When The Fur Flies (7 page)

“You weren’t complaining about my size last night when you were screaming my name out.” He grinned and chuckled as she opened and closed her mouth several times before covering her stomach with a shaking hand.

“Are all Wolven so crude?” She zipped up the tote bag before slinging it over her shoulder.

“Probably.” He shrugged as he grabbed up an empty bag and shoved her candles and herbal bundles into it. “You’ll learn to love us.”
I just might have to keep you in bed for weeks until that happens, but a Wolf has to do, what a Wolf has to do.

“Don’t bet on that.” She sneered at him.

***

“You don’t lock your doors?” He took the bag from her and tossed it into the back of the little white VW Bug.

“No one would want my car. Casper runs when he wants to and sounds like a blender chewing up knives when I try to go too fast. Who would want the poor thing?” She gave him a startled look as he opened the passenger-side door for her. When she didn’t move, he shrugged and went around to the driver’s side. She watched as he smashed his large frame behind the wheel of her tiny car. He reached beneath the seat and released the lever to extend the seat all the way back to accommodate his long legs.

“What do you think you’re doing?” she demanded in a squeaky voice.

“I’m taking you home. Keys?” When she only blinked at him, he sighed. “Look, I’m driving, you better get over it and give me the keys, or prepare to sit here all day long with a horny Wolf who wouldn’t mind taking you back inside to eat you. Literally. So make your choice.”

“I didn’t know letting you have your way with me meant I’d be stuck with you.” She slid into the seat, pulled open the glove compartment, and slapped a rabbit’s foot key chain in his hand.

“And you leave your keys inside your unlocked car?”

“Where do you think I could carry them when I transmutate? Don’t answer that.” She saw his lopsided grin and hissed at him before pulling on her seat belt. The man was an arrogant bastard. Why had she let him do that to her? She bit her lip and stayed quiet as he started the car. She’d half hoped Casper wouldn’t start, but the little Bug sputtered to life and clunked into gear as he pulled it out onto Main Street.

“Hey! Casper isn’t meant to drag race.” She glared at him as he ignored her and instead turned on the radio. Her Celtic Women CD blared out of the tiny speakers. He winced and switched it over to the radio, tuning it until Metallica banged through the tiny car.

“That’s my stereo you’re messing with, Wolf boy.” He continued to ignore her. She bit her nails into her palms as she fought the urge to attack him.

“Settle down, Kitten. We are almost there.”

Allison glanced through her dirty windshield and realized they were leaving Medina behind and heading out toward the country. When he’d taken her to the Den the first time, she’d been unconscious. On her way out of the Den, she was blindfolded to keep the pack’s whereabouts secret. She knew by what Alexa told her that even the meetings of the Tri-Species Council were arranged by special invitation of the Alpha and only in a certain location within the Den that was open enough to allow the Witches to pop in. He signaled and turned onto a dirt road. Casper bounced hard in the ruts left by the spring runoff.

“I’m surprised you aren’t blindfolding me, or at the very least knocking me out. Aren’t you afraid I’ll let your secret lair’s location out of the bag?”

“Why would you? The Den is now your home as well.” He gave her a smile and shrugged his shoulder. “Besides, doing so would be an act of treason to the pack. You understand an action of that sort would make you enemy number one to not only my pack, but to every pack in the world. There wouldn’t be a hole deep enough to hide in. And candles and herbs don’t work on a Wolven who has your scent memorized the way I have yours.”

Allison shivered at the implications. He was right; she’d be lucky to survive a week if she broke his or the pack’s trust. She’d always had a knack for getting herself in trouble. This time was only a million times worse. She sighed as she studied the man beside her. His jaw line was darkened by two days of not shaving, which made a shiver of unwanted longing run down her body. He looked what he was, a rough and lethal male, who screamed of danger. She hated to admit it, but he was sex personified and fatally attractive to any female with red hot blood running through her veins. She was no different.

“Not again.” She moaned miserably as she rubbed her arms. The itchy feeling was getting worse. She wiggled in her seat with a hiss. If she didn’t know any better, she’d think he’d given her fleas. Unfortunately, her libido was working overtime, and it didn’t help when the male who was responsible for her condition looked over at her with a knowing grin.

“Relax. You’ll be safe here until we figure out what to do about Chambers’s missing bride. Well, you’ll be safe from everyone but me. I can smell how hot you’re getting, you know. Give me a bit to take care of matters and I’ll be able to scratch that itch you’re trying so hard to ignore.”

“That is not your concern. And I didn’t ask for your protection, Alpha.”

“Regardless, you’ve dropped this problem at my doorstep, and I will handle it and you.” His cheeky grin rubbed her the wrong way. Her nails cut into her palms as she glared at him.

“Is the big, bad Wolf going to go huff and puff until the Vamps run for cover?” She sneered at him when her taunt got a grin from him instead of the temper she hoped to prick.

“Spoiling for another fight, Kitten?” His head turned, and his blue eyes glittered. “I told you, I’m more than ready to accommodate you once I get you in my personal chambers.” His white teeth glowed as he leered at her like a hungry dog.

“Go to hell, Wolf!” Her hiss got a good-natured chuckle from him.

“I probably will. But until then, I’m sure you’ll get me used to the conditions down there.”

“Jerk.” She turned to stare out at the scenery they were passing. Houses were becoming scarce as they moved into a rural area with lots of trees. The Wolven pack would own lots of acres of prime pastures and woodlands. She knew they liked to run and hunt without human contact. She wondered what it would feel like to spend the night running and playing with the man sitting beside her. He was ripped beneath that T-shirt. She’d scored her nails over those rock-hard abs. She rubbed her itchy palms and wiggled a little in her seat. Goddess, help her! She could still feel him deep inside where she was a little sore from his use.

Allison knew she was blushing as she felt his head turn toward her, his thoughts on the same path as hers as he inhaled her scent loudly. She and tried to ignore the way her body was thrumming inside as she heard his deep growl of male approval. Her embarrassment was immediately forgotten the instant she caught sight of the impressive wrought iron gates. Her skin prickled in a warning as Reginald slowed Casper and pulled off to the side of the road. He turned off the ignition before placing a hand over her twisting fingers.

“Relax, pet. You’ll come to no harm here.”

“I didn’t ask to come here.” She winced at the whine in her voice. What was wrong with her? She rarely acted like a baby.

“Didn’t you?” He took a deep breath before squeezing her hand and releasing it. “It makes no difference. You are here now. What is done is done, and neither of us can go back to change it.”

“What does that mean?” She huffed softly. “Don’t get cryptic on me, Reginald.”

“It means I made a choice, and there’s no getting out of it. You’re my problem now. Come on.” He opened the door and quickly got out. “I’ll have one of the guys get your car, though it would probably be better if we had it junked.”

“Don’t insult my car.” She snapped as she sat still. She would wait until he shut his door to slide into the driver’s seat. She would finally be rid of the insufferable man.

“Get out or I’ll take you out myself.” His words were low as he leaned back inside the car to glare at her. She hissed through her teeth but undid her belt and threw open her door. He was on the other side and taking her arm as her boots hit the ground.

“Am I your captive now? A prisoner without a choice or a voice, not even a true mate with a say in my own future? Big, bad Alpha needs to force himself on a woman to get a mate—”

“Do yourself a favor and keep that sharp little tongue silent. You’re pushing your luck with me, Witch.” His fingers bit into her upper arm as he dragged her up to the gate. She stared up at the massive fence with a hesitation she didn’t understand. There was something about the way the iron was wrapped around itself. There were symbols there. Powerful wards against intruders. Her stomach ached with a pain she didn’t understand, but she sensed danger here.

Reginald punched a code into an electrical box, and the big gate swung open slowly. The sound of it moving on its hinges was like nails on a chalkboard to her sensitive ears. She flinched and gritted her teeth at the discomfort as he pulled her along beside him toward the gates.

Allison took one step between them, and fire raced from her feet up her spine in an electrical arc that had a scream ripping from her throat. She clutched his arm as her body convulsed and her legs gave out from under her. The agony echoed in her head, blocking out his cursing as he lifted her into his arms and quickly moved through the gates to the other side.

As soon as the gates started shutting behind them, the pain seemed to lessen. She felt herself panting in his arms as if that would ease it quicker. The world dimmed as all she could hear was his voice trying to sooth her. What was he saying? Why did she care when he’d clearly meant to kill her? She slipped down a dark tunnel into blissful nothingness.

Chapter Six

Two things occurred to Allison all at once. One, her feet hurt like the dickens and two, she was lying on a soft mattress covered by a comfy, warm quilt, sweating her tush off. Allison knew instantly she wasn’t lying in her lumpy single bed with her cheap sheets from the local dollar store. These sheets were exquisite Egyptian cotton, expensive and soft against her heated skin. Her bare skin!

Her eyes flew open as she realized where she was. When Reginald brought her to stay in his home before, she’d been placed in the guest rooms above ground. Now, she assumed she was in the Alpha’s bedchamber. At least it smelled like him, strong and male. One look around the massive bed confirmed her suspicions. The room was the size of her entire apartment back in town, yet her apartment had tiny windows. His room was without windows; the walls were smooth rock with an expensive-looking light panel built into the high ceiling. She was thankful he’d left the lights on for her. She couldn’t imagine waking up to total darkness.

She stared around the elegant room in awe. The sleigh bed was red cherry and matched the huge dresser with golden hardware. There was two end stands next to either side of the bed, also cherry and antique looking. A huge painting on the wall beside the bed reminded her of a Salvatore Dali work. The colors were too crisp and whimsical for a reproduction.

Shoving the blankets off her heated body, Allison stared down at her naked breasts. The least he could have done was leave her clothes on. She inhaled sharply and felt unfamiliar scents explode inside her head. The entire room was infused with Reginald’s musky smell. She inhaled deeply and closed her eyes as if that could help her memorize his masculine scent. It was tinged with the faintest hint of lavender. She sighed as she enjoyed the cool air on her body. She rolled over and buried her face in the pillow. His pillow. A feminine sigh hit her with the shock of a physical blow as she sat straight up, pulling the sheets up to her chin.

“What is wrong with me?” She raised a hand and placed it on her hot forehead. Where was he, and what had he done to her? She remembered stepping between those intimidating gates and feeling like she’d stepped on an electrical line. A bloody hot one! She lifted her right leg and inspected her stinging foot. Air hissed through her teeth as she saw the red, swollen blisters on the bottom of her foot. There was a thick coating of some ointment on her skin.

She’d kill for her aloe plant and her compounding equipment. She could have her feet heeled in an hour tops if she were home. She had to get home. Easier said than done when she wasn’t even sure how far below ground she was. It was rumored the Wolven Den was several stories below ground, an impregnable maze of tunnels and chambers. She supposed she was about to find out.

First things first, though. Her feet sank into a plush rug. She wiggled her toes with a sigh before she limped over to the dresser. Folded neatly on the top of it were her jeans with her silver athame and tiger’s eye necklace lying next to them. Her underwear and shirt were missing, but a crisp white shirt had been left on top of her pants. Her sneakers were nowhere to be seen. She wondered if they fared far worse than her feet.

When she was dressed in Reginald’s white T-shirt and her black pants, Allison gave into her curiosity. She gingerly touched the painting with a gasp. It was real and had to be an original. How in the world did a Wolven Alpha come to possess such an artistic treasure? She was determined to find out as she walked gingerly on her toes through a hallway that led to a big living area complete with a black leather sofa, glass end tables, and every male’s dream possession—an eighty-inch flat screen television. What caught Allison’s eye were the bookshelves built into the stone walls. She would have loved to take a closer look, but all she wanted was to find the Alpha and demand to be taken home.

Allison pushed on the wooden door, half expecting it to be locked, but it swung open silently. She took a deep breath as she braced herself to enter another long hallway lit with a series of lights in the ceiling. She tiptoed her way down the hall, until she came to the first door on her left. She stopped and listened, but didn’t hear anything behind the door. She took a deep breath and smelled a different male musk. It wasn’t weaker than Reginald’s, but it didn’t contain that hint of lavender. She followed the trail of scent that was uniquely the Alpha’s all the way down the hall until she came to an intersection. She smelled all three directions and turned right.