Craving the Alpha: Part Two: BBW Paranormal Werewolf Shifter Romance (Lycan Lovers) (5 page)

The ride in the truck was bumpy. Dorian rode up front with the wereman driver, leaving me lying in the back with the other man who had restrained me earlier. He was leering at me lecherously; bits of drool forming at the corners of his mouth. My body ached from fighting and my throat was so sore I could barely swallow. All I could think was that I should have listened to Markus and stayed in the room. What would he think? That I had deserted him? That I had gone back to the Lycan clan? All he would know was that I was gone. He would never know that Dorian took me.

“Please let me go,” I whispered as I looked up at the man towering above me.

“Nope,” he replied with a light smirk. “Our clan leader is happy to have one of Caleb's alphas as his own—so whatever Dorian wants, is what Dorian gets.”

I closed my eyes. I remembered the knife like pain I had experienced the night the Vlodik’s had attacked Camp Rocky. I wondered if the man hovering over me had been the one to bite me. Or maybe it was the driver. Would they even remember? I doubted any of them cared. All I knew of the clan was that they were violent and cruel. It seemed Dorian fit in just fine with them.

Eventually the truck came to a stop. From the rear window, I could look up and see the sky. The desire to run was calling out to me. I guess it was calling to the other werewolves too, as the man with me jumped out the back door and started sniffing the air. I could tell he was itching to run as much as I was. I was alone for a few minutes before Dorian joined me.

“Calmer now?” he asked, as if I had thrown a tantrum. I knew that if I fought as I wanted to, he would never untie me, but if he let me run…

“Dorian I need to run,” I said urgently. “Please.”

“Oh, I know you do,” Dorian laughed. “But you're going to run with me and that’s not all…”

My heart jumped. Was he going to force me to mate with him? He had tried to get me to mate before and he had been pushy but he had never forced me. But then, he had never struck me before either.

“Fine, just let me run,” I mumbled, trying to hide my fear.

“Mmhm,” he said under his breath, untying the rope around my ankles, then my hands. I reached up right away to grasp the charm on the end of my necklace. It was how I always comforted myself. But when I went to hold it, I discovered that it wasn't there, and only the sore skin of my neck remained. My eyes widened as I realized that it must have fallen off when I was fighting with Dorian and the weremen.

“What is it?” Dorian asked.

“It’s my, my necklace...”

“What about it?” He demanded, leaning closer to me.

“It’s gone.” I stroked the hollow of my neck where the necklace had been. “It must have fallen off when we were fighting in town. It means so much to me. Please Dorian. Can we go back and get it. Please?”

He flicked a strand of hair from his forehead. “Who cares about a stupid necklace? You’ll get over it.”

I could see there was no reasoning with him. All I could do was try and get away. I would find Markus, retrace my steps and look for my necklace and we would tell Caleb and the rest of the Lycans the truth about Dorian.

“Dorian, let’s forget about what just happened and go for a run.”

Dorian eyed me suspiciously. “You won’t try to get away?”

“No, no I just want to run,” I lied. “I can't wait any more.”

“My kind of wolf,” he muttered, and offered his hand. Reluctantly, I took it. I was going to have to play the part for a little while. My legs were stiff as I awkwardly tried to climb down from the truck.

“Should we leash her?” one of the other men asked as Dorian pulled me down next to him.

“What!” I exclaimed. I had never heard of this before. What the hell were they thinking?

“Well, I did bring one,” Dorian said, pulling something from the truck bed. He held up a large metal chain and leather collar and eyed me. “But, I think she'll behave. Won't you Kristen?”

“I will,” I nodded, and tried not to look at the leash.

It reminded me of Markus being chained up. It made me feel ill to think of it. I knew I would have only one chance, and if I blew it, I was going to face Dorian's wrath.

“I just want to run,” I said through gritted teeth. "There's nowhere for me to go now anyway."

“Good girl,” Dorian smirked, and gave me a sharp swat on my backside, letting his hand linger for a little too long on my ass. I tried not to glare. As the three men began shedding their clothes, I knew I had to do the same. An icy shiver went up my spine. I had been naked in front of Dorian before when we had changed to run with the clan, but being nude in front of these other burly men made me feel nervous and vulnerable. I shrugged it off, knowing there was nothing I could do about it. I changed into my wolf as swiftly as I could, trying not to notice their lascivious stares taking in every curve of my body. As the sensations of the shift roared through me, I felt my anger amplified. When my wolf came out, it took all of my restraint not to attack Dorian. He looked so pure in his snowy white wolf pelt. It was hard to believe such evil lurked in him.

He stared at me for a few minutes as if he could sense my rage. Then, he tilted his head toward the woods. “Let’s go!” he growled.

The four of us took off through the trees. The wind felt invigorating as it ruffled my fur. It was good to be free after the misery of being restrained by ropes. But, I wasn’t totally free yet, not even close. I let myself fall a little behind the other three wolves. Dorian was so focused on being the leader of the pack and showing off his speed that he didn't seem to notice. The other two were in competition to see who could catch up to him. I made sure I didn't get too far behind. I was waiting for an area of the woods that would give me a safe place to escape to. With the wolves keen sense of smell and Dorian's now clear mind, I knew he would be able to track me easily. I could hear Dorian's heavy breathing as he ran at full force. It reminded me of the way he would snore when I slept in bed next to him. I wondered if that was my future. I knew it would be if I didn't get away from the group of them.

Then I saw it, a rocky hill that jutted out of the ground to the left. If I could get on the rocks, it would be harder for them to track me. If I could just get a little ways ahead of the others, then I might have a chance of out running them. I took a deep breath and suddenly broke free of the group, tearing up the rocks.

I didn't dare to look back to see if Dorian had noticed yet. I ran as fast as I could, ignoring the pain of my paws striking the sharp rocks. I was up over the top of the hill and heading down the other when I heard Dorian let out a long, loud howl. He knew I was trying to escape and he was coming after me. I could tell he was only a few feet behind me. I ran faster, ignoring the branches tearing at my fur. I was running so fast I thought my lungs would burst.

I could smell a river coming up and the sound of rushing water filled my ears. Just as I reached the edge of the bank and began to splash in, I heard a blood curdling snarl. All of the sudden, I felt him slam against my back. He growled and sunk his teeth into the skin on the nape of my neck. I yelped, struggling against him. He thrashed in the river, pushing my body down into the rushing waves. Luckily, it was shallow enough that I could keep my head above water. But Dorian was stronger than I was, and I was exhausted from running. I felt myself transition from my wolf back into my human form. In the same moment, Dorian shifted as well. The two of us were naked, tangled up in the cool crisp water.

“Let me go,” I groaned as tears fell from my eyes. “Please, Dorian!”

The fury in his penetrating yellow eyes was intense. “You stupid bitch,” he muttered as he shoved me down in the cool water. “I never should have trusted you.”

“I don't want to be with you Dorian!" I shouted in his face. "I want to be with Markus!”

I felt his body press against mine. To my horror, I could feel his bulging, stiff cock rub against my thigh. It was normal for a wolf to be aroused after a run, but I didn't know what he intended to do about it. I struggled underneath him. “Please, help me!” I shouted. I heard the pounding feet of the other two wolves approaching the river.

“I should let them have turns with you,” Dorian spit out his words as he glared down at me. “That's what they do to bitches in their clan that betray their mates.”

My eyes widened as I stared up at him. “No Dorian, don't,” I pleaded and struggled more. He had me easily pinned beneath him, and he seemed to be amused by my attempts to break free. “Markus will hunt you down for this,” I growled as I heard the howls of the other wolves just beside the water.

“Markus, Markus, Markus,” Dorian said mockingly as he glared at me. “Markus isn't here now Kristen, is he?”

Just when I thought Dorian was going to make good on his threats, he stood up. I stared at him as he towered over me. Despite my hatred for him, I couldn’t ignore the way his ripped, muscular frame stirred me. It was a result of the run, I knew, but I still felt guilty about it.

The two beefy men that now stood beside him in their human form were looking on with undisguised desire on their faces.

“Go on Dorian, you should have her first,” one of the men said respectfully.

“No,” Dorian replied as he continued to stare at me. “No, you’re not having her.”

“What?” the other man whined. “But, I thought if we let you go first …”

“No,” Dorian said sharply again, glaring at him. The man backed down, lowering his eyes. “She's mine. Nobody else gets to have her.”

Goose bumps formed on my skin as I shivered in the water, both from the cold and from fear. I realized the only reason I wasn't being torn apart by the lustful men was because of Dorian's command. I felt a small amount of gratitude to him for that.

“Get up,” he demanded.

I didn't want to stand up naked in front of the three men, but I was in no position to argue. I stood up, my body trembling. My nipples were perked, hardened from the cold, and my body was covered in a mixture of river water and sweat. I could see the two men next to Dorian enjoying my discomfort as their eyes wandered lustfully, taking in every inch of my body. “So, I guess you need to wear the leash,” Dorian sighed with disappointment. “I had hoped that was something we could avoid.”

“No,” I said quickly, and crossed my arms in an attempt to cover myself. “I don't need the leash, Dorian. I just got scared. I didn't know that you were…” I paused a moment, feeling sick at my words, “I didn't know that you were going to protect me.”

“There are a lot of things that you don't know about me Kristen,” he said sadly. “Maybe if you had taken the time to get to know me, you'd see that you chose right in the first place.”

I grimaced, turning my face, but I knew better than to say anything.

“We need to get going,” one of the men said. “The sun will set soon. We need to get to camp.”

“You're right,” Dorian nodded. “It’s time to get back to the truck. Let’s shift so we can get to it before dark.” Without waiting for a response, Dorian’s face contorted and his muscular limbs expanded as he transitioned into his wolf form.

My heart skipped a beat as I wondered if I'd have another chance to escape again, for at their camp it might be impossible to get away. The other two men shifted and I decided I had to try to make a run for it. I changed into my wolf and without giving Dorian or the men another glance I bolted. But I went nowhere fast as almost immediately I felt Dorian's teeth sink firmly into the scruff of my neck. He tugged at my fur, forcing me to trot along with him as my neck arched to the side. His incisors clamped down fully, I had to keep up with his pace or my neck would be ripped to shreds. He pulled me along for a while, releasing me when we neared the truck. I didn't try to run. I thought if I did he might decide to punish me—maybe he would have me chained. Or he might let the other wolves have some fun with me after all. I tried to fight back the feelings of hopelessness as we all shifted back to our human forms.

“Get dressed quickly,” Dorian instructed as he tugged on his pants. I pulled on my clothes without looking at him. I was longing so deeply for Markus. I felt as if I would never see him again, and yet a part of me felt like he was always with me. I pulled on my shirt. Dorian remained standing close to me. “Don't forget that I protected you,” he said quietly. “The Vlodik clan has almost no rules. If you openly defy me in front of the others, they will see it as their right to discipline you.”

I pursed my lips with disgust. “Let's just go back to the Lycans,” I said pleadingly. “I'll explain everything to Caleb. I'll even tell him that none of this was your fault. I'll say that I realized I was wrong when I went with Markus, I'll tell him…” I hesitated. I didn't want to say the next words, but if it meant being back with the Lycans, at least I might be safer. At least there might be a chance that Markus would find me again.

“Tell him what?” Dorian asked as he stood in front of me.

“I'll tell him…” I cleared my throat nearly choking on the words.

“What, Kristen?” Dorian demanded, his eyes narrowing. “What would you tell him?”

“I'll tell him that I choose you,” I finally said, though it broke my heart to do so. “I'll tell him that I was just confused, and you were the one I chose, and you had every right to come and find me.”

“You would tell him that?” Dorian asked with a slow smile, brushing his fingers along my cheek. “Is that what you really want?”

“It is,” I whispered, though I was lying through my teeth. It was hard to believe that Dorian would believe this bullshit, but I could tell by his face that he did. The guy was so cocky he couldn’t fathom that a woman would not want him. “I just want to go back to the Lycans. You can't trust this other clan Dorian. You know that. They only shelter you because you're Caleb's son. What do you think they'll do if they decide they don't need you?”

“Well, Caleb already decided he didn’t need me. Sure, at first he did the right thing when he locked Markus up. But when he decided not to pursue the two of you after the escape…” Dorian shook his head, jutting his jaw out. “That was wrong. He was going to let Markus steal you from me. He decided then that he didn't need me. So, now I have a new clan. We are never going back to
the Lycans,” he glared right into my eyes his yellow eyes flaming. “But I'm
glad to know that you've come to your senses, and you’ve chosen me.”

My throat grew dry and tight at his words. “So, maybe you'd like to show me?” he asked, and tilted his lips slightly toward me. “Prove it to me Kristen.”

I was sickened by the thought of kissing him. Even the spice of his breath was enough to make my stomach churn. But, I had talked myself into a corner. I needed Dorian to protect me. If he didn't, then I might go through the same horror that Susan had. And if I gained his trust, maybe just maybe, I could talk him into going back to the Lycan tribe.

It felt like such a deep betrayal to Markus, but I didn't know what else to do. As much as it made me ill to do it, I started to lean forward. Dorian's lips were inches from mine when I closed my eyes. In the next moment I heard a loud snarl and found that I was kissing air. I opened my eyes to find Dorian knocked to the ground by a fierce, brawny, black wolf—Markus!

My eyes widened as I stepped out of the way of the two brothers rolling around in the dirt. Dorian was still in his human form, and Markus was trying to get at his throat in his wolf form. Then, I heard the snarl and snap of more teeth. I realized that the other two men had transformed into wolves, and they were preparing to attack Markus.

“No!” I shouted. I lunged toward the two wolves. They each seized one of my arms and began tugging furiously. I could feel their sharp fangs sinking deep into my tender skin. As Markus released Dorian to try to help me, Dorian shifted into his wolf. I tried to change as well, but one of the Vlodik weremen thrust his paws at my throat as the other sunk his incisors into my arm, making the shift impossible. As I tried to wrestle myself free, Markus lunged at the man gnawing on my arm, forcing him to release it, and took a swing at the wolf choking me. Incensed, the wolf let go of his visor like grip on my neck. He grabbed my waist, tossing me to the side so he could focus his rage at Markus. Frothing at the mouth, he lunged at Marcus just as Dorian jumped into the fray.

I knew they were going to try and take Markus down first and deal with me later. The ferocious creatures began gnawing, kicking and punching. They were going to pummel him to bits and rip him to shreds. Markus was powerful and strong, but he was against three of his own kind. I knew if I didn't do something Markus was going to be killed. I picked up a long branch from the side of the road.

“You bastard!” I screamed, slamming the branch into Dorian’s back.

He let out a loud yelp of pain and turned towards me. With his eyes glowing, he jumped directly at my face. I screamed as I stumbled back. Markus was snarling and fighting to get free of the other two wolves. Dorian landed on my chest as my back hit the ground. He sunk his feet deep into my chest and snarled into my face. His tongue flicked out, licking his sharp incisors. I shoved him hard to get him off of me. In the same moment, Markus had broken free of the other two wolves. He barreled into Dorian and wrestled him down to the ground again. The two other wolves started to go after Markus, but I began beating them back with the branch I had picked up. I was hardly a match for them in wolf form, let alone human form. They were snarling and snapping their teeth fiercely, ready to devour me in whatever way they pleased.

“Run, Markus!” I shouted. “Run, there's too many!”

Markus and Dorian were panting and growling heavily as they battled it out in the dirt. I wanted to help Markus, but the other two wolves had different ideas. They were pulling me away as they gnawed on my skin, causing searing pains to shoot through my body.

Just when I thought they were going to rip my frame apart, there was a noise that startled all of us—the loud, and unmistakable sound of a shotgun being fired.