Fated Desire: A Paranormal Romance Novel (The Twisted Destiny Saga Book 1) (7 page)

CHAPTER 12

Cora woke up to find herself in Ryan’s bed. She could smell him everywhere. His scent was so strong. A musky, manly scent.
Mmm.

Her head thundered. And that was when she remembered the scotch. And…other things.
Oh shit. Did I come on to him last night? Dammit, that’s embarrassing.
She groaned as she forced herself to sit up.

“Hung over, are you?”

She looked to her right, to the sound of his voice, and saw him emerging from another room, his hair dripping wet with just a towel around his waist.
Oh God.
The sight of his ripped, muscular chest sent a wave of heat straight to her sex. He was all man, that was for sure. The best that the male form had to offer and more. Her eyes were drawn to a tattoo over his heart. A wolf. A white wolf.
His
wolf.

“It’s beautiful.”

He followed her gaze and smiled. “Thanks.”

“Is that…are there more?”

He smirked at her. “Is that your way of asking to see me naked, darlin’?”

She blushed and looked away sheepishly. “No. That’s not what I meant.”

He laughed. “I’m just messing with you,” he said, crossing to the bed. “There’s one more.”

She watched as he turned around, his back to her. And there, across his upper back, was, indeed, another tattoo. It was massive. She gasped in surprise.

“Angel wings.”

He spun back around. “What? What’s wrong?”

“Why did you get it? I mean, when you think of a wolf, you don’t exactly think angel wings.”

He was stumped by the question. “I…I’m not sure. It was just—”

“Instinct?”

“Yeah. How did you know?”

She smiled and turned around. She lifted up the back of her shirt to show him the same tattoo on
her
back.

“Fuck me,” he breathed.

She felt him sit down on the bed. She sucked in a breath at the sudden touch of his fingers on her naked back. She gripped the front of the t-shirt tightly, clutching it protectively to her breasts, as he traced his fingers gently over the tattoo.

“We were connected…before we even met,” he said, his fingers leaving her after a few moments. He moved off the bed.

She pulled the shirt back down and said, “I know.”

“You sought me out that night, at my bar,” he accused.

She thought about it for a moment and then she replied, “I
think
so. But I didn’t realize it at the time. That same night, Luca came to me. He touched me and made me
see
something. Like a vision. He brought my power to the surface. Later, I had an overwhelming need for the hunt.”

“Sounds like a wolf talking.”

“It’s also a Seeker thing. I hadn’t felt it in years. I’d walked away from that life five years ago. That’s all I’d thought it was at the time. But now I know that it wasn’t. It was more. More
primal.
Instinctual. There are hundreds of Seeker
prey
within the city limits and I zoned in on wolves. Vampires should have been my target. To Seekers, they’re always the main threat. They don’t understand boundaries and the value of human life. Wolves were never much of an issue.”

“But that night, you must’ve been searching for a wolf, without even knowing it.”

She nodded.

“Me.”

“Yeah.”

“Well, I guess I have
something
to thank Luca for then. He sent you to me without even knowing it.”

“
Sent
me? I’m not a piece of meat, Ryan.”

He smirked and held up his hands. “Sorry.
Guided
you to me.”

“That’s better,” she said, grinning at him.

“You know, darlin’, on the one hand you’re so damned feisty. And believe me, I like that in a woman. But, on the other…” he said, crossing to her and gently stroking her hair, “…you’re so damned shy.”

“Shy?” she scoffed.

He pulled back and reached for the towel around his waist. “You don’t think so?” he asked, amused by her denial.

“I am
not
shy.”

“Really? Then tell me: what would you do right now if I dropped this towel?”

“What?”

“What would you do?”

“I—”

“You’d what? Suck my cock? Open your legs and beg me to fuck you?”

She grimaced at his words and averted her gaze.

He chuckled. “Yeah, I didn’t think so. Oh, darlin’, you are
so
shy.”

She turned away from him and didn’t respond.

He must’ve felt her fear, because he told her, “I’m not going to take you, Cora.”

“What?” she murmured.

“I’m not Luca. I like my women willing, darlin’.” He walked to his bedside table and retrieved a bottle of water and a vial of pills. “Here,” he said, handing them to her.

She took what he was offering and was surprised to see that it was her own medication. “Where did you get this?”

“I picked up a few things from your apartment this morning.” He gestured to the floor on her side of the bed.

She peered over the bed and looked down to see a couple of bags that she didn’t recognize. She lifted them onto the bed and unzipped one. Her clothes were inside. She looked up at him, smiling.

“I figured you’d feel more comfortable wearing those than my t-shirt all day long. I also found some pistols—all packing silver bullets. Lethal to wolves, so I left them where they were. I’m sure you understand. I brought your stakes, though.”

“Sorry. The silver bullets work on all supes. They burn.”

“Well, no more silver now, if you don’t mind.”

She nodded her agreement. “Thank you, Ryan,” she said sincerely. “I could’ve picked them up myself, you know.”

“Walking through the compound in just my t-shirt would’ve riled up all my boys, darlin’.”

“They can smell me.”

“Yep.”

“Are they angry?”

“Angry?”

“Because there’s a non-wolf in your bed?”

“I’ve explained the situation to them.”

“They know I’m your—”

“Mate? Yeah, they know. I told them a couple of hours ago. They’re…adjusting to the idea.”

“A couple of hours ago?” she asked, glancing around anxiously. “What time is it?”

“Late morning.”

“Oh my God. I slept that long?”

He laughed. “You were wasted last night.”

“Yeah…sorry about that. What I said…what I did….”
Oh my God, this is embarrassing.

He held up his hand. “Forget it.”

She quickly popped a couple of her pills and washed them down with a sip of water. She was supposed to take them only when an excruciating migraine hit. But right now, she didn’t give a damn. Her head was killing her.
Worst hangover ever.

“Drink it all. You’re dehydrated,” he told her.

She smiled at his concern for her well-being and did as he’d suggested, downing the entire bottle. She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and then told him, “I’m sorry, Ryan.”

“For what?”

“Coming here. I wasn’t thinking clearly. I shouldn’t have come here. I’ve put you and your pack in jeopardy. Once Luca realizes I’m here—”

“Stop!” he said, cutting her off. “You are my mate. It is my responsibility to protect you.”

“But—”

“End of story. That’s how it works.”

Of course. Wolf law.
“This situation isn’t normal, though.”

“My boys have been itching for a good fight. And we have unfinished business with the vamps.”

“You’re going to war?” she asked, incredulous.

“If Luca makes a move, we will respond.”

“Ryan, I don’t want—”

But he cut her off again. “The decision is mine and that will be the case until you and I bond. Only then would you have a say in pack matters. As an Alpha’s mate, that is your right. So, until then….” His gaze softened as he looked at her. “Relax. Go take a shower and get dressed. Then you will eat. You must be hungry.”

“I don’t like being ordered around,” she snapped.

“It was a
suggestion
. I’d rather I didn’t have to smell my brother on you
all
fucking day.”

“What? You can—”

“Yes.”

“I didn’t realize. You didn’t say anything before.”

“I didn’t want to upset you.”

“We didn’t—he and I didn’t—”

“I know,” he said, cutting her off. “He hasn’t taken you. I can smell your purity from where I’m standing.”

“I—”

“Let’s not,” he said, turning away.

She climbed out of the bed and headed into the bathroom.

Stopping at the door, she told him over her shoulder, “Thank you.”

“No need to thank me, Cora. I told you, it’s my job, as your mate, to protect you.”

She nodded to herself and walked into the bathroom, shutting the door behind her.

CHAPTER 13

“So, you still haven’t fucked her then?” Josh asked as he stood beside Ryan at the back of the mess hall, loading food from the buffet in front of them onto his plate.

Ryan held two plates in his hand—one for him and one for Cora. While she was taking a shower, he’d slipped out of the room and had come into the mess hall where his pack was eating lunch. He’d decided it would be best for him to bring her some food, rather than bring her into the mess hall with his pack of ravenous wolves that were indifferent at best about her presence among them. They’d accepted what he’d told them about her being his mate. They had no choice unless they wanted to challenge him.

And all of them knew better than that.

Not only was he Alpha, he was no ordinary wolf. No one could take him down.
Shit, that reminds me. I should probably tell Cora about that.

But, still, Cora wasn’t wolf and he understood that it bothered the pack. As such, he was wary about her being around them. She was safe in his room—none of them would dare to enter there. He would kill them without a second thought for the disrespect alone.

“Ry?” Josh pressed when he didn’t respond.

“I heard you. No, I didn’t. Not yet.”

“You need to bond with her to make it official.”

“I’m well aware,” Ryan snapped.

“Then why the delay? You had her in your bed.”

“She was drunk.”

“And this morning?”

Ryan hesitated. “It wasn’t…the right time.”

Josh scoffed. “Fucking hell, Ry.”

Ryan growled low in his throat. “I will
take
her when
I
decide. Is that clear?” His eyes narrowed at Josh and he watched him back up a couple of steps in response to the very real threat in his eyes.

“Crystal,” Josh responded.

Before anything more could be said, a low hum filled the room and a powerful sensation ripped through him. He recognized it immediately. As did the pack—the hum was the sound of a collective, low growl. His gaze snapped to the door and there was the source of the uproar. Cora. Clad head to toe in black leather, looking like the biker chick that he’d first set eyes on in his bar a few nights ago. She strode purposefully towards him. She didn’t appear at all concerned by the reaction from his boys.

“Josh,” she said, smiling politely at his second-in-command.

“Cora,” he responded with a grin.

“Thanks for your help last night. And the scotch. It really took the edge off.”

“You can’t handle your alcohol, woman,” Ryan commented.

She ignored him and held out her hand to one of the plates he held in his hand. “Is that for me?”

“Yes,” he said, handing it over. “Take it back to my room. I’ll be along shortly.”

She scoffed. “I don’t think so.”

Before he could respond, she strode away, right towards his pack.

He and Josh exchanged a look of surprise. They watched as she approached the table in the center where ten guys were gathered around eating and watching two of their friends arm wrestle across the middle of the table. They stopped what they were doing and all eyes turned to her as she approached. She put her plate down at the far end of the table and took one of the three spare seats, the one next to Ryan’s spot at the head of the table. They growled and she glared hard at them. Immediately their growls ceased and they resumed what they’d been doing.

“Wow, you sure she’s not wolf?” Josh said, grinning at him.

“She has the attitude,” Ryan agreed as he and Josh made their way over to the table.

Ryan took his seat at the head of the table. He looked up expectantly and every wolf in the mess hall immediately nodded their respect and acknowledgment of his presence. Josh took a seat beside him and began devouring his food. Ryan glanced at Cora, but she didn’t notice. Her eyes were focused on the arm-wrestling match down the table. As one of the guys bested another, she suddenly shot to her feet.

“I’m next,” she announced.

Ryan was stunned. It took him a moment to respond. He reached for her arm and told her, “No.”

She turned to him and winked slyly. And then she wrenched her arm from his grip and approached the middle of the table. The guy who had lost shifted to his right to make room for the next challenger. Roy, the current arm-wrestling champion, looked to Ryan for his approval.

Ryan sighed. “Fine. But stop before you break her wrist. Understood?”

“Got it,” Roy said and then eyed the little woman opposite him with amusement. “Sure you wanna do this, sweet thing?”

Ryan let his comment go. Boys will be boys. He couldn’t blame him for reacting that way. She’d left him little choice in the matter. She’d willingly put herself right in the thick of it.

“I’m stronger than I look, wolf,” she said, winking at him.

Taken aback by her feisty response, he looked around the table. The wolves started to laugh. But Cora didn’t seem the least bit deterred by it. In fact, judging by the steel set of her jaw and the look in her eyes, it just seemed to strengthen her resolve.

She rested her elbow in the middle of the table. Roy did the same and clasped his huge hand around her tiny one. “Who’s counting us in?” she asked, glancing around at the table.

“I’ve got you,” Ryan heard Ben pipe up from the other end of the table.

“Name?” Cora asked him.

“Ben.”

“Cora,” she said, smiling. She turned her gaze back to Roy and said, “I should probably know the name of the wolf whose ass I’m about to kick.”

Jesus Christ, she’s so damn feisty. What a fucking turn on.

“Roy,” he said, chuckling with amusement.

And then Ben counted them in. “Three. Two. One. Go!”

Roy jerked his hand to the side. Ryan was shocked to see that nothing happened. He couldn’t budge her. Her hand was steady, like a damn rock. His eyes widened in surprise.
What the fuck?
She met Roy’s shocked gaze and grinned.

She started to push against him and Ryan saw him grimace, his hand shaking with the effort of resisting the pressure she was applying.

“Fuck!” he exclaimed.

“Roy, come on!” someone shouted.

“She’s a girl!” another yelled.

“Finish it, Roy!”

Ryan watched him struggle to move her hand, to force it down on the table and win the match. But he just couldn’t. She was too strong. He laughed inwardly as he saw her wink at him.

And then she slammed his hand onto the table, in one sudden motion, ending the match.

“Christ,” Roy exclaimed.

She’d won.

She fell back against her seat and raised her hands with triumph. The roars around the room from his wolves were deafening. Excitement. Disbelief.

“Next!” she called out.

Roy leaned across the table to her and told her, “There is no one. I was the champion. There’s no one left to challenge.”

“I don’t believe that’s true,” she said, her gazing falling on Ryan.

He shook his head.

“Afraid?” she called down the table.

The guys wolf-whistled in response to her challenge. Ryan ignored it and kept his gaze steady on her. “I’ll hurt you,” he warned her.

“Or, will I hurt
you
?”

He smirked at her, impressed by her challenge. She was turning him the fuck on. “Fine,” he said, getting to his feet. He shook off his leather jacket and flexed his massive biceps, which were visible now in his gray, ribbed t-shirt. “You’re calling out the wolf, darlin’.”

The boys roared in response to his words. As he passed by, making his way towards the middle of the table, they slapped his shoulders. “Go, Ry!”

Roy left his seat and Ryan took his place. He thrust his elbow onto the middle of the table, the force of it vibrating the metal and causing everyone to take a step back. His eyes flashed at Cora, but she wasn’t afraid. She just grinned at him.

“You’re sexy when you’re mad,” she told him.

“Be careful,” he cautioned.

“Why?”

His eyes bore into hers as he growled, “Because the wolf wants to fuck you right here on this damn table, sweetheart.”

A cacophony of wolf-whistles filled the room and Ryan smirked at her.

To her credit, she held her own well and didn’t break his gaze, despite his blunt comment. Her shyness was nowhere to be found. She was too engrossed in the challenge that lay before her.

Her arm joined his in the middle of the table and she gripped his hand tightly.

He returned her grip, breaking her gaze to nod to Ben.

His eyes snapped back to Cora’s and he barely heard Ben as he counted them in. He knew the match had started when he felt her hand pushing against his.
Damn, she is strong, I’ll give her that. But not strong enough to best me.

She pushed harder, but he held steady. Her eyes narrowed with determination and he felt the full weight of her strength against him. But, still, his hand held steady. She looked at him in surprise and he raised his eyebrows and grinned.
I tried to warn you.

He made his move and pushed back. The power behind it forced her hand down, despite her best efforts to stop him. He held her hand there, just a couple of inches from touching the table and ending the match. He knew if she didn’t loosen her grip he’d break her wrist if he pushed any further.

“Let go. You’re done.”

Her eyes flashed with resolve.

“You can’t win. Accept your defeat.”
Stubborn woman.

She shook her head.

Ryan glanced around at his boys. “I think we can call this.”

Ben nodded at him.
Alpha wins.

Ryan wiggled his eyebrows at Cora. “Sorry, darlin’.”

She released a frustrated sigh and loosened her grip. He pressed her hand to the table, signaling the end of the match and his victory.

But he didn’t release her hand. He stared at her. The heat between them was unbearable. Her eyes were glowing silver as she looked back at him. He knew his were afire too. He lunged across the table and his free hand fisted in her hair, forcing her lips to his. His mouth devoured hers and she responded instantly. Her lips parted and he tasted her, hungrily, insistently.

He forced himself to pull back amid the thunderous sound of the roars and hoots from his boys. He knew if he didn’t, then he would end up fucking her right there on the table, in front of them all. He released her suddenly and fell back against his seat, panting frantically.

Before he could do anything, he watched in surprise, as the pack gathered around Cora and lifted her up. They howled wildly and ruffled her hair.

He grinned as he heard her sweet laugh.

The boys had seen their eyes glowing. They’d seen proof that she was their Alpha’s true mate.

And her little demonstration of strength, her wolf-like attitude, had won them over. They accepted her. Actually, from the looks of the scene in front of him, it was clear it was more than just acceptance.

It was admiration.

They loved her.