Destiny Unchained (8 page)

She was stiff at first and he thought she might pull
away. But then the bloodlust took over and she turned into a wild
thing. Her arms wrapped around his neck, her tongue thrust into his
mouth, licking and sucking. Sharp fangs pricked his bottom lip but
it only added to his pleasure. She pulled back, looked him over
hungrily then shoved him, trying to get him to the ground. He
didn’t budge. They would get there eventually, but he wasn’t about
to let her call all the shots.

“Take off the bra,” he ordered. It was gone in an
instant. He was glad to see her injuries healed – the effect of
fresh, supernatural blood. Her full, pink-tipped breasts beckoned
his touch.

“Come here,” he commanded. She stepped toward him and
he smiled. The bloodlust took away her fight, made her more
responsive. He liked it. Filling his hands with her breasts, he
kissed her again. He groaned as he stroked the soft, feminine skin
under his fingertips. She fumbled with his belt, he ripped it
off.

With a mischievous smirk, she slipped her foot behind
his and shoved him hard. He fell to the ground but not without
taking her with him. She straddled his hips.

“Thought I was passive in bed, did you?” Her
lust-filled eyes and saucy grin shot jolts down his shaft. She
ripped through his shirt, bottom to top. “Payback.”

Normally, he preferred to be the dominant one in bed,
but the way she looked at him now – aggression and hunger dancing
in her eyes – he would willingly die her slave. She leaned over
with a satisfied smirk and he thought she was going to kiss him.
But she didn’t. Instead she nuzzled her head into his neck. The
prick of her fangs made him groan out loud.

He fisted both hands in her hair, inhaling its scent,
making a memory of the exquisite experience. Blood left his body
easily, longing to enter hers. To feed her, to provide for her. If
she took much more, he’d pass out. But by God, what a way to
go!

One hand stayed in her hair, holding her against his
neck, the other roamed down her back and over her taut ass. She
moaned and rocked against his erection.

“Can’t wait much longer, Talia.” His voice was thick
with need.

“No,” she agreed, rising from his neck. “No
longer.”

She slid off his body and stripped off the rest of
her clothing. His eyes widened. Her slender waist curved to shapely
thighs he wanted to taste, to bite.

She gestured to his pants and he wasted no time
pulling them off. This time he tackled her backward so she lay on
her back, naked in the grass like a delicious offering. He raked
his gaze over her luscious figure and licked his lips. He could
spend hours on her.

What the hell was she doing?

Just
shut up
, her body demanded.
You need this!

Cristian boldly appraised her. His tongue darted out
to lick his lips, his eyes grew dark and hungry. His golden body
sat poised above her, strong and defined, ready to pounce.

Oh, yes, she needed this.

“What are you waiting for?” she asked. “An engraved
invitation?”

Then he pounced. His mouth latched onto her nipple,
sucking so hard she gasped and arched off the ground. The tip of
his erection teased her, rubbing against her clit until she was
frenzied with need. It throbbed, wetness pooled between her
legs.

“Inside me, werewolf. Now!”

He ignored her command, rubbing against her sensitive
clit instead. “Normally I’d play longer, teasing you, tasting
you.”

“Uh-huh.”
Why won’t he shut up?

“But I’m scared you’re going to run away.”

“Whatever. Just –” Run away. She froze.

Shit. What was she thinking?

Cristian’s body stilled over hers. “I ruined it,
didn’t I?” His tone was disappointed. “I can see your fear.”

Fear? She’d put a stop to that weakness long ago. The
reasons she didn’t get involved with men flew back into her mind
like a movie on fast forward. Her body stiffened under his. She
shoved him but he didn’t move.

“Don’t think, Natalia.” His hand – rough and
calloused – swept the hair back from her face. So tender and
caring.

She shuddered.

“Feel,” he said desperately, pressing his palm to her
chest. “Feel me. Know me. I’m on your side.”

She had no side. Her hands roamed up his chest and he
closed his eyes, exhaling a pleasurable sigh. The smoothness of his
skin, the contours of his muscles – she etched them into her
memory. For that’s all she’d ever have of him. With the viciousness
she was known for, she pushed him and spat, “Get off.”

He sighed, but rolled off of her. “I should’ve kept
my mouth shut.”

“I’d have regretted it.” She stood and pulled on her
pants.

He looked down at his hard-on. “I wouldn’t have.”

She grabbed her bra off the ground finally
registering the chill in the air. Bastard took her shirt. Where was
her jacket? “I’m sure you can still find some tail,” she told him.
“It’s not like there’s a lot of competition in these small towns. I
bet you have women throwing themselves at you.” She spotted her
leather jacket in a pile of leaves next to the tree she’d been tied
to.

He grinned. “You find me attractive?”

She tossed him a sideways glance then retrieved her
jacket. “I said there wasn’t a lot of competition.”

He rose from the ground and tugged on his jeans,
wincing as he tucked himself in. “Women have told me I’m ruggedly
handsome.”

Ruggedly handsome? What an understatement. “Uh-huh.
And these women, had they consumed large quantities of
alcohol?”

“Very funny.” A frown reached his face as she started
to put on her coat. “Take my shirt.” He held it out to her.

“No.” She could hear his teeth grind from a few yards
away.

“Damn it, Natalia! I am going to tie you back to that
tree if you don’t take the fucking shirt!”

Pushy bastard. She met his furious gaze then took the
shirt without a word and pulled it on. It was far too big so she
tucked half of it into her pants. He bit down on his lip and a wave
of lust hit her hard. She wanted to feel nauseous from the pinewood
scent of his shirt, but she couldn’t deny a perverse pleasure in
it.
What is
happening to me?

Her dignity forced her to thank him. He smiled
faintly.

She looked up at the sky. At least five hours till
dawn. She had plenty of time to follow the Slayer’s trail before
finding a safe place to rest for the day.

She started north then Cristian stopped her, blocking
her path. With his eyes narrowed he demanded, “Where do you think
you’re going?”

“North. I’m following the Slayer’s trail.”

He arched a brow. “You have no weapons.”

“I am a weapon.”

Amusement danced in his eyes before he pushed it back
in favor of a stern glare. “We made a deal. We’ll discuss strategy
first then we’ll follow him together.”

“I was obviously delusional from lack of blood. I
don’t make deals with werewolves.” She tried to step around him but
he moved with her.

“Does honor mean nothing to you?”

She bared her teeth as pressure built in her chest
like a volcano. “You want to talk to me about honor, werewolf? What
honor is there in stealing children from their families and killing
them in the lonely woods? What honor is there in hiring yourself to
do the dirty work of a group of pious sorcerers starting war with
every supernatural race? What honor is there in beating a woman,
supposedly his mate, within inches of her life and leaving her to
die while the pack watches her plead for mercy?” She stepped toward
him, fire burning in her eyes. Her chest heaved with angry breaths.
“Werewolves don’t extend mercy. Neither do I.”

She expected anger. She wanted anger. But Cristian’s
eyes softened, sympathy turning his mouth into a frown. He trailed
a finger down her cheek. Her body froze under his touch. “What
happened to you, Talia? What werewolf wronged you to create such
hate?”

The answer almost slipped from her tongue. She
clenched her jaw then slapped his hand away. “None of your
business. Just don’t lecture me about honor. I have none.”

All traces of sympathy faded in an instant. “You’re
not doing this alone, vampire.” His expression was immovable – an
alpha stare if she ever saw one. “You’re a good fighter, but I’m
stronger. Don’t force me to prove it.”

She weighed her options carefully. There was no doubt
the werewolf would follow her every step of the way, no matter what
she said. She would kill a man for less. Her gaze travelled the
length of him, noting the way his muscles bulged when he flexed.
Yes, he was stronger. But was he faster? Her body twitched,
readying to find out.

He must’ve read her intention because he grabbed her.
His grip was unyielding around her upper arm, but his voice dropped
to a husky whisper. “Don’t run, Talia. Work with me. Take a chance.
What do you have to lose?”

Their gazes locked and she couldn’t seem to tear hers
away.

“More importantly, what do you have to gain? How bad
do you want this guy? What are you willing to do to stop the murder
of innocent children?”

Anything. She would do anything. Sneaky werewolf hit
the right spot.

She sighed and her resolve fell away. By the way he
dropped her arm and stepped back with a satisfied smile, he knew it
too. “All right. We’ll try it. But the minute it gets
uncomfortable, I’m out.”

He chuckled. “Oh, Natalia, I guarantee it will be
very uncomfortable.”

Before she could respond, he grabbed her hand and
pulled her through the trees.

“Come. One of my pack camps is close by. I’ve been
meaning to check up on them anyway.”

“
Your
pack? You mean you’re an alpha?” This would be
more than just uncomfortable.

He grinned. “No honey, I’m
the
alpha.”

She cursed under her breath. “That explains so
much.”

“This is the worst idea ever,” Natalia said as they
drove west toward one of Cristian’s pack ranger sites. The man was
delusional to think this would end well.

He smirked. “Scared?”

“Of a pack of mangy mutts?” She shook her head. “I
think not.” She shifted in her seat. Unsettled, maybe.

A low growl started in the back of his throat. “I
grow weary of your insults, Natalia.”

The corner of her mouth turned up. “Good. Then let me
out. Otherwise, get used to it.”

“No.”

She turned to glare at him. “No?”

“No. Every time you insult me, I’ll demand a kiss.”
His lips twitched.

She arched a brow. “Demand?” A vision of Cristian
pushing her up against a tree and stealing a kiss with firm hands
and a growl slipped into her mind. Her stomach fluttered at the
unwelcome image. She licked her lips, remembering his earthy
taste.

He smirked. “I think you like the idea of me
demanding things from you.”

She fought back the rush of blood to her cheeks. “No,
werewolf. You’re getting me mixed up with your pack. I’m not some
submissive female falling at your furry paws in worship. Your alpha
status means nothing to me.”

The chaffing smirk didn’t leave his face. “We’ll
see.” He turned the jeep down a dirt road. “By the way, you owe me
a kiss for your furry paw comment.”

She snorted. “Not on your life, Fido.”

“That’s two.” He grinned. “Keep racking them up. All
the better for me.”

She ignored him. The trees thinned and a row of
quaint, wooden cabins appeared, bordering a primitive, rocky
parking lot. Cristian pulled up next to three other jeeps and shut
off the ignition.

“Remember where you are,” he told her before opening
the door. “Don’t say anything stupid. It’ll be harder for me to
save your ass if something goes wrong.” He looked her over and
frowned. “Actually, it’s probably best if you just keep quiet.”

She rolled her eyes. “You mean there won’t be a
welcoming party?” The cool air swept her breath away when she
opened the door. “Contrary to what you may think, I can handle
myself. I’ve been alive centuries longer than you.” The last part
was a guess, but experience proved she was older than most
werewolves.

“A miracle, at best,” he muttered and strolled
ahead.

“I heard that.”

The camp was as primitive as the rocky road that led
to it. The floodlight above the painted wooden Forest Ranger sign
on the building was the only working electricity she could see. Of
course with the almost full moon it was bright without the exterior
lights. And the closer it got to the new moon, the closer the
werewolves would get to true wolves – their eyesight keener,
reflexes faster, hearing more acute. They’d feel the urge to shift
and run, expelling magical energy as they went. It was a beautiful
thing to see. Well, it had been at one time.

Natalia followed Cristian as he strode past the line
of cabins. He walked with purpose, assessing everything as he went,
appraising the men he passed with both judging intimidation and
respect. Typical alpha, though he lacked the smothering ego of
most. Behind the cabins an empty fire pit sat lonely in the chilly
air. Harsh faces turned to her, one-by-one in expressions of
disgust. Cristian ignored them, even when a few spit in her
direction. How cliché.

“Charming pack you’ve got here,” she whispered to
Cristian’s back. But she sidled closer to his body. His answering
smile made her scowl and fall back.

They stopped outside the largest cabin as a
dark-haired werewolf strolled out the door, looking her over
hungrily when he stopped a few feet away.

“A prisoner?” he asked, his gaze fixed on her.

“Like hell, bast –”

Cristian pinched her ass, effectively shocking her to
silence. Ear nibbling, ass pinching, she didn’t even want to think
about what they’d almost done just an hour ago. What had she gotten
herself into?