Blood of the Wolf

  And then she was exploding. She screamed out against the night, arching up off the ground, and he grabbed her tight against him, leaning her up as he continued thrusting into her through the orgasm. She clung to him, moaning and panting as wave after wave of pleasure shook her, crashing over every part of her body, making her crazy. She melted against him, weak and helpless against the onslaught of sensation.

  Finally, when the waves passed, she was left shivering against his chest, clinging to him as though he was a rock. He held her tightly, his arms wrapped firmly around her, pressing his face gently against her hair. She knew he was smelling her, taking in her scent, most likely still intoxicated by the call of her wolf-moon. She wondered when he would begin again. When he would pull down her sweatpants and spread her legs, and thrust himself inside of her....

  And yet he didn't. A good minute passed as he held her, rocking her against the darkness and the rain. Then he gently righted her clothes and stood up wordlessly, lifting her up with him, swinging her into his arms and wrapping the wet sweater around her bare chest. He kissed her gently against the forehead.

  Then he started off across the lawn, carrying her to the house. Jaime didn't say anything. There was nothing to say — he had won. She knew that now. He had conquered her as surely as he conquered everything, through unflagging persistence. She wished she could be strong and hold her ground, but she was so tired, so weak... she just wanted to rest. She wanted to snuggle up in the warmth of a bed and go to sleep.

  She rested her head against his shoulder as he climbed the steps to the house and entered through the kitchen. She had no idea how much time had passed, but the lights were low, and voices carried to her distantly from the den. They didn't head in that direction, though. Instead, he carried her the opposite way, through the kitchen and into a hallway, one that branched out into several rooms. Opening a door on the far left, she found herself carried into a dark bedroom. By the quality of the decor, she figured it was a guest room of some kind, with a giant queen bed in the middle.

  He laid her gently upon it. She gazed up at him, relaxed and calm, her body subdued at least for the moment. She was still tingling with pleasure from her orgasm, and when he slipped into bed next to her, she didn't question his warmth or his arm that pulled her close. She just wanted to sleep. To forget all of the insanity of the past twenty-four hours.

  “I still haven't forgiven you,” she grumbled sleepily, her eyes closing on their own. He pulled her closer, offering her warmth under the blankets.

  “Good,” he murmured back.

  But she barely heard his words, because her head was already falling to one side, her face buried in a pillow. Darkness swam up to claim her; it was long overdue.

  * * * *

  Sirus watched her fall asleep, her face deceptively peaceful; she looking even younger when she was curled up against the massive bed. He could still smell her on his fingers, and he slipped them into his mouth, tasting her juices. She was incredible. Her body had been a hot, tight sheath, warm and pulsating, ready for him. He wished he could just fall asleep next to her, but that would be impossible —he would not be getting any sleep in this bed tonight. His body was too tense, too energized, too tight with anticipation. He wanted to continue where he had left off, to bury his face between her legs and make her come again and again. And when she was done screaming, he would thrust into her... take her until she couldn't even say his name anymore....

  But he controlled himself. She was exhausted, and not ready to face the intensity of his lust. She murmured something next to him, shifting in her sleep; it softened him somehow, made him weak in places that weren't familiar. He didn't like this new vulnerability... but he would never tell her that. Love was not exactly his forte....

  He held her tighter, pressing her against him, letting her scent fill his nose, her warmth, her presence. All he wanted was to make her safe. To ensure that there was no danger.

  He sighed, leaning against the pillows, still studying his young lifemate. The world was an evil, terrible place... but this much was good.

  Chapter 13

  Jaime awoke to the cold.

  She stirred groggily, opening her eyes, realizing it was still night and there was rain pouring outside her window. She frowned, turning over slightly, wondering what had disturbed her from her dreams. There was an empty spot on the pillow next to her. Sirus was gone.

  She moved to the side of the bed, slowly sitting up, realizing that she still had no shirt on. She frowned. Did she hear voices? Looking around dazedly, she moved to her feet and grabbed her sweater from the floor, pulling it over her head before she started for the door. Where had everyone gone to?

  She stepped out of the room gingerly, her bare feet sensitive against the cold floor, and started down the hallway... through the dark kitchen... into the empty front room, though now the voices were loud and clear, easily distinguishable. She hesitated before entering the den; instead she kept to the shadows just outside the doorway, listening to Gareth's deep, rumbly baritone.

  “... don't know where Magnus lives, then how are we going to challenge him?”

  “Is it even a challenge that we want?” Isak interjected. “I'm not sure two Alphas taking on one has been covered in the rule book.”

  “Alright, so we're doing something new.” Darren's voice, loud and self-assured. “Maybe we shouldn't challenge him at all; maybe we should just kill the fucker in his sleep.”

  “Hard to kill someone in their sleep when you don't know where they live,” Gareth rumbled. “I called my contacts in Paxton. They're a groups of rebels, banded against Magnus... they don't know his whereabouts, either. He keeps hidden. Safer that way.”

  “We need a way to draw him out.” It was Sirus' voice. Jaime's ears perked and she felt her body stir, a strand of warmth spiraling through her belly. She stepped slightly closer to the doorway, curious and tense. “We know he's rich and we know he has bodyguards,” her Alpha said. “And we know he lives in Paxton, because that is where his pack is centered.”

  “Have you checked things like phone books? Address listings? Power bills? Mail boxes?” Isak asked.

  Aiden snorted. “Wasted several years trying. It hasn't worked; he's good at covering his trail. Probably staying in a house under someone else's name.”

  “Then he knows you're after him,” Gareth said. “Or at least, that somebody's after him. He's hiding carefully. I'm assuming he has also sent people after you?”

  “Things have been fairly quiet the last year or so,” Sirus murmured in response. “But yes, there has been some animosity between us. Now he even has his eyes set on Jaime. There are a few of his pack after her.”

  She swallowed, leaning forward slightly.

  “It would give him a stronger claim to the territory, at least,” Isak murmured. “There have been revolts upstate of Paxton, or so I've heard. Hard to say if that's true, though... but it seems not many people are too happy with Magnus.”

  “Yes, all the better for us,” Sirus nodded.

  Jaime had to agree. It was strange, hearing her former territory talked about so casually... to her, it was discussing a lost past, a piece of herself that had been missing for years. She was happy to know that Magnus the Gray wasn't very popular. She had felt her heart twist at the mention of his name; if he had been the wolf to kill her family, then she already hated him, enough to want him dead. The idea of slipping in and killing him in his sleep didn't seem bad at all. She wondered what he looked like, wishing she had a face to match up with the name, to focus her anger on; that was partly why it had been so easy to hate Sirus. Their confrontation on the motorcycle had made everything somehow more personal, more quickly remembered. Magnus was just a name; just some mastermind pulling the strings.

  “Why not join us, Jaime?” Sirus' voice suddenly said, making her heart stop. She sneaked up slowly to the doorway, looking around the corner to see that he was sitting on the couch across from her, leaning forward, his hands clasped in
front of him. He was staring straight at her. The only light in the room was from the fireplace, and it reflected eerily off of his eyes.

  She glanced around the room. Gareth sat in the armchair from before, and the other wolves were scattered around the seats in various positions. She didn't see Maddy anywhere. She didn't say anything but headed directly to Sirus, trying not to feel embarrassed that the entire company knew she had been eavesdropping.

  “Much better,” he murmured as she sat next to him. He immediately put an arm around her, pulling her against him so she could tuck her legs up next to her. She wasn't sure if she was comfortable or not. She had to resist the urge to pull away.

  “So,” Darren said, sitting slightly to the left of her. “Anyone got any ideas how we lure him out?”

  “Do we at least have a general area to search?” Isak asked.

  “I'd bet the richer neighborhoods, if that makes a difference,” Aiden suggested.

  “Yeah... or maybe we could follow someone there.” Gareth looked at Sirus. “Didn't you say earlier that there were others hunting you?”

  Sirus nodded, his arm moving to rest around her waist. She wondered if he had done it subconsciously or on purpose. “We could follow them back to his hideout,” he murmured. “The problem is, how to make them go back to their den?”

  An uneasy silence fell on the group. Jaime glanced around, taking in everyone's solemn expression. It was a serious matter; a man's death was being planned, and for the moment, it seemed that they had run out of ideas. She shifted, meeting Gareth's eyes and looking away. Magnus was after her; she was the key to the situation, the reason why they were here... and the three hunters wouldn't go home unless she was with them. Jaime could already tell the temperament of this Alpha; he was a fearless tyrant, and probably killed the ones who failed him. His cronies wouldn't return empty-handed. Somehow they had to get the three wolves to go back to Magnus... and yet....

  Jaime bit her lip, an idea coming to mind that she knew wasn't going to make Sirus happy. But it seemed to be their only option... and she didn't really care about his opinion, did she? No, of course not.

  “Gareth,” she said, speaking suddenly. The entire room turned to look at her; she hesitated, then pushed on determinedly. “Look, they're not going to go until they have me, and the sooner they do that, the sooner they leave back to Magnus. This is my territory too, you know. I have a right to fight for it.” She paused, waiting for a reaction, but the room remained silent. Finally she murmured, “Just let them take me. Put some sort of tracking device on me and let me go.”

  “No,” Darren said immediately, startling her. Jaime stared in surprise — she hadn't expected him to protest. “Too many risks involved. What if they find the tracking device... assuming we have one? What if we lose you, or you are attacked, or worse....” She knew what he was trying to say. Magnus intended to make her his mate in any way possible, even if it meant by force.

  Jaime hardened herself, trying to look like the idea of it wasn't terrifying. “It's my right,” she growled. “And it's the only option you have! You can't just ignore me if I'm willing to make a sacrifice. We should all work together.”

  “The question isn't whether or not you're willing,” said Aiden. “But whether or not we're willing.”

  “She has a point,” Isak spoke up. Gareth still remained silent, watching her. “I hate to say it, but she might be right — it could be our only option.”

  “Of course a Davenport wolf would say that,” Darren grumbled. Isak glared at him.

  “Bullshit,” she growled, sitting up straight and leaning forward threateningly. “I've been running from one bad situation to another since this bastard took my territory. I'm totally capable of handling this, but if you have a better idea, then I'm ready to hear it. Otherwise....”

  “No.”

  The room went still. Sirus' voice was soft, but it silenced everyone. She turned to look at him, and he just raised an eyebrow, meeting her straight on. “No.”

  “What?”

  “I said — no.”

  Jaime looked around the room, incredulous. So what, she was female and therefore shouldn't have a say in anything? She glared, looking at Darren and Aiden, but they avoided her eyes. She knew what that meant; they would follow their Alpha's decision no matter what.

  Jaime scowled, turning to Gareth. “Well?” she demanded.

  “It's your lifemate's decision,” he replied, his voice steady. His green eyes were bright and mysterious, unreadable. “This is between the two of you.”

  Jaime was speechless. She couldn't believe the way everyone was treating her, just because Sirus still wouldn't allow her to make her own decisions. Still a prisoner, still just baggage. She stood up and stalked out of the room, walking stiffly and angrily, not looking at anyone as she made her swift exit. She'd had enough of this shit. Maybe he had taken the cuffs off, but somehow the chains were still there. Jaime wanted nothing better than to go out into the night and run, run until her wolf-self overcame her and she was a wild thing, careless and free.

  She had her hand on the front door when she sensed him behind her. He had followed her into the darkened living room. She swung the door open anyway but his hand landed on it, slamming it shut instead.

  “Where do you think you're going?” Sirus asked.

  “Away from you,” she shot back.

  “Impossible.”

  “What? Why impossible?” she demanded, turning and facing him. His hand was still on the door and he towered over her, trapping her between his body and the wall. She shivered, trying to ignore his heat and the dizzying things it did to her head. “You can't follow me everywhere, you know! Sooner or later you're going to give up, you won't want me anymore, or you'll realize this whole thing was just fake to begin with.” She bit her lip, hating the words even as she said them; he watched her intently with his pale eyes.

  “Is that what you think this is? Fake?”

  She glared. “I don't know anymore! All I know is that some guy I've never even seen before murdered my whole family, and the only thing standing between me and my revenge is you! You — of all people!”

  “This isn't about revenge,” Sirus said, so harshly that it startled her. His expression turned dark, clouding over with anger. “Is this a game to you? Darling, if it's revenge you want, then you're wasting your time. Emotions get in the way. This is a power struggle, my dear. This is all numbers and spreadsheets. It's business.”

  “How can you say that! You don't even know what that means!” she snapped.

  “It means you're one good fuck away from becoming Alpha-female of your own pack, with your own territory. Have you ever thought of that?”

  Jaime felt like she had been slapped in the face — no, actually, she hadn't thought of it that way, and for good reason; she had been far too upset over the loss of her family. But what was he trying to say? That she didn't have the right to hate the man who had destroyed her life? That she shouldn't demand blood in return for blood? Sirus had moved in closer, forcing her against the wall, crowding her in, making her nervous. Jaime felt her temper surge, now that he held the truth right in front of her, flaunting it in her face....

  “One good fuck, huh?” she growled bitterly. “If you think I'm just some shallow bitch looking for power, then you're wrong.”

  “Oh really?” he murmured, looking closely at her. “So instead you're a shallow bitch looking for revenge?”

  “Did you just call me a shallow bitch?”

  “If the shoe fits.”

  “You asshole!”

  “Jaime—”

  She didn't hesitate. Whipping back her hand, she smacked him hard across the face. Sirus paused, obviously not having expected it, and at that moment she grabbed the doorknob and wrenched it open, dashing out of the house, down the front steps and across the yard. It was dark and rainy, but she didn't care — she just needed time to think, time to gain control of the writhing emotions inside of her.

  He f
ollowed her. She knew he would, but she ran anyway, pounding down the sidewalk, her injured leg complaining with each step, though she was well rested and her wolf strength made up for the wound. She headed into the street, letting the rain wash away the tears that were stinging her eyes, soothing the heat of her anger. She couldn't hear his footsteps behind her but she could sense his presence; he followed maybe half a block behind, and she knew what he was doing. Hunting her. Tagging her like he would a wounded deer, trailing her until her strength ran out and she'd be forced to stop. She hated knowing that no matter where she went, he would always be able to track her, to follow the smell of her wolf-moon... and, she guessed, even just her own scent. She was his lifemate, after all... he would know her trail anywhere.

  She didn't know the city of Davenport at all, so she followed her nose, running away from the dense smell of oil and car exhaust at the center, making her way for the outskirts, where the forests waited. Gareth's house had been located on the suburbs on the far East of the city, an expensive neighborhood, at least by Davenport standards. The houses she ran past were large and silent, illuminated through the rain by the occasional porch light. Their yards were well trimmed, the paint new and fresh. Jaime wondered if she could run straight back to Black River, somehow escape this whole complicated situation... but she was hit with the sudden reminder that she wasn't even safe at home, not in her foster parent's house, not at school, not anywhere. She was being hunted by everyone — the police, a murderer, and a man who didn't always come off as sane.

  Her breath was beginning to burn in her lungs. She had only covered a few miles, but suddenly the idea of running seemed less and less appealing. Run to where? And from what? She would just end up right back at the problem. She needed to find a place to stop, a place secluded and out of the way where she could confront him with no worries of being seen....