The sound of equipage approach made us turn toward the front gates again. Two magnificent white horses drawing it. I remembered it from when my night had begun, and I'd ridden in it to be brought back here.
“That must be Jett returning from his evening with Penelope.
“Let's not let them see us,” I said moving away from the front of the house.
“Why?” Drachen said, joining me in the cover of low bushes.
“Because I really don't want to have a confrontation.” We crouched down and waited as the carriage drew up, stopped and paused. No one got out, but I could hear voices from inside. They sounded like they were arguing, which pleased me to no end.
“This may take some time,” Drachen said low to me.
“That's alright,” I said. “By the way, do you like her?”
“Who? Penelope?”
“Yes.”
“She's alright, I guess. It's Jett who needs to like her, not me.” We both chuckled. “I also can't read her mind. Which is strange.”
I looked at him. “Really? You too? I can't get anything from her either.”
“Yes. Very strange,” he agreed.
“So, do you think she's a bitch?” I asked.
I heard him snort lightly. “Unequivocally. Yes.”
“Good.”
“You?”
“Oh, I hate her guts,” I said and then snorted. It came out really gruff. Hell. I was shifting a little further into my creature. I could feel the slightest shiver of excitement go through me from head to toe. I felt both agitated and excited. I'd made my kill—such as it was, and now I wanted to mate; I was horny as hell—more so than before. I needed to get away from Drachen. I didn't want Drachen near me at this point; I didn't want him near me. It was as though I were choosing an alpha to be with and Drachen wasn't one. Jett was an alpha. Older, huskier, more worldly, and I felt he would be able to handle anything I dished out.
Finally the carriage rode off, leaving Jett standing on the cobblestone drive waving to it as it drove out of the gates.
Drachen was first to step out into the open, and sidled up to Jett.
“I thought she would never leave,” Jett sighed.
“Me too,” Drachen said. “Have a good evening?”
Jett shrugged. “I've had better. We quarreled nearly the whole time.”
Drachen chuckled. “You'll make a cute couple.”
“If you're trying to get on my good side, you're doing a bad job of it.”
Drachen chuckled again.
I stepped out of cover, unable to hold back a sudden snarl. I felt shivers going through me. The change into my creature had paused, or stopped completely. Possibly it was the difference in worlds. I wasn't sure, but my mind had not shifted to the animal, just as my body had not. Although I felt my teeth had become longer, sharper, as had the horrific claws at the ends of my fingers.
Both men turned toward me to gaze at my appearance in the moonlight. Did I look strange? I wasn't sure.
“Sabrina?” Jett said, a little surprised. “What are you doing out here?”
“Oh, we were on a killing mission,” Drachen said. “She dispatched a few more Dreadfuls.”
“Truly?”
“I've got to say, she's very quick with that dagger,” Drachen said.
“Drachen, go inside. Now.” I growled.
Both men exchanged startled looks.
“She's a werewolf, by the way,” Drachen said. “Apparently, she wants you, cousin.” He slapped him on the back. “I'll be inside, if you should need me. Or need patching after.” Drachen chuckled, trudging toward the doors and slipped inside.
Jett stood looking at me for a few more heartbeats.
“Are you alright?” he wondered.
“Not alright,” I said with a slightly raspier voice.
“Can I help you . . . in any way?”
“Oh, yeah. You can help me.”
He stepped a little closer and stopped a few paces from me. “The last time I showed interest, you threw me.”
“I won't throw you this time,” I promised. “But I warn you, I might hurt you.”
He laughed and held out his hands. “You can't hurt me any more than I am already.”
“I didn't mean emotionally. I meant physically. I might bite you. I might cut you.” I held up my claw-tipped hands. I eyed them. Hell, I might hurt myself with them.
He stepped closer, taking in the claws. He reached out and placed a finger beneath the first three, and I clenched them slightly, almost like a bird on a twig. Our eyes met. His were black gems in the night, glimmering in the lights beneath the porte-cohere.
“Hmm,” his voice went up with a curious note. “That might be just what I need after tonight. Something to get my mind off it all, in fact.”
I let him step closer, and felt his overwhelming aura hit me. We stared at one another for a full minute. He was probably measuring my aura as well. I'm sure it had changed, or at least was ratcheted up quite a bit with my were-animal.
“Shall we go inside?” he wondered, gesturing toward the palace doors.
“No. I'd prefer we didn't.” Turning, I moved swiftly away, following a brick pathway—the same one I had earlier in the day—back into the gardens. I heard his heavier footfalls follow me as I padded along on lithe feet, enjoying a bit of a chase. But I didn't run. I didn't need to. I turned to look back at him over my shoulder. Stopping unsure, he stared after me. I shrugged off my coat and tossed it on the ground and moved along and then paused at the opening of the formal garden to find him trailing along behind me, pausing only when I paused.
Smiling, I half-turned, and pulled off my shirt, revealing my white, lacy bra. I saw his brows lift with peeked interest. I draped the shirt on a hedge, and strode into the garden. Once inside I pulled off my boots, one at a time, tossing one into the mint, the next one I let drop over my shoulder, like crumbs to follow. While I did a walking strip-tease, Jett appeared in the aperture of the garden where the arbor made an arched opening. Moving forward, his foot connected with one of my discarded boots. He looked down, then back up at me. I was currently peeling off my pants. I had his full attention now as I let my pants drop onto a rock wall, and stepped behind it, hiding myself from view.
I waited for him to enter this portion of the garden. When he did I stood proudly, tilting my head back slightly, allowing him an unobstructed view. “You want to remove the rest yourself?” I asked in a challenge.
“I might at that,” he said and closed the distance between us. His hands went to the clasp on that elegant black velvet cloak he wore. It slithered off his shoulders like a black waterfall.
I remained still watching to see what he would do next, doing my best to not rush into this. My desires coming to a crescendo I wanted to enjoy the moment, but I also couldn't wait all night; I'd waited long enough for my alpha to show. I clenched my fists, digging my nails—claws—into my palms trying to hold back from charging at him, and rip his clothes off. I actually wanted to bite him in places he might not like. Or, maybe he wouldn't mind so much.
“I'll feed off your life force, you know?” he said almost as a warning.
“I've got so much going through me, I think I've enough to spare,” I said with a shrug.
He looked around for a soft spot of ground. Choosing one, he spread the cloak out on clipped grass. I moved with him to the spot, and just when I wasn't sure how to intrigue him further, he grabbed me around the waist and hauled me against himself and smothered my lips with his. His kiss demanding; I kissed right back with enough force to make electricity as our mouths and tongues became like frantic animals trying to mate. Copyright 2011 Lorelei Bell
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