Corrupt Cravings (9 page)

“Just a little further, Marcella. You can do this. You have to do this!” Pausing, she shook her head, realizing just how much she was talking to herself out loud. Geez, she hoped this wasn’t going to be an ongoing thing.

Putting the car in drive, she headed more toward Victoria. The wolf inside screamed for her to go faster. The headlights reflecting off of the white lines separating the lanes were so bright they nearly blinded her at times. When the lights of the city came into view, she felt the need to turn off as if she was heading toward the opposite end of town.

The compulsion to roll down her window and take in the smells made her mouth water. Marcella didn’t hesitate as she pushed the button, allowing in the fresh air. Following her instincts, she pushed the car faster, letting her hair whip around her face. She could feel the fire behind her eyes as the moon called to her. God, time was running out. The part to play the new shifter couldn’t be any truer. She was completely lost when it came to what she was meant to do on a full moon.

A dirt road grabbed her attention and threw off alarms in her mind like a neon sign. Turning onto it, she slowed down enough to catch her breath. The rapid beating of her heart caused her whole body to tremble. “This is not good. Not good at all.”

The need to comfort herself wasn’t helping one bit. Loud rap music broke through the silence, and she knew she was at the right location, but somehow that didn’t reassure her. Slowly, she pulled the car around to the back of the two-story house. For some reason, the main door wasn’t facing the road.

“My, my, how I’d like to take a bite out of you.”

Marcella screamed as a man suddenly appeared at her window. He’d come from nowhere. At least, she hadn’t seen him before the second his face was inches from hers. In the darkness, she knew he was Hispanic. His shaved head was covered in tattoos. Fear poured from her in waves, so thick she was nearly choking on the scent.

A group of men walked out of the house, all carrying weapons. Two large, lightly tanned men towered over the rest. Marcella put the car in park and slowly eased out.

“Please, I need to speak to your leader.”

Pains twisted in her stomach, and she knew she didn’t have much time. Gripping the top of her car, she pleaded to them with her eyes.

“For what? Who told you how to get here?”

Looking at one of the Hispanic men who addressed her, she took another step toward them. “No one told me. I sensed it. Please help me. I was attacked almost two weeks ago. Something’s happening to me.”

The men began to circle her, inhaling deeply as they moved closer. More panic rolled off of her. The sweet fragrance hung heavily in the air, growing thicker as they began to crowd her space.

“Oh, she’s good. Real good.”

A hand caressed her back, and she spun around to get away from it. She knew deep down none of these men were Donavon. Samael hadn’t lied. They were thugs of the worst nature. More hands reached out and touched and she continued to try to get away from them, but they kept swarming around her.

“Please. Get your leader. I must speak with him.”

More contorting brought her to her knees. The pain was too much. She didn’t want to shift. Not yet.

“Get back! What in the hell do you think you’re all doing? Can’t you see she’s in pain?”

Marcella was pulled up by the scariest man she’d ever seen. Tattoos completely covered him from the top of his neck down. His head was shaved, and silver glowing eyes pierced her very soul. No, he was definitely not Donavon. There was evil in this one.

“I’m Alpha, come inside. Let me look you over.”

His rough hands practically jerked her through the door of the house. The moment they entered the living room, she looked into a pair of sapphire and gold mixed eyes. Time stopped as their gazes locked. Blond hair stuck out at odd angles as he looked up from cleaning out his gun.
My God, he’s beautiful.
Now
that
was Donavon. She knew it deep down from where her collector called to him.

“Got another one. She was attacked almost two weeks ago. Seems her wolf is dying to get out. Odd, don’t you think? It’s barely dark.”

Donavon stood, and Marcella’s eyes traveled up for what seemed forever. Damn, he was tall. Exactly Dominic’s height. The eeriness with which they looked similar went beyond shocking. If she were to put curly hair on him and take the gold out of his eyes, they’d be identical twins.

“Where did you come from?”

His question was directed at her, and not too nicely. Just getting her brain to function proved to be a chore. While her mind raced with surrounding towns, she said the first one she could think of. “Cuero.”

Beautiful eyes narrowed at her. “That’s a lie.”

Oh, shit.
“No, it’s not.”

His large hands gripped tightly to her arms. He picked her off the floor until his face buried in her stomach. Marcella froze as teeth tore into the bottom of her shirt, ripping it completely off.

“What in the hell are you doing! Put me down right this minute.”

The smoothness of his skin rubbed against her stomach as he caressed his cheeks against her. Heat sparked and enflamed her body, turning her pussy instantly wet. A moan came from her mouth at his contact. Before she could get the images of his cock pounding inside of her out of her head, she hit the floor hard. He looked at her alarmed and stepped back.

“I can’t pick up anything. Somehow she’s closed off. But I don’t think she’s from Cuero. I could smell her lie the moment it left her mouth, but now everything is blocked.”

The Alpha shook his head and looked at her curiously. “Please excuse Arizona. He doesn’t do too well around the ladies. You see, I can smell you from here, and I know what you want.” He smiled mischievously, and she instantly got to her feet. “But we’ll get to that afterward. First, tell me where you’re really from.”

“If you must know, I’m from Ingleside. I haven’t lived in Cuero two weeks, and look at what happens.”

Marcella lifted her pants leg and pointed to the multiple lacerations that were in their healing process. Then she lifted her hair and spun three hundred and sixty degrees. Wearing only a bra and jeans after what the alpha had just assumed probably wasn’t very smart. She was showing way too much flesh. Damn it, she couldn’t believe Donavon was acting this way, dropping her and ripping off her shirt. It was time she taught him some manners.

Watching her knight closely, she noticed something pass through those sapphire and golden eyes as he took in her wounds. Protectiveness? She wasn’t sure, but the time for playing the innocent girl was over. This pack was rough, and if she wanted to be a part of their game, then she would have to be, too.

“Now, I don’t know what in the fuck is going on with me, but I’ve seen enough movies not to be completely stupid on the details. I was attacked. Now something is happening to the inside of my body. It doesn’t take a genius to put two and two together. Tell me what to do. I’m going through too much pain to ask nicely.”

“How do you know you don’t have rabies or something? What made you come looking for us?”

The alpha’s silver gaze never wavered as he took her in. “It wasn’t a fucking dog that bit me.” Marcella took a deep breath. “Look, I’m not sure what brought me here. Maybe I’m insane, but I hear voices in my head. They directed me here.”
That’s it, Marcella, blame your insanity. Marcianna made me do it.
Yeah, she’d laugh over that one later.

“The voices are your wolf. You’re lucky to have them. Not many of us do. Only the finest have the ability to communicate with the beast within. Arizona is one of them.”

Lifting her gaze, she saw Donavon quickly look away. Why did they call him Arizona?

“May I stay here? I have nowhere to go. You see, I have a temper, and with all of these things going on with me, I kind of exploded at my aunt. She kicked me out.”

The silver eyes widened as the alpha took in her question. “You want to stay here with all of us? Do you have a death wish, or do you just like men?”

“No, I. I want him to take care of me.” Marcella pointed to Donavon, who distanced himself even further. “You said he’s not so good with woman. I should be able to trust him if that’s the truth.”

“How do you know I didn’t mean that he beats women? Maybe he doesn’t like them.”

“Then we’ll get along great. I don’t like women, either.”

Damn, Marcella was really starting to feel desperate. The alpha laughed at her and motioned for Donavon to come closer. When he did, her knight glared at her angrily, and she felt her heart drop to her toes.

“How ’bout it, Arizona? Do you think you can watch over her for me?”

“Is that an order?” His body stood rigid as he waited.

“Do I really need to say if it is? Maybe I don’t want her touched by anyone here. She’s got potential for exactly what I’m looking for. We don’t have much room, but she can bunk with you. Your bed is big, and I seriously doubt you’ll touch her. All this time and I still haven’t see you with a woman.”

A laugh echoed throughout the small room, making them all turn toward the entrance. Men walked in, paused as if to notice they weren’t welcomed, and walked back outside. Marcella wasn’t sure what to do. At least it looked like she had made it possible to stay here. But whatever she had potential for, she didn’t want to know. The plan didn’t revolve around staying long enough to find out.

“Get your things,” Donavon snapped at her. “I’ll show you to your new room.”

“But you tore my shirt. You don’t expect me to go out to my car topless, do you?”

He stopped mid-step, and slowly turned, grinning cruelly. The look in his eyes as he walked forward threw her off. As if she was in a trance, she couldn’t move. Hypnotized by how savagely male he was, it took everything for her not to drool on the spot. The wolf within sensed his power and wanted him for her own. As his hand hovered between her cleavage, her nipples hardened. The warmth of his fingers gripped her clasp, and she could feel herself leaning in to his touch. At the crunching sound, the spell broke and she caught sight of her breasts spilling free.

“There, now you’re topless. Next time, you’ll listen when I order you. Now go get your shit. I don’t have all day.”

Rage pushed against her insides, and on instinct, she swung and clocked him in the face with her fist. She stripped off her broken bra and threw it at him. Thank God, her hair was long enough to cover her breasts.

Stepping toward him, Marcella glared. “If you ever disrespect me like that again, you’ll be sorry. Mark my words.”

She threw open the door as laughter erupted from the alpha. “See, I told you she would be a good choice. She doesn’t even take shit from you, Arizona. I think I’m going to like her being here.”

Whistles and crude comments broke the silence from outside, and she ignored them as she popped open the trunk of her car. Grabbing her suitcase, Marcella lifted it easily and carried it back into the house. The pain shooting through her stomach at having to use her muscles hurt like hell.

Following Donavon up the stairs, he turned into the first room to the left. When light flooded the space, Marcella nearly gasped. Were they even in the same house? The room looked like it was torn out of a catalogue. Blue silk sheets covered a queen size bed. There were even the throw pillows and all the decorating stuff she’d personally never think to buy.

White dressers and end tables brightened the area. If she wanted to admit it, the space looked more fitted for a girl than a guy. No pictures covered the walls, just a mass collection of drawings. Walking toward them, tears came to her eyes. She spun to look at Donavon. “You drew these?”

“Yes. Now get dressed and come downstairs. We hunt soon.”

They were her tattoos. He
was
remembering. Excitement pumped through her body. Turning to look back at her man, she watched Donavon pull the long-sleeved, black shirt over his head. Upon seeing his upper body exposed, Marcella dropped her bag. Her symbol, the one on her necklace and on her men’s swords, covered his large chest.