A Wolf's Savage Embrace (2 page)

"Sweetheart..." her mother began, but Kat cut her off.

"Don't even bother, mother. It is just too damn early in the morning to deal with you any longer. Just tell me where my sister is; and I'll go get her for you.” She sighed heavily and shook her head, the beginning of a headache seeping into her brain with a vengeance. “But, I am telling you right now - I am bringing her to you, and then that is it! I don't want to have anything more to do with you ever again. Is that understood? I don’t want you to try to contact me again. I’m done! Done with you – done with the Coven! Done!”

Elaine sighed heavily.
"You don't mean that Katrina," she said softly.

"The hell I don't!
No more - do you understand me? My entire life I’ve had a sister that I didn't even know about. It wasn't bad enough that you left me alone every time some guy came along; but to find out that I could have had someone there with me to love...” she paused as she tried to bite back her tears. "And now when I
might
have a chance at some real happiness in my life, you come along -
after three fucking years
- and tell me that if I stay and try - he’ll be killed! Christ, mother - what's next?"

"Katrina, I don't expect you to understand or forgive me right now, but in time..."

"In time - I'll just grow to hate you even more," Kat finished quietly. "Just tell me where she is." Kat stormed over to the dresser and grabbed her purse, pulling a pen and a piece of paper from it. "Where did you send her mother?" she asked; her voice clipped.

"I sent her to some friends of mine," Elaine replied softly.
"They are good people, Katrina, and I know they gave her a good life."

"Really?" Kat bit out, unable to control the contempt in her voice.
"Did you ever bother to check up on that?"

"I...I couldn't..." she stammered.
"No one could know."

"Yeah, I guess not. We wouldn’t want to have your sparkling reputation tarnished by people finding out that you dumped your kid on someone.” She took a deep, steadying breath.
“Just give me their information."

Elaine rattled off an address in
South Carolina and Kat felt her body stiffen. My God, she had a sister not eight hours from her, and never knew it! Damn her mother!

"Their names are Constance and Jack Bradford,” she went on - beginning to sound very business-like, and that only served to increase Kats anger.
She was making it sound as if she was going to pick up a sofa or some other incidental object; and not her sister.

"What do I tell these people after seventeen years, mother?" Kat asked, her eyes blazing.
"Hi, you don't know me, but I'm here to pick up my sister. You know, the girl who you've been raising as your own. Thank you very much for taking such good care of her – here is your gift card to Olive Garden." Kat barked out a short, bitter laugh. Christ, she thought again, could her life suck anymore?

"I'll call them right after we're finished here," she explained, her tone becoming even cooler as she went on.
"They knew that this day would come, and they will need to get some things ready.”

"Well, isn't that comforting," Kat seethed - just growing angrier by the minute.
She needed to end this call - and to end it fast. This was just way beyond screwed up.

"Katrina, I can't stress to you enough...you must leave the wolf behind."

“Yes, mother. I heard you the first time." She ground out between clenched teeth - her heart twisting painfully in her chest so tightly that she was finding it hard to breathe.

No! She silently screamed at herself. She needed to stop this nonsense. She and Luke had nothing.
He irritated the hell out of her, and tried her patience at every turn. She nodded her head harshly - trying desperately to convince herself that the thought of leaving him didn’t twist at her insides like a vice.

"Well, then," her mother replied, "I'll let you get to it then."
She cleared her throat. "Save my number and call me when you have Harper. We will meet up then. Goodbye, Katrina." With that, the phone went dead and Kat cursed under her breath.

At the moment, she was completely and utterly angry at the world.

Chapter 2

Kat crept down the stairs as quietly as humanly possible - her backpack slung over her shoulder.
She held her breath as she listened for any sounds coming from the house - but thankfully there was only silence.

She had packed her stuff quickly and dressed - hoping to be gone before anyone woke.
The pack had accepted her without question, and she was going to miss each and every one of them. Not to mention their Alpha. Kat's throat tightened at the thought of Luke - once again her eyes welling with tears. Damn it to hell! She had to stop pining over the arrogant ass. He would have most likely just used her and tossed her aside anyway. That's what those self-centered, mangy curs were famous for! They all thought that they were doing the women of the world a favor with their stud services.

Just as Kat reached out to grab the handle of the front door, a slow, silky voice stopped her cold, and her entire body stiffened with awareness.
Oh,
Crap
!

"Just where do you think you're going, red?” Luke asked, and Kat turned to find him standing in the doorway of the kitchen, a mug of steaming coffee in his hand.

Her entire body heated at the sight of him standing there; wearing nothing but a pair of flannel pajama pants - slung low on his tapered waist. His gloriously tan, muscled -
broad
chest bare - and she swallowed hard. Good Lord! The man was beyond sexy, and Kat felt her blood rushing through her veins like a tidal wave – causing her skin to grow warm in an instant. He had that sultry, just woke up look that made her weak in the knees.

"I'm leaving," she said, trying desperately to sound as nonchalant as possible.
"Abby's fine; Argramon is gone - there's nothing to keep me here any longer. I’m getting bored, and I've got a life to get back to.”

Luke set his coffee down on a nearby end table and walked over to her - his eyes intense.
He studied her silently a moment before running his finger up her arm - causing her to shiver. "Would your leaving have anything to do with your early morning phone call?" he asked softly, his gaze boring into hers, and Kat began fidget nervously.

"Yes and no," she lied - damning his bionic wolf hearing.
"It was a friend checking up on me, and it made me realize that I need to get back. My…my job is probably already gone as it is.”

Luke leaned in towards her; his mouth dangerously close to hers.
"Male or female friend?" He asked, his warm breath caressing her lips like a gentle breeze - and she could smell mint and spice…and Luke.

"That is none of your business, wolf-boy.” She replied, bristling slightly.

Luke chuckled, his eyes gleaming, and lightly brushed his lips across hers with the lightest of touches. Kat jerked back, hitting her head on the front door with a sound thump; then proceeded to spit out a string of very un-ladylike curses as she glared at him.

"You seem a bit on edge, Katrina,” he whispered, his silky, smooth tone causing that damn, pesky little shiver to run up her spine once again, and she fought it with every ounce of strength that she had – but the coiling of heat in her belly had other ideas.
It hit her full on with a mighty wave.

Kat pressed her hands against his chest and shoved - unfortunately not moving him an inch - and clenched her teeth.
Geez, the man was a fricking mountain!

"I'm no such thing," she ground out; holding his gaze.
"I just want to get out of here - and you're holding me up."

Luke watched Kat closely - knowing without a doubt that she was lying through her teeth.
If he had learned anything in the past few days about the comely witch, it was that she was enjoying spending time with the pack; and hopefully with him.

He found spending time with her was enjoyable and easy, and even though they butted heads more often than not - he found himself looking forward to their little riffs.
She heated his blood as no other woman ever had, and he was not about to let that end – not yet at least.

Kat was not only beautiful with her thick auburn hair, and sparkling hazel eyes - but she was smart and witty and Luke found himself wanting to talk with her for hours; something that he had never cared to do in the past with any woman.

His eyes traveled over her face, only to land on her full, plump lips. Lips that men would die to taste; and women would pay dearly for.

“What's got you running, Katrina?" He asked; his brow raising.

"Nothing...I..." she stammered, feeling quite uncomfortable under his close scrutiny. Why in the
Hell
did the man have to be so infuriatingly yummy?

"Don't lie to me sweetheart.
I'm not stupid."

"I didn't say you were stupid," she retorted – but a moment later her lips turned up in a snarky grin.
"Although..."

"Don't even try and go there," he murmured, taking a step closer, and Kat flinched as the lengths of their bodies touched, and she felt the heat radiating off of him.
Oh, sweet Jesus, she silently groaned. "Where are you running, Kat?" He asked again, and she swallowed hard.

"Luke, let's just say that I need to get back to my life and leave it at that...ok?" She winced at the pleading tone of her voice. Jesus! This man instantly turned her into a blithering idiot, and she was not happy with that at all.
Damn him!

Luke’s arm snaked around her waist and pulled her even closer; his eyes narrowed.
"If you don't tell me, red - I swear to God, I'll just track you and make your life miserable.”

She knew in an instant that it was a promise, and not a threat - and gulped back the tears threatening to spring to her eyes. Stay strong, she told herself. You have got to stay strong!

"I...I can't," she choked out, her expression tortured. "I need to... to pick something up, and I need to go alone."

"That sounds a bit mysterious, red - and I'm a very curious creature by nature," he explained, his mouth whispering along her cheek as he spoke.
"Not to mention that I'm quite perceptive. Something has you upset enough to take off running like the Devil himself was at your heels.” He brought his lips to her ear and gently took her lobe between his teeth and gave it a gentle tug before whispering, "So give, sweetheart. Where are we going and what are we picking up?"

Kats eyes rolled back in her head and her mind buzzed at his sensuous onslaught.
It would be so easy...she thought, gulping slightly. Just so damn easy to just turn her face, - just a fraction of an inch, and touch those wonderful lips with hers. To feel what it would be like to taste him – kiss him.

As much as she hated herself for it; her survival instinct kicked in and she once again tried shoving him away. This time, he let her bridge some distance and took a step back.
Kat glared at him, her face flushed red. "
We
, are not going anywhere, Benji! Got it? Or do I need to find someone who speaks dog to make you understand? Cesar Millan, perhaps?"

Luke chuckled, deep in his chest – his expression unreadable. “Well then, since I highly doubt that the dog whisperer will be available on such short notice - I guess you're staying," he replied simply, reaching down to pick up her backpack from the floor.
Kat looked down in horror. Just when in the hell had she dropped that?

"You can't!" She shrieked - making a grab for it - but Luke easily held it away from her.
"You can't keep me prisoner! That's…that’s kidnapping, you arrogant ass!"

Luke broke out laughing, his eyes gleaming devilishly.
"Yes, I suppose it would be," he replied evenly, as if they were discussing the weather.

Everything that had happened in the last hour came crashing down on Kat all at once, and she burst into tears - something that she was most definitely
not
prone to doing. She hadn’t cried since she was ten years old - but there was just no holding it back.

All of the anger and hurt and frustration hit her full force like a Mack truck, and she just couldn't stop it. The flood gates opened and were not about to close anytime soon - and her body shook from the impact of it.

"I...I have to go get my sister," she sobbed, and Luke pulled her into his arms - holding her tightly. "It was my mother on the phone and she told me...she...she…that
bitch
told me that I have a sister that I never knew about. And now because I killed Lexie - she's in danger! Everyone's in danger!” She sobbed against him, sounding completely broken.

"Ah, baby," Luke cooed, his hand tenderly stroking her hair as he held her snugly against his strong, firm chest.
"I'm so sorry. But it's going to be all right. We'll go get her, and everything will be fine - I promise." He kissed her tear-stained face before gracing her with a gentle smile. "Come on," he urged, leading her into the kitchen. "Let's get you a cup of coffee and we'll work this all out. I just need to dress, and pack a few things..."

"No!" She squeaked, shaking her head wildly.
"I told you - I have to go alone! I ...I don't want you to come with me," she cried. "I don't even like you!"

"Yes, I know," Luke chuckled, as he eased her into one of the chairs at the table.
He grabbed a mug and poured her a cup of coffee, setting it down in front of her. "But, whether you like me or not, Kat - I am going with you. End of discussion.”

Kat buried her face in her hands and groaned - knowing that she was fighting a losing battle.
This man was as stubborn as the day was long, and was not use to being told no. He was a damn
Alpha
for God’s sake! That meant that he was not questioned when he gave an order. Damn it all to Hell! She silently screamed. This was beyond a cluster fuck!

Thirty minutes later, Luke came strolling back into the kitchen - freshly showered and dressed in a pair of faded jeans that hugged his muscular form
much
too favorably. His long raven hair hung in a single braid down his solid back.

Kats breath caught in her throat at the sight of him, as her eyes scanned up to his black t-shirt -which hugged his broad chest like a damn second skin - accentuating his wash board abs that were much more than just a measly six pack.
The man was packing at
least
a twelve!

Sweet Lord, she inwardly groaned - the man was a God – and at that moment - she despised him for it.
The thought of being alone with the arrogant ass for God only knew how long, caused her entire body to clench with need.

She chewed at her lower lip as a small part of her wondered if they could pull this off.
She guessed her mother or someone from Lexie's Coven would be none the wiser that he was traveling with her, if they just got in - got her sister, and then got the Hell out.
Then
she could have him drop them off at her apartment and part ways - keeping him safe. Yes, her inner voice agreed - it might just work! And her bitch of a mother never had to know. What did she owe the woman anyway? Her main concern was keeping Luke safe, and if they kept the fact that he was traveling with her on the down-low – well, she just might be able to pull it off. Couldn’t she?

"So, sweetheart," Luke said, giving her a smile.
"Where're we heading?"

Kat sighed and stared into her empty cup - wondering if she was making the biggest mistake of her life.
"Destiny Ridge, South Carolina," she sighed in defeat.

"Sounds promising," he laughed, pulling her to her feet and walking towards the door.
"Let's get a move on. I want to stop and see Des before we head out."