Taken by the Wolf King (Gladiator) (8 page)

She nodded before closing the door. Leif didn’t leave until he heard the sounds of her locking herself inside securely.

Elsa pressed her back to the door and slowly slid down to sit on the floor. Head in hands, she struggled not to give into hysterics or sob uncontrollably. Such a different emotion than the last time Leif had left her apartment.

Panic filled her as the full situation hit her like a sledgehammer. The chancellor’s men had her
children
! Yet she’d behaved like a whore with Leif, and it hadn’t all been because she’d been trying to get her children back using any means necessary. Quite the opposite. She’d thought if she could convince the king to just leave, the chancellor would just give the children back to her. Now she had to consider that might not be a possibility, at least as far as Leif was concerned. It was obvious he wasn’t one to give in to bullies.

The phone rang, a shrill sound that filled Elsa’s heart with dread. There was no doubt who was calling or what they wanted.

“You let him leave,” a male voice accused. The man sounded furious that he wouldn’t get Leif tonight.

“He had to prepare for the meeting tomorrow. You heard him. I had no time to prepare for this! You sprung it on me by scaring me to death in the middle of the street! Besides, why didn’t you nab him when he attacked your men? It would have been the perfect opportunity with the perfect reason for imprisoning him.”

“Watch your tone! You’re in no position to argue with me, girl.”

“Where are my children?”

“Safe. For now. How long they remain so depends solely on how quickly you deliver that animal to us.” The man sounded cruel, menacing. Surriah was only four. Jaccob eleven. Oh God! This couldn’t be happening!

“Mommy!”
Surriah
! The little girl sounded terrified. Elsa’s heart clenched, and she wanted to vomit.
They had her children
!

“Baby? Just hold on, sweetie! Stay with Jaccob! I’ll get you home!”

The girl’s weeping was replaced by a shrill scream before the phone went dead.

“Surriah!” Elsa sank to the floor, sobbing, still clutching the useless phone in her fist. How in the world had she gotten in the middle of this? And was Jaccob all right? All she’d been doing was her job! Physically ill, Elsa knew she was going to vomit. Trembling as she was, it took all her effort to simply make it to the bathroom to be sick in the toilet.

How stupid she’d been! To think she would actually be a queen. The very idea was absurd. It had only been a fanciful fairytale of her own making. Had she not been so taken with Leif, maybe she’d have realized it. Perhaps, on some level, she had known it was all an illusion. Leif might have good intentions, but in the end, she was a pawn. As were her children. For all she knew, this whole thing could have been a setup from the beginning. She’d rebuffed the wolf king so they’d threatened Jaccob to nudge her back in that direction. But why? With her as Leif’s mate, they would have even less reason to keep his people as slaves. Their peoples would be united. Right?

No. She doubted any one of those in power would care. One, they viewed all the shifters—even their king—as little more than animals. Two, they would never willingly give up their main source of money. Too much of it passed through their hands to allow it to dry up.

Once the wave of nausea had passed, Elsa sat back against the wall, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. Tears streaming down her cheeks, she avoided looking at the camera she knew had the chancellor’s men on the other end watching, looking for any sign of treachery. Honestly, what did they expect she’d do? They’d taken her children and given her a simple task to do. Convince Leif to come with her to a specific area so they could capture him. Then she’d get her children back. It was simple, really. Betray a man she barely knew for the lives of Surriah and Jaccob.

If she believed the chancellor’s men would actually return the kids. Who was to say they wouldn’t simply kill them to get them out of the way? Kill her while capturing Leif? The way she saw it, she had two choices. First, she could do as she’d been told. Turn in a man she firmly believed was good, or tell Leif what had happened and trust her children’s lives to the mercy of a stranger. If she were found out, that second option would definitely get her children killed. If he mounted a rescue and failed, they’d die. If he refused to help them, they’d die and she’d never forgive herself. But if she didn’t tell him, if she betrayed Leif, there was at least a fifty-fifty chance she’d get them back.

Much as she wanted to trust Leif with this, it wasn’t the best decision. He’d already promised to keep her and the children safe and had failed. If his trusted guards couldn’t protect them, what expectation did she have that Leif could? Besides, he was likely strong enough to hold on. To hold on until she could mount a rescue for him. The group she occasionally aided might not risk being caught to help her, but they would for the wolf king. Of that she was sure.

What a cluster fuck!

Knowing she didn’t have much of a choice, Elsa continued to cry, doing her best to harden her resolve. Either way she was damned. But there were just some things one couldn’t chance.

***

Leif prowled the embassy. Jorak hadn’t reported in; nor had Astrid. Something wasn’t right. While he knew better than to think he’d have sensed Jorak’s presence at Elsa’s, he’d half expected the warrior to come out of the shadows to speak with him before Leif went back to the embassy. Leif thought about going back to Elsa but dismissed it almost immediately. She obviously needed time to figure things out. The speed with which things were moving no doubt disturbed her. Still, he found it hard to reconcile the way she’d been with him earlier and her complete rejection of him later. The fine hairs on the back of his neck stood on end as if readying for a sneak attack. One thing was for sure—he needed to be ready for anything

“Your majesty.”

Spinning around, Leif nearly fell to his knees. Aldar? That knot of dread tightened to a death grip. “Where’s Jorak? The children?”
Elsa!

The startled look Aldar gave him was the last thing Leif expected. “The children are with Astrid and Jorak. Astrid said you had need of me.” The big man looked completely baffled. “She said you’d requested Jorak as well, but he said he would not break his oath to our future queen even for you. He stayed.”

“I didn’t summon you, Aldar. Nor Jorak. I need the two of you to protect Elsa and her young ones.” Rage simmered inside Leif. He’d suspected Astrid had an agenda of her own, but what was she playing at?

“I…” Aldar looked equal parts confused and horrified. “I’ll go back,” he said, his face hardening. “No one will harm your mate-in-waiting or her young ones.”

“Take five warriors of your choosing. Go expecting trouble—” Leif’s command was cut short by the insistent beeping of the comm unit he’d been given.

“Elsa! Are you all right?”

“I… Leif.” Her familiar voice was so sweet he forgot all his concerns, forgot she was likely in danger she may or may not know about. In that moment nothing mattered but that she was there, speaking to him.

“Gods, Elsa,” he rasped, his knees nearly giving out. “I was worried! Why isn’t Jorak with you?”

There was a pause before she said. “I sent him away.” Another pause. Before Leif could bombard her with questions, she continued. “Look. I’m sorry about earlier. I have…issues.”

“Doubts? Elsa, if I’ve frightened you with the speed with which I’ve set things into motion—”

“No!” Then quieter, “No. I guess I was just a little overwhelmed. Look. I know it’s late, but…I need to see you again. There’s something I need to tell you.”

“Anything! I’ll be right there.”

Again, there was a pause. “You’re…special to me, Leif,” she said. “Always remember that.”

That same shiver he’d just experienced went through him again, but he ignored it. Yes, something was wrong, but nothing was more important than getting to Elsa. He’d figure it out when she was safely in his arms.

It took all Elsa’s willpower to keep from breaking down into a blubbering heap. The very last thing in the world she wanted to do was betray Leif, but the memory of Surriah’s heart-wrenching scream chilled her to the bone. She had no doubt that, if she failed to deliver Leif to them, the chancellor’s men would kill her and Jaccob. By the time the knock at the door came, she was about to jump out of her skin with nerves.

“Are you all right?” Leif crowded his way inside, his eyes taking in everything in sight. Face raised, he sniffed the air. Once inside he snagged her hand, not letting go, but dragging her with him through the tiny apartment until he was satisfied. Then he turned to her. “What’s going on, Elsa? You said you sent Jorak away. Why?” He gripped her upper arms almost painfully, searching her face with an angry gleam in his eye even as his thumbs rubbed gently over her shoulders as if he knew he held her too hard.

“I didn’t want to monopolize his time. Besides, I only asked him to stay with the children until I got back. I’m perfectly capable of taking care of us without help. I’ve done it for years.”

He grinned, pulling her into his arms. Did anything feel so good? He knew he needed to step back, to take a good look at the situation from all angles, but he simply couldn’t see past the fact that Elsa was back in his embrace. Right where she was meant to be.

“Kiss me, Leif,” she whimpered. It was then he noticed she trembled. Again, he knew he needed to figure out what was going on, but he wanted the kiss as much as she did. Likely more.

Without a moment’s hesitation, Leif fused his mouth to hers, taking her lips in a desperate kiss. Sweetly, so sweetly, she clung to him, kissing him back with the same hunger and need as he took her. Small fingers bunched in his shirt as she clung to him, pulling him closer. Elsa surrendered so sweetly to him, and still that tingling along his spine, that sliver of awareness, of danger slid along his skin. But he was lost. The wolf in him prowled but failed to do more than annoy the man as he wrapped himself in the pleasure and passion found in Elsa’s arms. Never had he acted like this, ignored his instinct the way he was now. What was more, he couldn’t be bothered to care.

Lifting her, Leif urged her legs around his waist as he carried Elsa to her bedroom. He couldn’t make love to her yet, but he wanted—needed—to pleasure her. Was desperate for it.

Though something still felt off, Leif steadfastly ignored his instinct. Elsa clung so sweetly to him, helping him remove her clothing as frantically as she removed his. Her hands seemed to take in every inch of him, stroking down his chest, his arms, his belly…lower.

“Need you,” she whimpered.

He growled in response, latching on to her neck, licking and sucking her delicate skin. Big hands shaped her small body, the sharp contrast in texture, color, and size an erotic enticement for more. More of her kisses. More of her touches. Ah, gods, he wanted more of everything from her!

Once naked, sweat dotted Leif’s skin. How the hell
was he
not
supposed to take her completely? She wanted it. He damned sure wanted it. And always in the back of his mind, something was…off. Her kisses seemed to drug him as much as each lick he delivered to her sweet skin. Her hands tunneled through his hair, holding him to her as she arched into his mouth.

Tossing her to the bed with an almost feral growl, Leif followed only to wedge himself between her thighs, holding them open for his tongue. “Gods, I need another taste of you,
kona
. Just one more taste until we get home…” With his first taste of her, Leif’s eyes nearly rolled back in his head.
Wildflower honey…

Her sex flooded for him, giving him more of that addictive honey he craved as if it truly were a drug. Sweet cries came from her throat, though she tried to bite them back but seemed unable. Elsa’s head was thrown back in abandon, the sight more erotic than anything in living memory. Leif watched her. Waited until she was on the verge before backing off. Her head shot forward to look at him. Glazed eyes met his unblinking stare before he stroked her clit once more with his tongue.

“I told you,” he nearly growled, biting out the words though he wasn’t angry at all. He simply couldn’t control his reaction, his lusts for this woman. “You will look at me when you come. Always!”

She gave a shaky nod before he lowered his head back to her cunt, not letting her look away as he once again took her to the peak of her pleasure, holding her there expertly until she thrashed. Still she didn’t look away.

“Good,” he praised. Then took her clit between his lips and sucked.

Elsa screamed, all pretense of keeping quiet vanishing in her pleasure. Leif took her over the edge only to drive her there again. He had a driving need to do this over and over. It had been pressing before, but now it seemed…vital. As if he would die if he didn’t. Or worse, lose her. That thought sent his instinct into overdrive, the need to pleasure, to take, to claim pressing so hard he actually found himself crawling up her body, his cock at her entrance ready to slide inside. And, gods help him, he could feel her slick entrance still spasming, beckoning him to enter her and find paradise.

Elsa gripped his shoulders. “I thought you said you couldn’t do this until we reached Denwulf?” Her hands slid down his body to grip his hips, her nails biting into the flesh there almost his undoing.

“Can’t,” he bit out. “Need to…”

“I need it too,” she nearly sobbed. “Oh, God! Leif!” With a heart-wrenching sob, she shoved at him nearly as fiercely as he’d gripped him to her only seconds before. “No!” Her abrupt change was shocking enough that Leif let her push him off her, though confusion muddled his thoughts. Which was good because his battle wolf tried to claw its way to the surface. Which hadn’t happened in living memory. Was it trying to protect her? Or him? Ruthlessly, Leif tamped it down before pushing to his feet, following her across the tiny room to where their clothes lay in a heap.

Elsa’s small body shook as quiet sobs escaped her. “Elsa, sweet.” He laid a gentle hand on her shoulder. She stiffened. “What is it? I can’t fight an enemy I can’t see.”

“Nothing,” she said softly as she continued to dress in jerky movements, not looking at him. “There’s someplace I need to show you.”

“Is this like the arena you showed me below this place?”

“No.” Then she amended, “Maybe a little.”

He noticed she kept her back to him, but when he moved to the side to glimpse her face, she didn’t turn. That’s when it dawned on him what the problem was. With a side glance, he scanned the room carefully. Sure enough, a tiny camera was imbedded in the ceiling. Was that why his hackles rose? Why he was so on edge?

“Forgive me,
kona
,” he said softly at her hear. “I forgot about the surveillance.” With an inward curse, he moved to shield her body with his. He could care less if whatever prick on the other end saw him naked but the thought of anyone seeing Elsa so exposed nearly sent him into a killing frenzy. And it had been there for gods only knew how long. He
hated
this place!

Finally, she turned to him. Her eyes glistened with tears she tried valiantly to contain. “It wasn’t your fault. I was as caught up in the moment as you were. Probably more so.”

“Where are we going?” he asked as he fastened his breeches before stomping into his boots.

She seemed to choose her words carefully, glancing more than once at the camera in the ceiling. “There is a place in the city hardly anyone goes. It’s one of the most beautiful and tranquil places I’ve ever seen.”

“Then why does no one go there?”

“It’s…private.” Why did the mere mention of this place set him even more on edge? Gods, he hated this world! “But I want you to see it. It’s so beautiful.” She finished in a rush. “Come.” She took his hand, leading him from her apartment.

Leif thought she’d relax once outside, but she didn’t. Not even a little. If anything she grew more agitated. Hands sweating, Elsa gripped his like a lifeline, clutching one of his in both of hers. A fine shiver went through her body with every step.

“What’s wrong,” he finally asked.

“Nothing!” Her response was vehement and instantaneous. “Nothing at all!”

Right. His first instinct was to let go of her hand so he’d have a better chance of defending them both should trouble find them. But she clung so tightly to him, like he was her only lifeline in a turbulent sea, and he couldn’t make himself. His battle wolf clawed at the surface of his subconscious, wanting out, needing to protect both him and Elsa.

They approached a clearing surrounded by a densely wooded area. Over the trees, Leif could see a massive wall rising. The feeling of being trapped suddenly blossomed in his chest, making normal breathing nearly impossible. This was wrong. So very wrong. His feet absolutely would not take him any farther. “No,” he grated, sniffing the air. He pulled Elsa close to him, enfolding her in his arms. “Not right…”

“Just…just a little farther,” she urged, her voice quaking slightly as she tugged him forward, deeper into the greenery.

“Elsa,” he snapped, his voice barely above a whisper. “Stay close to me. If we are attacked, stay behind me and keep your hand on my back so I know where you are.”

She…didn’t. Instead. Elsa eased away from him, tears flowing freely down her face. “I’m so sorry, Leif,” she said in a broken whisper. “So sorry…”

***

The shocked look on Leif’s handsome face was nearly her undoing. Pain sliced through Elsa’s chest as she watched him realize she’d led him into an ambush. Willingly. The chancellor’s men chose that moment to charge from the trees, weapons trained on him, though, thankfully, none shot at him. She had no doubt they’d been ordered to capture him alive for study. During state dinners, she’d heard that scientists all over Skyward Home were working on mapping the shifter DNA to see exactly which gene stimulated their extraordinary ability to heal. They felt they were close to a breakthrough, which meant any human attack on the shifter world would have a far better chance of success since human weapons were already more advanced. If they could make it harder to kill human soldiers, if they could somehow compensate for the phenomenal speed and strength shown by different species from the shifter realms, conquest would not only be possible, it would be as good as done.

Not that she particularly cared about the reasons why the chancellor wanted Leif. All that mattered was getting him through this, then getting him out of whatever hellhole they deposited him in.

“Leif,” she pleaded. “J-just calm down. Don’t fight them, they’ll only hurt you worse!”

“Elsa?” Already he was preparing for battle, his body growing bigger, stronger. The sound of ripping cloth was loud in the night as his clothing was unable to contain his growing musculature.

“P-please! Just go with them!” She sobbed openly now, hurting more than she could ever remember. Always she had to think of Jaccob and Surriah, but having to consciously make this kind of decision was killing her. “Don’t hurt him!” Soldiers seemed to come from everywhere, dozens of them. All for one man. Leif.
Her
man. And she couldn’t do a goddamned thing about it without risking the lives of her children.

With a roar of pure rage and menace, Leif exploded into violence, killing several men within seconds. Blood and gore streaked through the air, painting the concrete walk and the dirt surrounding it. Elsa steadily backed away. Never had she seen anything so completely and utterly out of control.

As she watched in horror, he killed man after man. The gruesome sight was more than she’d ever imagined he’d have to deal with. She’d thought maybe three of four men would come for him. Maybe even a handful. But this…

Leif slaughtered without mercy, his eyes glowing an eerie blue the longer he fought. Always, his gaze strayed to her. Even in the face of her betrayal, he still fought to keep himself between her and the guards. The coppery scent of blood hung heavily as body parts and gore shot through the air like a bomb blast. Never had she witnessed such carnage. Such wrath.

Openly sobbing now, Elsa collapsed onto the ground, wanting to close her eyes against such violence but unable to tear her gaze away. She’d led Leif to this destruction. The least she could do was bear witness.