Luna of Mine (29 page)

This time when he spoke to
her, he addressed her wolf.
“Wolf
mate,”
he rumbled into her mind and used
the Alpha power bestowed upon him to draw her to him. He felt her
wolf seeking him out, could feel her urgent need to get to him but
she too was locked in Alina’s fractured mind.
“You are strong, and sometimes it is necessary for the wolf
to take the lead. She needs you, needs your strength, wake her up,
mate. Call her back from the quiet place.”
He probably did not have to put the command in his tone, but
wolves like to know who is in charge; it makes them feel safe, and
lets them know their order in the pack. Alina’s wolf would respond
to his dominance and find security in his ability to take
control.

“
She
fights me,”
her wolf answered him softly.
It was the first time he had heard Alina’s wolf speak. The use of
words seemed foreign to her, and he could tell she was using what
she had learned from hearing Alina speak.
“Her human spirit is tired. She suffered much from the
mongrel. We fought, but he was so strong. I could not save her. I
tried, mate. I tried to save her.”

“
Hush,”
he purred as he felt his wolf
mate’s frustration at not being able to protect her human half, and
he was surprised when he also felt worry that she had disappointed
him.
“You both belong to us, to my wolf
and to me. You have nothing to be worried about. You did what you
could, and it is because of you that you are both still
alive.”

“I long to be in my wolf
skin, to be close to you in your wolf skin, to leave this place for
a time and find a den to share, away from pain, away from deceit
and those who would harm us.”

She was laying herself
bare before him, acknowledging him as her mate, submitting to him,
and it took his breath away. Never had anything so very precious
been given to him. Alina’s wolf trusted him and his wolf to care
for them, to provide for them, to protect them and love them. His
own wolf was stirring at his mate’s wants and needs. He too wanted
to be out, covered in fur, and free of the human trappings. He
wanted his mate by his side, wanted to play with her, hunt with
her, and curl his large body around her smaller one, wrapping her
in his scent.

“Then wake her up so that
we can do all those things you want.”

Vasile could feel Alina’s
wolf pushing into her mind, trying to take over, to give her broken
body strength. He sat patiently waiting with his hand still
entwined with hers and his head still on the pillow. He had no idea
how long he waited until he finally felt her stir. First she
squeezed his hand and that little movement had him bolting upright.
He looked at her hand in his and then at her face. Her eyes were
fluttering as though she were fighting their desire to open
them.

“
Open
your eyes, Alina,” he commanded. “I will not wait any longer; open
your eyes.”

“Has
anyone ever told you that you are a tad overbearing?” Her raspy
voice hit his ears and it was the most beautiful sound he had ever
heard.

“
Not to
live and tell about it,” he said and smiled at her as her pale grey
eyes opened and met his. “There you are,” he
whispered.

A
lina stared at the man before her, desperately trying to take
in every detail of his incredibly handsome face. He was more
beautiful than she had remembered it seemed. When she realized his
hand was wrapped around hers she pulled it to her face and pressed
his palm to her cheek. The warmth of his flesh on hers nearly made
her whimper. How she had longed for his touch, needed it, and at
times even craved it. So many nights she had lain awake imagining
what it would be like to have his arms wrapped around her, his lips
on her skin, his teeth…and just like that the fantasy crumbled as
she remembered just whose arms, skin, and teeth had been on
her.

She rolled away from
Vasile throwing her head over the side of the bed as she retched.
Her stomach protested violently as her mind conjured up the
memories of what had taken place in her parents’ cottage. Tears
streamed down her face and she gasped for air in between the
heaves. She felt a cool towel on her neck and a soothing hand on
her back rubbing small soothing circles against her skin. She could
smell Vasile, his scent mixing with the smell of vomit, and she
felt mortified that he was seeing her this way. But then what did
it matter, because surely he had seen the bite mark from Serghei.
He could not possibly want her now.

“
I will
always want you,” he whispered as he pulled her hair back off of
her skin allowing the cool air to touch her overheated body. It was
then that she realized that under the blanket she was stark naked.
She should care, but could not bring herself to.

“What he did,” she started
but had to stop as the tears came again.

“
He will
die for touching you. But for marking you, taking something that is
supposed to be beautiful and passionate and turning it into the
equivalent of rape, for that he will suffer greatly before I grant
him the gift of death, for that is what it will be―a gift.”

She finally felt as if she
was done vomiting, and she pushed herself up and held the blanket
to her chest, careful to keep herself covered. Vasile ignored her
swatting hands as he scooped her up and sat her up against the
headboard. She could not look at him now that she remembered. She
could only imagine what he must think.

“
How did
you know to come for me? Where are my parents? Are they okay?” she
asked as she fidgeted with the blanket. She heard him move, but she
still would not look at him―not until he spoke.

“
Perhaps, we should get you dressed before he have this
conversation. I think you will feel more comfortable with clothes
on.”

She looked up at him
standing there holding out a shift for her. She reached to take it
but he shook his head.

“Stand up.”

Her eyes widened. “Vasile
that, we. No,” she finally blurted out after several
attempts.

He smiled at her gently,
his eyes full of compassion and understanding. “Keep the blanket
around you. I will slip the fabric over your head and put each arm
in one at a time while you hold the blanket, and then you will
lower the blanket as I lower the shift. None of your flesh will
ever show.”

Her eyes met his bright
blue ones and she could tell he was not going to budge. She let out
a huff and jerkily stood reaching down for the bed to steady
herself. Once she was standing with no appearance of wobbling,
Vasile started just as he said he would.

They worked in silence as
he helped her into a nightgown pulling it over the thin material of
the shift. She knew she was blushing from her toes to the tips of
her ears, but she could not help it. He was the perfect gentleman,
but every now and then he would brush a sliver of skin. His
fingertips grazed the back of her neck as he buttoned the gown. His
warm hand touched her ankle as he tugged the material down to cover
her completely. He knew what he was doing; she could see it in the
slight smirk on his full lips and the mischievous glint in his
eyes. What she did not understand was why? How could he still want
her in that way when another had marked her? How could he want to
be anywhere near her flesh when she did not even want to be near
herself? His hands on her face, forcing her head to tilt back so
she had to look at him, drew her mind from the confusing
thoughts.

“
If I
thought you were ready, I would show you right this minute just how
much I still desire you.” His voice was low and hypnotic as his
fingertips traced her face. “If I did not smell fear on you, see
the hurt in your eyes, or hear the thoughts that are bombarding you
mind, I would complete the bond with you. I would step out of this
room, ask Auriel to leave, and then I would show you with my hands,
my lips, my breath, and my body, just how very much I want to be
close to you with nothing between us. I am angry that Serghei hurt
you and took a piece of your innocence.”

She cowered at his words
but he kept going.

“
Not for
the reason you think, Mina. I hate that he took your innocence
because I wanted your first experiences to be incredible. I was so
angry over the kiss because I wanted your first kiss to take your
breath away. The first time your markings were traced, I wanted my
fingers to be the ones dancing across your skin because I knew that
if it was me then you would have shivered with pleasure, not
disgust. Your body would have heated with desire, not anger. The
first mouth and teeth to taste your flesh should not have been out
of the desire to hurt, but out of an indescribable need and
reverence to claim you, to taste you, and to give you pleasure. My
love, I am sad not because I did not get these things first but
because you did not get to experience them for the first time the
way you deserve.”

Alina did not know what to
say. How did one respond to a declaration so raw and full of
emotion and love? He saved her from herself by pulling her into his
arms and pressing her face gently against his chest, just over his
heart. His arms were so strong, so safe. In that moment she wished
that she would never have to leave his embrace, that she could just
live wrapped in the security of his strong frame where no one could
ever touch her again.

“
I will
never allow harm to come to you again. You are mine and I will not
be parted from you again.”

He finally forced her back
into the bed, commanding her to sleep. As she drifted off she
realized that, in her emotional state, in her need to be reassured
that Vasile still wanted her, that they had failed to talk about
her parents. But the more she thought about it, the more she felt
like they had not so much as failed, as much as Vasile avoided the
topic all together. She would have asked him about it if she had
been able to keep her eyes open and her brain awake, but she was
useless against her body’s need for rest. So she gave in, hoping
that the reason she feared Vasile had not answered her was not
correct.

Romanian Proverb #
18

Fereste-mã, Doamne de
prieteni, cã de dusmani mã feresc singur.

God defend me from my
friends; from my enemies, I will defend myself.

“
W
ill you please sit by the door
while I step outside to speak with my wolves?” Vasile asked Auriel
with what he hoped came across as sincere politeness.

“
Of
course, Alpha. I will watch after her; I will protect her with my
life.”

Vasile was slightly taken
aback by the passionate answer, but he simply nodded and then with
one final hesitation he walked out of the cottage.

Nicu, Ion, and Alin were
waiting for him several feet from the front door. The grim looks on
their faces did not inspire any kind of confidence that they were
any closer to finding Serghei than they had been when they
arrived.

“
How is
your mate?” Ion asked, genuine concern filling his
eyes.

Vasile’s jaw tightened as
he thought about Alina’s reaction to her memories. “She is safe,
alive, and in my care where she belongs. That is enough for this
moment.”
Obviously picking up on his
desire not to discuss his mate, they did not ask him anything
further.

“
Her
parents are in the gathering hall. The members of this village
helped take care of them and prepare them for their resting place.
Her home has been cleaned.”

“
Her
parents’ home,” Vasile interrupted. “Her home is with me.” He was
on edge. He was feeling extremely possessive and he needed to get a
grip. “Continue,” he finally said letting out a long
breath.

Nicu picked up where Ion
left off. “We have been questioning the pack members and they are
all telling us the same thing. The village was being check weekly
for signs of anyone assisting us. Alina’s home seemed to especially
be a favorite for Emilian’s warriors to stop by, particularly
Serghei. No one had ever seen him be harsh with her nor did they
ever appear to have a disgruntled conversation. Today was the first
time they had ever seen Serghei become violent.”

“What changed?” Alin asked.
His eyebrows drew together as he considered his own question.
“Something changed that set him off.”

“Alina’s markings have
appeared,” Vasile answered quietly. All three sets of eyes snapped
up to his neck.

“
So have
yours,” Ion breathed out. “But they were not like that earlier
today.”

Vasile rubbed the bridge
of his nose as he ground out, “I completed the Blood Rites. That is
probably why my markings finally changed.”

“You what?” Nicu
coughed.

“I had to,” Vasile
defended. “I did not know if she was going to live and I was not
going to live without her.”

“
What
about your pack? What about us?” Nicu asked.

“
I love
this pack. You three have become like brothers, but my mate will
always, without question, come first. Besides, without her, without
my true mate, I would not have been able to truly lead the pack
like I should. My father proved that.”