Fated Desire: A Paranormal Romance Novel (The Twisted Destiny Saga Book 1) (6 page)

CHAPTER 10

Cora opened her eyes and found herself in an unfamiliar room. Dirtied brick walls. No furniture. A concrete floor and the stench of mould. Where the hell was she?

She tried to move, only to find herself restrained. Both her wrists and ankles were secured to the wall behind her with metal cuffs.

“Is this what we must do, princess?” Luca’s voice echoed around the empty room suddenly.

She gasped as he appeared before her. He stood barely an inch from her and his eyes wandered all over her body.

He leaned into her and licked her neck, making her shudder. “The more I taste you, the sweeter you are.”

“Stop this, Luca,” she said, fighting against her restraints.

“I can’t, my princess. We must bond.”

“No,” she said, seething.

“It is your destiny.”

“I don’t believe in destiny.”

He gripped her hair roughly and jerked her towards him, forcing her mouth to his. She struggled and tried to turn away, but he was too strong and he made her accept his ruthless kiss. “I will make you accept it, accept me. You are to be my bride. I will take you as mine either way. You can give yourself to me freely, or I can simply take what is mine. Your choice, princess.”

He slipped his hands underneath her tank top and squeezed her breasts roughly. “If you give yourself to me freely, I will be gentle. Given your inexperience, that will be best for you. But, if you continue to deny me, I will fuck you fiercely and ruthlessly. And I can go for hours, Cora. You will not like that option, believe me.”

Her eyes narrowed, boring into his with fury. “You forget that I am not human. According to your books, I possess no human blood whatsoever. You think you can hurt me?”

He gripped either side of her face, his fingertips digging into her cheeks as he snarled, “Yes.”

She watched as he let his demon rise to the surface. His features contorted and he dropped his fangs. She felt his claws digging into her jeans. He raked them slowly up her thighs, eliciting a pained grunt from her as he shredded her pants and skin alike, drawing blood.

She clenched her teeth to keep from crying out. She wasn’t prepared to give him the satisfaction.

“Had enough?” he asked. “Freely, or by force? Pleasure, or pain?”

“I’m beginning to understand a few things, Luca,” she said, holding his gaze.

“Like what, my princess?” he asked, misinterpreting her words to mean something in his favor, she suspected.

Her eyes grew cold as she said, “My power.”

Before he could respond, she ripped both her hands free from the cuffs binding her to the wall. Her right hand shot out and wrapped around his neck. She threw him back viciously and he skidded across the rough, concrete floor. He gazed up at her in shock.

“Don’t force your way into my dreams again!”

Cora’s eyes snapped open and she shot up in bed. Her heart was thumping in her chest. She was sweating. It took her a moment to collect herself.
Shit, that was intense. That son of a bitch thinks he can push me around? He doesn’t know who he’s dealing with. I am not one of his vamp sluts. How dare he?

She threw the covers aside. And that was when she realized that she was wearing nothing but a black, silk robe.
He undressed me?
Incensed, she climbed out of the king-sized bed and scanned the room quickly. She spotted the ensuite bathroom over on the other side of the room.
Good, I can finally take a damned shower. It’s been too long. I feel gross.

She walked into the bathroom, trying to ignore how gorgeous it was and forcing herself to focus on how pissed she was at being forced to stay in the mansion. She pulled the shower curtain aside and turned on the shower, making sure it was nice and hot. Just the way she liked it. She shed her robe and climbed in. She let the water soothe her as she tried to force away memories of that awful dream with Luca.

“I’m happy that you’re taking a shower,” a voice boomed over the sound of the running water.

She almost jumped out of her skin at the sudden, unexpected intrusion.
Luca.

“I could smell wolf all over you when I put you to bed earlier,” he continued.

“Earlier? How much earlier? How long did you make that vamp force me to sleep for?”

“A day and a half.”

“What?” she snapped.

“You needed to calm down.”

Suddenly, something occurred to her. “You had another vampire compel me? Then you can’t do it yourself?”

“No.”

“Why not?” she asked, surprised.

“I don’t know. You…block me.”

So he’s tried then? What an asshole. How dare he?
“Get out,” she ordered.

He ignored her and continued his earlier tirade. “The stench of wolf—especially an Alpha—is very difficult to get out.”

“Then you should keep your distance.”

“Stop denying me. You wanted me in the first dream
and
in the alley that night. What has changed, my princess?”

“I know who you really are now.”

He released a heavy sigh, clearly trying to summon his patience. “I am not used to this.

“To what?”

“A woman denying me. You are very difficult.”

“You can’t just take what you want. I am not your property. I barely know you.”

“You barely know Ryan either, yet you were more than willing to give yourself to him. I saw it with my own eyes.”

“He had my permission. You didn’t.
And
you threatened me with your demon a few moments ago.”

“I was testing you, to see how you would react.”

“I don’t take kindly to manipulation.”

“You are my bride!” he thundered.

“Pass me a towel!” she bellowed back, matching his volume.

“What?” he asked, confused.

“Pass. Me. A. Towel,” she said as she turned off the shower.

She heard him moving around outside the shower. A second later, a towel was thrust at her. She snatched it from his grip and hurriedly cover her nakedness. As she stepped out of the shower she eyed him and demanded, “Where are my clothes?”

“You do not need them.”

“Luca.”

He turned away from her and stormed out of the bathroom. She followed him out and watched as he opened the doors to a massive walk-in closet.

“While you are here, you will wear the clothes in here.”

She glanced at the clothes inside. All dresses. All incredibly sexy and revealing. Definitely not her style at all. He wanted her to dress like the whores she’d seen downstairs?

“I don’t fucking think so.”

He took an angry step towards her as he said, “You have a dirty mouth on you, just like my brother. I don’t like it, Cora.”

“I don’t care what you like. And I’m not wearing any of those.”

“Then you will wear that then,” he said, gesturing to her towel. “Or nothing at all.”

Before she could respond, he stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him.

“I hate you!” she screamed.

It took her several moments to calm down. She approached the closet and perused her limited choices. She had to put something on until she could find her own clothes. She couldn’t very well walk about in a towel, could she?
Asshole.

She pulled out a purple corset dress with white lace around the waist and across the top of the bust. She turned it around and was relieved to see that there was a zipper. Good, because she had no idea what to do with the lace-up ones. She shed her towel and put it on quickly. She crossed to a chest of drawers nearby, praying that there would be underwear inside. No bras, just panties. All thongs. She snatched up a purple one that matched her dress and slipped it on. Then she returned to the closet and searched for some shoes.
For Christ’s sake, all heels. No boots whatsoever.
She pulled out a pair of white sandals—the shoes with the smallest heel. Three inches. She cursed and reluctantly slid her feet inside them.

Time to do some recon in this place and figure out an escape plan.

#

“Harder, Vivian,” Luca growled to the sexy vampire who had her arms wrapped around his shoulders, her fangs buried deep in his neck.

He moaned in pleasure as she sank them deeper still, giving him the bite of pain that he relished. He gripped the hips of another—a sexy redhead whose name he couldn’t recall—and drove her down harder on his cock.

“Ride me, baby. Just like that,” he commanded.

He released her hips and let the demon rise to the surface. He flashed his fangs at her and she shrieked with anticipation. He scraped a claw along the flesh of her right breast, drawing blood. And then he buried his fangs in the wound. She screamed in ecstasy. He drew her blood into his mouth, sucking hard and deep, taking as much as he desired. He groaned with pleasure as he felt the rush of her orgasm ripple through her blood.

A sudden sensation shot through him and he ripped his fangs out of her and eyed the door.

To his shock,
she
stood there, her eyes wide as she took in the scene in front of her.

“Cora! No!” he yelled as he watched her run away.

He lifted the redhead off him and gripped Vivian’s hair, ripping her fangs from his neck.

“Out!” he ordered them.

He snatched his black linen pants off the floor and hurriedly pulled them on.

And then he was out the door.

He sniffed the air, drawing Cora’s scent to him. And then he spun to the right and followed her in a burst of vampire speed. She was approaching the lobby, trying to escape, no doubt. He turned the corner and there she was, struggling to run in the floor-length, purple dress that she had on. He spotted her heels flung on the floor. She’d obviously discarded them so she could run faster. She was barefoot running through the mansion.

“Stop, Cora!” he called out.

She didn’t listen. Did she really think she could outrun him? A vampire? He cut her off and she started as he suddenly stood before her, forcing her to come to a sudden stop.

“I was feeding,” he told her. “You know what I am.”

Her gaze raked over him. His own blood was oozing from the messy puncture wounds in his neck and dripping down his naked chest. And to top it off, there was the unmistakable sight of his erection barely concealed beneath his thin pants. Yeah, he wasn’t exactly presenting himself in the best way to her in that moment. Her eyes narrowed with disgust as she said, “I will
never
forget what you are.”

Her words struck a nerve and he shot out his hand and gripped her right arm roughly, jerking her towards him. “I am the Vampire Prince. You must address me with respect.”

“Why? I’m not one of them. I’m not part of your
nest
.”

Nest?
It incensed him that she was using Ryan’s terminology. The two of them were so alike. He hated it. He was determined to remedy it. And he would succeed. Just like he succeeded with everything he did.

“You are
mine
and you will show me respect.”

“No!” she yelled.

He bared his fangs and snarled at her, “That is it. Tonight we bond. No more waiting.”

And with that, he tightened his grip on her arm and dragged her behind him, back down the hall towards his bedroom. They were almost there when he felt a painful tingle in his hand that gripped hers. Within seconds it became searing. Unbearable. He cursed and released her.

He spun around to see her palm afire with a silver glow. But this time it was different. Her pupils were dilated. White. Pure white.
What is happening?

A powerful gust of wind ripped through the corridor. He watched as her other palm started to glow the same blinding silver. The wind encircled her rapidly, like a hurricane, right there in the middle of his mansion. He stumbled back to avoid it. She thrust her left palm behind her and the entrance doors flew open with such power that they almost ripped off their hinges.

“Stop!” he ordered her.

But she was lost to the magic. He wasn’t even sure if she’d actually heard him.

She brought her palms together in a gesture akin to a prayer. A shimmering film surrounded her entire body. And then she turned on her heel and strode towards the entrance.

“Stop her!” Luca bellowed.

His guards arrived within moments at the sound of his irate call. They rushed her, attempting to reach for her and stop her. But the shield surrounding her deflected their assault and it blew them back several feet.

He watched helplessly as she walked through the doors and out into the dark night.

CHAPTER 11

Josh sat slumped in a chair in what passed for a living room of sorts in the military compound. It was a former military base that had been abandoned by the humans decades ago. When Ryan had become Alpha, he’d commandeered it as a place of sanctuary for the pack in times of need. They’d taken up residence there twice over the last five years due to threats from various supes. Once was against a rival wolf pack that they had since annihilated. And the other time was due to Luca, the Vampire Prince, on that infamous day when he had betrayed Ryan, his brother. And, right now, was the third time.

He sipped at the glass of scotch in his hand. The pack was asleep, aside from the four guarding the base—two at the front and two at the rear. They were all exhausted from their exploits during the full moon last night.

But Josh couldn’t sleep. Not until Ryan returned. He’d left an hour ago to seek out the witch who he hoped could help him free his newfound mate from Luca’s clutches. He’d insisted on going alone, not wanting to put the pack in jeopardy.

Josh reached for his phone, about to call him to check in again, when he was stopped by the sound of howls coming from the front entrance. He sprang from the chair and hurried out of the room and into the small lobby. He heaved open the heavy titanium doors and looked out at the fenced-in courtyard. Bryan and Steve stood at the gates, growling at something, or someone. He hurried down the steps towards the gates.

He pushed the boys aside and was stunned by who he saw standing there.

Ryan’s girl. Cora.

“Is Ryan here?”

Her tone was demanding, commanding even. He smiled to himself. So much like Ryan. He couldn’t resist having a little fun with her.

“What makes you assume that?”

“I can smell him,” she answered.

Josh was startled.
What? She isn’t wolf. How can she recognize his scent?
He eyed Bryan and Steve and saw the same stunned expressions on their faces. He stepped closer to her and sniffed her. And there it was. Faint, but unmistakable: Ryan’s scent on her. All over her.

“Open the gates,” he ordered the boys.

They responded instantly to his command and pulled back the gates to allow her through.

“Thanks,” she said as she passed through, into the compound.

Josh watched her limp through and noticed the grimace on her face as she did so. “Are you wounded?” he asked worriedly.
Shit, she better not be or Ryan will lose it.

She shook her head. “No. I walked here,” she said, gesturing to her feet.

He followed her gaze and saw, to his surprise, that she was barefoot. Her feet were bruised and bloody. “No shoes?”

“I was in a hurry to leave. He took my clothes…there were just heels…I couldn’t…they’re not my thing,” she rambled.

It was clear that she was in a state—physically and mentally.
What the hell did that bloodsucker do to her?
He reached for her and swept her up in his arms. He felt her protests immediately and told her, “Ryan will kill me if he finds out I let you walk around here with your feet like that.”

His mention of Ryan had a soothing effect on her and she calmed right down. He carried her towards the compound entrance.

“Where is he?” she asked.

“He’s out. I’ll give him a call once we get inside.”

#

Ryan burst into the room to find Cora lying on the couch talking with Josh, who sat in a chair beside her. They were both drinking scotch and having what seemed to pass for a civilized conversation. Quite a surprise, given Josh’s normal attitude around women. Calling him an asshole in that respect would be generous. Ryan’s eyes raked over Cora and he started in surprise. She was wearing a dress that was ripped in several places, no doubt from her journey to get to him. She had to pass through a forest to reach the base from Luca’s place. And he noticed her feet. They were bandaged now. When Josh had called him, he’d told him all about it.
She’d walked all the way? Damn, she’s a tough little thing.

They both turned to him as he strode into the room. He nodded at Josh. And then he turned to Cora. “Hey,” he said, smiling as he approached the couch.

“Hey there,” she returned in a drunken drawl.

Christ, she’s smashed.
“A little drunk there, darlin’?” he asked with amusement.

“No. I’ve only had a couple of glasses.”

Ryan eyed Josh. He held up four fingers. Ryan shook his head with disbelief. He perched on the arm of the couch beside her head and, deciding to play along, asked, “Two, huh?”

She grinned mischievously and let out a small laugh.

“How did you get out of there?” he asked gently, laying his hands on her shoulders. He’d been out searching for his former flame, Shaye. She was a powerful witch and if anyone could have broken through Luca’s magic, it would have been her. But he hadn’t even had the chance to pick up her scent when Josh had called him and told him that Cora had escaped on her own and had come looking for him at the compound.

“I blasted my way out.”

“What?”

She craned her neck to look at him. Her eyes were wide with wonder as she said, “With magic.”

“I didn’t think you could control it.”

She shrugged her shoulders. “It just happened. I got upset. Scared.”

“Scared?” he growled.

“Ry,” Josh cautioned.

Ryan drew in a calming breath and forced himself to ask calmly, “He hurt you?”

She shook her head. “I stopped him.”

He drew back from her and clenched his fists in fury.
What the hell did that mean? Stopped him from doing what? What the fuck was he trying to do to her that had scared her so much?

She shifted on the couch, moving into a sitting position and eyeing him worriedly through intoxicated, glazed eyes. “You’re mad at me?”

He shook his head sadly and said, “No, sweetheart. Not at you.”

She smiled back and then she suddenly lunged at him. She flung her arms around his neck and tried to pull him down onto the couch with her. When she failed to do so, her hands slipped under his ribbed t-shirt and slid up his chest.

“Time for bed,” he said, stopping her sensual assault by sweeping her off the couch. “Get some sleep,” he called over his shoulder to Josh as he carried Cora out of the room.

He strode down the corridor until he came to the last door. His room. He kicked it open and stepped inside. He adjusted her weight in his arms, freeing one so he could shut it. And then he carried her over to the bed. He dropped her on it and she shrieked excitedly.

“Shh,” he told her. “Don’t wake the boys, or I’ll have to fight to stop an orgy from happening here. They’re not used to a woman being on base.”

“Wolves listen to their Alpha,” she responded, chuckling to herself.

He smiled and turned away. He crossed to a chest of drawers in the corner and quickly pulled out one of his gray t-shirts. He threw it to her and said, “Put that on.”

“Okay,” she murmured without the slightest protest.

But then he watched her hold it to her face, rather than making any attempt to actually put it on. “What are you doing?”

“Smelling you.”

“I’m right here, darlin’,” he told her as he shook off his leather jacket and quickly shed his t-shirt as well.

“You smell…manly.”

“I hope so,” he said as he shed his jeans. “Now put on the shirt and go to sleep,” he ordered as he approached the bed. He watched warily as her gaze raked over him, drinking in the sight of him in nothing but a white wife-beater and a pair of boxers.
Uh oh. Please don’t come on to me. I don’t know if I can hold back. That last time was fucking intense. But I can’t take her drunk like this. Any other woman, sure. But not her—not my mate. It’s not how things are done.

To his relief, she looked away. He sighed inwardly with relief. He climbed into bed and settled himself under the covers. He was just about to close his eyes when he heard little grunts of frustration coming from her. His gaze snapped to hers and he saw that she was struggling with the zipper of that damned dress. The fucking thing didn’t suit her. It wasn’t her. He hated it on her.

And with that in mind, he reached for it and tugged, ripping it from her body. She gasped in surprise.

“Better?” he asked as he drew back and looked away to avoid the sight of her gorgeous tits that had just solidified his hard-on from just a brief glimpse of them.
Shit.

“Thanks,” she said in a shy voice.

He felt her fidgeting for several moments. And then she let out a satisfied sigh and he heard her head hit the pillow. “Is the shirt on?” he asked warily.

“Yeah. And that aggravating thong is gone. Finally.”

Thong?
He turned to her. “What kind?” he found himself asking.

“Lace. A lilac color, like the dress.”

Fuck me. Lace? That’s hot.

“I’m not wearing anything under this shirt now,” she said, sidling closer to him.

He swallowed hard. “Really?”

“Yep,” she said, winking at him.

He shook his head with disbelief. “My God, woman. You are drunk beyond belief.”

He looked into her eyes and he was surprised to see that they weren’t glowing like the last time they had been this close. She was turned on, that much was clear. But her eyes were telling him that sex wasn’t what she wanted—what she needed. It was something else.

“Ryan,” her silky smooth voice called to him.

He looked at her, confused by what she wanted from him.

And then she held her arms out.

What? She wants me to…hold her?
He hesitated, unfamiliar with such an intimate request. He wasn’t that guy. At least he never had been. It was hard and fast all the way with the women he’d taken to his bed in the past.

But as he looked into her eyes, he knew he couldn’t deny her.

He drew her to him, wrapping his arms around her, her back to his front. A tiny cry of surprise escaped her. He grinned, knowing she could feel his cock pressing into her ass.

“You’re—”

“Hard for you? Of course, darlin’. Deal with it.”
Because somehow I am.

She murmured in agreement and he felt her relax against him.

“Sleep now,” he told her gently as he stroked her soft, black hair.