Lords of the Were (2 page)

Allie wanted to object, but when the man’s strong hand rubbed that slick sign over her belly, her insides turned to molten lava. Her very womb quivered and a sultry dampness seeped from deep within. The aroma of her desire was pungent in the air and both men inhaled strongly, pleased expressions entering their eyes as they looked down at her, long and hard.

That wasn’t the only thing that was long and hard, either. She could see them both clearly as they stepped back from the altar. Both men were built on the large side of gorgeous with long, thick cocks that under other circumstances probably would have made her gasp with appreciation. As it stood, her vocal chords seemed to be frozen, and she

was still completely immobilized on the altar. The only things she could move were her eyes.

Betina came back into her line of vision and took up a new chant.

The men joined her after the first section and the deep timbres of their voices sent warm shivers of appreciation down her spine. Both men watched her, eying her body and meeting her gaze with not one shred of timidity. These were alpha males, she realized, strong in their own masculinity and truly appreciative of all that was feminine.

Betina spoke more but Allie heard very little, consumed as she was by the men who watched her so closely. At one point Betina placed her hand over Allie’s eyes, forcing them closed and a lightness entered her body, seeping up from the stone of the altar, making her feel freer and more powerful than she ever had before. As the sensation faded, Betina removed her hand and Allie suddenly realized she could move again. She turned her head first, taking stock of the clearing.

The men were gone, but two huge wolves stood waiting, one on either side of the altar where she had last seen the men.

“Rise, Allesandra, newest priestess of the Lady.” Betina’s words prompted her to sit up. Allie had to steady herself by grabbing the edges of the stone as she swung her legs down to one side.

She was a little dizzy, but otherwise felt great. To be certain, she felt different than she had before the ceremony, but she didn’t quite understand what had changed. Betina would explain it all to her, she knew, given time.

Betina walked to the head of the stone slab and motioned for Allie to stand at the foot. After one false start due to her still spinning senses, Allie took her position, noting the wolves stayed one on either side, watching all. They were massive beasts, larger than she thought any wild wolf would be, though she’d never seen one in the flesh before.

As her stance steadied, the wolves watched, their eyes never leaving her. It made her nervous, but she still had a bit of the residual power from the altar running through her system so nothing bothered her too much. Her thinking was somehow accelerated and softened at the same time. One part of her mind realized she should be far more nervous about the wild creatures watching her so hungrily, but the part of her mind that seemed to be in charge at the moment thought nothing of it. It was like some new entity that was far wiser than Allie had taken up residence in her mind and was influencing her thoughts.

“Sister Allesandra, would you perform the blessing?” Betina requested.

Allie knew the words and motions to the ritual blessing. It had been one of the first things Betina taught her, but the form of address was new. Betina had never called her “sister” before, though she’d referred to Allie’s mother and a few other priestesses that way.

Allie nodded and raised her arms skyward, palms up and open as she breathed deeply, seeking her center and focusing her energy. It was easier than it had ever been before and she actually felt the energy flowing through her. For the first time she felt she was truly a vessel—a tool of the Lady—the way Betina had told her it would be. Closing her eyes, Allie briefly savored the sensation, entertaining rainbows of light behind her eyelids. When her eyes opened, the rainbows were still there, only they were shooting strongly from her raised arms through the circle and out into the trees beyond, touching the woodland creatures that had gathered to bear witness to her ceremony.

At once a great howl went up from the wolves still in the clearing, to be echoed by their friends deeper in the woods. Coyotes yowled, bears growled and big cats roared and screeched. Owls hooted and raptors cried, raising their voices with their brethren in a cacophony of sound

that lasted only a few minutes while the rainbows of light from her hands touched them all.

Allie’s eyes widened in wonder as she completed the motions of the blessing, watching the rainbow sparks dissipate and scatter. The older woman was grinning from ear to ear, her hands clasped together in front of her heart in an expression of joy.

“Let the were bear witness to this young priestess’ gift and spread the word to all your brethren. Lilias is reborn in her daughter. She must be protected.”

Oddly then, the wolves bowed to Betina, stretching forward on their front legs and lowering their sleek heads, though their gazes remained fixed on the older woman. Betina bowed her head to them as well, then they rose and moved toward Allie. She took a quick step back in alarm as the huge creatures closed in on her, but something inside said to stand her ground. Both wolves stopped—one on each side of her nude body.

The beasts were so large they came up past her waist, and she thought once again these wolves were much larger than she thought they’d be.

They reached forward with their muzzles at the same time, licking her hands and moving forward to brush her bare thighs, waist, and arms with their soft fur, licking and stroking her with their rough tongues. She giggled when they both hit ticklish spots on her abdomen and suddenly she felt the joy in their wildness and saw the humor in their dark, dancing eyes. She stroked them with her hands and even bent forward to kiss one on the nose. She yelped as the other wolf chose that moment to lick his wet tongue over one of her nipples and just that quickly, she found herself remembering those twin men whose touches had so aroused her while she’d been stuck to that altar. Could they have been only a dream?

The wolves caressed her just once more, then both bounded off into the woods, yipping to their companions to follow suit. One by one the

watching wild animals left the perimeter of the trees, though not all of them left. Some stayed behind to watch and guard. Or at least, that’s the impression she got, though why she should think that, she had no real idea.

Betina walked up to her and handed Allie the robe she’d discarded earlier. Donning it quickly, she saw the older woman was already dressed. The robes were simple, but of fine material that shimmered softly in the full moon’s light. Betina had said being consecrated on a full moon was essential and the fact that this year the full moon fell on Halloween, which also happened to be the day of Allie’s birth, was a very good omen. Allie turned back to her new mentor.

“Did I do everything right?” Allie asked, somewhat nervous of her performance. Strange things had happened and though at the time everything seemed somewhat hazy, she was slowly beginning to feel more like her normal self and questioning the incredible events of the past hour.

Betina smiled gently as she took Allie by the arm and started back through the trees once more, away from the circle. Allie noticed they weren’t going back the way they’d come and raised her eyebrow toward the older woman.

“You were terrific, kid. Perfect, in fact. And yes, we’re stopping off somewhere else before we head back to the car. We’ve been invited to a celebration of sorts and you’re the guest of honor.”

“Another surprise?” Allie asked with a bit of teasing admonition.

Betina shrugged and linked her arm through Allie’s. “You know I would never allow you to come to any harm. I didn’t tell you about the twins’ part in the ceremony because frankly I wasn’t sure they’d come.

It’s a compliment to you that they did.” Allie stopped short and faced the other woman. “You mean they were real? I almost thought I was hallucinating or something.”

Betina’s laughter sounded through the misty woods. “Yes, they are quite dreamy, aren’t they? But I assure you they’re real and they were there, and their presence helped establish your rightful place.”

“My rightful place in what?”

“In the world, my little chick. You are on the verge of learning there is much more to the heavens and earth than you have so far believed.” They started walking again and Betina took Allie’s arm once more. “We’ll continue your training, but now you’ll also have other teachers. Ones you never would have expected.”

“Those two men?”

Betina’s smile was almost sinful. “Oh, yes. Among others. But by appearing tonight, they’ve agreed to my requests. They’ll help in your education so you can eventually take your mother’s place.”

“What did my mother do? I mean, what’s expected of me?”

“All in good time.” Betina patted her hand. “But just know that it’s nothing more than you can handle, and you’ll have guides and protectors all along your path. There is some danger to you, now that you’re embracing your power, but the danger was always there, just under the surface. The only thing that’s kept you safe thus far is the fact that you lived in the city and were well hidden. The minute you moved out here, both sides in our struggle became aware of your presence. Our side, the side of light, wants only to protect you, while the others…well, let’s just say they don’t have your best interests at heart.” Allie was growing alarmed. “But not to worry, even now our protectors move with us through these woods and like me, now you will never walk alone.”

“You have guards with you at all times?” Betina laughed. “Something like that, but it’s not the intrusive imposition you’re imagining. I am merely cared for and looked after by good folk who would help should evil come upon me. I’m perfectly able to

defend myself, but it never hurts to have a helping hand and an extra pair of eyes keeping watch over an old lady.”

“You’re not old,” Allie laughed though the subject was making her wary.

“Little chick, I’ll tell you a secret. I was already old when your mother was my student. Such is the power of the Lady we serve. Had she lived, your mother would look much as you do now. Once consecrated, we do not age as others. The Lady preserves our lives as long as She needs us here to do Her work. Judging by the omens of both your birth and now your consecration, I’d say you’ll have many years ahead to do Her work.” They walked in silence for a bit, though Allie’s mind spun with questions and the things she’d experienced so far that dark Halloween night. After a while she became aware of the soft padding of paws on either side as they made their way through the trees. Once she caught sight of what she thought were the glowing eyes of a big mountain cat, but she couldn’t be sure. One thing was certain though, there were big animals walking alongside them, but their presence didn’t feel threatening. No, they felt protective more than anything, and for a city girl that was a big leap. She wasn’t used to animals of any size dogging her steps and the fact that she was feeling cosseted by the big predators’

presence in these dark woods was somewhat alarming.

Allie knew she was much more comfortable with the events of the night than she should be. In another part of her mind though, she felt the rightness of what had happened. It was as if part of her that had been dormant was now awakening and it knew these events were right and good. It was just a gut feeling, but it reassured her.

Before too long, soft yellow light peeped through the dense trees as they approached a small house that backed up right into the forest.

Light, laughter and music flowed from the house and the voices of many people spilled forth into the night in welcoming harmony.

“Is that a Halloween party?”

Betina’s mischievous smile extended to her eyes. “Of sorts. It’s a bit of a housewarming party too, to welcome you to the neighborhood.”

“But I live down the mountain, in town.” Allie was confused.

Betina wrinkled her nose. “Yes, in that stuffy little apartment. I know.

But if you like this house, it’s yours. Rent free.”

“What?” Allie stopped short as they stepped from the last of the trees into the cozy backyard of the inviting little house. “Why?” Betina pulled her forward. “The twins own this land and the house.

By showing up tonight I knew they were agreeing to let you live here. It’s part of what I discussed with them a while back.” Betina let go of Allie’s arm and held her hands out to enjoy the night breeze. “This is a beautiful spot to live and you’ll be safe here, Allie, while you learn how to use your gifts. Plus, it’s quiet, so you’ll be able to work without disturbance.” Allie often complained about the noise from her neighbors in the small house she shared. She was a city girl, true, but somehow these people were even noisier than all of Manhattan Island when she wanted to get some work done.

A change of scene would be nice. She looked at the light spilling invitingly from the snug dwelling. But could she really take advantage of such kindness from total strangers? Allie was an independent woman and a planner. She’d saved up long and hard to finance her escape from the city. She had money to pay her way and pride demanded she do so.

“I’d like to get out of that apartment, but I won’t mooch off people I don’t know.”

“How about people you do know then?”

The masculine voice from behind had Allie whirling to face the woods.

From out of the low hanging branches stepped one of the men who’d taken part in her ceremony, mercifully dressed this time—though the top button on his jeans was undone and his shirt hung open in a way that

made heat rise right up from her toes to the top of her head. The man was hot!

Betina laughed at Allie’s reaction, stepping forward to hug the man, dwarfed by his huge size.

“Thank you, Rafe. I was worried there for a minute that you and that twin of yours were going to be stubborn.” The man she called Rafe set the smaller woman away from him with a fond smile. “Now you know we had to go through the motions on our end, m’lady. We had to do this the right way. And I’m Tim.” Betina gasped. “Oh, I’m sorry, Timothy. I thought I’d finally gotten over not being able to tell you two apart. Forgive me.”