Wolf's Promise (Caedmon Wolves) (12 page)

“
I hope you don’t mind
coming here
. I’ll see to
it that you make the next train.”

“I don’t mind. I feel safer with you.”

“Devin has called a meeting with all the Elders and the entire Council. It might not be until tomorrow that everyone arrives. I could be caught up in pack matters
for most of it
, but you will be safe here.”

“I understand.”

Several servants greeted them, took their bags, and led them to the front door without hesitation.

Nick was surprised when Devin opened the door before they even reached the first step. They nodded in greeting as they always did. The Alpha’s gaze focused on Selene. Both understood that not much could be said until they were together privately.

“How was the drive?” Devin asked instead.

“Rough, as usual.” He followed Selene up the steps. “This is Selene. She’s the reason why I’ve kept my sanity after all this.”

“I can only imagine,” Devin remarked, and then offered his hand to Selene. “I’m Devin, and it’s a pleasure.”

“You’re the leader.”

“Yes.” Devin smiled. “Has Nick told you my life story?”

“No.” Selene shook her head. “Not yet.”

“Not yet?” Devin laughed loudly. “Don’t believe a word he says about me.”

Nick was glad the meeting was going well.
His old friend seemed to have no worries about him bringing a guest into the home. “We’re a little early.”

“Yes. Very early.” Devin glanced behind him, just as his mate, Tamara, slipped in
beside him. He kissed her
on the forehead. “I thought you were studying.”

“I was until I heard our guests arrive,” she said.

Nick remembered the first time he met Tamara. She was soft spoken, and had been very generous. Anyone who had met her once she became mated to
their Alpha instantly liked her
.
She seemed to adore children, and volunteered regularly at the local elementary school.
Devin and Tamara were perfect together. She brought out the best in his friend.

“This is my fiancé, Tamara,” Devin said. “She’s been helping with preparing the rooms all morning for the rest of the council members, and has been anxious for another woman her age to arrive.”

“I’m the only human in the house, for goodness sakes.” Tamara swatted a hand playfully at Devin’s shoulder.
“It will
be
nice to have someone here like me for a change. Nice to meet you….I didn’t get your name.”
She offered a hand to Selene, who had a bewildered expression on his face.

Nick swallowed.

“
Your voice.”
Selene said
.
“It’s really you.”

“Excuse me?” Tama
ra dropped her hand to her side
after Selene failed to accept it. Her forehead crease
d as she studied Selene
.

“Tamara
?
It’s me. Selene Moore
. Your counselor.”

Tamara
gasped, and suddenly her gaze rolled to the ceiling.

Nic
k was glad that Devin stood right behind Tamara, because she
fainted dead away.

Nick ran his fingers across the rigid indentions of the leather bound books. There were hundreds of them lining the shelves of the library. Most of the pages were filled with their history tracing back the lineage of every Caedmon to date. Both those who could shift as well as those who were human. Still, a good bit of the books were gene
ral literature and fiction
. It was said that before the age of thirteen, anyone who was Caedmon royalty would’ve been made to read them all.

Devin entered the library as Nick moved to the next shelve. He didn’t have to turn to know that it was the Alpha. He’d known Devin far too long to not recognize his trusted friend by scent.

He joined Devin, sitting adjacent to him in the brown leather chair. There was a round coffee table separating them where one of the servants had laid out chocolate and cheese on a tray earlier. Although, food was the least of his many worries right now.

“How is she?” Nick asked.

“Selene? She’s in the den on the third floor. Fortunately, she and Tamara are identical in size so we found her some clothes.”

Nick smiled at the mention of Selene. On the drive over here, he’d caught himself stealing glances at her, observ
ing the way she looked so cute, yet comfortable wearing his
oversized clothes. “I meant Tamara…with her fainting and all.”

“She’s doing alright. I left them together as it seems they both have some catching up to do. They’ve never met personally, but it is still a very emotional reunion for Tamara.
She talks very highly of Selene.
”

“It’s quite a strange coincidence the way this all happened, wouldn’t you say?” Nick leaned back in his chair.

“Things happen for a reason,” Devin said. “
Is she aware that you’re wolf?”

He nodded. “I shifted, but it wasn’t an accident. It was to save Selene.”

“Understood.”

“I didn’t expect
Darius to lash
out again so soon. I wish you had
executed him.”

Devin frowned. “I think you know why I didn’t.”

Nick returned his challenging stare. “That is in my past now.” He couldn’t believe Devin would attempt to bring such an issue to the surface.

“You know w
hat will happen if I kill him now.”

“Yes, but to save our pack, we must do what is necessary.”

“The messenger you sent said that Darius has been keeping prisoners.”

“More like hostages.”

“Were you aware that Silvia
could not bear offspring?” Devin asked.

“No,” he replied, promptly. He didn’t want to think of the despicable act Darius and his mate would commit in order to bear pups carrying the Caedmon name.

“Listen to me, Nick.” Devin moved to the edge of his seat. “You are like a brother to me. I know this must bring about bad memories for you, but I fully expected Darius to retreat once I spared his life and let us move on with ours.”

Nick swallowed. “And he didn’t…”

“No, but you’re right, we must do what’s necessary to protect our people. I will call the meeting as soon as the others arrive. We’ll decide our game plan then. I never attempted to reason with Darius.
Nothing was ever settled after our fight…after I ordered him to remove himself from the Pack.
Maybe we misunderstand each other. I want what’s best for my people and plan to eliminate anything standing against that.”

Nick met the Alpha’s gaze. “Do you still genuinely believe that Darius will give up after coming across the missing will? He has evidence that half of everything belongs to him.”

“I never planned to rob him of what he
owns. What he will not do
is terrorize this town and any who come to visit it.”

“I’m almost sure that he won’t cooperate
or concede without a fight.”

“He was given a chance to fight.” Devin’s lips formed a stern line. “Last I checked, he lost.”

“No one, not even him, expected you to return to claim your title. He thought it’d be easy,” Nick said.

“What’s done is done. If
we have to
fight to the death
this time
…then so be it.
”

If there was one thing he valued in Devin, it was that he was a man of his words, and acted accordingly until his intentions were made reality.

***

“Dinner was very good,” Selene said, as Nick made his way out of the bathroom. “It must be nice having a full time cook.”

“Devin’s cook is a retired executive chef. He just sold his restaurant in the city and decided several m
onths ago to move back into the village
.” He picked up a pitcher filled with ice water from the tray on the dresser. After filling the glass, he took a long sip. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he tossed down the drink.

Selene couldn’t help but to ogle him as his white terry cloth robe fell slightly open to reveal a bronzed chest. Damn
,
he was sexy and tempting. Suddenly, she remembered what he said. About his powers. From his declaration, he hadn’t been using t
hem intentionally, but dammit, if
she didn’t feel like a deprived nut.

Nick approached her. She averted her eyes
and opened up an unread email on the laptop.

He didn’t make her attempts to remain focused on her work easy because he sat down on the sofa right next to her.
He exhaled, a rather long lengthy one, as though he were relieved.
His arm moved
to lie on the back of the head
rest. His day must have been hectic with everything going on in the Pack.

For most of the afternoon, she and Tamara had walked about the village, mostly through the parks catching up on things.
Because of Darius threats, Devin had enforced a curfew on the village, especially for the women and children, so they weren’t allowed outside the boundaries. Over dinner, she came to know Devin a bit better, an
d understood what Tamara saw in
him and what she could gain from a man like Devin. He was gentle with her, and seemed respectful of everything around him, even the servants who served them.
Tamara didn’t like to talk about her abuse, but Selene was glad that she’d found some serenity and could tell the healing process had begun.

“Do you have everything you need?”
Nick asked.

“Yes, the maid hooked me up with a landline and all. The internet connection is pretty strong. Not the fastest, but I’ve managed thus far.”

“Did you have a chance to review the train and bus schedules?”

“You’re really trying to get rid of me, aren’t you?”

“No. I’m trying to protect you.”

“From what?” She closed the lid on the laptop. “You said it yourself…that I was safe here.”

“You’re safe here, but not with me.”

“You’re not making sense to me.”

He stood, moving to the opposite end of the room to stand in front of the large bay window. “Every time you’re in my presence, I lose control. My train of thought derails. It’s
like the wolf inside takes over.
”

She wished she understood better what he felt, but she couldn’t even imagine what it must be to share his every being with the wolf.

Selene put the laptop on the coffee table and joined him at the window. “I still want to understand, Nick.” She touched his arm.

“Selene…” He squeezed his eyelids closed.

“Why don’t you just let the wolf take control…
for once?
It’s a part of you.”

He turned then, his irises shone brightly and the pupils contracted. The deep set hazel eyes of the wolf focused on her intently.

Her pulse quickened, and she swallowed the rising apprehension in her throat. She lifted her palm and pressed it against his exposed chest. Letting her ha
nds glide over his skin, she me
t his warm glare.

“I’m not afraid,” she said.

Her core ignited when he grasped her about the waist and dragged her into him. His lips fell on hers with absolutely no hesitation. Her body replied in what seemed like total surrender as she pressed against him. His tongue slipped past her lips as they both fought to deepen the kiss. Why did she want him so badly? What was it that her body and soul needed so desperately? Her palm cupped the back of his head, crushing her lips to his in an attempt to get a better taste him.

Had she somehow lost control as well? Perhaps they’d both left that ability back in the cell. Why else would she be inclined to lust for such intimate affection?

He broke the kiss and traced her neck line with his lips.
“I cannot
seem to keep my hands off you.
”

“That’s okay.” Selene captured his face between her palms. “Because I seem to want them on me.”

“I desire you in more ways than one,” he rasped into her throat.

“Then show me the way in which you desire me the most.” She brought their lips together again and coaxed him into another kiss.

Her own command
surprised her. But, she wanted him just as bad. What was wrong with her? He’d admitted to having t
he powers of a seducer. Her body didn’t seem to care. Her mind had become useless for all she thought about was how exquisite she felt in his embrace.

His lips fell on her ba
re shoulders and then left a hot trail across her collar bon
e. He
led her against the wall next to the window. She pushed her hips into his, softly grinding against the hard evidence of his lust. He moaned into her skin and slid his hand under her shir
t, smoothing it across her
belly and against her bare breasts. His fingers brushed against her nipples and her breath caught in her throat. Arching forward into his palms, she bit her bottom lip to keep from crying out.