Rise to Embrace [Rise of the Changelings, Book 3] (Siren Publishing Epic Romance, ManLove) (5 page)

Willow was a bit startled when the female werewolf walked over and grabbed the tray in Willow’s hands, giving her a pleasant smile. Willow hadn’t expected that.

“I just thought you could use the help.”

“Yes, of course.” Willow released the tray she had been holding and turned to grab the other one. “Thank you.”

Willow couldn’t get the promise out of her head. Brooke had told her he and Deluca would protect her and keep her safe. Why would he do that? They didn’t even know her. Why would they care what happened to her?

“I’m Isabelle,” the female said politely, pulling Willow from thought.

“Willow,” she replied. “And this is Trisha.”

Trisha smiled at Isabelle. Even though the alpha had filled her head with lies about the werewolf breed, Trisha was civil. If everyone believed rumors, then Willow knew these people thought the werecoyotes were untrustworthy and deceitful. Aside from the alpha, Willow thought her breed of changeling was kind, but fierce. They were like any other breed. All they wanted was to protect those they loved and live a happy life.

That thought only reminded her of Harmony. Willow missed her niece desperately. She wanted to demand that Garrett bring her little peanut back to her, but Willow wasn’t foolish enough to demand anything from their alpha. She tried demanding something from him once before, something that was the most important thing in her life, and had learned that Garrett had no heart.

Garrett may have the young ones fooled, and he may even have some of the other pack members believing he was only looking out for their best interest, but Willow knew the man for what he was.

“Can you grab a tray?” Willow asked Trisha as she glanced over toward the two humans who were making her forget she shouldn’t be interested in them.

“Sure.”

Garrett was as treacherous as they came. There was no doubt the man was plotting a way to make a profit off of this group of highly sought werewolves. Knowing how he was only made her want to warn Brooke and Deluca, but Willow couldn’t take that chance.

Too much was at stake for her to be killed.

Willow knew she had to walk a tight line. If Garrett even suspected her of lusting after the two humans, or even conspiring with them, he would have her killed. She should have told Brooke no when he asked to speak to her. Willow shouldn’t have talked with him privately. It only made her look guilty of plotting against her pack.

As she set the bowl of stew down in front of the man she knew to be Isabelle’s mate, Willow caught her gasp. This man was not a werewolf changeling. His scent told her he was indeed changeling, but there was something more there, a hidden scent just below the surface and very faint.

Wererat and werecougar.
What an odd combination.
But there was a third scent, something with a different flavor than changeling.

“Are you done prying into my DNA?” the man asked.

Willow quickly looked away and then moved on to the next gentleman. Lusting after Brooke and Deluca had occupied her thoughts to the point that she hadn’t noticed there was more than werewolves here. The large man in front of her with midnight black hair and big blue eyes was a jaguar changeling. He gave her a polite smile as he took the bowl from her.

“Thanks.”

She nodded and then found herself standing in front of Deluca. She hadn’t spoken to him yet, and as he fixed his light-grey eyes on Willow, she felt her womb contract and her breasts tighten. He stood, taking the bowl from her. Her breath hitched slightly when his fingers grazed hers. Deluca maintained constant eye contact as she stood there feeling her pulse begin to pick up and her pussy clench at the sight of the strong and powerful male standing before her.

“Thank you, Willow.” He drew her name out like a sweet seduction. Her body was betraying her, the same way it had betrayed her when Brooke had her sheltered in the corner. His eyes traced her lips, and her entire body became taut with the caress. At least, that was what it felt like to her.

Brooke’s warning of Garrett killing innocent men wouldn’t stop bugging her. Willow had been seconds away from telling Brooke to run, to get out of here before Garrett betrayed them. She didn’t know what the alpha was up to, but she had heard him talking with his beta, Orlando, and knew they were up to no good. She wanted to tell Brooke that
something
was going on, but she didn’t know any of the men here. If she warned them and they betrayed her trust, she was as good as dead.

“It smells delicious,” Brooke said as he reached onto her tray and took the last bowl, his body so close to hers she could feel the heat coming off of him and soaking into her. All of a sudden it was too hot in here. The room didn’t have enough air. She made the mistake of licking her dry lips. It was a mistake because both men watched the act intently, both of their eyes heating with desire. She could scent it. And because they were standing so close to her, she was drowning in the spicy masculine aroma of both males.

She couldn’t move.

Willow couldn’t break the spell these two men had woven around her.

“Thank you, Trisha.”

Her attention was no longer on the two men in front of her when she heard the juvenile’s name spoken. Willow cleared her throat and turned, even though the act itself was the most difficult thing she ever had to do. She couldn’t allow Trisha to see how these men were affecting her.

Trisha was only fourteen. Thank goodness she wasn’t aware of what arousal smelled like yet or Willow would be in danger. That didn’t mean the young girl couldn’t scent it. There was no way all three of their desires weren’t overpowering. It just meant Trisha hadn’t learned what the scent was just yet.

But she would. She was blossoming into a beautiful young woman, and before long, the juvenile would know exactly what the scent was when all the young changelings began to take interest in her.

The thought made Willow want to growl. Okay, so she was a little overprotective of the young girl. Trisha had been coming around Willow since she was five. Just as Harmony, Trisha was being raised by her aunt. It was a precarious situation. Trisha’s aunt was left with the burden—as Sarah constantly reminded everyone. She no more wanted to be a guardian than Trisha wanted her to be her caretaker. Sarah was never around, always chasing down one male werecoyote or another, leaving the rest of the pack to raise the young girl.

Willow had tried her best to be there for Trisha. She guided the young girl and helped her when she needed it. But Trisha was still young and thought Garrett’s hands were clean. As hard as Willow tried to keep Trisha sheltered, she wished she could just tell her how the man truly was.

But even if she decided to lay bare what the man was like, Willow knew there were some secrets she could never whisper, some truths she could never tell. Her womb clenched at the thought, and she quickly buried it before it brought her to her knees.

Trisha hadn’t asked what Willow and Brooke had talked about, but she could tell the young werecoyote was dying to ask. As much as Willow loved Trisha, the juvenile saw Garrett as a strong leader who could do no harm. Trisha didn’t know about deception and deceit, lies and betrayals. She was too young to know the lines adults crossed for purely selfish reasons. No, Willow had to watch what was said and done around the teenager who still wore rose-colored glasses that were fixed firmly to her eyes.

Willow walked quickly back over to the kitchen, trying to rein in her out-of-control desires.

“Alpha Garrett asked me to babysit Harmony tonight. Does that mean you will be staying here?” Trisha asked as she set her tray down. Isabelle had already brought her tray back and was now sitting next to her mate as he fed her from his bowl. Willow’s heart tightened at the sight. She dreamed of having a man like that, someone who looked at her like she was their entire universe. She watched the two, feeling so damn envious.

She glanced over at Deluca and Brooke and saw them gazing her way. Willow quickly turned back around. She grabbed the cloth and began to wipe the counter down. “I wasn’t told to stay here, but if he wants you to babysit, then I guess this is where I’ll be.”

The alpha was keeping her from her niece. Willow saw the act for what it was. He knew she didn’t like Trisha to be at home because Sarah wouldn’t be there. So why would she want Harmony there? Garrett knew this. He knew how everyone viewed the reckless aunt. Yet he was allowing a fourteen-year-old to care for a three-year-old overnight, alone.

Willow hated the idea of not being home and keeping Harmony safe herself.

“I’m done here so I’ll go pick little Peanut up from Alpha Garrett’s home.” Trisha leaned forward and kissed Willow on her cheek. “Be careful,” she whispered before she left the aerial loft.

Willow stayed in the kitchen for as long as she could. There was no one she had to watch out for. Although these people were strangers to her, Willow knew they would not be running to Garrett to tell the alpha if Deluca and Brooke boxed her in once more.

She cleaned everything she could, twice, and then folded the cloth up and set it aside. Willow knew all eyes would be on her as she crossed the room, but she had to gain a little privacy. Knowing the two men were constantly watching her was fraying her nerves.

Quickly walking to the bedroom, Willow blew out a slow breath when she was finally alone. But even in the quietness of the room, her thoughts were on the two men on the other side of the wall.

They were like night and day in appearance. Brooke was well toned, his muscles defined nicely from what she could see. He was fit, sculpted, and gorgeous. His amethyst eyes drew her in and had held her captive. She wanted to run her fingers over his short, black hair just to feel the thick strands under her fingertips. He was about four inches taller than her and smelled so masculine that her thighs tightened at the remembered scent.

Deluca was another story. The muscles rippling under his shirt seemed to stretch the fabric and show off the power he possessed. He was a lot broader than Brooke and an inch taller than his friend. His light-grey eyes were just as stunning as Brooke’s lavender ones, and he wore the same styled short hair, only his was a sandy blond.

They were both so damn tempting that Willow wanted to whimper. Her fingers had tingled to touch Brooke’s handsome face and see if the hair that shadowed his jaw was as soft as it looked.

But she knew that no matter how much she wanted the two men, it wasn’t going to happen. They were prisoners here, and Harmony was being kept from her. The odds of this going anywhere were stacking up, and Willow knew she needed to forget about any desires she had.

Her pack would kill her if they knew just how much she wanted those two men. It didn’t matter to her that they were human. In Willow’s eyes, a person should be judged by his or her character, not their species.

“I wanted to thank you for dinner.”

Willow’s heart jolted in her chest when Deluca appeared in the doorway. Gods, he had scared her.

He frowned. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”

“I’m fine,” she quickly replied. “You’re welcome for dinner.” She stood in the middle of the room, hoping he went away and praying he stayed. She was conflicted as hell. Deluca scanned the room with his eyes and then walked closer to her. Willow’s coyote lifted its head and watched the man closely as his presence seemed to suck all the oxygen from the room. Even though he wasn’t changeling, Deluca was a powerful male. She wanted nothing more than to give in to her desire to touch the man, but knew where that would lead.

And with Garrett keeping a close eye on her, she couldn’t allow what she wanted to jeopardize not only her life, but the lives of others she cared about as well.

* * * *

She was interested. There was no doubt in Deluca’s mind that the woman standing in front of him was filled with desire. He just couldn’t believe how much he wanted her. Never before had he craved a woman like this. It was like a bone-deep desire that he couldn’t shake, and didn’t want to.

He had always played around with the ladies, enjoying their sweet and soft bodies, but never entertained the thought of keeping one for long term. Willow not only had the thought racing through his mind, but Deluca was a bit shocked that he was even thinking about starting a family with her.

Brooke had always warned him that he would know when the right woman came along. Deluca had thought Brooke crazy. All women were right in Deluca’s eyes. But now that he stared at Willow, Deluca finally realized what Brooke had been referring to. He began to imagine what it would be like to wake up and have her nestled between him and Brooke. Deluca’s mind was entertaining the image of her holding their baby close as he or she suckled from their mother’s breast.

The thought stirred something deep inside of him that Deluca wasn’t even aware was there. It was a longing to have someone permanently in his life. Not just someone he wanted to have a good time with.

Over the ten years he had known Brooke, the man had gone on and on about romancing a woman and his old-fashioned values. Brooke believed in love at first sight. He believed family was sacred.

Deluca was an only child and not very close with his family. It was Brooke’s family who treated Deluca like he belonged. But he had always thought Brooke a little nutty for his views on women. They seemed outdated to him.

But with the woman standing in front of him, Deluca was beginning to entertain those very outdated ideas.

Brooke was never going to let him live this down.

He wondered what Willow would do if he pulled her into his arms and licked her full, lower lip. That was all he could think about since meeting her. Deluca wanted to taste, to touch, and to hear her crying out his name. He curled his hands into tight fists. She was already afraid of Garrett. He didn’t want to be added to her list of people she was frightened of.

Instinct told him that she had never been with two men before, and he knew he had to take this slowly. Brooke had warned him to be careful. He had said she was a frightened kitten. Deluca wanted to caress her soft skin and tell her she had nothing to be frightened of. That he and Brooke would not only show her what divine ecstasy truly was, but that she was safe in their arms as well.

“Is there something you needed?” Her voice was calm, cool, but Deluca could see the pulse in her neck beating quickly.

“I was just trying to have a conversation with you, Willow.” He liked saying her name. He could tell by the flare of intensity in her eyes that she liked hearing him say it. He would have to remember that when he had her writhing beneath him. She was a coyote changeling, and Deluca bet she would be wild and passionate in bed.

He stared into the extraordinary green eyes and found himself taking another step closer to the thick and curvaceous woman. His hands itched to run over every swell, every curve until he had her unglued and begging.

“Do you want me to leave?” he asked as he took yet another step. He was close enough to touch, but Deluca kept his hands at his sides. It was driving him crazy not to reach out and trace his fingers down her swanlike neck, or let them play over the creamy skin at the swell of her breasts. Those twin beauties made him want to nip and suck so badly that his damn mouth was watering.

“What did you want to talk about?” she asked as she stared him in the eyes, her arms crossing underneath her breasts. She was becoming guarded, defensive, and uncomfortable.

Deluca took a step back. “How did you end up being the one to look after us?”

Willow shrugged as she glanced toward the floor. “I’m not sure. Alpha Garrett came to my home and told me I had guests to entertain.”

“Guests?” Deluca asked in shocked surprised. “Is that what he called us?”

She nodded. “He said to make sure your group was well taken care of and were comfortable. He took my nie—” Willow closed her mouth and turned, walking over to stand next to the dresser. “How did you end up with Enrique?”

Deluca wanted to ask her to finish what she had started to say, but didn’t want to push her. He tucked his hands under his arms and smiled. “I like to live dangerously.”

Her eyes went wide. “You do?”

Oh, he liked teasing her. He could see she was going to be so much fun. “And it was a favor for a friend.”

She scowled at him and Deluca smiled. “You’re teasing me, Deluca.”

His body grew heavy and hungry when he heard his name on her lips. His eyes dropped to her full breasts and Deluca’s mouth watered once more. The swell of her breasts rose up above her shirt and showed him just how pale and pretty her skin truly was. She was wearing a long, billowing skirt, and Deluca was robbed of admiring her shapely legs. But he grinned when he saw the pink polish on her toenails.

“I’m not sure if I should be offended or not.”

His eyes snapped up as he frowned at her. He wasn’t sure what she was talking about. “For what?”

“You just checked out every inch of my body with your eyes.” She was glaring at him, as if offended. He highly doubted she was offended to the point she would kick him out. He knew she was just as interested in him.

His lips tilted up and Deluca relaxed. “Tell me you didn’t check me out already,” he badgered lightly. He knew it was the truth when a dusty rose colored her cheeks. “I’m right, aren’t I?”

“I noticed you,” she admitted offhandedly. “That doesn’t give you permission to openly gape at my body.”

“Why not?” he asked.

“Because you don’t treat a lady like that.” Deluca inwardly smiled when Brooke spoke from the doorway. “Haven’t I taught you anything?”

Willow visibly tensed, which made Deluca want to comfort her. He moved to the right of Willow as Brooke eased over to the left. She still had plenty of room, but he could see her watching them both.

“You never answered Brooke’s question,” Deluca pointed out. “Do you know what Garrett is up to?”

If he thought she was tense before, it was nothing compared to the rigid way she was standing now. Willow reminded him of an animal caught by two predators. Although he wanted to pounce on her like one and lick her entire body, he didn’t like the fear he saw in her emerald-green eyes.

Deluca watched in amazement as Brooke walked right over and pulled Willow into his arms. Had he known it would have been that easy, he would have done it as soon as he walked into the bedroom.

“Brooke,” she said with warning, but there was no heat to her voice. She just stared up at Deluca’s friend as she kept her hands close to her body. “What are you doing?”

“Showing you that you have nothing to be afraid of.”

Deluca watched, waited. He knew Brooke was trying to make her feel safe, protected, but Deluca wasn’t sure if she would freak out if he came up behind her. The temptation was overwhelming, but he remained where he was.

When Brooke dipped his head to kiss her, Deluca moved in smoothly behind her, placing a hand on her hip, pulling her back to his chest. He brushed aside her thick wealth of deep, rich red hair and laid a single kiss to her neck.

He could feel her relaxing, pushing her back against him. Deluca let his fingers glide up her sides, but stopped himself from cupping her bountiful breasts. They had to ease her into this. He was pretty sure groping Willow at this point just might get him smacked.

“The alpha is here,” Benito said as he hurried into the room. “And he looks downright pissed.”