Possession of the Soul (5 page)

“I could never have hurt your family. You didn’t know this, but Ben was my best friend in high school. Ben used to talk about you all the time. I even came to your cabin a couple of times, but you were at your friend’s house.

“One night I sneaked up to your parents’ cabin. I was only about 17 when I first saw you. You were standing down at the pier watching boats, and your hair was blowing around your face. It was as if you were someplace else, because you didn’t seem to hear anything, either. Ben crept up on you and scared the shit out of you.

“I knew you were special then, but I didn’t know how special you were until tonight. Ben and I talked about going into the force together to bring about change among our species and other paranormal races.”

“Wait a minute. Why do you keep mentioning my brother? He’s dead.”

Tabatha’s stomach knotted.
Does he know more than he’s telling me?

“Because, my little suspicious belly dancer, one of the reasons I became Captain of the PSU was to solve this case. Now, you’re the target. I won’t lose you.” He turned her head and gazed into her eyes. “I have been waiting for years to finally claim you.” He grazed her bottom lip with his index finger. “I’ll deal with my pack, but you’re mine.” His kiss was hard and fueled with fire, as if to punish her for trying to leave.

His kiss drowned out all the doubt and confusion in her mind. Heat raced up her neck, and she dipped her hands into his open shirtfront; his hard, haired chest tantalizing under her hands. He carried her to the stage, but his mouth didn’t leave hers. The band stopped playing again and moved back when he put her down.

“Stay and listen,” he ordered before he left her on the stage. Still in a confused state, she touched her lips, watching as he walked up to the microphone and stared out at his pack.

Chapter Five

“I have been Alpha for the past ten years.” He looked around the room, then at her. “As Alpha, I have always kept the pack’s interests before my own. But Tabby is my mate. I expect you to show her the same respect you show me. If not, I will take my mate and go, if that’s what it takes.”

He gestured at the guards and male patrons.

“I suggest you men get these women in line. The two who assaulted her in the bathroom are banished from the pack. If I hear of another attack on her,” he pointed toward Tabatha, “I will kill them. Now, this is supposed to be a Halloween party. Let’s continue and have a good night.” Hoyt reached back and pulled Tabatha into his arms.

There seemed to be wall-to-wall werewolves staring up at them but the females kept their eyes downcast.

“How about a nice slow dance? I need you in my arms,” he whispered as he guided her down the stairs and onto the dance floor. The band started to play a slow song. He pressed her body tightly against his.

“How do you know I’m your mate?” Tabatha asked, inhaling his scent. He smelled fresh and clean. She leaned her head against his huge chest. She snaked her hands around his neck and hugged him close. “And would you really leave the pack for me?”

“We can tell by a woman’s scent, and yours sings to me. I want to claim you right here. And yes, I meant what I said. I would give up everything for you.” His hands roamed over her ass.

Tabatha leaned her head back, looking at him in surprise. “Is it a wise choice to claim me here on the dance floor?”

“Probably not. You’ve already whipped two of my pack. Let’s save the rest for another time.” A small laughed escaped him, and he placed a soft kiss in her hair.

Tabatha relaxed against his body as the music’s beat flowed around them.

“Tomorrow, I’ll go to the police station and find out what I can about your car. I don’t want you anywhere near the station now. I’ve met the demon that has marked your car. He’s been summoned before and almost destroyed the person he was after.” Hoyt squeezed her ass cheeks, kissed her neck, and nibbled her ear.

“You called?” A voice boomed in the room.

Everyone seemed to stop at once.

Hoyt shoved her behind him.

 
“He is the third one, my mates,”
said the voice, a little stronger and closer this time.

Glancing around, she pressed closer to Hoyt, hearing the voice in her head again.

Growls and the crack of changing bones permeated the room. Males either shifted into beast form or they transformed into their wolf bodies. Tattered costumes, men’s shoes, stilettos, and sandals littered the floor. Serrated teeth and fangs glinted in the strobe lights, and the feral eyes of the shape shifters glowed with the need to protect the pack and its leader—their anger centered on the unholy intruder.

This was all her fault. All the werewolves were ready to protect her no matter what the threat. A lump formed in her throat as Tabatha held on to Hoyt’s shirt. The sound of material ripping was her first clue that Hoyt was shifting. Remnants of Hoyt’s shirt fell from her hands, and she looked up at a very tall, pissed-off beast.

Tabatha peeked around Hoyt as Shane moved Melody next to her so both of them would be protected. Shane stood in his werewolf form, too, and growled at the demon.

The demon stood at least six and half feet tall. Bright red hair flowed over his shoulders to his waist. He had horns that were partially obscured by that hair. Tabatha glanced at Hoyt and noticed his fur coat was pure black, and since he’d shifted, he now stood well over seven feet in height.

“You might as well turn right around and leave. There is nothing here for you,” Hoyt snarled.

“Hoyt, my problem does not concern you. I have come for the woman.” The demon’s deep, vibrating voice offered a challenge. He stood alone, but his confidence showed in his stance. He truly believed he could easily take her.

His muscular body and chiseled face could woo any female—providing the woman didn’t know a demon lurked under the mask of his flesh.

“Will you let her leave with me,” the demon continued, “or shall I take her myself?”

Could this day get any worse? Tabatha shook her head. “Just when something good happens, something bad always follows.”

The wolves surrounded her and Hoyt.

“I’m afraid therein lies the problem, Chax. She’s mine,” Hoyt declared.

Chax stopped in front of the guards and smiled.

Tabatha tried to peek around Hoyt’s body, but Chax saw her.

“She is beautiful.” He sniffed the air. “And she smells different.” He grinned and licked his lips, his gaze trained on her.

“I can see why that puny human, Ken, wants her. Let’s discuss this problem we seem to have,” Chax announced, cracking his knuckles. He lowered his huge hands to his sides.

“We can talk all you want, but she won’t be hurt.” Hoyt’s lips pulled tight against his teeth as he spoke, baring his fangs. “I’ve seen what demons can do to human females. Come. Sit and join me for a beer. We can talk privately upstairs.”

Bones crunched and the fur disappeared on his body. Hoyt stood in human form, without a piece of clothing on his magnificent body. Startled by his sudden nakedness, Tabatha let her gaze wander over him. Muscled yet sleek, Hoyt’s physique spoke volumes about his sexuality right down to a cute mole on his left butt cheek.

“Um, shouldn’t you put on some clothes?” She grinned when he turned his head and smiled down at her.

“What’s wrong? Am I making you nervous, Tabby?” He traced his fingers down her cheek and laughed.

Chax moved closer. “Here, let me help.” He waved his hand and clothes appeared on Hoyt’s body as well as the other naked wolves. “I don’t mind seeing you naked, but I do mind others looking at you that way. And she,” he nodded at her, “doesn’t need to see any other males naked except for us.” He raised an eyebrow, daring her to say anything.

Tabby opened her mouth to reply, but Hoyt wrapped his arm around her and kissed her. His guard wolves stood on alert and watched every move he made. Hoyt pulled Tabatha to his body and led them back upstairs. Guards flanked them as they moved, keeping a tight ring around their Alpha.

Upon entering the room, Hoyt pulled Tabatha down onto the nearest couch, sitting her on his lap.

The tension in the air dissipated a measure. Melody slipped behind the couch where Tabatha and Hoyt had sat. Shane followed, wrapping his arms around Melody’s waist and smiled down at Tabatha, winking at her.

Chax sat opposite them, and a guard placed a beer on the coffee table between the couches, in front of Hoyt. After one sip, he nodded and motioned for the guy to give Chax a beer as well.

“You know I can take her without you moving an inch, right?”

Tabatha stared at the demon before his words sank in. She turned to look at Hoyt’s face, but was suddenly snared around the waist and knees, her body pushed up against a warm, hard one. She looked up to see Chax. He might seem handsome now, but she knew better. She had done her homework and realized how dangerous demons were. Just the thought of him taking her to another world brought on hiccups. Her hands trembled, and a knot formed in her throat.

Chax now held her tightly on his lap seated opposite Hoyt, one of his hands rubbing her back.

A loud, deep growl erupted from Hoyt. She tilted her head to the side and watched his clawed hand sink into the other leather couch, putting holes in it. Her gaze drifted to his pitch-black eyes as he leapt to his feet. At least that is what she thought until she looked again, they were dark blue. She sensed he could attack at any moment.

“But, I find myself in a predicament, and I think the both of you can help me out.” Chax watched Hoyt and unlocked his arm from around Tabatha’s waist.

Slowly Tabatha stood up, afraid any sudden movement might escalate their problem. Chax reached for his beer as she stepped around the coffee table. Her legs shook so hard she wasn’t sure how she was even able to move. Tabatha returned to Hoyt’s arms, once again feeling safe.

Shane moved around the couch to stand beside Hoyt.

“You’ve made your point,” Hoyt snarled, “so get on with it.” Tension lurked in his voice, and his arms tightened around her.

Tabatha nestled her face against Hoyt’s neck, closing her eyes for a moment. His hand slipped under her outfit and rubbed her belly, but didn’t move any farther. She let the breath she had been holding in go and opened her eyes.

With her view partially obscured, Tabatha concentrated on the man-demon across from them. His wide jawline and high cheekbones only enhanced his looks. Anyone who stared long enough into his hypnotic eyes could get lost in them. Tabatha lowered her gaze to his body, which had what could have been described as a weightlifter’s physique. Muscles pushed against his pants and shirt. His feet were enormous.

 
Hmm, I wonder if it’s true that a man’s size can be judged by his feet?

“You don’t need to know what size he is. You should be worrying about taking me,”
Hoyt snarled.

Startled to hear Hoyt’s voice in her head, she shot her gaze back up to his crotch; the bulge in his pants had grown larger and confirmed her suspicions.

 
“Well, crap! That theory is right on the money. Were you the one talking to me in my mind earlier?”

Hoyt stared at her for a moment. “
This is the only time I’ve talked to you through telepathy. Who else has talked to you this way?”

Chax cleared his throat, drawing their attention. “I’m afraid the voice that has been in all our heads comes from Wol-itelm. He’s what you would call a giant or one of the supreme beings. For some unknown reason, he has centered his attention on the three of us.”

“Why would some god, or whatever you call him, want anything to do with us?” Hoyt tensed.

Tabatha focused on Chax’s face. His gaze met hers, and she could’ve sworn his eyes glowed. His full lips turned up at the corners while his gaze traveled up and down her body, too.

“You know the reason, Hoyt. Do we really want to go into this now and scare our beauty here?” Chax nodded toward her.

“Um, excuse me, but if it’s about me, I think I have a right to hear what’s going on.” She glared at both of them.

 
“There is no reason to get your hackles up. I told Chax to put this conversation on hold right now. You three have enough to worry about without worrying about me right now.”
Wol-itelm laughed.

“Okay, this voice needs to stop. I can’t concentrate on anything with its little jabs here and there.” Tabatha tried to get up, but Hoyt held her still.

 
“I totally resent being called an ‘it.’”

“Tabatha, please don’t get him worked up.” Chax frowned.

Hoyt squeezed her waist, “Well, she has a point. This voice pops in our heads telling us to do this and that. You might have been brought up to believe in these things, but we haven’t. Who’s to say this voice in our minds isn’t the one trying to kill her?” Hoyt growled.

She couldn’t believe she’d never thought of that. If one of those things got in her head, they would know everything about her. Her body shook, and she tightened her grip on Hoyt.

“Enough! You’re scaring her and there is no reason to that,” a voice rang out in the room.

Everyone on alert scanned the private room.

“I told you not to get him riled up.” Chax shook his head as his shirt disappeared and a dragon tattoo was revealed. Its eyes blazed red and the clawed hand moved.

“This is the only way I’ll be able to see or chat with the three of you. As you see, your bodyguards and friends do not see me or hear me. Right now they are in a suspended time frame. As it is, I’m drawing too much attention to you. You three are mates and you’re also my mates. I will do everything I can to protect you from afar, but even my powers are limited right now, so be on the alert. Many will come after you.” His gaze drifted up and down Tabatha’s body.

“You, my dear, are beautiful, and soon I hope to taste every inch of that body, but for now I must go.” The dragon almost smiled as an intense sensation moved through her body, sending a powerful orgasm into her.

Tabatha closed her eyes and squirmed in Hoyt’s lap. “Oh, God…”