Once Bitten (8 page)

Kaleb
nodded in agreement. “They’d have a much harder time trying to track you if the
signals you send out are weak and spread out, rather than having one large
beacon which would bring them here like a homing device.”

“You
spoke of a council before,” Lila said to Gabriel. “Why don’t they do anything
about the warlocks?”

Declan
laughed cynically and answered for Gabriel. “The Council? They’re weak and divided.
My father sits on the council as the werewolf faction leader and he’s had no
luck bringing the other leaders together to form any kind of unified front
against them. Warlocks are manipulative and power hungry. Dis, their leader,
plays them for fools, spewing out nothing but lies in order to keep them
pacified. The Council spends so much time worrying about being exposed to
humans that they don’t see the threat amongst them.”

Declan’s
declaration left the room in silence as the women processed what he said. There
was no higher-up who would be willing to help them, especially if they found
out the women that they were protecting were human. They were on their own.

“I’m
going to stay here with Lila,” Gabriel said, breaking the silence. He focused
on the other four people in the room who were awaiting a decision. “Beth will
go with Kaleb and Declan will take Natalie.”

Beth
looked like she wanted to protest, but remained silent. Lila assumed she was
having a difficult time wrapping her mind around what happened to Andrea. It
would be especially hard for Beth to cope with their situation since Beth didn’t
like having to rely on anyone for anything. Lila worried now that Beth having
to put her safety in the hands of a werewolf she barely knew was going to rub
her the wrong way.

* * * *

Gabriel
went outside with Kaleb and Declan a few minutes later in order to give the
women some time to talk amongst themselves. He worried that both Beth and
Natalie would have a hard time stepping away from their lives for a little
while but hoped that they saw the reasoning behind it. After Andrea’s
disappearance they would be foolish not to.

“What
are you going to do about the missing girl?” Declan asked Gabriel as soon as he
closed the door.

“I don’t
know. I don’t know what Lila wants to do, if anything. The only thing I can
think of is going over there with Lila to see if she picks up on something out
of place that may look normal to any of us.”

Declan
nodded. “I didn’t see anything, but you may be right. I don’t know the girl,
but if Lila’s close to her she may be able to tell if something isn’t right.”

Kaleb
folded his arms across his chest and nodded his head toward the house. “What am
I supposed to do with her?”

“Keep
her safe.”

“How am
I supposed to do that?” he asked, frowning.

“Jesus,
Kaleb. Use your head. Take her home and keep her out of harm’s way for a couple
of weeks. That’s all you have to do.” Gabriel understood his brother’s
frustration with having to take a strange woman home, although that was
something that had never bothered him in the past. He figured most of the
confusion came from having to take a woman home he couldn’t sleep with.

“What
about the bar?” Gabriel gave a frustrated sigh. Staying with Lila would keep
him away from the bar they owned jointly, but he was sure that Kaleb would be
able to handle it without him for a couple of weeks. At least he hoped so.

“Take
care of the bar and take care of her. If you need help, you have Alex there to
help you. Pay him overtime if you have to, I’m sure he wouldn’t mind. He’s been
asking about extra hours anyway. You can also call me or just close it down for
a couple of days. We could use a few weeks of vacation anyway. Keep her out of
sight and if one of the pack members wants to know who she is, tell them she’s
a witch. Whatever you do, do not let them know she’s human.”

“They’re
not going to like us keeping such close quarters with witches,” Declan said.

As an
unwritten rule, different factions didn’t cozy up with each other unless it was
absolutely necessary. There were so many disagreements between them that having
any kind of friendly relationship was almost impossible. Somehow they had all
managed to get to the point where they could tolerate each other, but never for
extended periods before someone got pissed off and the fighting ensued. It was
possible that their own faction would see their close proximity with witches as
a betrayal, but the entire Netherworld would see their association with humans
as treason.

“No,
they’re probably going to be pissed. But I’d rather they be ticked off about a witch
than enraged over a human. You know more than half—if not all of them—would go
running to the council, who would jump at the first chance to make an example
of a group of traitors.”

Gabriel
could see his cousin was hesitant. “I hope you know what you’re doing. If my
father knew his son and his beloved nephews were protecting humans he would be
just as enraged as the rest of them. He would see it as the ultimate betrayal.”

“Do you
want to walk away? I don’t want you to feel forced into this.” The price they
would pay if they got caught was something Gabriel was willing to pay, but he
wouldn’t take the choice away from them.

“I’m
not saying that. You both are brothers to me and I trust your judgment
completely. You said that the girl saved your life and I agree you owe her a
debt. If that means protecting her friends then of course I’m willing to help.”

“Thank
you.” Declan’s loyalty meant a lot to him. It was important that both he and
Kaleb agreed and supported his actions. Gabriel wouldn’t be the only one in
trouble if they were caught.

“Besides,
if this is the ticket we need to bring down those fucking warlocks, then I’m
all in.”

Declan’s
vehement statement caught Gabriel off guard. “Wait. What are you thinking?”

“I’m
thinking that I’m going to go do some digging of my own to try to get to the
bottom of this. So far the council has refused to listen to anyone when it
comes to the warlocks. What we need is proof to show them how out of control
the warlocks have become. My father told me that the rest of the council
refuses to even believe that the warlocks are on a massive witch hunt. No
matter how much Celeste pushes for them to take a stand against the warlocks,
she’s shut down.”

Celeste
represented all of the witches on the council, but Gabriel knew that even she
wouldn’t be able to persuade the rest of them. Not with the warlocks’
continuous presence and denial of her accusations. She was never able to
present any proof, which the warlocks repeatedly demanded she provide, knowing
full well that she couldn’t. They always covered their tracks.

Kaleb
looked disgusted. “Every Netherworld being outside of the council knows the
warlocks hate the witches. They refuse to be ruled by women and there’s been
too much bad blood between them since they split.”

“My point
is that they’re blinded by Dis’s smoke and mirrors game. My gut feeling is that
he’s up to something bigger than just eliminating the witches. I think this is
our opportunity to figure out what it is.”

Gabriel
agreed with him about Dis, but didn’t know what he was getting at or why he
thought the time was now. “How?”

“I’m
going to Boston.”

Declan
had surprised both Gabriel and Kaleb, the shock on their faces evident. The two
men looked at each other and then back at their cousin.

 
It was Gabriel that was the first to say
something. “You can’t go traipsing into the Council if you’re with Natalie. Don’t
be stupid, Declan.”

“I am
going to Boston and I’ll take Natalie with me. Think about it. You said
yourself that the warlocks identified Lila as a witch. If that’s the case than
every person sitting on that council and who spend time around the council
house would do the same when I show up with Natalie. People may talk to her.
She seems very nonthreatening and having her play my girlfriend would get us invited
to things that I, by myself, wouldn’t get invited to.”

“You’re
going to pass her off as a witch in front of the council? What about Celeste
and the rest of the witches?” Gabriel was convinced that one witch would know
instantly if someone wasn’t one. All factions had the ability of identifying
their own kind.

“She’s
untrained. Simple.”

“Playing
your girlfriend? How’s that supposed to work?” Kaleb asked.

“I’ll
talk to her about it and see what she says. Flings happen between the factions.
Just look at Jacob Wheatley. He dated that shifter girl for a couple months a
few years back and everyone accepted it because they knew it wouldn’t last. I
don’t think my being with a witch would cause too much of a stir.”

Gabriel
shook his head, unconvinced. “I hope you know what you’re doing.”

Anger
darkened Declan’s sky blue eyes. “I just stood here and told you that I trusted
you. I would hope that you would do the same for me.”

“I
trust you with my life. I just hope that you’re not going to be putting Natalie
in jeopardy over a futile attempt to gain intel and persuade the council.”

Kaleb
crossed his arms over his chest and shook his head. “I’m sorry Gabriel, but I
agree with him. The Council will never know she’s human and I doubt even the
witches will be able to tell. I can smell the magic on all of them. If I can
smell it, they’d be able to pass as witches. If he thinks he can get any
information at all to help us, then I say let him.”

Kaleb’s
senses were stronger than a lot of werewolves, which led some to believe that
his beast lived closer to the surface. He could hear things seconds before
Gabriel and smell the smallest traces of things that the vast majority of
werewolves were unable to. If he was able to smell the lingering magic, Gabriel
knew without a doubt that when the witches and the warlocks looked at the
women, they wouldn’t see the pale yellow aura of a human but rather the purple
of a witch.

“If
anything I find helps us get the girl back, isn’t it worth it?” Declan asked
him.

Resigned,
Gabriel nodded his head. “Fine. Just be careful.”

“That
goes without saying.”

“And
both of you, call to check in at least. Especially if anything out of the
ordinary happens.” If something was getting ready to go down, he at least
wanted them all to be prepared.

Both of
them nodded simultaneously. “Of course.”

Gabriel
felt as if they were all walking a tight rope. One misstep and it would be
over. For all of them.

Chapter Four

Lila
stood with Gabriel on the porch and watched as the vehicles pulled out of her driveway,
one by one. When the men had finished their conversation on the porch, they had
gone back inside and let the women know it was time to leave. They spoke
briefly, each pair making their own plans, before saying their goodbyes and
heading out.

She didn’t
like to see her friends go, but she knew it was a necessary evil. They were
both strong women. They would be fine. At least that’s what Lila kept telling
herself when the nagging worry wouldn’t fade.

When
they went back inside, Gabriel locked the door and Lila started to head toward
her bedroom. Before she got more than a few steps away, he grabbed her hand,
stopping her in her tracks. Slowly, she turned to face him.

“Are
you okay?”

With
the gentle way he held her hand she could almost feel his worry. She could see
it in the softness of his eyes. “As good as can be expected, I guess.”

“I need
you to know that I’m not going to let anything happen to you.”

Frowning,
she asked, “But why? Why put yourself in harm’s way trying to help me?”

“You
saved my life.” He stated matter-of-factly, his grip tightening on her hand.

“You saved
mine. I would consider us even.”

His
voice was barely above a whisper. “It doesn’t feel even to me.”

“You
don’t have to do this, you know.” She wanted him to understand. No, she needed
him to understand. “You are all putting yourselves in danger and I’m terrified
that something is going to happen to one or all of you and someone’s blood is
going to be on my hands. Your blood is going to be on my hands.”

His
gentle thumb stroking on the back of her hand distracted her. “I don’t want you
to think that way. God forbid, if something did happen it certainly wouldn’t be
your fault.”

“And
what about Andrea? That was my fault. I should’ve gone over there last night. I
should’ve warned her. I should’ve warned all of them as soon as we talked last
night.” All the things she should have done were racing through her mind. She
should have protected her. She shouldn’t have let anything happen to her. She
hated herself for not being there.

“You
had no way of knowing that’s where they were going.”

“I let
her down and now she’s gone. I don’t know where she is or if she’s even all
right,” she said, her voice rising in intensity. She could feel the panic and
anxiety that was starting to build up in her chest, ready to explode. She
couldn’t handle knowing that she had monstrously messed up. She was going to
lose the most important person in her life and it was her fault.

Gabriel
was shaking his head, not taking his eyes off her. “You didn’t let her down.”
He gripped her hand.

The
panic burst through and she screamed at him, “I did! It’s all my—”

Gabriel
jerked her body against his, his lips coming down to silence her tirade. His
mouth was brutal, invading. His lips tortured hers with their heat and intensity,
his tongue probing. He held her against his hard body, barely giving her enough
space to breathe.

Her
heart pounded in her ears and she wrapped her arms around him. She clung to
him, digging her fingers into his hair, keeping him in place.

A flood
of heat was soaking through her cotton panties and she pushed her thighs
together, trying to relieve the growing ache. Oh God, she wanted him. She didn’t
know it was possible to want someone as much as she wanted him at that moment.

A
muffled moan escaped her when she felt the hard prod of his cock against her
belly. She released his hair and snaked her hand between their bodies. Gripping
him through his jeans, she caressed the thick length. His chest vibrated
against hers and he pushed up the back of her tank top. He held her fast
against him with one arm, his other hand sliding up her side and pushing her
bra out of his way. He held her breast, weighing it in his hand.

She
pushed against his hand, encouraging him, and tore at the button of his pants.
She jerked down the zipper and his cock sprang free. She grasped it with a firm
hand, the soft skin sliding through her grip. She felt him shudder and her
mouth tore away from his, sucking in much needed air.

“Please,
Gabriel…I need you.” She was desperate for him.

A loud
growl burst through his lips and Gabriel jumped away from her as if she had
just thrown a bucket of ice over his head. His sudden movement sent Lila
stumbling back. Panting and aching, the loss of his body heat made her feel
cold and exposed.

He looked
tortured. “We can’t do this,” he said, zipping up his pants with enough force
that she thought it would break.

“What?”
She was sure she hadn’t heard him correctly. He had wanted her just as much as
she wanted him. Nothing had ever felt so right to her. She took a step toward
him, but he backed up again, his hand coming up between them to ward her off.

“No!
This can’t happen.” He shook his head.

Confused,
she asked, “Why can’t it happen?”

“It
just can’t.” The look of regret in his eyes was too much for her. She jerked
her bra and tank top back in place, making sure that she was completely
covered. His rejection stung more than he knew.

“Fine,”
she said, turning on her heel toward the door.

“Where
are you going?”

“I just
need to be alone.” She shut her door with a solid click.

* * * *

Gabriel
thought it was best to give her the space she needed. The past day would have
been a lot for anyone to handle and with all things considered, she was doing
remarkably well. Going into the bathroom, he shut the door behind him and
turned on the water for the shower. A cold one was just what he needed.

The
problem was that he hadn’t wanted to stop. Wasn’t going to. But as much as he
wanted to tear off her clothes and fuck her right there on the living room
floor, it was a line that even he wasn’t brave enough to cross. He knew she
couldn’t possibly understand what it would mean if they did cross it.

Werewolves
didn’t have relationships with humans. A casual fling, maybe. But Gabriel
couldn’t see anything that would transpire between them as casual. He had
almost bitten her in his beast form. That much of it he remembered. The desire
to mate her was already there and that was a death sentence.

He had
needed her just as much as she had needed him. The scent of her arousal still
burned his nose, tormenting him with what he could have had. His cock throbbed
painfully, demanding relief.

He knew
he was in trouble when she had kissed him in the kitchen earlier, but now he
was dangerously close to jumping over the edge. The way she had looked at him
in the living room tore at him. He didn’t like seeing her in pain.

Kissing
her in the living room as a way of silencing her had been a mistake. He should
have just let her finish her tirade instead of trying to save her the pain and
distracting her from it. He wasn’t sure if he had even done it more for her or
for himself because he had wanted her and that just made him an asshole. How
did he manage to keep fucking up where she was concerned?

If she
hadn’t broken their kiss when she did, it would have been too late. There would
have been no stopping him. She had tasted too sweet, had felt too right in his
arms. He would have been cursing himself whenever he got his head together. Oh,
but it all would have been worth it.

With
the freezing water pelting his back, he gripped his cock. His hand was a poor
substitute for hers, but it didn’t take long for him to find release. He could
still feel her pressed against his chest if he closed his eyes, could still
taste her on his lips. But even after he came, he still needed her.

* * * *

After
three hours, a gallon of tears, and some sleep, Lila emerged from her room.

The
fear and the frustration had built up to a point where she hadn’t been able to
contain it anymore and so, she had cried. She had cried over Andrea and cried
from the fear of losing someone else she cared about. In less than twenty-four
hours she had lost complete control of her life and she hadn’t even the
smallest idea how to fix it.

She
slept when she ran out of tears and in her dreams life was good again. When she
woke and reality hit, it didn’t feel quite as overwhelming as it had. To erase
the lingering drowsiness, she took a quick shower and almost instantly felt
better. She would find a way to manage. She always did.

After
dressing in a pair of jeans and a black band T-shirt, Lila had combed and
braided her damp hair. Checking herself over in the mirror, she took a deep
breath and went into the living room.

Gabriel
was lying on her couch, his long legs propped up on the armrest, watching a
Saturday afternoon movie.

When he
saw her, he rose to his feet. “Do you want to talk about—”

“Are
you hungry?”

No way
was she going to sit down and have a conversation with him about why he couldn’t
find it in him to sleep with her. She’d rather ignore the entire fiasco and
start fresh.

Luckily,
he got the hint and even breathed a sigh of relief. “Yes.”

That
was all she needed to hear. Walking into the kitchen, she began pulling
ingredients out of the fridge and set to work turning them into something
edible.

“Do you
want help?” She jumped at the sound of his voice, not realizing he was behind
her.

She
looked over her shoulder. He was standing only a few feet away, hands in his
pockets. He looked so good, she knew no amount of food she made was going to
satisfy her craving.

He doesn’t want you.
Don’t fool yourself into
thinking otherwise, she warned herself.

“No. I’ll
take care of it.”

He went
back to his spot on the couch and she breathed a sigh of relief. She didn’t
need him to be in such close proximity to her.

It didn’t
take her long to get their meal together. It didn’t take a skilled chef to make
spaghetti and Lila could throw together a pretty mean spaghetti.

When
she set the plates out on the table, Gabriel got off the couch to join her. He
grabbed two glasses from the cabinet and filled them with water before joining
her at the table.

“It
smells good,” he said, his stomach growling loud enough for her to hear across
the table.

Lila
picked up her fork and twirled the noodles so they’d stay on. “Thanks.
Hopefully it tastes as good as it smells.”

“It
does,” he said after he scarfed down a bite.

She
watched him tear into the meal for a second before eating herself. He wasn’t
kidding when he had said he was hungry. His food was gone before Lila was even
half way done with her much smaller portion.

He sat
at the table with her while she finished eating. It was obvious that he was
only waiting for her to finish so that he could resume the conversation he had
tried to have with her earlier, but she hoped she was wrong.

When
she finished her water, Gabriel spoke up. “There’s something you should know.”

“And
that would be?”

“If we
have a relationship, a physical relationship, it would be the same as me
putting a gun to my head and pulling the trigger.”

She
didn’t miss a beat. “That’s a bit graphic and perhaps a little over the top,
don’t you think?”

“Not
really. A one-night stand with a human is one thing, it happens all the time.
But an ongoing physical relationship with a human is off limits to anyone who
is a part of the Netherworld, not just werewolves. Having a relationship with a
human is dangerous to everyone. It risks more lives than you could know.”

“I
already know what you are.”

“Yes,
but I don’t think the council would be sympathetic with me if I was also in
your bed. No Netherworld creature has ever mated with a human. On top of that,
there’s a fear that if someone had a relationship with a human either the human
would either accidentally reveal our secret or, well, if the relationship ended
badly…well, you know.”

“Mating
with a human? You mean dating, right?” She didn’t understand what the
difference was between them or even if that’s what he had meant to say instead.

“No.
Mating is different. It’s instinctual. For example, when two werewolves mate,
it’s for life. They become inseparable to the point if one dies, so does the
other. It works basically the same way with all the factions. No one knows if
it’s even possible for a human to feel the mating bond in the same way and
there’s a fear of what could happen if someone mated with a human because of
that.”

Now she
was curious. “What could happen?”

“Well,
one theory is that the mating would happen the same way as it would if it were
between two people belonging to the same faction. There’s another theory that
humans are incapable of mating in the same capacity we are, leaving the
werewolf mated but not the human. Not in the same way. That wouldn’t be a good
place to be. The last theory I’ve heard is that the mating would kill the
human.”