Bitten by the Alpha Wolf (4 page)

"You must be Kyla."

Kyla recognized the blonde-haired beauty from Jess's parties. "I am. I was looking for Landon."

The girl stepped outside of the door, looking up into the sky.

"I'm his cousin, Carolina. He's here. I’ll go let him know that he has company. Come on in."

Carolina held her hand out in a welcoming gesture and stepped to the side as Kyla walked in.

The home was a mix of comfort and old world style. Rows of books lined the walls. Statues were spaced all around, and the furniture was trimmed in gold leaf. One element of the décor didn’t quite fit in—a rifle leaned up against the front door jamb. Kyla was willing to bet it was loaded and ready to go.

“Expecting some kind of trouble?” she asked Carolina, pointing to the gun.

“Just the usual,” Carolina said, shrugging. “Way out here in the middle of nowhere, an alarm system isn’t any use at all. I’ve never had to shoot the thing, but Landon keeps it cleaned and ready, just in case some crazy wanders out here.”

Kyla nodded. “Must be frightening out here sometimes.”

“Not usually,” Carolina said. She led Kyla to a study filled with books and knick-knacks. "Have a seat. Make yourself comfortable."

"Thank you."

But when Carolina left the room, Kyla didn’t sit down. Instead she browsed around the study. Pictures of family were all around, and everyone looked just alike. Kyla could tell in one picture that it was a young Landon with his father after a fishing trip. The young boy smiled from ear to ear while standing next to his father, showing off his catch of the day.

She heard people coming, some whispering, and then the door to the study opened. There he was, gorgeous as usual. Kyla’s heart stopped in her chest, then started thumping again at triple speed. This man definitely had an effect on her.

"I hope that you don't mind,” she said, speaking quickly in her nervousness. “When I hadn’t heard from you, I thought to come and check on you."

Landon didn’t speak a word. The intensity in his eyes said everything. He came to her, taking her in his arms, and kissed her passionately. His touch ignited a heat within that Kyla never knew existed.

When they came up for air, Kyla felt light-headed. "So I guess that you aren't mad that I came out here?"

"No. Not at all. As a matter of fact, I was just talking to Carolina about how you and I hadn’t seen each other in weeks. I got so busy with work, and with some…issues with the neighbors, that I didn’t want to bring you into my troubles. Then I wanted to surprise you, but I know how important your work is to you, and I didn’t know how you’d react to a surprise."

"And what advice did Carolina give you?"

As Landon spoke, Kyla noticed an amulet hanging around his neck. She only noticed because Carolina had been wearing the same intricate trinket.

A sheepish smile came across his face. "She said that I should go for what I want."

His hands settled on her waist, and his lips pressed softly against her neck. "I don't know why I want you so much. Is it too much too soon?" he whispered.

"No, it's not." Kyla was breathless.

He stepped back and tugged on her hand. "Come with me."

They walked through the house and out a set of double French doors. The wraparound porch overlooked the grassy area of the back yard where they had been for their first date.

Fireflies, stars, and moonlight were the only illumination, and there was a peace and stillness in the air. Her hand in his, they strolled along the banks of the river.

"Kyla, I know that I may have come across as a bit erratic to you. I have to admit that there’s a lot going on with my family right now. It’s the kind of thing that I didn’t want to talk about with you if nothing was going to happen between us."

"And what do you think now, Landon? Is there something happening between us?"

Turning to her, he kissed her lips, and his hands gently massaged her shoulders.

"I would like there to be,” he said. Then he leaned forward to continue the kiss.

Kyla felt his kiss from her lips to the center of her being, as the two of them sank to the ground, locked in each other's arms. His mouth was delicious, like apples and sweet bourbon, and his hard body against hers was just what she needed to feel. Landon's hands explored her, loving her ample curves. Her legs parted for him, wanting to invite him in, but in her heart, Kyla knew that they needed time to cultivate what was growing between them. Instead of rushing, she settled for lying against him in the mist of the night, wrapped in the arms of a man who was full of passion.

But Landon peeled off his shirt, revealing his rippling biceps and broad shoulders. Between his kisses and his touch, Kyla couldn’t hold back. She wanted him as much as he wanted her.

Never too rough, Landon undressed Kyla, peeling off her clothing as if he were unwrapping a gift. He was the perfect lover. Touching her in all of the right places, and some places that she had not known would fill her with bliss, Landon guided both of them to ecstasy. “Is this okay?” he kept asking.

Kyla could only answer yes, every time.

“How does this feel?” he asked, rubbing his thumbs along the mounds of her breasts.

“Mm-hmm,” she said.

“No,” he whispered. “Tell me, lover. Tell me what you like, how you like it.”

Sweet whispers in her ear, always being aware of what she needed, Landon took complete control. When he was sure that she had reached her climax, he joined her, their bodies settling in the soft grass, entwined in one another's arms.

Kyla tried to catch her breath as she lay there in the afterglow.

"I was not expecting that to happen."

"That is when it’s best, isn't it?" he asked playfully.

Thoughts were running through her head, and Kyla wasn’t sure that she should share them.

With a smile in his voice, Landon said, "The answer is yes."

"What?" she asked.

"I can tell by the look on your face that you’re wondering if this was right. The answer is yes. And the answer is also yes to your other question. ‘Will he stick around after this?’"

"A girl just needs to know these kinds of things, you know."

His gently kissed her on the forehead. "Anything else you want to know?"

"Since you asked, what are the amulets for?" She pointed at the necklace dangling against his chest.

"Safety."

“Safety from what?”

“Just safety.”

She frowned, partially upset that he would not disclose any more with her.

"Okay, look,” he said. “I want to share something with you, but I have to know that you will take this secret seriously and not hold it against me."

"I would like to think that I am pretty open, Landon. Try me."

She could see the uneasiness come over his face.

"I'm a werewolf," he blurted out. He leaned back, trying to gauge her expression.

"You are a what?" Kyla wanted to make sure that she heard him correctly.

"A werewolf."

Kyla laughed. "But don't they turn into beasts when the moon is full? The moon is as full as it gets tonight."

He didn’t speak, and simply held up the amulet.

"Safety," she replied, now knowing what that meant.

"Yes."

"I have to admit, Landon, it’s a lot to take in."

“I know. But we live amongst the humans all of the time, unnoticed. You probably know more werewolves than you care to realize."

She let the idea sink in. It hurt her, but she couldn’t handle this right now. It especially hurt because she knew that her leaving would hurt Landon immensely. “I think I need to go.”

He helped her gather her clothes. Even in the moonlight, she could tell that his face was pulled down in sorrow.

“You’re beautiful, you know,” he said. “You’re the most perfect woman I’ve ever met. I wish you didn’t feel like you had to leave.”

“I just…this is all rather sudden. I need some space to think.” But Kyla suspected she would drive away and never come back. He hadn’t been completely honest with her, and after what had happened with her ex-fiancé, she didn’t want a part of that. Besides, after all her fears, he actually
was
a monster. It was too much.

Landon got dressed, too, and started to walk Kyla around to the front of the house.

“No, I’m fine,” she said. “I can find my car.”

“Kyla—” He held out a hand, as if to beg her to stay.

But she turned around and walked to the front yard, skirting around the wraparound porch.

She must have been walking very quietly in her subdued mood, because she overheard someone talking. A male voice was muttering something, over and over. Kyla froze, listening.

“Werewolf, werewolf, gotta put him down…werewolf, werewolf…”

She edged around the corner of the porch, and saw a man a few paces away, nodding to himself. He held a knife that glinted silver in the moonlight.

Terror washed through Kyla. This was one of the locals who was giving the werewolves trouble. Maybe one of those who had run off Landon’s parents.

No, she couldn’t let him do this. Where was Carolina? Where was a phone, so she could call the police?

A faint howl echoed from the bayou, far away, and another from the back yard. Had Landon transformed?

It didn’t matter. He was in danger. She wasn’t going to hold back anymore—she’d given herself to him because she loved
him
, not some perfect version of him.

She crept onto the porch. Easing open the front door, she grabbed the rifle that she’d seen there when Carolina let her in.

On silent feet, she tiptoed back into the yard.

She was putting her heart and everything else on the line, but it didn’t matter anymore. She’d live fearlessly now, if she lived through this.

The man was still muttering. He was an old-timer, she could tell, and his hearing must not have been so good, because he didn’t seem to notice her approach.

Suddenly, though, he spun around from his crouch in the brush, and Kyla screamed.

“Gotcha!” he said, coming after her.

“No!” She held up the rifle. Her father had shown her how to shoot—part of his “boy” lessons when she was a kid.

The man stopped and stared at her.

“You’re not a werewolf,” he said.

“No. And neither are those who live here. You’re hunting monsters—monsters who don’t exist here. Maybe they did back in the day, but they’re gone now. My boyfriend lives here with his family, and he’s the nicest gentleman you’ll ever meet. Nicer than you. He’d never sneak into someone’s yard to murder them.”

The man’s grizzled face softened to one of understanding, and he nodded. “Maybe I’ve been a bit rash,” he said. “But the stories…”

Kyla knew she’d won. This man just needed a firm hand and a bit of her gift for logic. “Even if they’re true,” she said, “have you noticed any real trouble lately, other than a return of these stories? Has anything actually happened?”

“Well, no.”

“Exactly. Go on your way, sir. If a werewolf starts causing trouble, then we’ll talk. Stop letting fear and prejudice rule you. We’ve had enough of that in our lives, haven’t we?”

“I guess you’re right.” The man shuffled off down the driveway, away from Landon’s house.

Kyla took a deep breath. Had that just happened? Had she gone up against a scary man with a knife?

Yes, she had. To protect what was hers. And she wasn’t a werewolf, this wasn’t her land. But Landon, he was hers. She just hadn’t known that, until now.

Slowly, probably to avoid spooking her, Landon came around the side of the house. “You were amazing,” he whispered.

“I can’t believe it. I just, stood up to him and talked.”

“I think that’s what he needed. No more of the stories and the fear. Maybe now he’ll stop trying to incite the neighbors into torching my home.”

“They were going to do that?”

He nodded sadly. “There were rumors and some general plans in the making. Just talk at the bars and such. But nothing had happened yet. I think he’ll talk to the others. I have some friends who listen in for that kind of news, so I’ll find out soon.”

She exhaled. “Landon?”

“Yes?”

“I need you. This is the scariest thing I’ve done in a long time, and it isn’t because you’re a werewolf. It’s because I have a hard time giving myself away and feeling vulnerable. But I need you, and I want to be with you, and I think I’m falling in love.”

He rushed over and pulled her to him, slipping the gun from her grasp. She shook against him, terrified.

“Kyla, I love you, too,” he whispered.

She wept into his shirt, relief and love bubbling over so that she couldn’t hold them in any longer.

Sniffling, she leaned back a little. “So I'm dating a werewolf?"

“So we're dating?" he said, grinning.

“That depends. What does it look like when you turn into a wolf?"