Roc was relieved Meline was up and moving. It didn’t make sense after the way she fell. He thought for certain she was horribly injured. He even feared she’d broken her neck. He’d been unbelievably relieved to see her tracks leading away from the clearing. Except now she was wandering straight into danger.
“We have to go before that fucker hurts her or takes off with her.”
Roc lifted off the ground, darting between the trees. He heard the rush of water as he neared the river.
“Rochelle, no.” Petronus snagged his tail, hauling him out of the air, just before they emerged from the woods. “I disabled the vehicle; they are not going anywhere. Now, we must be smart, or he will hurt her.”
Roc nodded. His sire was right. He gingerly approached the tree line then ducked behind a large trunk when he saw Nightshade aiming the rifle into the woods. Petronus took up a similar position nearby. Roc panned the river bank.
Where are you, angel?
His eyes widened when he saw the moonlight reflect off something inside the helicopter. Faster than should’ve been possible, Meline leapt onto Nightshade’s back and plunged the knife into his neck with a feral scream. Blood sprayed everywhere as she severed the unsuspecting man’s carotid. Nightshade’s eyes widened, and his mouth bobbed open, making gurgling sounds as he dropped his rifle. Relentlessly, Meline gripped Nightshade’s hair and drove the knife deeper.
Roc recovered from the stunning sight of his female exacting her revenge on the man and swooped in.
“Angel?” he asked in concern, seeing the way she still had a death grip on Nightshade, even though the man was no longer a threat. He had no clue how such a little thing could possibly hold up all that dead weight.
It took a moment for Meline to focus on him, her rage shifting to relief then horror.
“Roc!” She dropped the body and started hyperventilating as she looked from him to her bloody hands.
“It’s okay.” He quickly pulled her to him. “You’re okay!”
It wasn’t the dead fucker’s blood that concerned him. He turned Meline’s head and examined her wound. The nasty gash on her forehead wasn’t nearly as gruesome as he remembered. In fact, it looked like little more than an unpleasant cut. He didn’t know how it was possible but wasn’t about to question it. Amazed and relieved, he enveloped her with his wings.
“We need to get out of here. This area is remote, but those Earthians tracked us somehow. There could be more,” Petronus interjected, pulling Roc from his momentary respite.
Sacrament! he cursed, reminded of the frigid wasteland and potential danger that still lurked nearby.
“Too bad you sabotaged their helicopter.” Roc frowned. “I don’t like the idea of flying with Meline in this weather.” She was starting to shake so hard in his arms that he was becoming concerned.
“I’m okay. Not cold.” Her voice was muffled inside the cocoon of his wings, but he still heard her teeth clack together.
“You’re coming down from an adrenaline high.”
“We can bundle her up in one of these sacks.” Petronus pulled a sleeping bag out of the helicopter.
“That should work.” Roc took the downy bundle and helped Meline into it.
He made sure she was secure before lifting off into the air, heading north with Petronus soaring by his side.
19
Roc
“Is that a dwelling in that clearing by the stream?” Petronus shouted into the wind.
A surge of hope filled Roc till he glanced down. He couldn’t see through the steam rising from the small hot spring at the edge of the river. The trees surrounding the clearing acted like a bowl, preventing the wind from driving away the mist.
“Let’s get a closer look,” he agreed.
If he was going to build a cabin in the middle of nowhere, near a hot spring would be a prime location. And it couldn’t come soon enough. Roc was worried, very worried about Meline. He foolishly thought they left their worries behind them in New York, however, the last leg of this journey was proving just as treacherous. She survived falling, and escaped an ambush by gunmen, but if they didn’t find shelter, hypothermia would do her in.
“Let me make sure it is not inhabited.” Petronus nodded to him.
Petronus dove through the cloud of vapor while Roc held back with his precious bundled cargo in his arms.
“That’s a heated pool, isn’t it?” Meline asked as he headed for a large pine tree a safe distance away.
“It is.”
“You think I can bathe in it?” The desperate tone in her voice made his gut twist.
Meline was still shivering despite the layers sheltering her from the elements, but at least she was speaking. Her silence as they flew had worried him. He landed on a thick branch, leaned against the trunk and pulled her against his body.
“I’ll add a mountain of snow if it’s too hot. Or fan it with my wings,” he teased, though in all seriousness, he’d move heaven and Earth to give her whatever she wanted.
Roc’s brow furrowed as he looked at the tiny bit of Meline’s face poking out from the cinched-up sleeping bag. Usually she would’ve laughed or given him a smile when he made such boasts. Instead, she didn’t even look him in the eyes.
“I’m sorry for all of this. What you did back there…” He was supposed to protect her, not the other way around.
“I’m not your sweet angel,” she sobbed, her face contorting as she burst, tears welling up in her eyes and spilling down her cheeks.
“No, no, no. You are still sweet, angel.” He leaned in and kissed away her tears, hoping his lips weren’t too cold.
“I’m not. I stabbed him, killed him, and I’m not even sorry,” she hiccupped. “Oh God, I probably killed those men in the car wreck, too, didn’t I?” Her trembling turned into full body shudders.
Shit! Say something to make this better. But he didn’t know if he could. The look of horror in Meline’s eyes broke his heart. This was exactly what he feared life with him would be like.
Before he could come up with something to soothe her, Petronus swooped in.
“The cabin is empty,” his sire reported. “I started a fire inside.”
Roc sighed in relief. At least they had that going for them.
“Is she okay?” Petronus mouthed and frowned as he cast Meline a sideways glance.
Roc shook his head no, gripped Meline tight and followed Petronus. They landed outside the one-story log cabin and went inside.
“Good.” Roc nodded, seeing the large stack of dry firewood piled near the fireplace. They could hole up here till he found a way to get back to civilization.
“It is already getting warm.” Petronus added another log to the fire.
“Here you go. Relax.” Roc sat Meline in a chair by the fireplace, kneeled in front of her and loosened the tie around the sleeping bag. He frowned seeing the frozen tears stuck in her eyelashes. “Everything will be okay soon.”
“Rochelle, it is time. I will wait outside.”
Roc’s frown deepened as he watched his sire leave the cabin. He hadn’t thought saying goodbye to Petronus would affect him this way, but the sudden hollow feeling in the pit of his stomach was hitting him hard.
“Will you be okay? I need to say goodbye and tell him I’m not going.”
Meline nodded. Her sad expression reflected the way he felt. He kissed her forehead and stood.
Roc found his sire outside staring at the nearby snowy peak and the wavering northern lights. He stepped beside him and took in the majestic sight.
“I never imagined I would miss this place,” Petronus whispered after a minute.
“I’m going to miss this, too,” Roc replied, though he wasn’t talking about the impressive landscape. “Sire, I’m not going with you.”
“I know.” Petronus wrapped one wing around him and pulled him closer.
Roc looked at his sire’s soft expression and realized Petronus was also saying he’d miss him.
“Rochelle,
do not make the same mistakes I did. Nothing in life is ever perfect. I foolishly wallowed in my misery, not truly appreciating what I had until it was too late and my precious Theresa was gone. And I lost you in the process.”
“Mum knew you loved her. Remember how she would grin when you’d huff and puff?” Roc smiled at the happy memory.
“I do.” Petronus face took on a wistful expression. “And I remember the way she used to look at you. She never cared that you were different. It is the same way that female in there looks at you.”
“I love her. I never realized I could love anyone so much. It almost hurts. I don’t know how I’m going to manage.” Roc frowned. “She’s going to be gone in the blink of an eye if I don’t get her killed first.” The thought of watching Meline grow old and die was crippling.
“No, your Hondassa is strong, a fighter to rival any Khargal female. She has proven that these last few days. Kiss Meline often. Mate her often and you will have a long life together. If I had taken my own advice Theresa might still be with us.”
Roc’s eyes widened as what his sire meant sank in. Suddenly the memory of Petronus desperately kissing his mum as she died made sense.
“I’m changing her, aren’t I?” Roc exclaimed.
He’d noticed the way she was stronger, healed faster, could smell and see better, but had brushed it aside with all the chaos. An indescribable sense of relief filled him.
“Yes. I really did you a disservice not explaining things.” Petronus shook his head in regret. “That needy feeling, the way your gums itch and you salivate, that is the mating hormone, the dassa. The more she has, the longer she will live and resist the diseases Earthians succumb to.”
“I can do that.” Roc grinned.
“I am sure you can,” Petronus chuckled then grew serious. “I should be going.”
Roc wrapped his arms around his sire. “You don’t have to go.”
“I love you, mon fils…” Petronus replied, sounding torn.
“But you miss your home and the clan you left behind,” Roc added for him. “I understand. You deserve to find happiness.”
“Thank you. I wish I could have both,” Petronus’ voice wavered with emotion.
“Maybe you could come back for a visit.” Roc smiled hopefully, though he had a feeling that wouldn’t be possible.
“I would like that. Now, go take care of your Hondassa.” Petronus squeezed him one last time then stepped back and lifted into the air.
“I love you,” Roc blurted before he missed the chance.
“I never regretted having you in my life. No matter the distance, I carry you always.” Petronus smiled, letting his tail drift down to ruffle Roc’s hair, the way he used to do when he was young.
“Goodbye,” Roc whispered as he watched his sire disappear.
meline
As she stared into the fire, Meline replayed all the horrific things she’d done over the last few days. She was a monster. That’s what they called people who had no remorse when they killed.
No. That awful man killed my parents and was going to hurt Roc. She refused to regret protecting the man she loved.
And yet it came so easily. She flexed her fingers inside the sleeping bag. She could still feel the way the knife felt in her hand as she plunged it into the fucker’s neck.
The road to hell is paved with good intention. Was this how psychopaths justified one murderous act after another?
Meline shook her head. Roc needed to know she could hold her own. He’d get sick of her real fast if she lost her shit whenever things got serious.
You told him you could handle this, so pull it together.
It was getting warm in the cozy little cabin. She peeled the sleeping bag off and noticed the dried blood all over her hands.
“Aw God. I need wash.” She blanched at the gruesome sight.
Meline went over to the small sink and turned on the faucet, but nothing came out. No doubt the owner shut off the plumbing to keep it from freezing.
“Dammit.”
There was a curtain partitioning off the corner. She pulled it aside to reveal the indoor version of an outhouse.
Nope. I’d rather go squat in the snow.
Meline looked around the cabin. Besides the kitchen, which was little more than a non-functional sink, a wood burning stove, and an island that doubled as a table, there was a narrow bed with a trunk at the foot of it and the two chairs by the fireplace.
“Beggars can’t be choosers, but this is a far cry from the lake-side lodge we talked about earlier. A shower would be nice, except the water wouldn’t work in it either.”
She gave up her search. It looked like the only way she was going to wash up was out in the hot spring.
There was a gust of cold air as the door opened.
“Are you okay?” Roc asked quietly, his voice filled with concern.
“There’s no running water to wash this blood off.”
Meline glanced up from her filthy hands to see Roc wearing the saddest expression she’d ever seen.
Oh my god, I’m the most selfish bitch ever. He just said goodbye to his dad.
“I’m doing better now. Are you okay?” She hurried around the island and wrapped her arms around him.
“He’s gone—again,” he whispered and pressed his lips against the top of her head, kissing her crown.
“I’m sorry.” Meline squeezed him tighter. She hurt for him.
It was amazing how he made her feel better just by being near. Hopefully she did the same for him. Roc pulled her hands up and frowned at all the blood.
“Let’s get this off you. If you think you can brave the cold to get to the spring?”
“I think so.” She nodded.
“I’m sorry. I never meant for you…” His brow furrowed.
Meline shook her head to silence him.
“None of that. I’m okay, really. It just freaked me out that I killed him and didn’t even blink an eye. But I’d do it again to protect you,” she insisted.
“It’s my job to protect and care for you.” Roc shook his head as he turned her hands over in his larger ones.
“But I’m your angel, what good am I if I can’t watch over you?” Meline smiled up at him.
“Yeah you are.” He grinned and leaned in to kiss her.
“No way. I’m dirty!” She danced away and ran for the cabin door.
With a giggle she pulled off her coat, tossing it into the snow as she headed for the steamy pool. A hungry growl hot on her heels had her yanking her dress over her head as she ran faster. She reached the spring, tugged off her shoes and dipped her toe in. The water was nice and warm. Meline stripped out of the snow pants, taking her panties with them, and waded in.
She turned to find Roc stalking toward her in only a pair of boxers, a trail a clothing littering the snow behind him. Roc’s wings rustled in the wind. She soaked in the impressive sight, glad he didn’t put them away. She loved every bit of him, from his broad shoulders and muscular chest, down to those ripped abs and corded thighs. His tail flicked behind him, like a predator on the hunt. Her gaze darted to his hips and she sucked in a deep breath seeing the way his cock tented his boxers.
“I was about to kiss you and you ran. That’s unacceptable, wicked little angel,” Roc rumbled, his voice so deep she was surprised it didn’t melt the surrounding snow the way it did her insides.
The serious expression on Roc’s rugged face and the way his silver eyes flashed in the moonlight said he meant business. She retreated into the heated pool, keeping her eyes glued to her intense lover. The water was warm, yet the sight of him mixed with the sensual rebuke made her shiver.
“You’re just sore I beat you,” she gave a slight laugh, unable to hide the nervous giddy sensation he incited.
“No. I warned you never to run from me, with good reason.”
Roc stopped at the edge of the pool. His heated gaze raked over her as he hooked his boxers and lowered them. Her heart started pounding harder
as she stared at how hard and thick his cock was. The ridges beneath his broad crown made her pussy ache with need as she recalled how they felt sliding into her. Meline stifled a startled sound when the beast of a cock got closer as Roc stepped into the hot spring. It was crazy how she gravitated toward him but wanted to flee all in the same breath.
“From now on, you will let me kiss you whenever and wherever I want,” he informed her.
Her mouth dropped open at the demand. Not that she disagreed but that was a little presumptuous.
“Is that so?” She arched her brows at him.
“Yes.” Roc’s tail lashed out and wrapped around her waist. “And you’ll let me stick my cock in you whenever and wherever I want.” His tail tugged her against his firm body, his arousal grinding into her stomach to punctuate his illicit edict.
“Hold up there, buddy.” Meline pressed her palms against his chest. “I draw the line at your monster cock going wherever you want!”
Roc cupped her ass cheeks with both hands and spread them. She jumped when the tip of his tail slid along her crack, teasing her puckered opening.
“You don’t mean that. I’ve seen the way you orgasm when I play with your tight little ass.” He cast her a sardonic smirk as he pressed the tip of his tail into her trembling ass. Her mouth dropped open at how audacious he was as he wiggled the appendage.
Two could play at this game. She reached down and gripped his cock with one hand and cupped his balls with the other. Roc groaned and widened his stance as she stroked his length while massaging the firm pair of globes between his thighs. She gasped and nearly forgot what she was doing when Roc’s tail pressed deeper into her ass. Her pussy spasmed and a flood of moisture mixed with the hot water. Meline shook her head, denying the pleasure. Her hand drifted from his balls to the pucker of his ass. Roc’s thighs tightened as she pushed one finger in.
“Meline, fuck, okay,” he barked when she wiggled her fingertip.
“You want to play with my ass. I think this is only fair. I’ll strap on a cock and take you from behind as I jack you off,” she threatened while kissing his bare chest.
Hard as Rock Page 21
