The Wolves of Arnoux Manor- Volume 1

by Kiana

  It was even harder getting used to your boyfriend turning into a giant furry wolf. This was my life now. Anton can shift into a six-foot brown beast who loves to run everywhere. When I’m too weak to meet with the women of the compound, I watch him from the back porch. It’s enclosed, but it didn’t help. I can hear things. Hearts, animal, or human, I can hear it all. I can smell warmth, which is only odd because I can’t feel it. When Anton touches me, I feel nothing, but I can smell his blood. It leaves a metallic taste in my mouth. I crave it.

  Anton has not left my side since I was released from the hospital. He informed me that Cara was here and that she would visit me soon. I was glad to know she was ok. I needed her sound advice because I had a hard choice to make.

  I told Anton that I heard about my current fate. I felt helpless behind it. Just weeks ago, I was a normal girl with a big heart. I had a short amount of time to choose if I wanted to be a big fluffy dog or a blood-sucking demon.

  You would think that wouldn’t be a hard choice. With every day that passes, blood becomes more appealing to me. I feel like I've gone days without water. Yesterday’s dinner was steak, and I ordered it rare. It wasn’t enough. It felt like I was taking a chance on molded bread. It felt off-putting to eat something cooked.

  “I have a surprise for you.” He pulled out two pairs of handcuffs. He then cuffed me to my wheelchair.

  “Anton, what is this?”

  “I know what you need, and this the best way I can give it to you.”

  He then placed a blanket in my lap. It covered my hands as well. He walked towards our front door, and when he opened it, Cara walked through. I was elated until the burn in my throat started. My friend was like a walking milkshake. I could smell the rich iron in her blood. Oh, the ache I felt as I fought against my restraints. She tightened the scarf on her neck. It helped a little. She sat across the room.

  “I can’t leave you to in the house alone. I will be just in our bedroom on the first floor.” Anton said before leaving us to speak.

  Cara looked just as miserable as I felt.

  “You know I owe you an ass whooping,” she said, crossing her arms. I noticed the paint residue on her fingers.

  “They’re letting you paint?”

  “Yes. O bought me some supplies. I stay to myself most of the time and out of his hair. Well, when he’s human.”

  “Hold up! He turned into a wolf in front of you?”

  “Yeah, a little over a week ago. He's so big, and his fur is so soft,” she said affectionately.

  “You do realize he’s not your pet, right?”

  “Oh, shut up! I know he’s not my pet. He's just more affectionate in wolf form than in human form. When he’s human, he’s direct and by the book. When he’s a wolf he warms up to me he lets me touch him, and that’s when all hell breaks loose.” I waited for her to continue.

  “I get these visions. Some of them are good, but the strongest ones are when I’m in pain.”

  “Pain?”

  “Yeah, like I’m on some damp, dirty floor twisting and turning in pain. I can feel my bones cracking Lystra. It’s crazy.

  “That’s not normal Cara, even for our situation. And speaking of situations, I am in a really complicated spot.” The blanket slipped and my restraints we’re clear. I lowered my head in embarrassment.

  “You tested negative, didn’t you?” I nodded my head.

  “Well, O said you could be treated. That way you wouldn’t turn.”

  “They tried a blood transfusion with human blood, donated not stolen. It didn’t work. It slowed the process, but not by much. They want to try something else.”

  “I’m all ears for this.” She shifted, and so did her scarf. Dammit. Noticing my discomfort, she readjusted the scarf. I could still hear her heart though.

  “They want to turn me into a wolf.” I tried to focus on the subject at hand. I swallowed hard and continued.

  “That’s the only other way I can live. Wolf serum is very strong. It could counteract what’s left of the vampire venom.”

  “Ok, your options suck. Still, I don’t understand why this is a hard choice for you.”

  “I don’t know that I want to be a wolf. I feel so thirsty. Half of this conversation I’ve been listening to your heartbeat. That's why Anton and O wouldn’t let you visit me right away. If I could just get a drop, I could make a clear decision.”

  “Honey, that’s that damn vampire venom talking. Do you really want to spend your life feeding on mankind? See how that thirst is driving you crazy? It won’t stop. It will come back stronger and stronger. Let them fix you!” She was absolutely right. Still, the longer they waited, the stronger this could get.

  “You’re right. I’m going to tell Anton tonight.”

  “Good! Now we have just one problem left.”

  “How do I deal with being attracted to a wolf?” I laughed.

  “O got you, huh?”

  “It’s so weird! I swear when I daydream about him, it feels so real, and then I open my eyes and boom there he is in front of me. It’s like the man is my head.”

  “I guess now it’s my turn to be confused. What’s the problem, Cara?”

  “I don’t think he wants me. We have these intimate moments, but then he pulls back. It’s like he’s trying to push me away.”

  I opened my mouth to speak, but I could almost taste her blood on my tongue. I moaned.

  “Lystra?”

  “Go,” I whispered. My hands were trying to slip under my restraints. Her eyes grew wide.

  “Anton!” Cara yelled then back up.

  The blanket had fallen, and I felt clammy and thirsty, so very thirsty. I exhaled, and it came out as a hiss. I tried to close my mouth, but a fang nicked me. I tasted the blood, but it was bitter. No, this wouldn’t do. I wanted the fresh meat clinging to the wall in fear. I pulled an arm up, and it broke away from the restraints.

  Anton came in the room with a syringe in his hands. I began to walk towards Cara. The more terrified she grew, the more her heart pumped. I craved that sweet, delicious flavor of hot rushing blood. A pinch and then a burn hit my side. I turned around, and there was Anton. The syringe was now empty. I felt heavy so much that my legs gave out.

  “Is she going to be ok?’

  “This will knock her out for a few hours. She won’t make it another day like this.” I could hear the concern in his voice. The room seemed to be spinning.

  “Bite her!” Cara panicked, her voice cracking as she cried.

  “She has to give me her permission.”

  “She will! We just talked about it! Anton, please!” I heard Cara beg before everything went black.

  8

  Anton

  Since I am a beta when my mate is ready, I don’t have to wait on a full moon. Instead, I can do it when the moon is out in general. Our shifting isn’t based on the moon’s presence, but our supernatural powers are. They become stronger during lunar cycles. Tonight Lystra and I would mate in a small, intimate ceremony.

  With Lystra so close to becoming a vampire, we didn’t want the rest of the compound to see her. So, we skipped the tradition of a community blessing. We would only truly need the blessing of our pack Alpha. What makes the ceremony so special is that it’s a choice. Lystra was choosing to be with me. She was sacrificing all she had come to know be my partner.

  “I am nervous.”

  “In your heart You knew she was for you before you even said hello. Allow those same instincts to guide you now. Good luck, brother.” Edric helped her walk into the room.

  When she walked into the room in that sheer white robe, all became right with the world. Her full breasts sat up just right behind the fabric. There was a slight limp in her walk. The more her body fought the venom, the weaker she became physically.

  When Edric was close enough, I took over. O took his place in front of us. This was not the way we should have done this but desperate times call for desperate measures. I would one day make up for this moment
. I might just do the human marriage ceremony, but this would do for now. I refused to lose the love of my life.

  O tapped my shoulder and then Lystra’s.

  “May this union be blessed. Lystra it is an honor to have you join us. Anton, my brother, may you continue to grow wiser and stronger for the sake of you mate and your pack.” O nodded and then left the room.

  I picked her up bridal style and brought her to the bed. She laid down on the bed beneath the skylight. She looked downright edible. I pulled at the thin strap holding her robe closed. She sat up and let the fabric slide down her shoulders and onto the bed behind her.

  Lystra seemed dazed. The venom is taking more and more of her each day. Her hands caressed my skin, but they felt like ice. I finally pushed past the barrier of muscle and was glad to find there was one place she was still warm. Her body shuddered in response, and I felt her thighs close up, pulling me into her body. It was almost like she needed my warmth.

  I couldn’t prolong this anymore. We’d have lifetimes to make love but only this moment to save her life. She held me in her embrace as the change began. My face elongated slightly, and my fangs grew past my mouth.

  “I love you.”

  It was more of a reminder than a confession. My actions showed Lystra I cared deeply for her, but my next move would feel like a contradiction to that statement. Gripping her waist tightly, I bit down into her shoulder blade.

  “Ahh!” she screamed, digging her nails into my back. While I was in beast for it may as well have been feathers. It didn't hurt at all.

  My canines broke into her skin, the serum in my saliva mixed in with her blood. I felt her body heat up. She gasped for air. The serum would heat her body right into exhaustion. While she slept, her body would make its necessary recovery, all while infusing her new abilities into her DNA structure. I watched my bite sizzle as it would form the mark making her my mate. Our marks would match, and her scent would become my scent.

  “Anton!” she screamed, sweating profusely.

  “Breathe, you gotta breathe,” I tried to reassure, but she wasn’t responding. She pulled at the sheer white fabric, shredding it in the process.

  “Too hot! I’m too hot.”

  She pushed me off of her with much more force than I expected. The serum couldn’t have kicked in that fast. She screamed and fell off the bed. Her body violently convulsed before flying upwards into the air.

  Something was wrong, terribly wrong. She screamed before a bubbling foam came from her mouth. I could only stare in horror. My door was broken down. O and Edric entered the room in beast form. They growled at Lystra. Her body was still mid-air. She was choking on foam. O and Edric charged forward but were knocked back into a wall. Her body bent until her spine cracked. Lystra came crashing down to the ground unconscious.

  O and Edric inched closer.

  “I think her body rejected the serum.”

  “I’ve seen humans rejected the serum. This is different.”

  “Take her back to the hospital wing, carefully Anton. I can still hear her heart. She is alive.”

  We rushed Lystra back to the hospital. My serum had indeed taken its effect. The vampire venom burned off, but she was having an abnormal reaction to the werewolf serum. It was starting to seem like death had it out for my mate.

  9

  Cara

  Between Lystra being back in the hospital and my growing feelings for O, I was losing it. I had to keep busy so that I wouldn’t think about all of the stress. O had provided me with an array of things while I was in his home. I had new art supplies and a tablet and access to a well-stocked kitchen. Once we got the stove, O had a separate room turned into a cooler just to make sure that I wouldn’t have to leave for anything.

  So, I’ve turned to asking O almost 20 questions a day. If not educational, the experience was definitely entertaining. He gets irritated easily. So much now that if he sees me, he goes in the other direction. I really shouldn’t be pushing my luck as his guest, but he’s really given me no choice.

  I sat at the kitchen island doodling. He walked into the kitchen, and I could see his mental debate over continuing his path or leaving. He walked in and grabbed a bottle of water out of the fridge. I let him get to the entrance of the kitchen before I spoke.

  “Is your name O, or is it short for something?”

  “Ozni. It’s a mouthful, so I prefer to shorten it.” I struggled to think of something else to ask him.

  “You’re bored aren’t you?”

  “I can’t be generally interested in the mind of my captor?” He gave me a sour expression.

  “You have not been kidnapped.”

  “Am I allowed to leave?”

  “Yes.”

  “Really?”

  “You are free to visit any place on the compound now that you’ve been given a clean bill of health.”

  “That’s not what I mean.”

  “I know, but get out. Get some air.”

  “In other words, you just don’t want me here anymore?” I like getting under O’s skin. He turns an incredible shade of brown when he’s agitated.

  “Or maybe we could take you back to the lab and figure out why you keep having visions.”

  “So, do I take a car or one of those little golf cart things?” I asked, and he laughed.

  “It’s a nice day. Walk.” My mouth dropped. It had to be at least two miles distance between this house and everything else.

  I walked into the compound trying to balance several books in my arms. I’d come across the history of Arnoux Manor. This property went as far back as the 1900s but the genealogy went as far back as 20 A.D. That information was on scrolls in glass display cases. I became obsessed with gaining new information.

  Being at Arnoux wolf seemed more like a privilege than a burden.

  “Well, look who’s home,” O announced, shining what looked like a sword while sitting on the grand staircase.

  “Hello to you too.”

  “What’s all that?”

  “Just some interesting reads that I found in the library.” He took the books from my hand, placing them next to him. He picked up the one on top.

  “Shifters of the Night. Understanding Your New Abilities,” he read the titles aloud.

  “Do I need to restress the details of your NDA?” he asked.

  “No, I have no need to tell anyone about this place. They would never believe me anyway. I just want to be of help to Lystra when her knew abilities come in.”

  “That’s what her mate is for. I understand that you and Lystra have a strong friendship, but she has a mate to show her the way.”

  “I know, and it leaves me afraid.”

  “Why are you afraid?” He pulled me into his lap concerned. I wasn’t used to this from O. Still, I needed the comfort, so I didn’t poke at his affection.

  “Where do I fit in now? It’s been the two of us for so long. I know she has to stay here. When I go home, what am I going home to?” O looked genuinely concerned for me.

  “Lystra is like a sister to me now. As a member of my pack, if she's is concerned about you, it’s up to Anton and me to make sure all is well with you. Give me some time and I will think of something.”

  I smiled. It helped to know that I had someone looking out for me. When I smiled, O did too. I pressed my forehead to his and closed my eyes. I felt relaxed. In time, everything would be ok.

  When I opened my eyes, O was staring at me. I’d never seen him look like this before. He seemed to be in a trance. His arms wrapped around my waist. He leaned in and kissed me softly at first, his full lips massaging my own. I grew hot. My hands caressed his biceps, and I deepened the kiss. I wanted him badly. Suddenly he pulled away. He helped me off his lap and straightened himself out.

  The damage was already done. I could clearly see my effect on him, and it wasn’t like I was unfamiliar with his length. I saw it every time he shifted. Long and thick, it traveled along his thigh. Being honest, I wasn’t even sure it w
ould fit. It was something I would never know. According to the books, if I had sex with O, there was a chance he would bite me, and I'd be his mate. Because he was an Alpha, I'd also take the chance of being immortal. That was a bit much to take in for some D.

  “I am sorry,” he said respectfully.

  “No, I am as much to blame as you. I should probably go up to my room for the night.” I gathered my books from the steps.

  “Wait, I needed to ask you something.”

  “Shoot.”

  “What do you know about your friend?” O asked me. I found it strange he would ask me something like that.

  “We’ve been friends since grade school. I know a lot.”

  “Did you ever know her to be on medications?” I nodded my head.

  Sadly, I never knew what it was for. To be honest, I don’t even think Lystra knew it’s purpose. We were just terrified of the consequences of not taking it. Lystra’s mother would go crazy if she missed a single dose.

  “Her mother gave it to her every day, but she stopped taking it when we graduated high school. It was a purple liquid. It wasn’t in a normal medicine bottle though. Her mother was heavy into herbal remedies and holistic medicine. Lystra never told me what it was for, but Sometimes it made her really sick.”

  “Thanks for that. I need to go out to hunt. I will be back before midnight.”

  10

  O

  When I returned from my hunt the last thing, I expected to see was several couples standing outside of my home. They were not in human form, which meant they were ready to attack.