Bitter Black Kiss (25 page)

Chapter Twenty-six

Brody moved with stealth and silence past the rocky cliff. He drew closer to the group of revelers and the breath stilled in his lungs. He caught a glimpse of Nicole half phased and scuffling with the front of the crowd. Dave stood to the side, looking pleased with himself. Stone pulled Nicole toward him. He kissed her then shoved her aside. Disgust warped his features.

“Nice try, Dave.” Stone’s voice was thick and Brody was unsure whether it was from repulsion or lust. “The title of Alpha is more important than this whore.”

Nicole was pulled into the horde. Hands touched her, caressed and stroked her. She scrambled backward and they followed.

“Stop!” Fear and anger stained her face. Her body continued to twist and jerk.

Hands groped at her breasts and exposed one. Someone else tugged the waistband of her jeans, eager to get inside. The man who stood at her right went through Lycanthropic transformation.

Dave’s expression darkened. “She’s in heat. Whoever catches her, however many catch her, will have their way with her. Unless you forfeit. Give me the win and the two of you can walk away. The choice is yours, Stone.”

Stone turned away. “I don’t give a damn about her.”

Hands were all over Nicole, pulling her further into the crowd. Brody couldn’t tell if she was struggling to get away or trying to suppress the desires growing within her. She cried out, the sound of despair calling to his inner beast.

Brody descended the rocky ledge and made his way toward the group. He pushed past the onlookers who weren’t certain of what had happened at the front. They pushed and shoved, eager to see what was going on. Their murmured confusion and their anxiety to get the fight started worried him. They were ready to riot. Frankly, he didn’t give a damn what they did after he got Nicole away from here.

Stone’s nimble fingers unbuttoned his dress shirt. The material flapped around his body in the slight breeze. Dave shrugged out of his own shirt, but his movements were slow and Brody feared he’d already given up. He continued to push and shove his way through the mass of bodies.

“Brody!” someone called his name.

Furry ears twitched as he plodded onward. In the past, Dave had sent a few of the pack females to persuade him to join. He’d enjoyed the persuasion, but they’d had no luck convincing him. A few of the others murmured his name with hope. Were they that desperate for a new leader?

Dave’s brother, Mike, cupped Nicole’s chin. His tongue ran down her smooth cheek and she tried to bite him. Brody jerked up onto two legs. His heavy hand fell onto Mike’s shoulder and yanked him away. He palmed the face of another. Little by little, the group backed off.

Brody grasped Nicole’s hand and pulled her to him. Her fingers entwined with his and a soft sigh of relief escaped her.

Mike pushed past Aaron and Tony in order to halt Brody’s progress. His eyes glided over the split seams of Nicole's jeans leg before he managed to look Brody in the eye. “Brody…”

There were so many questions in that one word. Brody groaned. Mike was under the delusion that he’d shown up to bail Dave out of the mess he’d gotten himself into.

He and Nicole pushed past and came to a stop in front of the two men at the front. Dave’s face split into a grin, but it melted away. Stone wore a smile too. He didn’t understand why Stone was so happy.

Dave looked bewildered and hopeful at the same time. “Have you come to challenge me?”

Brody gripped Nicole tighter. He growled at anyone who dared get close. She was in heat. He could smell it on her like a cheap perfume. She was drowning in it and it drove him mad. A number of the males were well aware of this too. She would’ve been in deep shit if he hadn’t shown up. She might still be if they didn’t get out of there fast.

Nicole stumbled away from him, toward Stone. Her arm lashed out and a slap landed on Stone’s clean shaven face. His head rocked to the side and he cupped a hand to his cheek. Surprise saturated his features.

Nicole drew herself up. “You were going to let them have me?”

Brody yanked Nicole back to him. There was no reason to incite Stone or the others. The more emotive she was, the thicker the cloying scent of pheromones became. The closest males shuddered with desire. Dave looked on with interest. Sean might try to hide any lust he experienced, but Brody could see it shining in his eyes and in his stiff posture.

While their backs were turned, the group of Lycans edged closer. He could identify Tony and Aaron by smell. They closed in, ready for a confrontation.

Nicole’s sinful body molded against his. An involuntary whine rattled up his throat. Her hand gripped his arm and sent another wave of yearning through him. It was all he could do to keep from mounting her right there. He struggled to ignore the pheromones that burned into his senses. With great effort, he managed to focus his attention on Dave and Stone again.

"I had to bring his girl." Dave couldn’t meet Brody’s murderous glare. “I didn’t think you’d show.”

Brody’s ears stood erect and he bared teeth in warning. So it was Dave who had brought Nicole here and drugged her? He lurched forward and Nicole was dragged along with him.

There was fear in Dave’s dark eyes. He hunched his shoulders in a display of submission. Brody took another step toward him, a rumbling snarl bubbled up from his throat. He left Nicole alone for a moment. The pack inched closer in his absence.

“What are you doing?” Dave demanded. His worried gaze darted from him and back to the crowd, but it looked like he was more scared than concerned about their opinion. He probably just wanted to make it through the night.

Stone laughed. “Have you come to challenge him, Brody?”

Brody focused on Stone and deepened the growl. He wanted to tear them both apart. One question remained. Who should he start with?

An outcry arose and Brody’s name was chanted throughout the crowd. Dave held up a hand in request of silence. It went unanswered.

Stone laughed maniacally. “You’ve fucked yourself over Dave.”

The current pack leader looked from Brody to Stone. Understanding reached him. His eyes were glassy and his mouth fell open in despair. “She’s your mate? I-I thought she was Stone's.”

Brody’s ears snapped forward and he glared at both men.

Stone sneered at him. “So what’s it going to be, Brody? Fight or fuck?”

“Oh god, it hurts!” Nicole fell to her knees beside him. Her back bowed and the shirt split at the shoulders. She pitched forward on hands and knees, much to the salivating male’s approval behind her. She tried to call his name again, but her words turned into a moan.

Her face except for the muzzle and ears were still human. Shreds of fabric lay around her. Most people looked strange in this state, but not her. She was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen. His tongue flicked over his teeth and he fought the urge to bend her over the closest rock, bite her neck and screw her.

Someone at the back of the crowd howled. Nicole’s body bucked against his leg. She threw her head back and answered the call. Two, three, four more voices joined hers. She was a beautiful golden blonde wolf with blue eyes. Nicole tried to stand. She wobbled then decided to drop to all fours instead. The expression in her eyes showed the panic she felt.

It shouldn’t happen like this. She should be shown how to transform properly, to do it in a safe environment and without drugs. To go through this with someone who loved her, someone who could soothe her through all of it. He should be her mentor, the one to nurture her and ease her into this new life. It was unfair for her to be forced like this. The idea of the drug being laced with something to arouse the pack’s sexual hunger pissed him off. Nicole aroused those desires naturally. She didn’t need an extra boost of chemicals to turn him on.

Tony, who was now furry, lurched forward. He reached for Nicole with a gnarled hand. Brody turned to snap at him and caught Aaron’s movement out of the corner of his eye. The rest of the group was restless. While his attention had been stolen, more had morphed into wolf form. Aaron shoved his muzzle against Nicole’s underside. She yipped and backed away.

While Dave’s interest was on the crowd, Stone shuddered and allowed his bones to slide in and out of shape. He dove at Dave, missed his throat and latched onto his shoulder instead. Dave scrambled away, but Stone followed. Dave had yet to fully shift and Brody knew his reign over the pack was finished.

Brody pushed Nicole in the opposite direction. He hoped she would run for safety. He could not fend off the entire pack of males and there was no way she could do what they expected. To think of anyone but him mating with her enraged him and urged him onward. He snapped and bit at the wolves that got close. Dave’s younger brother, Mike, raced past to join the melee. He lashed out at Stone and even his own brother. Tonight hadn’t gone as anyone had planned.

Dave shifted, but looked a fright. His shoulder was torn, the arm hung useless at his side. His face and ears were a bloody mess. He limped and snarled around Stone. Dave’s younger brother darted into the melee. It was an equal opportunity, battle after all.

Brody couldn’t see Dave, Mike, or Stone. The crowd had closed in and he couldn’t fight them off. Teeth gouged his skin, claws raked across his body as the pack descended upon him. Tony and Aaron were not part of the pack, but it didn’t stop them from joining the assault.

The hunt had begun whether they were ready for it or not. Some of the female Lycans had shifted. They howled and barked to entice the males. Some of the males ran after them, the promise of sex was much more tempting than killing Brody. Tony and Aaron lurched closer, moving in for the kill.

Someone grabbed Brody’s left leg and gave it a yank. He lost his footing and fell against the sand. He threw his clawed hands up to ward off the snapping jaws of the wolves above him.

Chapter Twenty-seven

Brody fell amongst the group of Lycans and she could no longer see him.

Nicole whirled to find a wolf with salt and pepper fur behind her. His golden gaze never wavered from hers. He stood with ears back, teeth bared. There was a trace of blood on his muzzle and Nicole didn’t want to know who or where it had come from.

Head down, she darted to the right. He hopped in front of her. She lurched to the left, he did the same. A rumble of warning issued from his throat and he sniffed at her backside. Nicole's claws found purchase on the pebbled sand and she streaked past him. These new legs were alien and unlike her own, and she felt as graceful as a newborn colt.

She shot between the legs of another who made a grab for her. He missed by mere inches. A wolf’s body struck the sand in front of her. He wasn’t dead, but he was wounded. Nicole skidded to a stop. The man had returned to normal. Her mind swam with horror. It was the Alpha’s brother, Mike. There were no grave injuries, but he’d been knocked out. He lay motionless while others of his kind streaked past.

Wolves ran down the beach. A few were engaged in battles of their own. Just a few yards away, a couple mated on the sand. Nicole turned away and caught sight of Aaron moving toward her.

She glanced over her shoulder. A honey colored wolf surged up from the mass of furred bodies. Saliva and blood arced from his muzzle.

Brody was injured, but alive. He slung another out of his path. Tony turned to run after her and Aaron. Brody moved stiff and slow at first, but once he dropped to all fours, he was lightning fast.

To her right, Sean and Dave were still locked in battle. Dave was the weaker wolf and his efforts to fend off Sean’s attack grew weaker with each attempt. Sean shoved Dave to the ground and his mouth closed over the Alpha’s throat. He gave it a vigorous shake and ended the battle.

Dave’s body shook like a rag doll. The crack-snap of his broken neck stilled Nicole’s breath. Dave’s arms fell away and his mouth fell open in a silent scream.

Sean lifted his stained muzzle and howled in triumph. To Nicole’s horror, he bit into the mess he’d made and came away with the delicate innards of Dave’s throat.

Nicole ran down the strip of sand closest to the water. She was beginning to get a feel for this new body. Her powerful hind legs carried her farther from the pack. The breeze ruffled her fur, whistled past her ears and brought a ton of new scents to her. The strong tang of blood and the musk of sex drifted to her. Her nose was alive. Every olfactory nerve twitched with awareness. Saltwater, sand, lotion and the people who’d walked the beach earlier in the day inundated her with their scents.

Aaron struck her from behind. Her front legs buckled beneath her and she skidded across the sand on her belly. She was a few inches from the water now. Aaron’s ears stood at attention and his mouth was pulled back in a snarl. He raised himself onto hind legs.

Nicole scrambled around to face him. Her growl went unheeded. Aaron circled with a devious glint in his eyes. His teeth snapped close to her nose. Still panting from her breakneck run, she edged away from him. Frigid water lapped at her feet.

Aaron's clawed hands gripped her back legs and jerked her off her feet. She smacked the damp sand and it forced a lungful of air from her. Nicole caught his left ear. She yanked him down to her level, unsure of what to do now.

A flash of honey colored fur darted around them. Brody lunged against Aaron and forced them apart with his shoulder. He and Aaron splashed through the water. Their bodies tangled together before they fought their way back to the beach.

The sand crunched beside her as Tony approached. Nicole wasn’t foolish. She knew Tony was sizing her up. His nose twitched, followed by his ragged ears. His muscles tensed and she knew he was about to pounce.

Her fur bristled and she snarled a warning. He didn’t listen. They lunged at the same time, meeting each other in mid-leap. His momentum pushed them both to the ground and she squirmed beneath him.

Brody and Aaron were still locked together in a brawl. Neither was willing to back down. More had joined them on the beach. Some watched them struggle with interest, perhaps waiting to get their turn in the fight. Others moved closer to her and Tony, waiting for their chance as well.

She recalled Dave’s ominous warning about being caught and doubled her efforts at escape. Still pinned to the ground, it was difficult to budge the bulky wolf. He was at least twice her size. Nicole clawed at his good eye and he bit down on her fingers. Tony pushed himself onto one arm to flip her onto her stomach. Her chin smacked the sand and she bit her tongue.

He looped an arm around her waist then pulled her up onto her knees. The claws of her left hand twisted and shrank back to human. Her skin crawled. The zing of pain rocketed down her spine and brought tears to her eyes.

No! Not yet.
She needed the wolf’s strength.

Tony pushed her top half down onto the sand while he held her backside in place.
Oh god no,
her mind screamed,
not this. Not with him.

Blood covered legs that were once silvery white filled her view. The wolf leaned over them, claws dug into the sand in front of her face. Tony rolled off, yelping. He was screaming really if wolves could do that.

Tony scurried up the beach. Even in this form, he respected and feared Sean. She whipped her head up to face him. The same look of devious intention echoed in his face.

Blood stained his chest and snarled the fur. His white muzzle was painted black with blood and who knew what else. He had a few wounds, but none threatened his life. The worst was a rather deep bite on his right hip.

The growl forming in her throat turned into words. Her body shuddered and more changes took place. “Get away from me!”

Sean’s bark startled her. He dropped to all fours, his gray eyes inches from hers. There was a self-assured look on his wolfish face. He would take what he wanted, despite her efforts to stop him.

Nicole rolled to her feet. Her best chance of escape was not simpering on the sand. With a cry of desperation, she lashed out and her foot caught him in the ribs. He yelped, folded at the waist and fell to the side. She bounded down the strip of sand once more.

Brody broke free of Aaron and ran alongside her. He panted even though he ran at a relaxed pace.

She glanced over her shoulder and gasped. Shocked to find a silvery-white wolf and a black wolf running neck and neck, she stumbled, but didn’t go down. Just behind them, Tony and two others struggled to keep up.

Brody fell back. He whirled to face them and she screamed, “No! They’ll kill you.”

He made a chuffing noise and she wished she could understand what he said. He made the sound again and hopped, his expressive eyes looked at the expanse of beach ahead of her.

She took a couple steps. “Come on!”

He took a step toward her and barked. Finally, she understood.

Brody and Aaron met head on. Tony and the others joined in. Sean slunk away from the group, confident they’d hold him. He sauntered toward Nicole and wasn’t in a hurry. Where could she go? The beach was encased by water and rocky cliffs.

She tucked her arms tight against her sides and pumped her legs. Her lungs threatened to explode. Her legs were shaky and her rapid heartbeat choked her.

Behind her, clawed feet approached. She hadn’t outrun him. She’d only managed to exhaust herself.

She bent to rest hands upon her knees. Dragging in ragged gasps of air, she fought the urge to puke. She’d pushed her body too hard. Between the transformation then running for her life, it had been too much. Her head swam and the world must have tilted.

Sean reared up on back legs in front of her. He twitched his nose and ears. His clawed hand cupped her chin and brought her head up.

“Get away from me, you son of a bitch.”

His lips stretched to show both upper and lower teeth.

“You don’t have to do this. There’s nothing to prove.”

He answered with a growl.

“You got what you wanted. You’re Alpha now. Go back to the pack and celebrate.”

Sean didn’t back down. Much to her chagrin, he lunged and she fell on her butt. Cold water pooled around her. He dropped to all fours and she brought her knees up just in time. Sean’s chest slammed into her knees and a puff of breath escaped him. She twisted her body in an effort to get up.

Sean had other ideas. He flipped her. Each time a wave lapped the sand, it touched her chin.

“I won’t let you do this.” She tried to focus on her body, to call forth the inner wolf. The shot Aaron had given her must have worn off. All she got for her trouble was a toothache. Her teeth were all she managed to change, but she could use them.

She pulled herself up onto her knees. An expression of approval flitted across his face. He must believe she’d resigned herself to being mounted. Nicole had other ideas.

Sean sniffed her backside, ribs, and her neck. It was close to impossible to hold still while he inspected her. What was he searching for, signs that someone had beat him to it? His hands ran down her smooth, hairless body.

“Can you at least change back to human?” Her voice was a shaky whisper.

His body folded over hers and his fur tickled the back of her thighs. She jabbed him in the ribs with an elbow. A lungful of air escaped him and he yelped. She lunged forward and fell into the water, narrowly escaping the sweeping clawed hand.

Sean reached for her again and she latched her teeth onto his meaty palm. He yowled in anger. His blood mixed with her saliva tickled the senses of her inner wolf. Still she did not change. But for once, she really, really wanted to.

Frigid water lapped around her and pooled around his ankles. His hands twisted in her hair and jerked her against him. His body was unyielding, gray eyes full of murderous rage.

“Wait! Let Brody go and I’ll agree to be your mate. Isn’t that what you wanted?”

He didn’t answer. Instead, he thrust Nicole into the water. It was only a few inches, but deep enough to submerge her nose and mouth. She thrashed and flailed. Unable to get her legs beneath her, she kicked out in an effort to trip him. She managed to surge upward and sucked in a lungful of air. He thrust her beneath the waves once again. This time, her face smashed against the muddy bottom to force bubbles from her nose and mouth.

He straddled her, knees on either side of her body. The violence had turned him on. Good god, he’d rape her whether conscious or not. She struggled to lift her head, but could not break the surface. Her lungs burned and blurry black spots floated across her vision.