22 Zena Wynn
He continued his exploration to her ample breasts. Her flesh cried out to him, demanding that he cease with the mind games and touch her for real. For a second, he considered giving in to temptation.
He toyed with her breasts, and her nipples puckered. Using his mind, he played her body like a master musician, touching her all over simultaneously. Multiple mouths suckled on her nipples and between her legs while ghostly hands stroked and caressed the rest of her body. He kept a firm grip on her mind, having no fear she would awaken and catch him toying with her.
Her body began to undulate. She opened completely to him, legs spread wide as her fingers gripped the sheet. Her heartbeat raced. The heat of her excitement caused her blood to cry out to him, begging him to taste it.
His beast stirred as bloodlust rose. His gaze traveled over her, noting every detail: the rapid rise and fall of her chest; her tightly puckered nipples; the rosy flush of her skin as the blood rushed through her veins and arteries; the glistening red curls covering her mound.
Her swollen clit begged to be touched. He could see the clutch and release of vaginal muscles as invisible fingers thrust relentlessly in and out of her foaming pussy.
The more he stared, the more he hungered. A taste, temptation whispered, just a nibble. What can it hurt?
Yes, he thought, just one small taste. Maybe if he tasted her this one time, he could discover just what her hold over him was.
He planted a knee on the bed, followed by one hand and then the other, like a great big cat stalking prey. His gaze was completely focused on his target -- the glistening flesh between her legs. A fog of lust covered his mind. One sample. That’s all he wanted. One taste, then he could leave and never return.
Bracing himself above her undulating body, he timed his movement just right. Quick as a cat, he swiped at her slit with his tongue. The flavor of her caused his fangs to burst out of his gums and lock into place as his vision bled to red.
Unable to resist, he went back for more and more until his face was mashed against her, his nose buried in her pubic hair, mouth wide open against her flesh. His lethal teeth nicked the fragile skin of her outer labia, drawing forth a bead of blood.
His bloodlust took control.
Like a snake he struck, sinking his fangs deep into the femoral artery running beneath the skin of her inner thigh. He drew strongly, her rich blood rushing through his body and bringing a surge of power with it.
He was barely aware of her convulsing beneath him as orgasm after orgasm streaked through her body.
Her blood was addictive -- thick, rich, and powerful. He wanted to gorge. Some small part of his mind screamed at him to pull back. He was taking too much.
Nikolai’s Wolf
23
He closed the wound and yanked himself away from her. Then licked the last bit of blood smeared on his mouth. His chest fell and rose sharply as he fought against the urge to take her, mark her, and claim her as his own for all eternity.
He stood rigid beside the bed, eyes closed, hands balled into fists as he struggled to rein in his body, fighting his instincts. He broke the link between them, knowing the distance was necessary, but hated losing contact with every fiber of his being.
After a period of quiet meditation, he was able to gain control. His fangs retracted, and his eyes returned to their natural black color. His fists loosened. His breathing evened out to a slow and steady rate. When he was ready, he opened his eyes and focused on the woman lying before him. Steely determination entered his gaze. He wanted her, and he would have her. No one would stand in his way.
Nikolai walked around the bed until he was closer to her head. Once more linking his mind with hers, he placed her under compulsion as he brought his wrist to his mouth and ripped a hole in his skin with his fangs, causing the blood to flow. Pressing his wrist against her mouth, he compelled her to drink.
When she’d drunk enough of his blood, he commanded her to stop, then licked the wound closed. Instinctively, he started a mating ritual so old it was imprinted on his DNA.
Two more blood exchanges, and she would be his. Giving her one last lingering look, he dematerialized and left the house.
Soon. Very soon, he would claim her.
* * * * *
Rory wanted to know how Shannon was doing. He hadn’t heard from her since she’d left, which was understandable under the circumstances. Still, he was used to watching over her, making sure she was safe and sound. He knew he needed to let go and let her be her own person, but it was hard to turn off his protective instincts. He was her big brother, although he felt more like her father.
He swiveled his chair around to look out the office window. She’d only been gone a month. It was too soon to go and check on her, not without a valid reason. While he was wondering what excuse he could concoct that she would believe, his phone rang.
“McFelan Construction. McFelan speaking. How can I help you?”
“Mr. McFelan, this is Kyle Wilson. I used to work for you.” Rory remembered him. He’d been a good worker. “What can I do for you?”
“Well, sir, I was just calling you to let you know that I ran into your sister over in Colbyville. It seems she’s moved to Refuge and needs someone to help her with some remodeling. I still do odd jobs from time to time, so I told her I would help. The thing is, sir, I was just wondering why your sister would need to hire anyone when her brother owned a construction company and did stuff like this for a living. I don’t mean to pry, but Miss 24 Zena Wynn
Shannon was real nice to me when I worked for you, and I liked her a lot. I just wondered if you knew what was going on.”
“No, I didn’t know that she needed help. Thanks for letting me know. You know how independent little sisters can be. Did she say what she wanted done?”
“She didn’t go into a lot of details. I’m supposed to meet her at her house tomorrow morning around ten. She has a truck scheduled to deliver the supplies she purchased around that time. I know she ordered a lot of studs and drywall, and a couple of steel doors. That’s really all I can tell you.”
“Tell you what, Kyle. You go ahead and show up. Whatever Shannon offered to pay you, I’ll double it. I’ll meet you at her house, and you can work with me to accomplish whatever it is she’s trying to do. I appreciate you calling me to tell me what was going on. I love my sister, but sometimes she takes this independence thing a little too far, you know what I mean?”
“Yes, sir, Mr. McFelan. I sure do. I have a baby sister too. Drives me crazy.” They worked out the rest of the details before ending the call. Rory sat with his hands steepled underneath his chin. This was just the excuse he was looking for.
* * * * *
Shannon rolled over and stretched. What she wanted was another hour or two of sleep, but one look at the clock assured her that she wouldn’t get it, at least not today. She rolled out of bed on legs that wobbled before getting her equilibrium. Then she made her way into the bathroom, stretching in a yawn as she went.
There was a strange taste in her mouth. It was probably from the medicine, but it tasted like blood. She wondered if she bit the inside of her mouth while she slept. As for the medicine, it had worked wonders. This was the most rested she’d felt in weeks; even her legs were relaxed. Usually she woke several times during the night, her wolf agitated, never able to determine the cause. Last night it hadn’t happened. She didn’t intend to make the pills a habit, but it was nice knowing she had them to fall back on whenever necessary.
The delivery truck would be here in about an hour. Certainly enough time to cook breakfast. As she headed into the kitchen, she heard a familiar vehicle in the drive. What did he want?
She opened the door and stepped onto the porch. Rory exited the blue crew-cab truck he used for business.
“To what do I owe this pleasure?” She was a little wary, considering all the unfinished business between them.
He walked up to the porch like he owned the place, sliding his shades on top of his curly red head. He nailed her with a hard look. “If you’re needing help, why didn’t you call me? I’m still your brother, aren’t I?”
Nikolai’s Wolf
25
Oh hell. Kyle had blabbed. “I take it you ran into Kyle.”
“You could say that, but you’d be wrong. Man called, wanting to know why my sister had to hire help when her brother owned a construction company. Same thing I’d like to know. Any reason why you didn’t call me?”
Hell, he was pissed. His accent was showing. Come on, Shannon. Think fast. “This is Raven pack business. It doesn’t concern the alpha of the Sparrowhawks.” Maybe that would make him back off.
“As long as it affects my baby sister, it affects me. I’m here as your big brother. I ask you again, why didn’t you come to me if you needed help?” Because I didn’t know if I could trust you, Shannon thought. Despite their differences, he was blood, and she’d never do or say anything to deliberately hurt him. In the heat of an argument was different. They both tended to be a little loose with the lips when angry. But to deliberately say words she knew would cut? She couldn’t do that. She had to find a reason to give him that wasn’t the full truth. He would smell a lie.
As much as she loved Rory, this was one thing she couldn’t tell him. There was no telling what he’d do, what level he’d sink to “for her own good.” They already fought over his interpretation of what was good for her. She wasn’t giving him ammunition to use against her. “I’m building a safe room for Alex. The Raven pack doesn’t have one. The alpha’s mate is human and hasn’t gone through her first full change yet. The beta just had a cub. A place will be needed for his first time as well. Since I’m living here rent free, I volunteered to create one for the pack.”
It was logical, and Rory couldn’t fault her reasoning, but it didn’t make sense, not with who he knew her to be. While every pack had a safe house or room, Shannon had never liked the idea of them. She thought they were little more than nicely decorated jail cells.
No, there was something else going on. Something to do with the change in her scent.
She stood before him, defensive and defiant, daring him to say something. “Then it’s a good thing I brought my tools. I’ll assume you made all the necessary measurements, and you ordered everything that we’ll need?”
Defiance gave way to confusion. Rory almost smiled.
“Yes, I took measurements. The supplies should be arriving in about an hour. Since you’re here, and you don’t appear to be leaving anytime soon, come on in. I was just about to fix breakfast.” Shannon turned and walked into the house.
“Sounds like I arrived just in time.” He entered behind her and looked around with interest. So this is where Alex placed her. Not bad, even though he knew it was only temporary. As he helped Shannon cook, he updated her on what had been happening within the pack since she’d been gone, such as the newly mated pairs, but didn’t mention the council. They were his problem, not hers.
26 Zena Wynn
While she was relaxed and off guard, he made his move. “You know, things are starting to back up since you’ve been gone. Vendors aren’t getting paid, money’s not being posted to the account, or it’s posted incorrectly. No one else has your level of expertise, and I don’t have time to go looking for another accountant. Think you can help your brother out? You know how much of a mess I make when I try tangle with them.” It was a patent lie. He was more than capable of handling both his own and the pack’s business accounts.
“I won’t come to Sparta. You’ll have to bring the books to me.” The hint of temper in her voice said she knew she was being manipulated.
“That’s fine. Whatever paperwork we have that can’t be transmitted electronically will be hand delivered or mailed.” Until things settled down, her being in Sparta wasn’t a good idea anyway. He could tell his agreement made her suspicious. Before she could ask the question he knew was forming in her mind, he said, “Show me the room.”
“Actually, it’s the basement. I think it’s perfect for what we’ve planned.”
“I’ll let you know how perfect it is after I’ve seen it.” He followed her to the door off the kitchen that led below. “What are you going to do about this door?”
“I ordered a steel-reinforced one to replace it. Actually, I purchased two. I plan to put one here and the other one at the bottom of the stairs.” She opened the door and led the way down. “Right now this is open, but I intend to close in this stairway and put the second door right here for extra security.”
“So if someone gets past the first door, they’ll still have to get past the second one.”
“Yes, that’s exactly what I was thinking.”
He walked around the basement. “There’s a bathroom down here. That’s good. It looks like someone started remodeling this area and then stopped midway. The walls need finishing. What about these windows?”
“They’re relatively small. I bought some steel netting to cover them. I don’t think they are big enough for anything to get through, but you never know.”
“The netting won’t keep anything in unless you spray it with silver. It’s not sturdy enough. A shifter’s claws will go right through it. You need to install bars on the outside.”
“Wouldn’t anything trying to get in simply pull the bars off of the window?” She’d told him they were trying to keep something from getting out. If that were the case, she shouldn’t be worried about something getting in. He gave her a look that spoke volumes, but didn’t comment on her slip. “We’ll put the netting on first, then put the bars over the netting and spray both down with silver paint. The smell alone should be enough to deter any shifter from using the window. By putting everything on the outside, you’ll still be able to open the windows. You don’t want to cut off your air supply.” While she was studying the windows with a worried look on her face, he continued looking around. “Have you located the breaker box?” Nikolai’s Wolf
27
“Yes, it’s over by the washer and dryer. The shut-off valve for the water is down here too, along with the furnace.”