Deadly Seduction (Feral Protectors 3) (5 page)

Nosh struggled to understand the spirit animal’s meaning. The trickster always spoke in riddles. At the edges of his mind, a thought formed but he couldn’t grasp it before it dissipated.

The coyote slowly morphed into his father. The elder faded in and out. His mouth moved. Fear clouded his eyes. Nosh couldn’t understand a single word he said. His heart ached with the need to hear his father’s voice. Nosh was afraid he’d forget the sound. It had been six years since his parents had died from an unknown disease. He’d been taken too young and his loss had left a gaping hole in Nosh’s heart.

As his father vanished, his mother replaced him. Her voice came through as a ghostly whisper. “Keep her safe. Keep her safe.”

A wave of fear rushed into his body. Gwen was in danger. He rolled his head to the side and scanned the room. A figure sat near the fire. It turned toward him. Two sunken eye sockets hollowed out the center of an unrecognizable face. Pale flesh dripped off the human’s bones. As the skeletal remains crumbled, the whirling dust joined with the scattered flesh to form a black snake. It peered at him with the same vacant eye sockets, a portent of death. It swayed for a moment before turning to slither under the curtain at his door.

He turned back to his mother who held a glowing green orb of energy in her hand. “We only have one chance. One chance.”

She held the orb overhead for a few seconds before throwing it at him. The energy flashed into his heart. He lifted off the bed and screamed in agony.

When he woke from the dream, he was still screaming.

Lucian rushed toward him. “What’s wrong? What’s happening?”

Mazus thrust open the curtain and stepped in from the hall.

Gwen ran into the room. “Oh God, I shouldn’t have left. Where do you hurt?”

Tears formed in the corners of his eyes. He didn’t know why, but an overwhelming sense of relief melted the tension in his body.

Gwen was alive.

She was okay.

He didn’t know why he thought she’d be dead. The dream was fading too fast. He intuitively knew that “she” was the woman his mother wanted him to protect. But from what?

“Where are you hurting?” Gwen asked.

“Water,” he gasped through parched lips.

She scooped a cupful of water out of the pot hanging over the fire. She added something to it before bringing it to his lips. He drank too quickly. He sputtered and gasped as the water went down the wrong pipe.

“Shh.” She stroked his head with her hand.

“I had a dream.”

Mazus stepped forward from the shadows. “What kind of dream?”

As soon as Nosh tried to put it into words, the images began to fade. He pressed his lips together and didn’t say anything. He didn’t want to forget what little he still remembered. It wasn’t just a dream. He’d had visions before, but nothing like this.

“I’m just tired.”

Gwen shooed the others out. “He needs to rest.”

Mazus said, “I think we should be here in case you need help. I’m not convinced you’re doing much to help him.”

Nosh whispered, “She stays.”

Mazus stood by his bed. “Are you sure? Just say the word and we’ll send her away.”

“No… No…” He coughed.

How could he protect her if she wasn’t by his side? But protect her from what? Confusion wrapped around his forehead like a vice.

Gwen put her hands on her hips. “I’m not leaving unless Nosh sends me away. Above everything else, he needs rest. So if you’re not here to help, get out.”

Nosh’s lips twitched into a ghost of a smile. If he’d had enough energy to talk, he would have thanked her for speaking up. But right now, all he wanted to do was sleep.

His eyelids drifted down but not before he watched Mazus and Lucian leave. The black snake from the vision sat coiled at the entrance to the room. He knew it wasn’t really there, but the bottomless pits where its eyes should have been still glowed with malicious intent. It stared at him as if daring him to fall back into the nightmarish dreamscape.

Chapter 5

The next morning, Nosh woke to the sound of Gwen humming softly. She was on her knees bent over a pot stirring something that smelled amazing. His stomach rumbled. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been this ravenous. The dreamless sleep had worked wonders.

He glanced toward the door to check the shadows. The snake was gone but the eerie warning still lay heavy on his heart. He didn’t know what it meant yet, so he hoped another vision would give him more information.

“You’re awake.”

He turned toward Gwen. Backlit by the fire, her hair glowed with ethereal beauty. Her bright blue eyes surveyed his body for a moment before she blushed and turned back to the pot.

“I feel so much better,” he said.

“The fever finally broke. I’m not sure why it took so long, but I’m glad the worst is over.”

He scooted to the edge of the bed and rolled onto his side. When he tried to sit up, his leg twitched and a flash of pain sliced through the center of it. The skin had started to heal, but there was a long way to go. He wasn’t sure that Akila’s assessment of it only taking a few days was accurate.

Gwen approached with a bowl of steaming stew. He took it from her. “Thank you. This smells incredible.”

Bits of meat, vegetables and spices melted in his mouth. He wanted to moan with pleasure, but restrained himself. He didn’t want act like a hedonistic fool in front of her.

“I’m glad you’re finally awake. You were out for two days.”

He looked up. “Two days?”

“It was touch and go for a while. You were talking in your sleep.”

“What did I say?”

“Something about black eyes and a fox. It sounded like some kind of Native American myth but you weren’t coherent so I’m not sure.”

“Oh.” He was tempted to tell her about the vision but he didn’t want to scare her. He’d been delirious, and besides, the vision might have just been a side effect of having a high fever.

She crossed the room to stand by his side. “Um, so I’m not sure how to say this...”

“What?”

She shifted her weight from one foot to the other. “You need a bath.”

He raised his arm and sniffed. “I guess I do.”

“So… um, since you can’t get to the river…”

He arched a brow. “Sponge bath?”

The flush on her cheeks glowed even brighter. “I could get someone else. Maybe one of the guys.”

He laughed and set the empty bowl on the edge of the bed. “No way. I’d never hear the end of it.”

She picked up the bowl and fidgeted. “So, I guess I’m going to have to do it?”

The way she phrased the question was absolutely adorable. His heart swelled with admiration. She was clearly not comfortable with the task, but she was willing to do it anyway.

“I’ll be a good patient.”

Her eyes widened. “Oh, I didn’t mean anything—”

“It’s okay. I was just kidding. Honestly, I think I’ll feel a lot better after I get cleaned up.”

A puff of breath flew out of her lips and relief flattened the lines in her forehead. “I’ll be fast.”

“You don’t have to be fast, just thorough.” The second the sentence flew out of his mouth, he regretted it.
Thorough… really? Don’t be a jackass.

The bowl shook in her trembling fingers. “Lucian will be back with some more water in a few minutes.”

She spun and stalked to the fire. She sat with her back to him. Great. He’d already screwed up, just when she was starting to trust him.

A few minutes later, Lucian strolled into the room carrying two huge buckets of water. “Hey, you’re up. Nice. I thought you were a goner at one point.”

“Are you kidding, I’m ready to run five miles.”

Lucian laughed. “Sure you are…”

Nosh nodded toward the buckets. “Apparently I smell worse than a pile of bear crap.”

Gwen’s jaw dropped. “I didn’t say that.”

Nosh chuckled. “I know you didn’t. You’re much too polite for that.”

She lifted her chin. “Well, you do smell like a hibernating bear.”

Both men burst out laughing. One corner of her mouth twitched and then the other as if she was trying to suppress a smile. She finally relented and grinned.

Lucian edged toward the door. “Well, before all my nose hairs singe off, I’ll leave you to it. You’re doing a great job taking care of him. The whole pack thanks you.”

Gwen smiled shyly. “Thanks for saying that.”

“I’ll be back later to check on you guys.” When he reached the door he turned back. “Hey Nosh, don’t do anything I wouldn’t do, buddy.”

Nosh rolled his eyes. “I already promised I’d be the perfect patient.”

Gwen dipped a large cloth into the water and approached. Apprehension was written all over her face. He groaned inwardly. He’d hoped joking around would lighten the mood, but she look terrified.

“Hey,” he whispered. “I was kidding. You know that, right?”

She swallowed. “Sure. Of course. I know.”

She leaned over and ran the cloth down the length of his arm from his shoulder to the tips of his fingers. The warm water washed the tension from his aching muscles. As much as he wanted to watch her, he closed his eyes. She’d probably be more comfortable if he stopped staring at her.

It worked. Her tentative strokes grew bolder. She washed both arms before turning to dip the rag in the water. He peeked out from his lowered lids. He couldn’t help but notice the way the flames from the fire reflected off of the curves of her breasts. Heat flooded his body. If he didn’t stop looking, he’d have a very obvious erection. She was jumpy enough without knowing how much he wanted her.

As she turned back toward him, his eyes snapped closed. The cloth trailed across his chest and over his belly. His stomach clenched as he fought the growing tide of arousal. He sucked his bottom lip into his mouth and bit the flesh. The distraction wasn’t enough.

To his horror, blood flowed into his cock. As it stretched and grew, he prayed she wouldn’t panic. The bath felt so good. She’d washed away days of sweat and dirt. Each stroke made him feel like a man, like a virile, hungry, lust-filled man who wanted to pull her into the bed.

His fingers clenched at his sides as the urge to reach for her surged through his muscles. He needed to think of something other than her swaying breasts and full hips. The extra weight she’d put on in the last year only served to enhance her beauty. He liked a woman with curves. It gave him something to hold onto when he was…

No. Stop. He had to keep the salacious thoughts under control. Maybe later he could get her to leave him alone in the room long enough for him to take care of business.

When the constant motion of the cloth stopped, he opened his eyes. Gwen’s gaze raked across his chest before traveling lower. Her gaze dropped to his cock for a split second before she blinked and looked away.

She flicked her tongue out to wet her lips. “I’m sorry.”

“Why?” he murmured.

“I got… um… distracted.”

“I’m sorry too.”

“Why?”

He dropped his gaze to his fully erect cock. “I can’t help it.”

“Oh. That. It happens. Stimulation. Guys. They can’t control it. I mean, they can. But not always,” she stammered.

He reached for her hand and held it gently. “I can.”

“What?”

“Control it.”

She swallowed. “I know. You’re a good man. You’re not like…”

His heart ached for what she must have gone through with Zane. He quickly changed the subject. “I haven’t thanked you enough for what you’re doing for me. I know it’s hard.”

Oh, crap. Bad word choice.

She raised her eyebrows. “Really?”

“I’m sorry. That was totally not what I meant.” He tried to reign in his laughter but couldn’t. He burst out laughing.

She smirked. “Okay funny guy.”

He placed his palm across his face. He lowered it just enough so that she could see his eyes. “I really didn’t mean to say that.”

“It’s okay. Let’s just get the rest of this done.”

He nodded and dropped his hand to his side. “When this is all over and I’m back to my normal self, I’ll make it up to you.”

She smiled. “We’ll see.”

***

Gwen couldn’t stop grinning. She knew his slip of the tongue was unintentional, but it felt good to joke around with him. It helped keep her mind off of the fact that he was the first man she’d touched this intimately since the attack.

And what a body! She’d never seen such perfect muscle definition. Every inch of his tanned skin rippled with an undercurrent of power. In any other situation, she’d be terrified to be alone with a man this strong. But his kind eyes didn’t hold an ounce of aggression.

As she cleaned his thighs, she carefully avoided the thick, hot male part of himself that stood rigid and ready. She looked away. She didn’t think she could look at another man after what had happened to her. But Nosh, God, she liked looking at him. A lot. Maybe too much.

She worked swiftly to scrub his lower body then helped him roll onto his stomach. He groaned as he shifted. It couldn’t be very comfortable, but she wanted to get him as clean as possible. It would help him heal.

As she brushed the cloth across his broad shoulders, she sighed. What would her life be like right now if she hadn’t been alone in the woods that day? Would she be with her mate already? Would she have little pups splashing next to her when she bathed in the river?

Sadness crept into her heart. Those thoughts were for other women, normal women, women who hadn’t been ruined by violence. She wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. She was so sick of crying all the time. She refused to do it. Not today. She wanted to be happy, if only for a few hours.

When she’d washed every ounce of dirt from his body, she helped him roll over. He gazed up at her with smoky-topaz eyes. She could get lost in those eyes. They contained a soulfulness unlike any she’d ever seen. She wanted to get to know him. She couldn’t think of another wolf who had captured her attention the way he did.

“Thank you,” he murmured.

“You already thanked me.”

“I know, but I just want you to know how amazing you made me feel.”

“I’m glad I could help.”

She dunked the cloth in a bucket of water then tossed it into a pot over the fire. With each passing second, despondency seeped back into her soul. It wasn’t ever far away. What little flashes of happiness she’d had were always quickly replaced by sadness. It was as if she’d forgotten what it was like to be happy. And maybe she had.

“Hey, come over here for a second.” The gentle tone in Nosh’s voice stole her breath. She’d never had a man speak to her so reverently.

She washed her hands then went to sit on the edge of his bed. “What’s up?”

He slowly reached for her hand. “Are you okay?”

“Yes,” she lied as she fought back tears.

“If you want to talk about something, anything, I’m not going anywhere.”

She sniffed. “I’m fine.”

He rubbed the pad of his thumb across her knuckles. “You’re a very sweet, very brave woman. I know this can’t be easy for you.”

“It’s just hard…”

“There’s that word again,” he said with an impish grin.

She laughed softly, grateful that he’d broken the tension. “You don’t have to do this. You don’t have to be so nice to me.”

With his other hand, he lifted her chin up. “You deserve it.”

A magnetic attraction drew her gaze to his mouth. As his full, sensual lips parted, she leaned forward. He lifted up from the bed slowly, so slowly that she didn’t realize he’d been moving until their lips met. He gently squeezed her hand as he brushed a feather-light kiss across her lips.

Every inch of her body sighed at once. As she relaxed into the kiss, his other hand slid across her back. When he drew her closer, she pressed her chest against his. She never thought she’d feel this way again. Instead of terror, a sense of connection flowed through the places where their bodies touched. She hadn’t been this close to anyone in months. Stunned, she stiffened up.

He immediately released her. “Shh, I won’t hurt you.”

She lay her head against his chest. His steady heartbeat helped her relax.

“I don’t know why I did that,” she murmured.

He stroked her back but didn’t say anything. It was like he knew exactly when to talk and when to just let her be. Compassionate, considerate, gentle, he was the complete opposite of Zane. Even from the grave, that violent monster still haunted her. Nosh had no idea how broken she was on the inside. If he did, he never would have kissed her.

***

A few hours later, Nosh jolted awake. A high pitched keening emanated from the other side of the shadow-draped room. An ear-splitting scream followed. He sat up quickly and instantly regretted it. The room spun on its axis for a few seconds before he regained his equilibrium.