The Kyriakis Curse (15 page)

“Sarah, you’re making this harder than it needs to be,” he yelled, sounding like he was only a few feet from her now.

Even though she tried to pick up the pace, it did no good. He was right behind her,

yanking her back against him. Though her breathing was ragged, Constantine was not even panting. Knowing there was no point in struggling, she faced him.

Constantine backed her against a tree. His eyes were the eerie yellow color she didn’t care for. “Why do you keep running when what’s about to happen is natural and inevitable?”

“Because... I...”

He grasped her chin between his fingers. “Didn’t I already explain?”

“Yes, but can’t you see? I don’t want this.”

“It would be easier on you if you’d just reconcile yourself. I want to help you.”

82 Eve Vaughn

She shook her head, willing her tears not to fall. “If I allow this to happen, you’ll never let me go.”

Constantine released a harsh laugh. “I had no intention of doing so anyway, but you

accepting it will make things better for you.”

How could she express her fears adequately and make him understand? Being on this

island wouldn’t keep her safe forever. They would find her eventually, and when that happened, she wouldn’t be able to handle the repercussions. “Constantine--”

He placed a finger over her lips, his eyes now the warm gray that made her body

quiver. “Don’t you think I know what’s bothering you? We can get through this and

everything together.”

Another argument formed on the tip of her tongue, but her skin suddenly grew

incredibly warm. The night air was cool enough, so why did she feel like this? Fanning herself only made her more heated.

“What’s wrong, Sarah?”

“I’m so hot.”

“Your heat cycle has begun. “God, your scent is delicious. Take off your clothes.”

“What?”

“Remove your clothes. No, not for what you’re thinking. There’s no use ruining that

pretty sundress when you shift.”

“But this--”

“Is only beginning; your shifting, however, won’t be held off much longer.” He eyed

her body meaningfully.

Sarah looked down at herself to see a thick mat of hair on her arms and legs. “Oh, my God!” she shrieked.

“Don’t panic. I’ll shift with you. As you’re thirty now, there’ll be no more blacking out.

You’ll remember this when the night is over.”

“I’m hideous.”

“Calla. You’re beautiful,” he countered. Constantine slowly undressed. “Give in, Sarah.

Shifting is a part of you. Unleash your inner self.”

She couldn’t tear her gaze away from his perfect form as he stood completely naked. A dusting of dark hair covered his tight, toned pectorals, trailing in a fine line down the center of a hard stomach. She’d heard of six-packs, but he had an eight-pack. Constantine’s slim waist made his already broad shoulders seem bigger than ever, offsetting lean hips.

Sarah tried not to look between his legs, but her curiosity got the better of her.

Dear Lord, that couldn’t be normal. His penis was flaccid, but it hung down to the

middle of his thigh. If she hadn’t had the evidence in front of her to dispute the fact, Sarah would have suspected Constantine would pass out from the blood rush whenever his cock Kyriakis 1: Kyriakis Curse

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was hard. Having painted several nude subjects, she wouldn’t have thought something as normal as the nude human form would affect her this way. None of those subjects, however, had been as perfect as the specimen before her.

Sarah licked suddenly dry lips.

“Do you like what you see?” His voice brought her out of her trance.

“Yes.” Why not be honest? “I’d like to paint you.”

“Would you now? Isn’t there anything else you’d like to do to me?”

She didn’t want to, but Sarah found herself laughing. It was times like these when she could easily fall for him. “You wish.”

“And I have a feeling it’s going to come true. Your turn now. Undress,” he commanded quietly.

Her hands tentatively went to the straps of her outfit. The reassuring look in his eyes made it easy for her to shed her panties and the rest. Then Sarah forced herself not to grab her clothes to cover her nakedness, fists firmly clenched at her sides.

“So lovely,” he murmured, admiration glimmering in his gaze as it roamed her body.

Sarah didn’t feel particularly beautiful right now, with her skin covered in hair. “I look like a circus freak-show act.”

“Well I must be one, too. Follow my lead, Sarah.” Constantine dropped to his hands

and knees, letting out a howl so primal and animalistic, she took an involuntary step back.

Her hand flew to her mouth as she watched chestnut brown fur pop from his pores until it covered his entire body. His face slowly elongated, his nose growing blunt, black, and wet.

Constantine’s jowls widened and stretched, giving his gums and teeth more room to grow.

He didn’t seem to be in pain from this transformation, as so many horror movies portrayed. If anything, he looked as though he were relishing the change. His arms and legs became their lupine counterparts, while a thick bushy tail extended from the small of his back. When the shifting was complete, Constantine turned golden eyes her way. They were the scary yellow she feared they’d be.

But words couldn’t describe the majestic beast he was. The wolf was... beautiful. She found his presence comforting, especially when changes slowly took over her own body.

His voice entered her mind Give in to it, Sarah,.

The urge to howl was too strong to resist. It tore from her throat -- a wild cry to the moon. This metamorphosis almost felt like a joyous release, a cleansing of her soul.

Constantine nuzzled her neck when she had wholly shifted, nipping at her flesh

playfully. Do you see, my darling? That wasn’ so ba

t

d was it?

She shook her head.

You can communicate with me as well. When you’re in this form, no words will be

necessary. Just think of what you want me to know, and I’ll hear you.

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She tested his words. Constantine.

Yes, mana mou?

I want to run and keep running.

Then, let’s do that. Give in to your urges. Howl, roar, run if you must. Just don’ fight t

what is in your nature.

Sarah considered this for a moment, her eyes locking with his.

r

The e is something I

want to do.

What is that, calla?

Walking ahead of him on padded feet, she swatted her tail against his nose, then took off. Race you!

His chuckle reverberated in her head. Pelting through the woods, feeling the soft, cool earth beneath her paws filled Sarah with an exhilaration beyond anything she’d known.

Constantine caught up with her effortlessly, slowing down slightly to pace her.

This is how it will be between us, always.

Sarah ignored the comment, concentrating on the thrill rushing through her. Nothing

could dampen this experience.

They ran, sometimes with her ahead, and other times with Constantine taking the lead.

Even though her lungs felt as though they’d burst from the exertion, Sarah didn’t want to stop.

Suddenly Constantine leapt on her, sending Sarah crashing onto her side. Gotcha! He

licked her face as he lay his strong body against hers.

In this form, Sarah was stronger than ever. She rolled from under him and pounced on his back. How does it feel to be in my power? she teased.

I think I could get used to this, but I wouldn’t be so cocky if I were you.

Oh? And why is that?

Because of this! He managed to flip her around, which led, in turn, to a playful tussle and roll on the ground.

Sarah barked with delight. For the first time in her life, she felt truly uninhibited.

When she grew tired of playing, she rose and ran again. Having Constantine next to her made the night even more enjoyable. She cried freely to the moon, bounding through the forest with wild abandon until a fierce heat halted her mid stride.

Constantine had also stopped, his eyes no longer a warm golden hue, but the glowing

bright yellow again. A series of howls from far off filled the air.

What’s happening, and where are those sounds coming from? I feel like I’m about to

burn up.

The time has come, Sarah.

She didn’t have to ask him what he referred to. She knew. Sarah shook her head.

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Is there no other way? Must it come to this?

Why do you continue to fight it? The heat generating from your body could set this

forest on fire.

Another wave of intense burning made her weak at the knees. What was more, it all

seemed to stem from between her legs. Sarah rolled on the ground, trying to relieve the ache.

God, it hurts.

You’re suffering needlessly.

The howls seemed to be closer this time.

Shit! Constantine cursed harshly in her head. It’s my pack. I told my cousins to stay away, but your scent is growing stronger as you get hotter. I’ll need to get you back to the house. Follow me, and run as fast as you can.

I wish I could, but it hurts. I can barely stand.

I’m here with you. Just run. I won’t let them touch you.

Despite the torturous burning within her, she found the strength to follow

Constantine, stumbling only once on the way back to the house. When they reached the front door, Constantine howled, but this time it sounded as though there was some

underlying message behind it. There were answering growls.

What are you doing? Sarah wanted to know. In the meantime, the pain had become

searing. She feared she’d pass out.

I’m warning them off. Shift, and I’ll take you inside. All you have to do is think of your other shape to change back.

It occurred to her that they’d left their clothes in the woods. Our things--

Do as I say! There’s no time to argue!

She glared at him, but obeyed. She focused on her human form, and her body began to

morph. The inferno within was worse than before as she lay boiling and nude on the porch, sweat covering her body. Constantine stood over her, also in his human form and scooped her up.

His skin against her would normally have felt good, but it made her blaze brighter than ever. “I don’t think I can take this.” Sarah squirmed in his arms as he carried her inside the house and up the stairs.

“It’s okay, darling. I’ll make it better for you. I’ll douse this fire and make you mine.”

That was what worried her.

* * * * *

Her scent was driving him as insane as it was the rest of the males on this island.

Although he’d told warned them to keep away, he was aware of just how hard it was to resist 86 Eve Vaughn

a bitch in heat, especially when in her first cycle -- even a tiny whiff could send a male out of his mind, sometimes rendering him temporarily feral.

“So hot,” Sarah moaned as Constantine carried her to his bathroom and set her on her feet.

“I’ll make it better.” After turning the shower to its coldest, then adding a little hot water, he tested the stream before he took her hand. “Come. This should cool you down some.”

Sarah stepped under the spray and sighed, letting the water cascade over her head. Her hair fell down her back like a curtain of dark, wet silk.

She wasn’t the only one burning; Constantine was practically sizzling with need for

her. His cock ached, reacting to the knowledge she’d soon truly be his and to the seductive scent pouring from her in almost visible waves. Constantine really wanted to lay her on his bed and fuck her silly, but he’d have to take things easy tonight, be careful with her.

Unfortunately, he didn’t know how much longer he’d be able to hold off before he took her.

“How does the water feel?”

“Wonderful. I think I could stay under here forever.”

Not if he could help it. “This is only a temporary relief. Soon, even the water won’t be able to temper the heat inside you.”

A stricken look crossed her face. “It gets worse?”

“Infinitely.”

“It was unbearable before. How can I possibly handle it?”

He cupped her face and brushed his lips against hers before sliding first a hand between her thighs, then a finger into her dripping channel.

“Oh...” She sighed, gripping his shoulders.

“You see? I’ll make it good between us. I promise.” His digit slipped in and out of her moist tunnel, but Constantine desperately wished it was his cock instead. Patience, he told himself. Adding another finger into her sheath, he studied Sarah’s lovely, upturned face to gauge her reaction.

“Constantine. Oh, God. Don’t stop. Please don’t ever stop.”

It pleased him to know he could do this to her; it also made him stiff as hell. It was only a matter of time before she’d need more than his fingers could provide, and then he’d be the weak one.

“That’s it, Sarah, ride my hand.” He ran his tongue along the side of her neck, savoring the sweetness of her skin. In response, Sarah raked her nails down his chest, clawing and digging, but Constantine was too fucking horny to feel the sting. To his pleasure, Sarah’s tongue met his, initiating an intensely wild dance. His heart thudded with heavy strokes as she grew more aggressive with their kiss, almost seeming to challenge him. Below, her pussy Kyriakis 1: Kyriakis Curse

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juice flowed copiously now, covering his fingers in a wet, delicious warmth. He pulled his head back with a laugh.

“Easy, darling. I’m not going anywhere.”

Sarah buried her face against his chest with a cry of anguish. “Oh, no! It is worse now!”

Showering kisses on her face, he soothed her. “It’s okay, my darling. We’ll be fine.”

Slowly, he removed his digits from her scorching hot cunt and placed his hands on her waist as he fell to his knees before Sarah, flicking his tongue over her navel. “Spread your legs wider.”

She did as she was told, but he needed more space. Taking one of her shapely legs, he placed it over his shoulder, causing her to tighten her grip on him.