along. I just know there’s something deeper than what he shows. Sometimes he smiles at me and it’s like he’s a whole different person.”

  “I can’t imagine him smiling,” I said.

  “It’s a nice smile,” she said with a curve to her lips, her eyes shining as she thought of him. In that moment my heart sank in my chest—despite what she said, love was written on her every feature. She glowed with it just thinking about him, just talking about the moments that had made her fall for him in the first place.

  “I’ll take your word for it,” I said.

  “I’m sorry he’s such a dick to you. I don’t really understand it.”

  “It’s because I won’t bow to him. I’m not afraid of him.”

  “Good,” Sophie said. “That’s exactly what he needs. Someone who won’t cower. Too many people are so afraid of him—it just fuels his anger. He’s always angry.”

  “Yeah, he is,” I said, looking down at the ground. I knew that there was no way I could hurt her, not in such a human moment, not for any reason.

  “Do you want to walk back to the village with me?” she asked, pulling her gun from her shoulder to carry at the ready.

  “I...think I want to stay here,” I said. “I’m enjoying the fresh air.”

  “Okay,” she said, squeezing my arm again, peering closely at my face.

  “Are you sure you’re okay?”

  “Yes,” I said. “Yeah, I’m fine, I’m just need to walk around a bit.”

  “Okay, be safe,” she said with one last smile, turning around with her gu
n and following the path again. I stood there shaking, unable to keep still, unable to even breathe as the tears started pouring down my cheeks. I put my face in my hands and started to sob, surprising myself—I had never been one to cry, but in that moment, all I could do was weep with frustration and anger. I stood there for a long moment before I felt someone coming toward me, and I didn’t have to open my eyes to know that it was Sam. He stood a few feet away from me while I caught my breath, and when I finally looked up at his face it was filled with a soft tenderness that pierced my chest.

  “Come here,” he said to me, reaching out his hand for me to take. I looked at his face and he smiled warmly, gesturing me closer.

  “Come on,” he said gently. “I’m taking you home.”

  “Sam—”

  “I’m going to fix this,” he said. I hesitated for a second before reaching forward, slipping my hand into his. He held it tightly and started to guide me down the path. I sniffled as we walked, thinking about Sophie all over again, beginning to cry as we went into his hut. He shut the door behind us and gathered me into his arms, pulling me onto his bed. I went with him and he gestured at his lap, and I curled up next to him with my head there. He started to stroke my hair as I closed my eyes, let the tears continue to fall.

  “It’s okay, baby,” he said. “It’s okay. I promise.”

  “It’s not,” I gasped, my body shaking all over again. He pushed my hair back from my face, stroking my forehead, his hand still holding mine. After a few moments I calmed down and lay there with my eyes closed, glowing under his comforting touch.

  “I wanted to tell you that I’m really sorry about that kiss,” he said. “I crossed the line and I shouldn’t have.”

  “It’s okay,” I said to him, rolling onto my back, looking up at his face. He touched my cheek, tracing it with his finger.

  “I couldn’t help myself,” he said. “Seeing you like this—it breaks me. I can’t watch you cry.”

  “I’m sorry for crying,” I said. He shook his head.

  “No, that’s not what I’m saying. I just mean that I’m going to fix it for you. Whatever it is, I’ll fix it. I promise.”

  I stared at him for a long moment, felt a smile come to my lips. He looked surprised by it and his face burst into a grin, dragging his teeth over his bottom lip.

  “Beautiful girl,” he said, touching my cheek again. I sat up then and faced him, gazing over his handsome face, the kindness there that I didn’t deserve from him. I leaned in to kiss him softly, hesitantly before pulling away.

  “I liked the kiss,” I admitted in a soft voice.

  “So did I,” he said, eyes sparkling with a joy that was hard to take. “I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed a moment more.”

  “Really?” I asked him. He nodded.

  “Yes, ma’am,” he said, reaching forward, stroking my neck with his finger.

  “You have the most perfect mouth,” he said, glancing down at my lips, holding himself back from kissing me. I leaned into him again, taking his mouth with mine, sucking on his bottom lip as his hands moved to my head, holding me close to him. I tasted his mouth, relishing in the feeling of him breathing against my lips, kissing me back. His arms wrapped around me to pull me onto his lap, still sitting up, continuing to taste my mouth. With each second the heat in my body grew and grew, until all I could feel was the desire filling every inch of me, making my pussy wet, my nipples tight in my sports bra. His hands found my ass and he pulled me even further onto his lap so that I was straddling him, arms wrapped around his neck. He lowered his face to kiss my shoulder, then looked me in the eye.

  “You don’t want this to go any further,” he said. “You don’t want to be with a wolf.”

  “Do we have to be together? Can’t we just—” I began but cut myself off when I felt myself start to blush furiously.

  “I’m not fucking you unless I get to keep you. I don’t want your body. I want you and your strength, your charisma—your smile and your big, curious eyes.”

  I pulled away from him, sliding off the bed.

  “I’m sorry,” I said regrettably.

  “It’s okay,” he said. “I’m not angry about this anymore.”

  “I wish you were,” I said.

  “That’s not the kind of man I am. I am sorry for getting angry in the first place. You have your reasons.”

  “You’re not a man, you’re...a wolf,” I said, then winced at my own words, how they sounded coming from my lips. I knew they were wrong and yet every part of me screamed that they weren’t.

  “I know,” he said, not sounding angry as I thought he would. For some reason, it frustrated me. I wanted him to yell, to drive me away, not pull me in with his gentle voice and kindness.

  “I’m sorry,” I said. “I am.”

  “I know, baby,” he said, his voice sad and quiet. I turned away from him and left his hut, hurrying as fast as I could across the village and out into the woods. I gasped for breath after I’d run as far as I could, hands on my knees, and didn’t realize what was happening before someone hit me over the head and I collapsed to the ground into blackness.

  Chapter 10: Sam

  I went through the training motions impatiently, looking frequently over my shoulder for any sign of Camilla coming through the woods. It was supposed to be her day to lead, and I had delayed training for as long as I could when I realized that she probably wouldn’t be coming. By the time they were finished, I felt impatient and agitated. I dismissed everyone and threw my spear to the ground, hurrying back to the village. I went to her hut and knocked on the door, waiting anxiously for a few long minutes before I realized she wasn’t going to show. I started pacing through the streets, up and down, looking for her everywhere but seeing no sign. I was walking near the main road when I saw Alicia and rushed to her.

  “Doc, have you seen Camilla?”

  “No,” she said. “Why?”

  “I can’t find her anywhere. She was supposed to lead training today, but she didn’t show. I have no idea where she is.”

  “Did you try her hut?” she asked, a concerned frown on her face.

  “Yes, I did,” I said, growing more frantic by the minute. Though I knew she could take care of herself, the woods were a dangerous place—in my gut, I knew that she was in danger.

  “Thanks,” I said to Alicia quickly, unable to keep still for any longer. I jogged to the edge of the village and into the woods, making a circle around the borders, wandering for what seemed like hours as I became more desperate. I ran my hand through my hair after I found nothing, pausing for only a moment before heading to the lion caves. I walked through the evening, not arriving until early morning the next day. I felt exhausted but wouldn’t give up—I shifted just before I ambled onto the lions’ land, staying in the shadows from the slanted morning light. I knew I would get caught eventually, but I had to try to find her before I did—the lions kept a close eye out for intruders, so I glanced around first before hopping up on the first ledge, sniffing the rock for any sign of her. I knew it was futile—so many shifters had been through this area that there was no way I could possibly catch a scent. I sniffed around anyway, making my way up the ledges of the cave system. I heard the sound of footsteps behind me and darted into one of the caves, glad to find it empty.

  I pulled the curtain in front of me and waited for the shifters to pass before peeking out again, then starting forward. I had just jumped onto the closest ledge when I heard growling behind me and turned around to see three lions closing in on me.

  “I want to speak to Selene,” I said after shifting, holding my hands up to show I meant no harm. One of the guards shifted and I recognized her as one of the women we had fought on our way out. She shook her head at me, a sneer on her face.

  “Not this time,” she said, grabbing my arm roughly and tugging me down. I followed her without fighting, the other two lions at our heels as she took me down to the underground cells and unlocked one, throwing me inside.

&
nbsp; “We’ll deal with you as we see fit,” she said.

  “The princess will be—”

  “The princess doesn’t rule here, the queen does,” the woman said, then left me abruptly. I sighed, holding onto the bars as I peered around the dark cave.

  “You’re back,” came a gruff voice from the cell across from me. I squinted to see one of the men who’d been there last time, one of those who had called me a dog and spat at my feet. I glared at him and he let out a snide laugh.

  “You’re looking for her, aren’t you? Camilla?”

  “Where is she?” I growled, feeling hatred and fear well within me.

  “She’s not here, I’ll tell you that. You wasted precious time coming to find her.”

  “Where is she?” I said again, raising my voice this time.

  “She’s gone. You’ll never see her again. She’s off paying for her crimes—her betrayal.”

  “She...better not be—if she’s hurt—”

  “What are you going to do, call me names? The hell can you do from a cell?”

  “If I get out of here, I’ll wring your neck,” I said. He laughed again, a sound that only made my rage grow.

  “Don’t you know how she feels about wolves?” he asked. “You think you’re good enough for her?”

  “No, I don’t,” I replied. “I know how she feels. It doesn’t matter. I’m going to protect her anyway.”

  “It’s too late for that,” the man said, amusement in his voice.

  “No. I’m getting out of here as soon as I speak to the princess.”

  “Why do you want to speak to my daughter?” came a voice from the entrance to the cave. I turned to see a woman standing there, obviously the queen, with the same regal features as her daughter and thick, white hair.

  “Your highness,” I said, bowing to her. “There’s been a misunderstanding. I’m just here to find my—Camilla.”

  “Yes, I know why you’re here. I also know you killed a man the last time and wounded several others. Is that right?”

  “Yes, your highness, but—”