Drantos (VLG Series Book 1) (8 page)

The blue of his eyes darkened into near black, stopping her humor immediately as alarm spread throughout her body. It made him look evil.

“You aren’t part of the GarLycan clan. And it’s not something to make fun of. To be a VampLycan is an honor.”

“Couldn’t I be a fairy instead? They have sparkly magic dust and wings. I’d much rather you tell me I’m one of those.”

He sighed. “This is how you’re going to deal with what I’m telling you? Making smartass remarks?”

She nodded. “This is too messed up.”

“We’re trying to avoid a war, Dusti. You need to know what’s really going on.”

“Can you at least make your fantasy world make sense? According to you, you’re already at war with Vampires.”

“Vampires are no longer a threat. They’ve tried to come after us a few times over the years and we’ve slaughtered them. That war ended when they realized how strong we’d become.” He hesitated. “It’s a war between the clans we want to avoid right now. That’s the threat. Decker’s clan isn’t strong enough to take on everyone else. He’d lose unless he can force the GarLycans to his side. That’s why he can’t get his hands on your sister to use against us. He’ll hand her over to Aveoth so he’ll fight us too.”

“Why is Bat so important to this Aveoth? Why would he want her?”

“Aveoth was once promised your grandmother’s sister. She died before that could happen. He’ll want Bat because she’s a direct descendant of the woman who should have been his.”

“It sounds crazy. You
have
to see where I’m coming from.”

His gaze lowered to the neck of her blouse. “I know, and I’m sorry I had to be the one to tell you the truth, but I can prove it. I’m dominant and you aren’t.”

“You mean you’re stronger.”

He glanced up, his intense gaze meeting hers before he focused lower once more. “You’re part Lycan, even if it
is
very minimal. I can force it to the surface.”

She felt really uneasy over the way he studied her throat. She pushed against his chest again, futilely, unable to move his heavy bulk. He suddenly tucked his head, burying his face against her neck. She tensed.

“What are you doing?”

“Giving you proof. I'm going to show you how you react to someone else with Lycan bloodlines.” His lips brushed the skin under her earlobe and his hot breath warmed her neck. He growled low before his mouth parted. A wet tongue licked down the side and he nipped her shoulder.

Shock tore through Dusti as a jolt of awareness flashed through her body when his teeth nipped her. Oddly, it didn’t hurt, but it reminded her of the time she’d accidently touched a frayed cord plugged into the wall. A current of electricity zipped from where his mouth touched, all the way down to her toes. She gasped.

He released her skin then bit her again, harder, an inch closer to her throat. The second bite made her react even stronger. He didn't break skin but she wouldn't be surprised if it left marks.

A moan tore from her lips as her body writhed under his, sexual desire firing her blood. It confused and alarmed her. Her breasts ached painfully and her stomach muscles clenched. He nibbled and bit her again, causing her back to arch until she pressed tight against him.

His muscular legs parted, spreading her thighs. His hips settled more firmly until the hard ridge of his cock nudged her clit.

Dusti clawed at his shirt, horrified but unable to control the burning need he inspired. She wanted him inside her. She hurt.

He slowly rocked his hips, rubbing against her. He bit her neck again and then did it a little harder. Her hands slid up, the desire to touch his skin overwhelming. She located the back of his neck. Her fingernails dug into hot flesh, kneading it lightly, and her legs moved of their own accord, wrapping around the back of his thighs to draw him closer.

“Drantos,” Kraven interrupted softly. “Stop.”

A deep, harsh growl sounded against her ear and Drantos’s mouth released her. He breathed heavily and lifted his head.

Dusti was stunned and confused. Her eyes flew open to stare into his bright blue gaze again. His eyes were faintly glowing.

“Mind your own business, Kraven.” Drantos didn’t glance at his brother, instead holding Dusti’s gaze.

“You’re going to fuck her right in front of me and the humans near the fire? Think about that. There’s no privacy here.”

Frustration tightened Drantos’s features and he snarled softly, tearing his gaze away to glower in anger at his brother. “Thanks. I may have. She…affects me.”

“No kidding.” Kraven chuckled. “I think you showed her enough. Hell, you’ve shown
me
way too much. I never want to see you in action again.”

“How is her sister?”

“I ordered her to sleep. It was easy to do. She has no defenses. The Lycan is stronger in her than any Vampire traits she inherited.” Kraven sat up, drawing Dusti’s attention enough to make her turn her head just in time to see his grin. “Your way of dealing with yours looks more fun.”

“Painful, more like.” Drantos suddenly released Dusti and tried to lift his entire body off her, using with his hands on the ground, but her legs were still wrapped tightly around him. It prevented him from doing little more than separating their chests. “I’m so fucking hard I could break stone.”

Cold air got between their bodies, chilling Dusti instantly. She hated missing his heat and weight.

What the hell is wrong with me? How could I react to a stranger this way—and this strongly?

She didn’t voice her questions but it was tough to refrain. She blushed with embarrassment at how badly her body ached to have him finish what he’d started. Her nipples were hard and she felt soaked where her panties covered her sex. Her clit throbbed painfully.

She scrambled to unhook her legs to release him. He lowered his head and studied her face. He softly groaned. “You’re lucky I don’t throw you over my shoulder and take you out into the woods. I’d fuck you until we both couldn’t walk.”

“You’d break her.” Kraven chucked again. “She’s so weak-blooded the human is all I smell.”

Dusti stared up into Drantos’s fascinating blue eyes and couldn’t look away. Her heart pounded inside her chest as if it might burst through her rib cage. She wasn’t sure if he was doing that thing he could do, paralyzing her with a look, but she held still.

“She’d be a snack before a hearty meal.” Kraven snickered. “But you do look pretty hungry.”

Drantos moved, sliding his body down hers. His hips pressed against her thighs until they halted at her knees. He lowered his head, his hands bracing his weight, and caused Dusti to gasp when he pushed his nose between her breasts. He inhaled, groaned softly once more and moved lower, to her stomach. He growled deeply, sounding more animal than human. His head lifted and he met her gaze.

“She smells so damn good to me that I could totally feast on her.”

“Shit.” Kraven suddenly was there, gripping his brother’s forearm. “Get off.”

“I don’t want to.” Another soft sound came from Drantos and his face buried against Dusti’s stomach again, nuzzling her. He used his teeth to jerk up her shirt. He snarled when he exposed her bare navel and his tongue darted out to lick her sensitive skin. Pleasure at that mere touch had Dusti arching her back to press her stomach tighter against his face.

Kraven cursed softly—and then Drantos was torn away from her body. Dusti’s eyes snapped open.

Both men ended up on their knees feet from her, nearly nose to nose, gripping each other’s forearms tightly. If she didn’t know better she’d think they were about to wrestle.

“Control yourself.” Kraven’s words were barely discernible with his snarling tone. “You’re using Lycan hormones to turn her on.”

“I want her!” Drantos’s voice came out so deep it didn’t sound human.

Kraven’s tan face paled. “You aren’t being rational. Drantos…you know what this means, don’t you? You poor bastard.”

“I do.” Drantos’s gaze left his brother to focus once more on Dusti.

“
No
.” Kraven shook his brother. “It’s just the stress. She’s weak and you’ve been protecting her. Your body and head are all screwed up. That’s all it is. You’re confused.”

Dusti trembled. Her body throbbed with need unlike anything she’d ever experienced before. She could identify the source though—and what she craved was Drantos.

Half of her wanted to crawl over to him just to touch him again, while the rational, sane side wished Bat wasn’t part of the equation so she could flee into the woods. She’d rather take her chances out in the wilderness with whatever unknown dangers lie in wait in the darkness, rather than continue spending time with the man who did things to her that shook her to the very core of her soul.

Drantos continued to watch her with his unsettling, intense gaze. Kraven held on to him and forever seemed to pass before they broke apart. Kraven stayed between her and Drantos, though, and studied his brother closely.

“Better? Are you under control now?”

“Yes.”

“You keep mine warm and I’ll hold yours for the night. The last thing you need is to touch her again.”

Rage darkened Drantos’s features while he glared at his brother. “Don’t touch her! She’s
mine
.”

“You can’t claim her! Not now and not here, anyway. And don’t attack me.”

“Don’t touch her then.” Drantos growled deep in a threatening tone. “I won’t be able to handle it.”

“Fair enough.” Kraven gave a sharp nod. “Oh man. This is fucked. You just
had
to taste her, didn’t you? Did you ever think that now might not have been a good time to do that? That maybe it could be dangerous if she were the one?”

“It never crossed my mind.” Drantos’s voice seemed to grow less deep, returning to a more normal level. “I had no inkling of it.”

“Her scent didn’t arouse you?”

“Any attractive woman would do that to me.”

“Maybe it’s the stress, as I said. And you’ve had to stay too close to keep an eye on her.”

“No.” Fury darkened Drantos’s features again. “I’m sure. She’s the one. As soon as I scented her arousal it became clear. I should have known when I tasted her to see what her bloodlines were. It affected me so strongly even though I only took a few drops.”

“Fuck.” Kraven ran his fingers through his messed-up spiky hair and turned his head to stare at the survivors around the fire. “We’ve drawn a little attention. Two of the humans are watching us.” His voice lowered and he smiled. “Sit your big ass down and look happy.”

“We need to go
now
.” Drantos sat.

“I need some sleep first. We’re going to have to haul them through the woods at a fast pace.”

“We leave now. I can’t sleep with her, and I’m going to be on you in a heartbeat if you touch her. I feel fiercely protective. I’d fight you, Kraven. They can’t produce enough body heat not to freeze during the night unless we put them closer to the fire and the other crash victims. There are a few men who might set me off if they pay any attention to Dusti. Let’s just move out. We’ll carry them to keep them warm with our body heat.”

“We need some
sleep
first, brother. Try to be rational. Think.”

Drantos took a few deep breaths. “I’m in control now.”

“Bullshit. You just want to touch her again, and you won’t make it fifty feet without fucking her in your current condition.” Kraven turned his head to shoot Dusti a glare. “Curl up with your sister. Don’t try to wake her. Are we clear? You can keep each other warm and I can get some sleep before we have to hike out of here.”

Dusti trembled hard. Confusion and alarm held her immobile. Her body still ached so badly it had become a deep physical pain. She tore her gaze from Kraven to stare at Drantos. She fought the desperate need she still felt to crawl to him. Her turned-on body longed to touch him and even climb onto his lap. She fought the urge hard as her nipples tightened painfully and she fisted her hands to avoid reaching out to him.

His gaze locked with hers and he softly growled.

Kraven suddenly moved between them to break their eye contact. “Damn it! Okay. Give me a minute to think.”

“I want,” Drantos softly rumbled. “Bad.”

“No shit. You’re about to bust your zipper and I’m really going to mental hell for noticing that. I can smell the damn lust; it’s so thick I’m about to choke on it. Take a walk and have some private time to deal with your issue. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but you and your hand need to get busy to prevent you from putting on a free porn show for everyone. That will curb some of your lust for now. You can’t touch her, Drantos. You know what will happen when you do. The last thing you’re going to want is to let her go once you’ve had her, and we need to get them to safety first. We don’t have a few days for you to create a bond.”

“Fuck,” Drantos cursed.

Dusti watched him stand. He refused to meet her gaze before he spun around to stomp out into the woods. She whimpered the second she lost sight of him. The reaction scared her, and worse, made her certain she had lost her mind.

Maybe someone had slipped her drugs. Maybe that iron shot Bat had given her had been defective and she was experiencing some freaky hyper-aphrodisiac reaction.