ALPHA
Demon Chaser (Book 2)
By
Table of Contents
Table of Contents Copyright and Disclaimer
Description Dedication
Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Author’s Note
Copyright and Disclaimer
Copyright ©February 2014, Charlene Hartnady Cover Art by Melody Simmons
Copy Edited by Kimberly Reichmann Produced in South Africa
Published by Charlene Hartnady PO BOX 456, Melrose Arch, Johannesburg, South Africa, 2176
ALPHA is a work of fiction and characters, events and dialogue found within are of the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or
persons, either living or deceased, is purely coincidental.
With the exception of quotes used in reviews no part of this book may be reproduced or shared in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including but not limited to digital
Description
Demon Chasers…
Protectors of humanity. Sworn to uphold the peace. Oath bound to keep the existence of demons a secret.
Gray, a newly appointed Alpha and half blood demon wolf, can only turn during a full moon. With only three days before the next cycle, time is running out to convince the highest ranking female wolf to become his mate. Success will see him become a full blood. Failure will spell his death. It is only a matter of time before the challenges start coming in.
Ashlyn, a hard ass Demon Chaser just happens to be human and the pack’s newest resident. She is there on Demon Control Agency business. Her attraction for the new Alpha can’t be allowed to stand in her way, after all, Gray is already taken. More importantly, she has a serial killer to catch, and then she needs to get the heck out of wolfville.
Dedication
Chapter 1
Gray looked into eyes made from pure liquid poison.
“Let’s get two things straight”−the female demon wolf paused−“I hate you and I don’t want this union. Step down now before you get hurt.”
It was either the words themselves, or the calm way in which they were delivered that got to him. He grit his teeth, his natural instincts pushed at him to force her to submit while his rational side
pushed back in an effort to be more understanding of how she was feeling. In the end, there was sweet little he could do about the situation.
Somehow he managed to grind out, “Our feelings have nothing to do with this. It’s not about what we want. The pack is at stake.”
Alisha made a sound that told him he was full of it. “It’s your needs and wants that you are concerned with, this has nothing to do with the pack.”
“You will have to trust me on this one.”
She shook her head, a look of utter disbelief clouded her perfect features.
Gray’s instincts bristled; his demon clawed at him, it continued to demand her submission. He ran a hand over the light stubble on his head and squeezed his eyes shut, fighting for control. “This has to happen, there is no other way.”
“I don’t care. Find a way that doesn’t involve me.”
With challengers closing in, his options were limited. It was either take Alisha as his mate or he would most likely die. Where would the pack be then? The clock was ticking, he needed to be strong. Needed to believe that he could get through this.
full moon hits, we will mate. If you give me a chance I will prove to you that I can be a faithful and strong provider. I will do my best to make you happy. We can make this work.”
“There is no way in hades I’ll let a bastard mongrel like you touch me.” Her voice remained even, but her eyes narrowed as she spoke.
Once upon a time, he’d actually found this female attractive. More than just attractive, hounds, as a young wolf he’d have given his left canine for one night with her. Right now…he’d give anything just to get out of it. All he knew was that he couldn’t blame her for hating him since she believed he’d killed her future mate, his half brother Bain. That didn’t change the predicament they were all in at the moment though.
“Sorry to interrupt,” the petite Demon Chaser rounded the corner and entered his suite without permission.
Bain would never have stood for such a breach of protocol. Especially from a human. The
muscles in his shoulders cramped as he remembered why she was here. Taking a calming breath, he turned and faced her wondering how much of the exchange she had heard. He found himself hoping that she hadn’t been standing there long.
Ashlyn stepped further into the room, her head held high. She maintained eye contact, her gaze moving between himself and the female demon wolf. Alisha growled. The Chaser didn’t flinch, in fact, her chin cocked to the side in an arrogant lilt.
Impressive.
“We need to talk,” she paused, her eyes brushing over the female demon wolf. “That is, when you get a chance. I’ll be in my room.”
“We’re done. You may stay,” Alisha said, as if she were granting the Chaser permission to be there.
bitch...or maybe just bitch?”
Alisha growled, low and deep. She flashed a set of healthy canines. The Chaser widened her stance. The pressure in Gray’s head increased. Was he going to have to break up a cat fight today as well? Could things get any worse?
“I don’t have time for this.”
He breathed a sigh of relief as he watched Alisha turn and stalk out with all the menace and cunning of a wolf and all the sleek grace of a cat. The woman was a beauty, highly intelligent and strong. Yet the thought of tying himself to her for the rest of his very long life just wasn’t appealing. He shook his head as he added the undesirable fact that she was his brother’s leftovers.
Like it or not, he knew beyond a doubt that he would do what he had to do to secure his position as Alpha and to ensure the survival of this pack. He just wouldn’t do it at the cost of his own
conscience or sense of who he was by forcing her. She didn’t know that though, and she and the rest of the pack would just have to assume at this moment that he would take her like it or not. So, he had to win her over. For both their sakes.
Gray turned and looked out the window. The thought of his other options were more stressful to think about than his first one. He could take one of the lesser females, but that would lower his chances of success. He could take the third option which, for him, was just plain ridiculous. Why would they even add an option that was based more on personal desire than the survival of the pack? The elders must have enjoyed themselves while creating that one, because the final Lore was never going to happen. No use wasting precious time even thinking about it.
with challengers circling him he knew he wouldn’t survive another moon cycle without the change. He knew it as sure as he stood there. Alisha was his best option, and the next full moon was in three days. His decisions right now could not be based on anything but the simple fact of the highest chance of success. The future of his pack depended on it.
The sound of someone clearing their throat caught his attention and he turned to see Ash watching him cautiously. Christ. He was so preoccupied that he had forgotten she was standing there. He closed down his emotions and asked, “Any developments?”
“Some DNA evidence from a brown hair found on the second victim has finally come back. It confirms our suspicions.” Two women had been killed and a third left for dead. All the evidence pointed to someone from his pack. When he stayed silent, she continued. “A Chaser at the CSI lab confirmed wolf DNA and it’s definitely female. We’re looking for a brunette female demon wolf.”
“Damn,” he’d hoped that Bain had been responsible. “Most wolves have dark hair so it doesn’t narrow it down much. How’s the girl doing?”
She shrugged out of her trench coat and the light weight garment clunked as it hit the table. She didn’t wear it to guard against bad weather, the coat was a clever conceal for an array of weapons. Her hand went up, briefly touching the holstered gun at her chest. “Still in a coma. The doctors say it’s a miracle, but she’ll live. Her throat’s a mess. I’m sorry Gray, but she’s going to need
reconstructive surgery on those scars.”
“Keep forwarding the accounts to me,” he couldn’t help but feel somewhat responsible. He’d been so hell bent on proving Bain the killer that he hadn’t investigated the deaths properly. “Please tell me the girl’s protected.”
“Two Chasers three shifts a day. She’s safe.”
“Good,” he could breathe again. “I’m going to assist you on this myself, but if I can’t be at your side then one of the other wolves must accompany you.” He may not be in favor right now, but he still had a select few who were loyal to him. “Let’s just say that things are a little…unstable at the moment so I don’t want you out of your room alone.”
“I can take care of myself.”
That same feisty defiance that had kept her from reacting to Alisha. It appealed to him in ways it shouldn’t.
“I don’t doubt your abilities, but I still don’t want to take a chance on anything going wrong while you’re in my care.”
An eyebrow arched and she crossed her arms. A move that drew his eye to the swell of her
breasts. She might be a petite little thing, but she was definitely all woman. He looked back into eyes that had gone from soft glacier to stormy blue.
“Let’s get something straight. I’m a Demon Chaser. Firstly, I hunt and very often kill demons. Demons that make you doggies look tame, and secondly I am not in your care. I’m here on official Agency business. The Demon Control Agency sent me to do a job, one which I damn well intend doing. I do not need babysitting.”
His mouth twitched, but he forced back the smile knowing it would make things worse. Even though he was an Omega, a mongrel outcast, he’d never had a problem with women. Not with female demon wolves and never with humans. Yet, today, he’d managed to piss off both without even trying. “You have quite the reputation as a kick-ass slayer and I’m sure you eat demons for breakfast, but please humor me. Your brother would have my tail if anything happened to you.”
she was more nervous than what she was letting on. Why the agency sent a human to investigate the murders was beyond him. Someone in his pack was a killer. Murdering beautiful, young human woman much like Ash and he would make damned sure not a single sun bleached strand on her head was touched, and he’d do it himself if he could help it.
“Fine, but if you or any of your puppies gets in my way it’s over. Do you understand?”
This time he did allow himself to smile. “I do, just remember we’re on the same side. Now let me go fetch my lead and I’ll let you walk me to your room. I’ll try not to lift my leg along the way.”
She giggled for a few seconds before catching herself. Finally something that matched her sweet looks because man oh man she might look like peaches and cream, but she was all firecracker
underneath.
“I want to go check out the spot where Brice was found.” Left for dead in a side alley like trash.
When he found the wolf responsible he would make sure that she was brought to justice.
“That was days ago,” she rolled her eyes. “Oh yeah, you doggies and your heightened sense of smell. I thought you Omegas had to wait until a full moon before all your wolf…stuff happened.”
“I can’t fully erupt for most of the month, but there is nothing wrong with my wolf senses thank-you.”
****
There was nothing wrong with the man. Period. From his close cropped hair all the way down the six foot three of him. Solid, muscled, so powerful she had to stop herself from touching because he was seriously off limits.
beauty, Ash would be feeling sorry for the poor guy. Which was strange because surely she should be empathizing with a woman being forced to marry against her will rather than the man that was doing the forcing, but there was something off about Alisha. Probably just the bitchy attitude. And maybe a touch of jealousy since Alisha was everything she was not, all that olive skin, raven black hair and bountiful cleavage. Not that she’d ever had hang-ups or anything, but she couldn’t suddenly help but wish she could be a little curvier or a little taller. At the very least, it would be fantastic if she could sun bathe once in a while. But no, any time in the sun would just result in bountiful freckles which was not the bountiful she had in mind.
“What time were you planning on leaving?” she asked. “As soon as you’re ready.”
She’d never met a man with such a deep voice. Timber baritones she wouldn’t mind listening to all day. “Let’s save the walkies for another time then and hit the road.”
“Fine, we’ll take my bike…faster that way,” he half smiled.
“No, no, no…thank-you doggykins. I appreciate the offer, but we’ll take my corvette. It’s just as fast and much safer.”
Gray hitched his eyebrows. “What? It can’t be. Is the big, bad Demon Chaser afraid? ”
Oh, so this was how it was going to be. Interesting. There was only one thing she liked more than looking at a sexy man and that was a little friendly flirtation with said sexy man. Normally she would hope for a little hand to hand combat as well. Not this time though.
“Not big, but definitely bad. Trust me when I tell you that you might be more than just a little afraid with me behind the wheel.”
“Really?” He crossed his arms.
made it hard for her to concentrate on what he was saying. “So you have control issues then?” he continued.
“I do not.” What a load of bull.
“Well if you’re not afraid and you don’t mind taking a back seat, then what is it?” He uncrossed his arms, and took a step towards her.
She had to stop herself from stepping back but only because it scared her how much closer she wanted to get. Human men were not this…
Alpha.
So irresistibly male, it made her mouth water. “It’s just that…well…I like to drive.”
“Control issues. Let me guess you’re not good at delegating, are terrible at taking instructions and have to always be on top.” The end of his sentence came out sounding so deep, his words rolling over her like warm, melted chocolate.
“Baby if you’re asking if I’d bend over and just take it from behind, then the answer is no.”
Instead of a smart ass reply like she expected, his nostrils flared and his jaw tensed up. Maybe she’d gone too far.
“I’m not asking you to bend over. I’m asking you to let me drive.”
“No!” She ground out the word before another could take its place. One like pity. Truth was, she’d never allowed a sexual attraction to interfere with a case before, had never moved in on
someone else’s territory, and had never allowed a man to fully dominate her in the bedroom. Potential danger could be anywhere or with anyone. Best you have your back to the wall and your eyes wide open. Her brother Cole had learned that the hard way by falling for a demon hellion disguised as a human and he had almost died learning it.
****
Why in hounds had he brought up sex?
Her cheeks had flushed during their battering, reminding him once again of peaches and cream. Gray wondered if she’d taste as sweet. He almost groaned, would she be this feisty in bed?
Most female wolves tended to be timid and submissive. There was the odd exception. Alisha. His soon to be mate was on the opposite end of that spectrum. So far right he cringed at the thought of trying to win her. Did he even want to?
Did he have a choice?
The pack needed him even if they didn’t know it. Fact was that they were in serious financial trouble. If Bain wasn’t already dead, he would have killed him all over again. The drugs, the women, and the gambling had all but crippled the pack’s resources. They could lose Wilderness. Which was more than just a large tract of land for them to live on. It was their heritage and the reserve had belonged to them for as long as the oldest wolf could remember. Wilderness was their home, their future, their territory. There would be no pack without it.
It all hung in the balance. What he needed was to buy himself some time so that he could turn things around and convince the pack he was the right wolf for the Alpha position. Which meant taking Alisha as his mate.
Tick tock.
“We’ll take the corvette, but I’m driving,” he ground out. “Nobody drives my car but me.”
She took to pouting and he decided he liked the look on her. Adorable came to mind. “You choose. The bike or the corvette, but I’m driving.”
boss of me.”
“I have no problem with you being the boss at least where this investigation is concerned, as long as I can drive.”
“Deal,” she said with a slight smile and a glint in her eye.
Chapter 2
Red splatters still marked the ground where Brice had been left to die. Bite marks and scratches had marred her body and her neck had been a bleeding torn up mess. Gray allowed his senses free rein. Peaches, soap…damn he needed to focus.
“I did mention that the police have no leads except for the hair, that is, so let’s hope your wolfie talents can lend us a hand.”
At least he’d moved up in her books, he’d gone from doggie to wolfie – happy freakin’ days. Gray closed his eyes. He found, by closing off other senses he could hone in more effectively using others. The crime scene investigators together with the cops would have done a good job of combing the place for evidence, so he felt that his best bet would probably be his nose. But that damned scent of peaches lingered everywhere. It didn’t help that the little Chaser was pacing up and down the
alleyway, trench coat flapping, blond hair flying.
“Ash, do me a favor and go and stand at the end of the alley please.” “Why?”
“You’re distracting me.”
“Distracting you how?” She moved to stand in front of him, opening her trench coat and hooking her thumbs into her front jean’s pockets.
Gray was reminded of a badass gun slinger ready for battle. Except this gun slinger was as sexy as she was dangerous. Hades help him, but the combination had his cock twitching. The timing was so off and his reaction so inappropriate that he said the first thing that came to mind.
and stand over there.” The last came out gruffer than what he’d intended. Her eyes narrowed as she tilted her head. “Don’t tell me what to do.”
This woman was infuriating. “I’m only going to ask you one more time, if you don’t move I’ll be forced to physically remove you from this alley.”
“Sounds kinky.” But she moved back throwing him a naughty grin before turning “You’re lucky my first priority is to find this killer or I might’ve taken you up on your offer.”
He shook his head turning towards the bottle neck end of the alley trying to hide a smile. Possible death he could handle; the pack’s crippling financial issues, difficult but not impossible; the little Chaser was a different story all together, she frightened him more than Alisha ever could and that was saying something.
****
Ashlyn ground her boot into the rough asphalt trying not to watch Gray as he moved around in the alley. The Alpha kept stopping, putting his face up with his eyes closed. Her adopted brother was an Omega so she’d seen this type of behavior before. Gray was trying to pick up on a scent. Paint a picture using his nose was the way Cole would describe it. She still didn’t fully understand wolf senses, particularly where Omegas or half breeds were concerned, since Cole had always worn a silver ring which kept his inner demon caged.
With Gray preoccupied, it gave her a chance to assess things. What was possessing her to act this way? Maybe she had control issues. So what if she didn’t like people telling her what to do? But this went beyond that. Flirting, especially on the job, was not something she did. Yet, she couldn’t seem to help herself when it came to Gray. Ash could sense in the Alpha, for the first time in all her twenty nine years, a potential equal and couldn’t help but to test her theory. Too bad that in just three days he’d belong to someone else.
shampoo or lotion products smelled remotely of fruit. Had it just been her imagination or did he actually seem to like the way she smelled? Probably just really dumb wishful thinking.
Gray went down on his haunches onto thighs that were made for straddling. Standing back up in one effortless motion, he waved her over. Every part of her tensed wanting to do the exact opposite just to see what his reaction would be, but instead she moved forward.
“A female wolf didn’t leave Brice’s body. Whatever did is not a human. Although I do pick up human elements. The only unmistakable scent I get coming through is of Vibes.”
“Vibes as in...?”
“It’s a club here in town. I hope you packed your dancing shoes because we’ll go and investigate tonight when it opens. Whoever did the dumping was at the club. Maybe someone will remember something.”
Ashlyn could see that his mood had lifted. “I know what you’re thinking and you’re wrong.
Something else may have left her here, but a wolf did the deed. We have the marks on her body – bite marks confirmed to be made by a large wolf, we have the hair, and don’t forget what Brice said when she briefly gained consciousness. Two words Gray…”
“I don’t need reminding”−he raked a hand over his scalp, his shoulders slumping forward−“she said wolf and woman. AKA female wolf.”
Chapter 3
Dinner was served in a big outdoor restaurant area complete with salad buffet and lamb spit. Two large bon fires crackled and fairy lights twinkled in the surrounding trees.
Civilized, yet unmistakably wild.
Her escort, Phoenix, was everything a woman could hope for in a man. He was tall, dark, and fell somewhere far beyond attractive and into the realm of Godly. He was also Gray’s best friend.
Besides his amazing good looks, the man was a lawyer. Brains and brawn, her favorite combination, yet it was all she could do to keep her eyes from straying to the path that led to Gray’s place.
Where was he?
Alisha wasn’t here either. Maybe she had decided that he was the wolf for her after all, and the two of them were making up somewhere. The thought made her food stick in her throat and she reached for her glass of water.
They ate in silence until Phoenix’s plate was clean. Ash pushed hers aside mostly untouched. “Have you always lived at Wilderness?” she asked.
“Yeah. We all have our own homes. The kids go to school just like regular children. Many of us, me included, work in the city. It is very rare for a wolf born on the reserve to move away, but it does happen. We also have outsiders that join the pack. Again, it’s a rare occurrence.”
“Have any strangers joined the pack in recent months?”
“Only happens if a wolf mates with another pack member. No humans in a long time and aside from the medical team, you’re probably one of very few humans ever permitted to enter.”
“Wow.”
voluntary basis and so far just over half of all the female wolves had come forward. Despite Gray’s urging it didn’t look like they would get many more volunteers. At least it did narrow the suspect list. Still a lot of maybes and they couldn’t rule out the possibility, although remote, that the wolf doing this was from another pack killing in Wilderness territory.
“It’s a sign of the changing times.” He smiled the kind of smile that would have had most women clutching at their panties.
The lawyer was seriously good looking but in a tailored kind of a way. She could picture him looking dazzling in a suit and tie, but she couldn’t help think that he lacked that Alpha element. That aura of power and presence that Gray carried so well. Although the Alpha was not as good looking at least not in the classic sense, she found Gray infinitely more attractive. But damn it, he was taken and so she worked harder to concentrate on what Phoenix was saying, tried harder to stop herself from looking around the clearing.
“How has the pack taken the change? I mean, they must be happy that a wolf like Gray has taken over from Bain.” She said the previous Alpha’s name with disgust. Kidnapping, rape, Bain had been bad news indeed.
It shocked her when Phoenix barked out a laugh. “Hounds no, he’s an Omega. Even worse, he was exiled by Bain a year ago when their Mother died, so he’s not really seen as part of the pack anymore. I’m surprised no one has tried to challenge him yet. Probably because of the investigation but
someone will soon.”
“Challenge him…as in fight with him?” A feeling of apprehension rose up at the thought of Gray in a confrontation with another wolf.
The wolves had long ago proved that they could self-govern themselves, so the agency had created an agreement with them, which they sometimes did with amicable species, to save time and resources. The Alphas were in charge and generally ran the packs with iron fists. Although wolves were extremely strong and could be quite aggressive, they usually kept to themselves, indiscretions or rogues were dealt with quickly and discretely. As a result, she found herself knowing very little about wolf cultures and Lores. Her brother was a half wolf but he had been raised by her family from a tiny baby.
“Yeah as in fight with him.” Phoenix’s words snapped her out of her thoughts. He continued, “I’m afraid that some of our Lores are a bit vulgar but we are wolves after all. No weapons allowed, just good old fashioned canines and claws. The survivor either remains or becomes the Alpha.” He was so irritatingly casual as he dealt out Gray’s potential fate.
“Survivor as in fight to the death?” Her words came out sounding panicked and she fought to control the fear that suddenly crept up out of nowhere.
“Yeah. It’s not easy being top dog I’m afraid. There were those…”
But Gray was an Omega. Only half demon. Which meant… “Please tell me these little
testosterone battles take place during a full moon only.” She may not know much about demon wolves but she did know that Omegas, unlike full demon wolves, couldn’t just change whenever they felt like it.
“Any time. Anywhere. No weapons. No assistance. Winner takes all.”
No. No. No.
“…but Gray can only change during a full moon. He’s a sitting duck between cycles.” She must have looked a complete mess because Phoenix reached over and touched her hand.
Omegas out there I’d put money on Gray having the most chance at survival. I think that the right term is street smart which Gray has in droves.”
“Still,” she looked away, her mind in turmoil. Gray was a sitting duck. No wonder he’d asked Phoenix to take care of her no matter what. She’d wrongly thought he was referring to her attitude meanwhile…
The moment Gray walked in a hush fell over the crowd. It was soon followed by an elevated noise as the pack whispered behind their hands. Ash noticed a large rugged looking man step forward, another wolf put out a hand to stop him. The two exchanged words, the big wolf finally nodded, relaxing back against the wall, his face still stern. A possible challenger? Again, the crowd fell silent as Alisha swept in. She might be a wolf but her oval green eyes were all cat. As beautiful as what they were cold. A shiver crawled up Ash’s spine.
The female wolf was wearing an elegant wrap around dress. The fiery red garment worked well with her olive skin and the neckline dipped low barely containing lush breasts. Every male eye in the room followed her as she walked.
“I don’t know what it is they all see,” Phoenix chuckled, “besides the obvious of course and if you ask me big boobs are overrated.”
She could have kissed him right there and then, but he continued.
“I feel sorry for Gray. He should be more afraid of her than of any challenge that comes his way. I swear she’ll kill him in his sleep.”
“Do you think it might be her responsible for these murders?” A lady could hope.
“What and break a claw?” Phoenix laughed.
about the gesture she found touching more so than flowers or chocolates. This was him publically… Alisha knocked the food from his hand. With lightning quick reflexes, Cole caught the plate before it could crash to the ground but the damage was already done.
Alisha stood, eyes blazing. “If you knew anything about me, you’d know I don’t eat carbs and I don’t care for mongrels. Even if they do imagine themselves to be the Alpha,” she spoke loud enough for everyone to hear. There were a few snickers but mostly just silence.
Gray pulled back his broad shoulders, narrowed his eyes and took in a deep breath. “Alisha, I’m warning you. We can do this the easy way or the hard way.”
“You’re warning me?” She poked him in the chest with one of her talons.
Gray looked down at her finger and growled. Shivers rushed up Ash’s spine at the menacing sound.
Alisha took a small step back. “Why is no one doing anything about this?”
Was it Ash’s imagination or had the female wolf glanced over at the big man that had attempted to walk towards Gray minutes earlier?
“This”− she snorted−“joke of a wolf doesn’t deserve to be Alpha.”
“Three days Alisha it’s happening so deal with it,” Gray retorted on a snarl. “I would expect no less from a mangy dog.”
She turned and walked away, hips swaying, all her composure had returned. It wasn’t Ash’s imagination when the big man followed her seconds later.
It took guts for Gray to square his big shoulders and walk back and dish a plate of his own. The Alpha’s eyes darted around the clearing, lingering on many of the males in their prime. He was
Chapter 4
Deep down, he couldn’t blame Alisha even though she’d humiliated him in front of half the pack. He wasn’t overjoyed about pairing with someone he didn’t like much less love, but an Alpha whether male or female had to do what was best for the pack. There was a reason she could have almost any wolf she wanted and a reason why everyone had listened to what she had to say today. Alisha was an Alpha. Regardless of what he had said, he would never take her against her will. Right now she didn’t need to know that though. He’d still try and win, gain her submission.
Fat chance.
The Chaser being there to see what happened had made it worse. Why exactly, he couldn’t say, except that maybe he didn’t want outsiders privy to pack business which didn’t seem right because Ash didn’t feel like an outsider.
Phoenix had warned him that his second in command, Rage, might be planning a challenge. All he’d said was that it was a gut feeling. When Phoenix had a feeling about something it was best you listened to it. That was the whole reason his friend had gone into criminal law in the first place. His gut was never wrong. So, chances were that Rage would challenge him soon. Hounds, he was having putrid luck at the moment. Rage was the strongest wolf in the pack. There were some wolves he could take and some, he’d have a hard time bringing down. And, he liked the guy, didn’t want to fight him.
The sound of heels alerted him to someone’s approach. Very high heels. If it weren’t for the heavy scent of peaches he’d never have believed it was Ash even though he had sent her a message to meet him. He had to press his lips together to stop himself from gaping.
Hounds teeth…
straps. He had an unreasonable urge to tell her to go and change. Or at least to go and put a bra on, because how the hell was he supposed to look at anything else but her perfect breasts. Even they looked distinctly like small ripe, pearl tipped peaches. Juicy, soft, perfectly edible. He was trying to catch a killer for hound’s sake.
“I thought you only owned jeans and t-shirts,” he couldn’t seem to unclench his teeth. “We’re going to a club. Look at you, collared shirt, designer jeans.”
If he didn’t know better, he’d think she was actually checking him out. He responded with a sound that came out sounding more like a low growl. Damned if his cock wasn’t responding. Her voice, her smell, her body. Her. How was it that this little human, so un-wolf-like, had him so wound up? Why didn’t he feel this for Alisha? Every other hot blooded wolf on Wilderness lusted after her. Yet here he was feeling things he really shouldn’t for a pint sized woman. A human.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Like what?” Again it sounded too much like a growl which kind of happened when wolves were this turned on.
“Like I’m…um…food and why are your eyes glowing?”
Damn, he needed to get some control back and right now. “I’m angry and I’m not sure you should be dressed quite so…like that”−Sexy−“we’re supposed to blend in not attract attention.” That same self-satisfied smile was back. He cringed inwardly waiting for her smart ass reply.
“Look, I borrowed this dress to blend in and sure, one or two morons might look but I’m not going to attract any real attention.”
“Why not?”
Anger flashed through him. Were human men so stupid they didn’t recognize a beautiful,
intelligent woman when she was standing right in front of them? “You’re curvy. Plenty curvy.” His eyes, hades help him, couldn’t help but to slide down each and every one of her blood heating curves, stopping at the tiny mound at the juncture of her thighs. He licked his lips, thinking where he’d like his tongue to be.
“Since when were Omegas so blind? Just wait for the next full moon and your pup…um…thanks Gray.”
Why was she being so nice to him? Twice she’d stopped herself from teasing him and just when he’d seriously started to look forward to their sparing. The one thing he loved about being around her was that she treated him like a regular guy. He didn’t feel like an Alpha or a mongrel, he just felt like…himself. “Say it.”
“No. It was rude of me unkind…”
“Since when do you care about my feelings?” Then it dawned on him. So that was why he hadn’t wanted her to see what had transpired at dinner, he’d been right to feel worried because she did think less of him. Even worse, she felt sorry for him and was trying to be nice.
“I do care and I would rather not−” “I insist,” he growled.
Ash stood her ground outwardly showing that innate defiance, but he couldn’t help but sense an aura of vulnerability. It was unexpected.
He walked to the corvette and opened the passenger door for her without looking her way. His teeth clenched to the point where he worried they might crack, but he couldn’t seem to let up. Part of him wondered if she was serious and the rest wanted to demand if she was just fishing for
compliments. Doesn’t stand out? Christ, he was in the most stressful and demanding time of his life, and all he could think about was tasting her delectable body every time she got near. A body made for fighting. Not hardly. Petite, athletic with just enough curves to keep a man up nights. The muscles in his neck bunched as he clenched his teeth tighter still.
After Ash got in, he slammed the door closed behind her. She looked hurt for just a moment before she closed her expression down. He shook his head as if that would clear it. He had to take Alisha as his mate soon due to obligations. He couldn’t leave Ash thinking that about herself though, simply because it wasn’t true.
Gray opened the passenger door back up and leaned in. He slid his hand under her chin and forced her to look at him as he said, “For some reason, I don’t think you are actually fishing for compliments”—he closed his eyes for a brief moment before he opened them again and continued —“you actually don’t realize your own worth, and evidently the males of the human race don’t either. Think on that next time you look in the mirror.”
With that, he straightened out of the car and slammed the door in her astonished face. He walked around to the driver’s side and got in while thinking about the undeniable truth that if it weren’t for his pack, his responsibilities, Alisha, he’d prove to her exactly how much she stood out in his mind.
Chapter 5
They drove for a while in awkward silence. Ash was finally the one to break the tension. “What’s the story with you and Alisha?” her glacial eyes widened and she slapped a hand over her mouth for a quick second. “Sorry that was rude.”
“I said to stop with the being nice.” He was glad she had asked although why, he could not say. “Alisha was always Bain’s girl. I don’t think she knows that he had decided to take another mate right before he died.” Gray thought back on the Omega Katy and how his half-brother had marked and chased her, planning on taking her as his life mate. This was the reason Cole had fought with Bain. Except Gray had been the one to deliver the death blow sparing Cole from having to take the Alpha responsibility. “She thinks I killed Bain to take the Alpha position and that I just expect her to fall in line and become my mate. I can’t blame her for hating me. I killed the man she loved. After our talk and the whole dinner debacle she thinks I plan on forcing myself on her.”
“But you won’t.”
“I’ve never had to force myself on a woman before, so why would I start now?” Ash started to say something, but she clamped her mouth shut instead.
“Ask me,” he took his eyes from the road for a second and caught her playing with her belt buckle. “It’s rude.”
He growled.
“Ooh, I kinda like it when you do that, maybe I’ll be even more polite from now on.” It made him want to growl some more, but he didn’t.
“I have to mate with the highest ranking Alpha female during a full moon in order to turn into a full demon wolf. It can only happen if the male wolf has won the right to be Alpha, and by killing Bain I have done that. Alisha is the most eligible demon wolf. The Lores are strict, I need to turn before I am challenged and there will be challenges. All I need is a bit of luck and a way to get Alisha on my side. There is one other Lore, but it’ll never happen so it’s Alisha or…”
“Okay, so that explains the whole three days or else thing.” He cringed and she continued. “How do you feel about her?”
His mind couldn’t help but to wander as he listened to her voice. There was definitely something there between him and the little Chaser. Sparks that could very easily ignite into something more.
His destiny was set.
It would also be wrong on all levels to admit that he didn’t love Alisha and that he never would love her. On the outside chance that she agreed and ended up becoming his mate, possible future mother of his pups, he could not disrespect her in such a way. It would be unacceptable. Yet, at the same time, the last thing he felt like doing was proclaiming feelings for someone else most especially to Ash which was really stupid since he could never have her.
“I wanted Alisha as a young wolf. Had the biggest, baddest crush on her. There are many
differences and misunderstandings to iron out but I’m sure we’ll get there in the end.” He glanced at Ash in time to see her face cloud. For just a second she seemed hurt and then she smiled.
“Don’t worry. I’ll help you,” her smile grew. Peaches and cream. The smile of an angel. “How?” he had to choke out the word.
“Duh! I’m a woman dummy, I know what women want. I’ll help you romance the toes, or should I say paws off of her.”
****
Ashlyn decided there and then that she would do anything to help Gray including teaching him how to romance Alisha. Even if the woman was a complete bitch and didn’t deserve a man like Gray. In order for him to stay alive he had to become the demon wolf’s mate. Had to. And she would have to help him do it. Ash had liked the way he had gone about things. How he had taken Alisha that plate of food. Simple yet meaningful. Flowers, chocolates were all bullshit at the end of the day. Ash knew that Alisha was a bullshit kind of a girl. The man needed help alright.
They arrived at the up market club. A line of would be patrons were wrapped half way round the block.
“Stay close and don’t talk,” Gray instructed as they got out of the car.
They walked straight up to the front double doors and as they approached Gray put his arm around her shoulders pulling her in close. When their bodies connected there was an almost audible crackle as electricity sparked between them. Her skin tingled. Gray didn’t react. Did he feel it?
Oh God…please make him feel it.
“Shhhh…,” he whispered, his breath tickling her ear. Hot. Seductive. She sucked back a needy whimper. Damnit, she wasn’t needy, she was a Demon Chaser. She ate demons for breakfast, lunch and supper.
She held her breath but no one tried to stop them or engage with them in any way. “How did we do that?”
“Wolves, especially Alphas have the ability to blend into their surrounds.” His voice had lowered back to a semi growl.
Gray pulled away from her abruptly, she swallowed back a moan. Had to force her body from moving back into him. Her skin craved his contact.
“It was just an illusion, one very easily broken. Let’s go get a drink. We’ll be able to scan the crowd better from up there.” He moved ahead of her.
The bar top was made of ice, above hung crystal chandeliers. Below a sea of gyrating bodies. The beat vibrated through her. Ash closed her eyes trying to forget the feel of Gray’s touch. It was
unnerving; no one had ever affected her this deeply and by a single touch alone.
The crowd surrounding the bar moved aside as Gray approached, he didn’t have to say or do anything. Two of the female bartenders saw him coming and almost tripped over themselves, and each other, as they raced for a chance to serve him. Although she would never fall all over a man, Ash couldn’t blame them when it came to a man like Gray. Tall, built and deadly. She pulled her eyes from his broad back and scanned the crowd while she waited.
Minutes later Gray stepped in beside her and handed her a pink cocktail. “It’s a virgin. I hope you don’t mind?”
Parts of her reacted to his deep voice. His presence. She shook her head. A bottle of water for himself. “What are we looking for?”
“Something or someone out of the ordinary. I have a picture of Brice to show around.”
Why hadn’t she thought of that? If her head wasn’t so fixated on a certain wolf demon maybe she would have. Enough, she needed to put her energy to good use. They were trying to find a brutal
killer, one who would strike again. They were racing against a clock and here she was making googly eyes at a man she could never have.
****
Freshly picked. Oh so ripe. Peaches that had erupted with the unmistakable edge of arousal the moment he’d touched her. He’d been too busy trying to keep his cock from playing peck-a-boo with the waistband of his jeans, as well as keeping them masked from the bouncers at the door, to think on it. Hounds, but in that instant he’d wanted to take her more than anyone ever before. Wolf, human, all women, had vanished from his mind, only she remained, past, present and future.
He wanted, he wanted badly.
The tingling sensation had stayed until he couldn’t take it anymore and had to let her go. It wasn’t easy. Not when he wanted to embrace her further, much harder. He took another sip of the ice cold water trying to douse the flames. Keeping his eyes on the crowd so that she wouldn’t be able to distract him further.
Hades, that tight ass in a dress that was made for sliding up over hips that were made for riding, it all taunted him. Gray could feel himself thicken. He willed himself to think about something else. Anything else. It wasn’t working. “It’s no good. We’re not going to get anywhere by standing around.” She turned to face him as he spoke, but he kept his eyes on the nameless faces. Too many to count. “Time to show and tell.” He took the picture from his pocket. When he turned to look at her, she nodded once. “We’ll stick together. I’ll do the talking; you keep an eye out for anything unusual,
agreed?” He quickly added the question at the end, knowing how she didn’t like to be told what to do. There was a slight hesitation before she finally nodded her head. “Let’s start with the club
employees before we start harassing half-drunk clubbers.”
“Yeah, sounds good.” What it sounded like was a wild goose chase but it was all they had right now. They worked their way around the club, before making their way back to the bar where they first started. Gray let Ash lead the way. That way he could keep an eye on her without touching.
about something like that? One man in particular caressed her with his gaze. He knew how a man’s mind worked. The guy was undressing her mentally.
Gray’s jaw clenched, then his hands fisted at his sides. This from a man who had never been jealous a day in his life. He felt like beating each of those men senseless even though he couldn’t blame them. Boiling point neared, he needed to calm himself, so he reached for her placing his hands securely on her hips. Mine. Shock waves fired through his fingertips and she moaned. A sound no human would have heard. His body reacted and as much as he wanted to show the other men in the room that she was off limits, he had to let her go.
Thank hades they’d reached the bar, a different server surged forward to take his order. Her tight tank had been cut just below her ample breasts. She smelt like vodka, human, yet not. It was because he couldn’t zone in on her scent that he realized they’d found what they were looking for.
“You’ve been asking questions about a woman that was here.” Without waiting for an answer she nodded, reached for a glass and filled it with ice. She spoke for his ears alone. “Get ready to pay me. Take your drinks and then meet me in the parking lot in fifteen minutes.”
He nodded.
Damn, he didn’t like it one bit but instead of arguing, he paid, took the drinks, handing one to Ash before sliding his arm around her narrow waist. This time he anticipated the sensations, yet in
amongst all these people and the situation they found themselves in, the contact still affected him. “Let’s walk.”
“What the hell was that?”
He smiled at the violence etched in her voice, at the scent of gunpowder that hit his nose. His little Chaser hated it when she wasn’t the one pulling all the strings.
“That’s madness. We could walk straight into a trap.” “That’s why I’m going alone.”
“Bullshit!” She pulled away from him, anchoring her hands on her hips. “I’ve been doing a bit of research and I think I know what we’re dealing with here.”
“Why didn’t you say anything sooner?”
“Maybe because I was scared you would pull a little stunt like this. Looks like I was right.” He took a step towards her and her frown intensified. “Ash, I’m only going to ask once at which point I’ll…” What would he do to her? Sweet talk her until she told him. It wouldn’t work on a woman like Ash so he snapped his jaw shut grinding his teeth in frustration.
She cocked her head to the side and her mouth quirked up. “I’ll tell you but only if you take me willingly, because I’m coming whether you like it or not. I’m a Demon Chaser. Why do I have to keep reminding you of that?”
She didn’t look like a Demon Chaser and certainly didn’t smell like one, but he couldn’t tell her that now could he? “Fine Ash but I’m taking lead. If anything happens to you I’ll…” his hands
bunched into fists at his sides.
****
He left the sentence hanging. His concern was touching. It made her want to believe that he might feel something for her which was ludicrous. Although he’d sort of admitted to finding her attractive, he’d made it clear that Alisha was his future when they were just partners working a case. It was normal for partners to feel concerned for one another.
making her lose her mind. Every time he looked at her, Lordie, every time he touched her whole clusters of brain cells turned to mush.
“Interesting. Since skins can resemble anyone, we don’t even know what’s coming.”
“Fifteen minutes won’t be enough time for her to change. It requires a huge amount of energy so she would be stupid to do so. The problem is that demon skins normally run in pairs so there’s a good chance there’s two of them. The second one could be anything or anyone. We still need to be careful.” Gray glanced back over at the bar. She followed his path of vision. The bar skin was no longer there.
His muscles bunched and his jaw worked. “They’ve already had enough time to set up an ambush so rushing out there won’t do us any favors.”
“All my weapons are in the corvette.”
“What? Trouble packing in an outfit like that?”
Actually, she had a knife strapped to her inner thigh, but he didn’t need to know that, so she
ignored the remark. Ignored the way his eyes moved over her and not for the first time tonight. “Let’s go.”
The badly lit parking lot was jam packed. Whole armies of demon skins or worse could be hiding out there. The hairs on the back of her neck went up and goose bumps formed on her arms.
Absentmindedly she reached to her chest as if willing her gun to be there would make it so. It didn’t help that her heels were a nightmare. Her feet hurt and she might as well shoot a flare gun into the sky with the noise they were making, so she took them off and held them in one hand. Gray glanced at her, his eyes had changed. Dark chocolate now swirled with golden honey. He nodded reassuringly before using one arm to move her in behind him. It should have made her angry. She didn’t need protecting. Didn’t want protecting. It felt good though, so for the moment she allowed him to do it.
It was empty.
“We needed to make sure you would play nice.” It was tank top girl. Was it just her imagination or were her boobs even bigger than what they had been in the club? If she sneezed, she’d flash the bottom halves of her breasts for sure. A ploy maybe to distract Gray? If that had been the plan, the skin was failing dismally because Gray’s glowing eyes were locked on her face. His body tense and ready for anything.
“We?” Gray growled. It was a different growl to the ones he’d used on her. The sound chilled rather than aroused.
“Slip of the tongue darling,” the skin licked her lips.
Bullshit. The bitch was lying. Gray may have pushed her behind him, but she’d make sure she had his back. Good thing too because the second skin attacked the moment she turned. One times,
enormous, SOB came at them reminding her of a silent rollercoaster on a down turn. There was no time to warn Gray. She used the split second she had to pull her blade from its hidden sheath. Using the skin’s own momentum she plunged it home, straight into its belly. The impact still knocked her into the solid wall of Gray’s back. The Alpha stood his ground helping her stay upright. The skin was forced back but didn’t go down. Sweet smelling blood leaked from the wound. The blade was too small and the skin too damned big. If only she had her Glock, she could’ve blown a hole the size of a golf ball right through the Mother Fucker.
Tank-top must have attacked because all hell broke loose behind her. She heard the unmistakable sound of flesh hitting flesh together with menacing snarls. Thank God Gray was on her side. Just listening to him fight almost made her feel sorry for the skin.
Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.
When Gray turned she had relaxed, allowing him to take the lead as agreed but he’d frozen and now it was too late to maneuver into place. The knife was knocked from her hand and one times humungous son of a bitch collided with her. Time seemed to stand still as they flew through the air. The last thing she remembered was sharp pain as her back and head collided with the asphalt. The big skin on top of her.
Then. Nothing…
****
Gray saw red. His vision zoned in on the skin as it and Ash sailed through the air. He reacted before they connected with the hard ground, reaching them a split second after. It gave him pleasure to feel his boot connect with the thing’s side. That pleasure intensified when he heard ribs snap. The skin hissed, a terrible high pitched sound that normally would have had him covering his ears. Instead, he allowed the screech to intensify his anger. Purposefully, he looked down at Ash, she didn’t move, didn’t make a sound. Then, he looked back at the skin. The spitting image of his dead brother. That was why he had frozen and why Ash was hurt. It was his fault and the skin was going to pay. Red darkened as his fury took hold. Tilting his head back, he roared. Deep and violent. His nails extended, teeth sharpened and his muscles roped and thickened. He couldn’t fully erupt but when angered to this degree, he could harness some of his wolf energy. Payback would be a bitch. The skin was back on its feet, its ribs already healed but blood still leaked from the puncture wound Ash had inflicted on its stomach. He felt proud of the little Chaser. Tough as nails.
He had let her down.
into the skin until the creature was a bleeding mess. Only satisfied when he had ripped its throat clean out, Gray all but decapitated the demon. It deserved worse for hurting Ash.
Chapter 6
Ash’s eyes fluttered beneath her lids. She moaned. Sweet music to his ears for at last she was waking up. Hounds, maybe he should pick her up and take her to the humans. They were trained medics. They were her own kind. More capable of taking care of her than he was. Instead, he
smoothed white tendrils from her face. He would keep her right here with him until he was satisfied that she was fine.
She moaned again and her eyes cracked open. Quickly closing them again, she winced, “Too bright.”
He switched on the bedside lamp, rushing to turn the main switch off. “How long have I been out?”
“Forty minutes. Not long.” But just long enough for him to have gotten her back, showered and to have run a little errand. The last thing he wanted was for her to see him covered in all that blood. He crouched beside her as she tentatively opened her eyes again.
“What happened?” she rubbed the back of her head moaning as her fingers touched bruised flesh. “We were ambushed. You remember that don’t you?”
“After I was knocked out?” Frustration edged in her voice.
“I’m so sorry,” he reached for the glass of water and a container of pills he’d pilfered from the medic tent. Vicodin, the label proclaimed to relieve moderate to severe pain. “Here, take one of these.”
“What…?”
if you had asked me before.” He turned his head and then looked back at her as if the cost of that admission was heavy. “But the other skin was using the image of my dead brother Bain, and I was caught completely off guard. It was stupid, and I could have gotten you killed. I’m so sorry Ash.”
“Your brother?” she shook her head in disbelief. He nodded. “In that case it’s completely normal that you froze so don’t apologize, you didn’t tell that skin to tackle me did you?”
Still cracking jokes even with her head all banged up. “I was freaked out for just a second and look at you.” He couldn’t help but to cup her chin with his hand. Tingles. As electric as ever. Her eyes widened and she sucked in a breath. Ash could feel it too. It felt better knowing that he wasn’t the only one affected. “Can you sit up?”
“I think so,” she did, putting her fingers to her temples once she was up.
“I think I can be of help until the pill kicks in,” he hesitated. “Can I massage you at the base of your skull and your neck? I promise you’ll feel better.”
“What? Another little trick you doggies can perform?”
He smiled, liking that the feeling of comfort, of…friendship had returned to their relationship. “More like something I’m good at.”
“I’ll bet,” Ash nodded then winced.
He slid in behind her, careful to avoid contact. “Lean forward.” She did. Starting with the
pressure point at the sensitive spot where her neck ended, using mainly his thumbs, he massaged using deep strokes.
caused.
“God Gray, your hands are so…so hot,” she sounded drugged. Probably the Vicodin kicking in. “Maybe you should lie back down. Try and get some sleep.” He’d go and bunk with Phoenix for the night.
“No,” she sounded stronger. Probably wanted to get back to her own room. “Tell me what you found out.”
He was hoping she wouldn’t ask. “When I saw what that thing did to you I”—best he tread
carefully. He’d never reacted so mindlessly, never felt the intense need to protect another—“I lost it.” “And that means what exactly?”
He kept quiet trying to think of how best to convey the information. He couldn’t tell her that the sight of her unconscious body had affected him to such a degree that he had beaten the demon to death. That the knowledge that this creature would have killed Ash had disturbed him so badly he’d needed to feel its throat tear apart beneath his teeth, needed to taste its blood. If he had stopped and given it a moment’s thought, the demon skin would still be alive and after what it had done, what it had planned to do, he found that unacceptable and so he had let his fury take him. Nope he definitely couldn’t tell her all that, so, he briefly conveyed what had happened sticking to just the facts.
Ash didn’t get upset like he thought she would. “I need a phone.”
He handed her his cell. She relayed the evening’s events to a Chaser either at the Demon Control Agency or with PD, filling him in on all the details including her missing weapons and where he had stashed the bodies. She handed the device back.
“I was right by the way.” He didn’t respond.
“Plan B.” Not telling her that Plan B would have involved him stealing a car. Fact was, he would have done just about anything to get her home safely. It bugged him that she had purposely not told him she suspected it was a demon skin helping the female wolf, that she didn’t trust him. “Don’t ever
withhold information from me again. I thought we were friends. What have I ever done that would earn your distrust?” It came out sounding gruff which was better than sounding wounded, which was how he felt.
“I do trust you Gray,” her cheeks colored. Peaches and cream.
He almost decided to drop the whole thing but if they were going to continue to work together, they would need to be able to trust each other.
“Forget about it,” her tone was clipped.
“That’s not what you said earlier. Either you trust me or you don’t. It can’t be both. I can’t work with you if you don’t trust me.”
“I do, I’m…forget it okay?” She slid from the bed, her legs giving out as she tried to stand. Gray reached out holding onto her hips, keeping her upright. She sucked in a breath. Her heart fluttered wildly and he could see her pupils dilate in the midst of a brewing storm. The unmistakable scent of her arousal filled the air like the sweetest honeyed nectar. Good thing she wasn’t a wolf or she’d have caught a nose full of his own need for her.
“I’m fine, you can let me go now.” It almost sounded like she was begging him to. “Sit and I’ll release you.”
“Fine…just let go,” desperation was etched into each word. He pulled back and she sank down onto the mattress.
“I forgot to tell you and was too embarrassed to admit it. Can we drop it please?” Her voice was an angry snarl.
Why was she lying? He had to know. The woman in front of him was brilliant at her job. The DCA had given her an important case to run on her own. This was not a woman that forgot things of that much importance. “I don’t buy it Ash. You’re too good at what you do to just forget about
relaying important information like that.”
“I’m only human for God sake. I make mistakes.”
“Bull. Shit. I want the truth and you are not leaving this room until I get it. If you don’t trust me then I’m going to call the Agency and request that they send another Chaser.” She winced and this time not from the pain. Why couldn’t she just tell him the truth?
Her eyes narrowed. Two sharp dagger points that shot gaping holes into him. “The truth!” Anger rolled off her. “I can’t think straight when I’m around you Gray. Satisfied?”
He didn’t answer and it was mostly because his bottom jaw had hit the floor.
“Not enough? Well how about every time I’m around you I can only think of sex. With you Gray.
With you. Hot, hard sex. Okay? Does that satisfy you?” Her eyes had welled with tears and she tried to get back up off the bed. Her mouth a thin white line as realization of what she’d just said hit home. Her eyes refused to meet his. “You are such a dick. You’re so God damn full of it. I hope you’re satisfied.” She sounded hurt.
“Don’t move,” he growled. His hands closed on her upper arms. “Look at me.” “No you’ve humiliated me enough for one night. I’m leaving.”
and lengthen. His hand moved to cup her cheek and he turned his head so that he could deepen the kiss. The tingles were back. Only more intense.
Holy hell.
Finally, he broke the kiss. Not because he wanted to, if anything his feelings for her had grown, his need was almost more than he could handle. They were both panting. “I want you so badly.” He had to get that out. Needed her to know it, “but in two days…”
“…I know. Alisha.” She whispered the demon wolf’s name looking both guilty and disappointed, she tried to move away but Gray held fast, his hands back at her waist.
“We could have one night. I can’t give you more, only the knowledge that I have never wanted anyone more than I want you right now. If that is enough then…” It was the most selfish thing he had ever requested, but he could not let her go. At least this way he would have this memory to sustain him. Once he and Alisha were joined, it would be for life. He would be faithful and work hard at their relationship, but he knew that he would never feel this way about the female wolf. Hades be damned but he would probably never feel this way about anyone again. His blood ran hot like thick molten lava through his veins. Continual sparks flew between them. One night with his little Chaser would help to keep him going a life time.
It would have to.
****
Damn. Damn. Damn. One night would never be enough. Ash knew it, now that she had kissed him. He tasted of spearmint and vibrant Alpha male. He tasted like a thousand tomorrows. His tongue so powerful and commanding. A taste of what could be…
everything including her position as a Demon Chaser. There were men out there that liked a woman with a bit of spunk. She’d had lovers, although she could count them on one hand, but no one had ever looked at her the way Gray was looking at her now.
“Never,” he growled using the tone that had her dripping wet and aching. That had her nipples tightening to the point of pain. “And just so that you know, men look Ash. You just don’t see it.”
He turned her around, sliding in behind her, the hard ridge of what could only be an enormous cock pushed against her back. She let out a pent up breathe that she hadn’t even known she was holding.
“Look, up there.” Her reflection stared back at her in a large gold guild mirror above the fireplace. At just the right angle to capture the entire bed.
“If I didn’t know you better, I’d say you put that there so that you…”
“Not me. It was Bain. I’ve been meaning to get rid of the thing. Now I’m glad it’s still there. Look. I want you to see what I see.”
Ash was looking; she looked at her lips, swollen and red from their kissing, at her cheeks which were flushed against pale skin. The smoky grey eye shadow made her eyes look huge, very blue.
“What do you see?” Even though he whispered, his voice was deep. “I see a demon killing machine…”
“Try again.” His voice a deep almost angry growl, but then he nuzzled into her neck kissing her at the sensitive spot just below her ear.
instant she not only looked but felt… “…I’m...” She wanted to say sexy but couldn’t seem to get the words out. “I’m desired.” Gray looked at her with such intense hunger that in that moment she felt sexy, she could feed off of his pure need for her. It felt amazing.
Gray made a sound of acknowledgement which vibrated against her neck. “That and so much more.” He looked up past her and caught her gaze in the mirror. “One night but if you agree, there can be no thoughts of tomorrow. While we are together, it is just the here and now. I need an answer before we go any further. Before I will allow myself to touch you.”
One simple little word, yet it left her breathless with need. Touch. Gray didn’t move, he waited patiently for her decision. Not trying to sway her with sugar coated words. She knew that everything he had said, he meant. A man of his word. A man of honor. Had Alisha already accepted him as her future mate, she knew that she wouldn’t be here right now. The only thing that kept her from
answering was fear. Once they had made love, would she still be able to watch him take Alisha as his mate? Would she still be able to honor her word and help him do it? If it came to it, would she be able to watch him die?
“Yes,” she whispered because turning him down and living with the inevitable regret would be infinitely worse. “One night. Only here and now.”
His hands relaxed then folded around her waist, onto her tummy. “I want to taste you.”
Lordie, he used that deep, baritone voice. So husky, so close to a growl, so damned arousing. She turned her head so that he could kiss her and moaned as their tongues intertwined. When he pulled away, she moaned again, this time in frustration.
“…Something I need to do.” He took hold of the bottom of her dress, his eyes had turned the color of hot, liquid gold. “Up, now.”
“Off. Now.” His fingers had snagged her g-string.
“Lordie, yes.” Agonizingly slowly, he inched the garment down. Ash held her breath. He groaned.
“Sorry…doggies probably like a bit of fur,” she giggled as he continued to stare.
“So wrong.” Leaving her panties half way down her thighs, he stroked her pussy. His fingers barely touching her recently waxed skin. “So soft. So fucking sexy.”
Her arousal rocketed to melting point. His nostrils flared. “Lean forward. Hands on the bed.”
For once she didn’t feel like arguing. Except for one little thing. “Take off your shirt first.” He smiled and something deep inside her gave a little pinch. It made her want to think about tomorrow and the next day, about how to find a way to safe guard her heart, but then he did as she asked. Her mouth went dry while other places became slicker. She struggled to breathe. Gray was the most well chiselled, most powerful beyond sexy man she had ever seen or hoped to see and as far as she was concerned, he could take complete control. She needed him to and so she did as he asked and slid down onto all fours.
He removed her knife sheath in one easy pull, then, he slid an arm around her waist and lifted her slipping her panties the rest of the way off. When her knees touched the bed, Ash spread her legs, arching her back, she looked up so that she could see them, see him, in the mirror. When her eyes met his, shivers of excitement rushed up and down her entire body.
****
her ass and pulled her to him. The sweet scent of honeyed peaches came ever closer.
“Gray no I”—her words turned to a desperate moan as he closed his lips on her clit—“no don’t… oh yes…oh…don’t you dare stop…”
He mimicked what he would normally have done with his hands and cock, keeping his touch soft but constant. Ash rocked against his mouth making the most sensual noises he had ever heard. He inserted two fingers into her slick sheath pumping into her. His cock wept in response, Hounds how he wanted inside of her. It didn’t take long and she came undone. Crying out as she orgasmed. Gray licked up each and every drop. Laving her until she begged him to stop. His cock strained against his zipper. When he looked down the shiny head was sticking up above his waist line. He had to be inside her, wanted to hear her cry out all over again. This time he would be with her. Her eyes widened into full moons as he pulled his jeans off.
“…I don’t think you’re going to fit.”
His lips tugged up even though the rest of his face kept that strained pinched look of a man hornier than the devil himself. “I promise I will.”
“I’m doubtful.”
Instead of answering, he rolled on a condom, kneeled behind her, sliding over her back so that he could whisper into her ear. “I’ll be careful. I promise.”
“Pinkie swear.”
With his balls in his throat and through clenched teeth, a laugh was forced from him. How was it in such a short time, this woman had him tied up in so many knots “I pinkie swear.” Gray crouched over her. Using utmost care, he pushed into her. So incredibly wet. So tight he had to close his eyes to stop them from rolling back in his head as he slid the rest of the way. “…Ash... Christ, so fucking tight.” Once he was in to the hilt, he stopped moving. “Are you okay?”
badly to let his beast loose.
“Less talk. I need you to…fuck me.”
Her words almost had him coming then and there like a big pawed teenager. His Chaser looked into the mirror, her eyes both glazed and defiant. Just the way he liked her.
“Easy honey. We have all night.”
The tingles were firing off between them. A non-stop erotic sensation. His balls clenched some more and his dick twitched inside her. Ash moaned.
“No.” She was panting. “Needs to be hard. Next round slower…”
Humans were always intensely affected by sex with demons. Even though he was a half blood, all sensations would be drastically amplified. It had always fascinated him. Not right now though,
because he was feeling just as much as Ash was. He finally knew exactly how his human lovers had felt.
“Do it Gray. Now!”
“One little thing.” Slipping two fingers under her dress straps, he slowly eased the garment down until her pink tipped breasts sprang free. They had his mouth watering and his hands itching.
Powerless to try and stop himself any longer, he pounded into her, needing her just as much as she needed him. Maybe more.
Electric heaven.
