Nights Embrace (Others of Seattle) (31 page)

Late in the day, Roxy sat curled up next to Trevor. They were both writing in notebo
oks. She had the itch to play music.

She gave Trevor a sweet
smile. “Can I use one?” She nodded to the two guitars sitting in the corner of the living room.

“Of course,” Trevor answered
automatically.

Joey groaned.
“Don’t tell me you can play too.”

Roxy winked back at him.
“I won’t tell you.” She picked up a guitar and sat down cross-legged. She laid her notebook in front of her and tuned the instrument by ear. Trevor shifted in his seat, setting his book down to watch.

Once she was comfortable, she began to play
a melody. One which had been in her head for years, but never really fit anything she wrote. She had the first few bars tattooed on her side.

The music
was full of passion and love and made her heart soar even before she could tie it to anyone. Now it was complete, lyrics, music, she had even written out the drum part and bass line while she was noodling in her notebook.

She played it through once without the lyrics. Then she went back and sang the song she wrote for Trevor.

He scooted off the chair and crawled over to her. She couldn’t pull her eyes from him as he made his way across the room. Sexy, graceful, full of the power that he’d shown her each time he made love to her.

She
melded the poem into the melody and added the chorus.

Trevor picked up the other guitar and started to play a harmony that matched and filled the song further. Then he started singing
with her.

When the song ended, she looked up to find the room filled. Fiona and Nick
, who had been working on the stew, were standing in the door. Shane and Siobhan sat on the couch now, and Joey and Sorcha had moved to sit near them.

Roxy met
Trevor’s gaze. “You made that song so much better,” she whispered.

Shane snorted.
“It was pretty good before he joined in, but you two are natural together.”

Roxy ducked her eyes.
“We do meld well.”

Trevor chuckled low and deep.
“Don’t get me started on that.”

“
Roxy, please, help me make cookies before you wander off again,” Sorcha pleaded.

Grinning, Roxy s
et the guitar to the side and followed Sorcha to the kitchen.

Siobhan joined them. She leaned against
the counter to fuss with the spoons.

Sorcha started pulling ingredients out.
“I have a question,” she stated quietly.

“What’s that?” Roxy answered.

“Are you really going to go away for a week?”

“Yeah. I think Trevor
and I need some time away from everyone and everything for a little while. It has been pretty nonstop since we met. As much as he’s a part of me, I don’t feel like I’ve had the time to get to know him as well as I’d like.” Roxy shrugged. “I don’t think there is anything he can say to make me turn away, but I would like to know more.”

Fiona stirred the pot of bear s
tew and turned back to her. “It’s no different than what you and Joey did after he turned you, or what Shane did after Siobhan was turned. Even Nick and I went away for a couple of weeks.”

“I’m going to miss you.” Sorcha pouted. “I get it, but I don’t like it.
”

“I’m not going to run away with him forever.
A week, that’s all. I can’t leave my brother that long either. And you all have to get to know him, so when I tell him he doesn’t think I’m totally nuts.”

Fiona smoothed her hands down her pants.
“Do you think you’ll tell him about our relationship?” There was a sad hopefulness in her tone.

“Definitely.
Maybe not right away. And well, your age might be a difficult subject for now. We’ll figure it out though.”

Siobhan nudged her twin.
“So, you’ll be stuck with me for a week while Roxy’s gone.”

Sorcha stuck her tongue out. Then she turned back to Roxy.
“So what do you think about movie night?”

“Sounds good,” Roxy answered.

* * * *

Movie
night started with
An American Werewolf in Paris
. As it ended, Roxy laughed. “Anyone else think it’s strange we’re all watching a movie about werewolves?”

“O
i, but they have us so wrong.” Sorcha giggled. “I still love this movie.”

Roxy had browsed the
selections earlier. She found her favorite movie of all time. Before anyone could pick something else, she hopped up from the couch and snagged
The Salton Sea
from the shelf.

“My pick,” she announced as she switched disks.

“What are we watching?” Trevor’s brow arched as he smiled up at her.

“My favorite.”
She licked her lips and nodded to the floor. “Now move to the carpet. I’ll rub your back.”

He moved, and she settled into the chair behind him. He pulled her legs around his sides to massage her feet while she went to work on his shoulders.

“This wasn’t part of my plan, but mmm, Trevor, you do spoil me.”

“It’s no more than you deserve, love,” he
lifted her foot to kiss the arch.

A shiver travelled down her spine.
She leaned down to whisper in his ear, “I wouldn’t do that unless you want to give them all a show.”

Trevor twisted around
with a wicked smile. “Even more ideas and places to explore. I can’t wait to get you alone for a week.”

She place
d a light kiss to his lips and nodded to the TV. “Watch the movie.”

They did. He melted against her as she worked the tension from his back.

* * * *

“Okay,
that was better than I expected,” Joey admitted.

Nick gave Roxy a smile.
“Maybe I should have suggested it in before now. That’s one of my favorites too.”

Sorcha frowned. “You really need to speak up more, Nick.”

“Sorry little bro,” Joey said. He turned to Roxy and shook his head. “It shouldn’t surprise me that you love a good mystery.”

“You should read Roxy’s books,” Sorcha teased.

Joey grumbled, “They should be made into movies, then I’d be up for it.”

Roxy laughed.
“What’s the next movie?”

“
The Notebook,
” Sorcha and Siobhan said simultaneously.

Roxy dropped her head to Trevor
’s shoulder with a soft groan.

“What?” Fiona asked as she got up to put the movie in.

“I’m not big on chick flicks, but you all watched my favorite, so I’ll live.”

Shane
’s brow arched. “I think you’ll do what all other women do and be a crying mess by the end of the movie.”

“You’ll be sadly disappointed.
”

Trevor stood, scooping her up to sit her in his lap as the movie started. She got comfortable and fell asleep.

* * * *

Shane laughed softly as Trevor stood up with Roxy asleep in his arms. Shane said, “I really thought she would watch it.”

“Honestly? I did too,” Trevor murmured. He was sort of glad she hadn’t. That movie hit him every time. She didn’t witness the tears in his eyes.

He carried her up to their room
and laid her down. Once the door was locked and he was undressed, he leaned over her to open her jeans.

Her hands slid over his forearms as her eyes blinked open. A smile lifted her lips. “Make love to me.”

“You’re tired.”

She pouted.
“You don’t want me?”

“Always want you,
A Chroí
.”

As he dropped her pants to the floor, she sat up to pull her shirt over her head. He leaned in, reaching behind her to open her bra
. Trevor slid the silk down her arms. Her hands went to his chest, tracing over his muscles.

Trevor crawled
up her body, trailing kisses on his way to her mouth. He took his time with a slow languorous exploration.

Her fingers threaded into his hair a
nd she pulled him closer. She rolled him over, settling over his hips before reaching between them to place his crown at her gate. Roxy moved slowly, undulating over him, her silky skin caressing over his body with the sweetest sensation.

“That song,” she murmured, “those words.
They don’t begin to describe what I feel for you.” Her eyes faded to that icy shade of her beast, but they were locked on his and only love and truth shone through. “I didn’t believe in soulmates, not until you came along.”

He smoothed his hands up her back, winding his arms around her as
they demolished any barriers she still held between them. Her love flowed through him, her magic flared, and her wolf pushed through her. His beast met hers and he felt her on a whole new level.

“Trevor,
do you feel that?”

“Aye,” he gasped, feeling the sensation of him moving deep inside her, layered over his own
pleasure. “Never felt anything like this.”

She dropped her mouth
, her tongue twisting with his. He was teetering on the edge when her whole body shuddered, pulling his release with hers. She collapsed on top of him as she shivered.

Pulling the
blankets over them, he let out a contented sigh. “My love.”

“You are my everything
.” She yawned as she curled closer to him.

After breakfast, Roxy dropped into one of the large overstuffed chairs and opened her laptop. She was typing away on a top secret project.

Trevor sat on the couch, reading a book when he wasn’t watching expressions dance over his mate’s face. He couldn’t help wondering what she
was working on.

The
satellite phone rang and his head whipped up. Roxy was too lost in her own world to notice. He climbed to his feet and grabbed the phone from the kitchen.

Trevor answered,
“Hello?”

“Who am I speaking with?”

“Trevor Malone.”

“Hello Trevor. This is Slater. I
spoke with Fiona early this morning. That was before we got word from Seattle that William Scarsborough is on his way. They have a caravan of vehicles full of people. I’m assuming all wolves.”

“Shit,” Trevor whispered. “How many?”

“Unfortunately I don’t have a headcount, but I know it’s more than your clan. I’m offering our assistance. Not just my pack’s but Tremaine and a couple of mages, as well as Fallon and a few others who are more than happy to help you finally end this threat.”

Trevor
’s head spun, a caravan? How many had they brought?

As much as they could use the help, he hated bringing more people into the problem
, likely putting them in danger. “Are you sure you and your town want to be involved?”

“From what I’ve been told of William and his pack, I most certainly want to help. Brody has nothing but good things to say about you and Roxana. Tremaine and Fallon both speak highly of Fiona. I’m sure if we ran into trouble, you all would offer your help. It’s the least we can do.”

“Very well then, what is it you need from us?”

“First, we
need to know where to find you. I suggest somewhere other than where you’re staying. I wouldn’t want you to give your wards away. Fiona did an excellent job hiding the cabin. Our scouts couldn’t find a trace of your location.”

Trevor winced. “Is that good or bad
?”

“Good,” Slater answered automatically. “We weren’t trying to find you to pry into your affairs. Only scouting to make sure trouble hadn’t found you.”

“There’s a meadow a mile east for the turnout of the logging road across from Tiger Creek. Do you have any idea of when to expect them?”

“No telling.
I would imagine we have less than an hour. Fiona has my number.”

“Thank you for calling.”

“Hey,” Slater said, before Trevor could hang up. “I would do anything for my mate, and it looks like this asshole has made your mate his target. We’ll help however we can. Be careful.”

“Aye, we will.” Trevor hung up
. He walked right past Joey and Shane who were both standing there listening to the entire conversation.

“Hey, a
rsehole, what are you doing?” Joey asked.

Trevor
snarled, “Attempting the impossible.” He knelt beside Roxy and brushed his knuckles down her cheek.

She looked up at him with a smile
. “What’s up?”

He took a deep breath.
“William and his entire pack are on their way. Is there any chance I could talk you into staying here?”

Roxy
’s eyes narrowed to slits as she closed her laptop and set it aside. “Absolutely not. If I don’t show up, William is likely to tear you apart and there won’t be a damned thing I can do about it. I can’t take that chance, Trevor.”

“
I had to try. He’s pissed which makes him unpredictable and very dangerous. I’m not sure he wants you now, as much as he wants to destroy us. I can’t lose you,
A Chroí
.”

“
Then we’ll work together. That’s why we’ve been training, right?”

“
She has a point,” Joey chuckled. “I could have told you it was a waste of time to ask. Roxy will be fine. It’s you I’m worried about, Trevor.”

“Yeah,” Shane added. “
You need to remember to watch your back. Our women can take care of themselves. You need to take care of you.”

Trevor took a deep breath and pushed his fingers through his hair.
“I know, but she’s a pup.”

“A pup?” Roxy growled, her eyes flashing pale blue.

“Not what I meant, love. You’re a brand new wolf. You’re just now learning about your magic. There is so much that could go wrong, and I’m scared to death of losing you.”

Her expression softened as she took his face in her hands. “And I’m not scared of losing you?”

“It’s not the same.”

“It’
s exactly the same, Trevor.”

Maybe it was, but it didn’t make Trevor feel any better. He
looked up at Shane. “I think Fiona and Roxy should stay in their present form to have full access to their magic. The three of us half-man. The rest wolf. It should give us the advantage. If they have the same clan from before, only Boyd and William can shift to half beast.”

“Unless they gained some power along the way, but you’re right, that’s a good plan.”

“I can always shift if I need to,” Roxy answered.

“Hmm, yes, but you can use magic in this form.” Fiona offered Roxy a smile
. “Until you can manage a half-man form you won’t be able to cast everything as a wolf.”

Roxy turned toward Trevor with wide eyes. Her fingers threaded through his.
“I don’t remember a whole lot from the night of my attack, not clearly anyway, but you were huge in that form.”

“We
’re all are big in that form,” Trevor told her softly. “Did I frighten you then?”

“No. I was hurting
too bad to be afraid. I’m not now either, but I am curious if my memory is right.” She leaned into him and closed her eyes.

“I won’t hurt you,” he whispered into her hair.

“I know you won’t.”

His heart swelled. He could feel her trust.
“I’ll be back in a few.” Standing, he started for the stairs.

Joey caught up with him before
he made it to his room. “You could shift in front of her. She’s not going to freak.”

“I figure this is better. I’m worried, Joey. What if something goes wrong?”

“Like what?”

“Like she’s hurt. Like they get away with her. Like she’s…” he took a deep breath, “killed.”

“She won’t be. You need to snap out of this. You’ll get yourself hurt, or worse.”

“I’m trying. You didn’t have those bastards after Sorcha. They never
targeted her like they are Roxy.”

“No, but she’s been through the same when they c
ame after me. So knock it off. It’s all of us, okay? We need to work together.” Joey gripped his shoulder.

* * * *

“She’s a what?” Jordan nearly screamed at Leanan, who was calmly trying to explain what Roxy was. The only woman he ever loved wasn’t even human, and never was. “And you say monsters, fucking monsters, are after her?”

“Her father and his pack, to be exact. Trust me, Jordan, you do not want to
involve yourself with these werewolves. There’s a town near where Roxy and her mate are hiding. I called their alpha. He’ll make sure your darling Roxana will be safe.”

“She’s not mine. Not anymore.” He slumped into the seat and pushed his fingers through his hair. “I want her safe. I want her happy. Most of all, I want her not to hate me.”

“I don’t believe she does. If she did, she wouldn’t have tried to help you so much over the years.”

“Why couldn’t you have found me years ago? Helped me get myself under control
before I fucked everything up?”

Leanan sighed, as she took the seat next to him. “I didn’t know until I got a call from an old friend.”

“Trevor?” Jordan snapped.

“No. We covered this. Joey. Not that it really matters.”

“You’re right. You already said this wasn’t anything more than helping another of your kind.”

Her eyes shimmered as she looked away. “I don’t know what else to tell you, Jordan.
I don’t want to hurt you. That was never my intention.”

“Fine. What is
Roxy? You said a druid?”

Leanan nodded.
“I hear she’s finally tapped into her magic. There was a block on it for a long time, but something finally happened to sever that spell.”

“What?”

“It’s a long story. I don’t know all of it. I know her mother was hiding from a blood druid after learning who and what he was. She was trying to keep both Roxana and Michael safe.”

“Mike’s a druid too?”

She nodded. “I suspect so, but his wards are holding better. He’s likely not as strong, but the male of the species rarely is. He also never believed in magic, which only strengthens the block.”

“Shit. Okay. So, who is going to be helping Roxy and her… what did you call them…
clan?”

“I have an old friend up in Edenton. He has a rather large pack of werewolves, but they live with Others of all types. Slater will
take his most trusted wolves, some mages, likely an Earth fae, and another druid to help protect your love.”

“Not
my
love. I let her go, remember?” he snarled.

“It’s for the best. She’s mated to a werewolf. Trust me, you don’t stand a chance against a mate bond.
I truly am sorry I didn’t find you sooner. I would have helped if I could.”

“Don’t, Leanan.
Don’t try to make it better. You only wind up making it worse.”

“If it’s any consolation, I think you’re meant for someone else. Be patient
, my dear.”

* * * *

Roxy finished off her coffee and took a look around. “I’m worried about him,” she admitted. “He’s so focused on me and his fear of what’s going to happen, I honestly don’t think he’s worried about himself. That scares me.”

“They keep targeting you. Of course he’s worried about you.” Shane sat down beside her. “You need to convince him you will be fine and that he can relax. That’s easier said than done.”

“Yeah, I can imagine.” Roxy ran her finger around the rim of her now empty cup. “If he gets himself killed, I’m going to find someone to bring him back so I can punish him.”

“I know someone
who did that,” Fiona told her, a smirk on her face. “You may not be happy with the outcome.”

“That’s encouraging,” Roxy muttered.

“He’s going to be fine.” There was a rumbled growl from the stairs. Roxy turned to find Joey, who was already huge, now ginormous.

“Holy shit, you’re big
!”

Joey dipped his head and chuckled. She didn
’t dare look down. She honestly didn’t want to know.

“So
, full on nude in that form?” She turned back to see a cup of tea placed in front of her.

Fiona smiled.
“It will calm your nerves, which will in turn calm Trevor’s. Drink it. It won’t do anything but provide you balance to better focus.”

Roxy wrapped her hand around the mug and noticed two ice cubes melting. After such a short time, they were already learning her habits, likes and dislikes.
It was nice to have that connection, but it made her miss her brother.

She met Fiona
’s gaze. “Thank you. I appreciate it.” Then she gulped down the fragrant tea. Her stomach, which had been in knots, settled. As her nerves relaxed, she realized how tightly she’d been wound.

She felt big warm hands on her shoulder and looked up to find Trevor standing there. His face
was monstrous, but sweet at the same time. He was taller, broader, but he was the same.

He brushed his fingers over her cheek and she leaned into his palm.
“Still you,” she whispered.

He smiled and pulled her into his arms. She felt his love swell, which she hardly believed possible.
“I’ll protect you,
A Chroí
.”

She leaned back and looked into his golden eyes.
“Protect yourself first. I can’t live without you.”

“Only if you promise to remember that
as well.”

She nodded, but didn
’t argue. Roxy didn’t know what was going to happen, but she was determined to focus first and foremost on what was coming for her, and then on what was a threat to Trevor.

Shane ducked his head,
“Come on, the rest of us who are shifting should do so now.”

* * * *

Trevor walked beside Roxy, holding her tiny hand in his. He felt as if he could break her in this form, which scared the hell out of him.

Roxy looked up at him, her eyes caught somewhere between startling iridescence and the icy white of her wolf
’s. “Watch yourself first,” she warned. “I don’t want to have to kick your ass if you get hurt.”