Prologue
Forweeksonend,riotshadbeentakingplaceineverymajorcityintheworld Thepopulationwasfrightened,andforgood reason:theGreatElementals-themostpowerfulcreaturesonearth-hadbeenkidnapped.
HeavenwasoneofthevictimsofthesemonstersseekingtorendertheElementalspowerless Buthow?Theyintendedtorid themoftheirmagic,ofeverythingthatranintheirveins.
Afterescaping,afterspendingdays,inthecompanyofhisallies,investigatingtofindhisassailants,hehadbeenabletoput anendtotheirdevastatinghunt.Butthesemen,theseevilandtreacheroushumans,hadleftmanyvictimsintheirwake.
Amongthemweresomecubs Adorableballsoffurthathadfortunatelyescapedmutilationandtorture Foundinacage,far fromtheirlovedones,HeavenhadmadeithisdutyasAlphatobringthesechildrenbacktotheirPack,thatofZhelezinka. Andthat'swherehemetYulia.
Themostbeautiful andimpertinentshe-wolfhe'deverseen Andonethingheandhiswolfknew forsurewasthatthemix wasatomic.Hot.Andfascinating...
Oncethecubswerereturnedtotheirparents,healthyandreadytoforgetthepast,Yulialeanedovertothankhimwithakiss onthecheek.Herscentofwarmsandflatteredhimdeliciously,andthosespicyscents,ouch...Theyseemedtowhiphisskin, which,strangelyenough,pleasedhim
“Goodbye,Heaven Andthankyoufor bringingour familybacktous,”shesaidwithasinceritythatmadeher prettyeyes sparkle.
When she turned, he had plenty of time to admire her bountiful butt, barely concealed by her short shorts However, he wasn'tabouttoletherwalkaway.
“Goodbye?”
Heraisedhiseyebrows,anamusedsmileonhisface.
“Infact,IthoughtI'dstayafewdaystomakesurethecubsareokay.Ifyouhaveaspareroom,ofcourse.”
Yuliaturnedaround,abigsmileonherfulllips.
Nodding,shepointedtoatiny,dilapidatedshedatthefarendofthevillage “Adoghouse?”hesnarled,annoyed.“ThisisaninsulttoyourLordandMaster!Don'tyouknowanythingaboutrespect?”
“Honestly?Youcouldhavefleas,”shescoffed.
“Watchout,orI'llhavetokickyourlusciouslittleass!”
Thethreatdidn'tseemtofrightenher
“Tryasyoumight,you'llfindyourselfcryingatmyfeettokissthem,”Yuliasneered. Hmm,whatawoman!
Hiswolfshiveredwithpleasure,deepinsidehim Hewantedtotransform,torubagainstherandnibblethebaseofherneck tomarkherandmakehercarryhisscent.Hismaleinstinctswereawakeningandmakinghisheartbeatalittletoofast.Unless itwasthesightofthissuperbcreaturethatwasbringinghiminexorablyclosetoaheartattack...
“Stopbotheringme,”Heavengrumbled.
Justimagininghimselfatherfeet,histongueonherbareskin,madehimwantsex.Rough,passionate,devastatingsex.His alreadyhardmemberquiveredwithanticipation.
Theyoungwomanburstoutlaughingatseeinghimsotroubled,andturnedtofacehim,herlong,shinyblackhairfluttering downherback.
“You'renotveryscaryforaGreatElemental.”
“There'snopointinscaringpeople.Youcan'tgovernproperlyifyoudoitbyterror.”
Asparkofsatisfactionpassedthroughherbeautifuleyes.
“Ihavearoomavailableatmyplace,ifyou'dlike,”sheannouncedwithasmile.
Hispredatorawoke,arousedbytheproposal Thepowerofhisdesirewashedoverhimwithsuchforcethathegasped Whentheyarrivedinfrontofherhouse,hepressedheragainstthewoodendoor.Slowly,sheturnedtowardhim,herbody pressedagainsthis.
“Thankyou,”shemurmured.
“Forbeingsoperfect?You'rewelcome,Ialwayshavebeen,”Heavengiggled.
Theyoungwomanburstoutlaughing,whichfascinatedhim.Thelittlecrow'sfeetatthecornersofher eyesgaveher even moregrace.Thenshepickedherselfup,serious,andclungtohissweater.
“Thankyouforbringingthelittleonesbacktous.Welookedforthemfordays,withoutstopping,sleepingontheplainsorin thewoodstogetawiderview Astahasn'tsleptawinksincetheirdisappearance sheneededherchildren,toknowtheywere allright.We'dgonebacktothevillagelastnighttogetsomerestandstartexploringthesouthernpartoftheterritorywhenyou arrived.Idon'tthinkshecouldhavesurvivedanotherweek.Weweredesperate.”
“I'msorryforeverythingthat'shappenedtoyou,”Heavensaidinalowvoice,strokinghischeek.
Theshe-wolftensed,embarrassed,withouthimunderstandingwhy Shelostheramusedlook,replacedbyacertainfear
“Whydon'tyoushowmeyourroomnow?”heaskedmischievously,tryingtogethertosmileagain.
Sheburstoutagainwithafrank,melodiouslaugh,butheralmond-shapedeyesbroodeddeepdesire.Thedesireofawoman whohadn'tknownmenforalongtime
“Ifyouthinkyou'regoingtogetmethateasily,wolf,thenyou'resorelymistaken.”
“AmIgoingtohavetocourtyou?”helaughed.
“Keeptrying...”
“Driveyoucrazyforme.”
“Ifyoucan.”
“Whynot?I'mthemostcharmingwolfonthisplanet.Inthisgalaxy,even.AndIjustsavedtheworld.”
Hedustedoffhisshoulders,givingherthattomboylook,thatplayboysmilethatmadeallwomenfallforhim “Inthatcase,you'llgetthebiggestguestroom,”sheretortedwithawink.
Heavensighedandenteredthehouse,wherethefireplaceradiatedawelcomingwarmth.
Yuliaturnedtohim,magnificent,andlisteningonlytohisinstinct,hedrewherclose,embracingherandbrushingherthroat withthetipofhislips.
Afeelingoffear...No,ofterror andpanicawokeinher,eventhoughshetriedtohideit.Shepushedhimawayforcefully, growled,andchallengedhimwithadarklook.However,inallhonesty,hewouldneverhaveapproachedherifheknew she wouldbesodevastated
“I'mnotgoingtohurtyou,comeon,”headmittedsoothingly
Hehadmetmanytraumatizedwolves,andgenerallyknewhowtoreassurethem.
Somethingtoldhimthatwiththiswoman,itwouldbemorecomplicated Itwaspossiblehe'dneedtostayheretowatchthecubsalittlelongerthanhe'dplanned,afterall Andtounderstandwhythis womanwassoafraidofhim.
Heavenhadjustsavedtheworld
Itwasnomeanfeat.Itgavehimahealthysenseofpridethatwasfarfrompretentious!
Well,okay,helikedtellingthatstorytoeveryone.People had to know whathe'daccomplished,didn'tthey? Some people claimedhewasrepeatinghimself,butwhatcouldyouexpect?Hewasawolf,anAlpha,andlikeallhiskind,hewasbornwith agift.Thegiftofbeingabletorecounthisexploitswithouttiring.
Heavenwas lyingona large bed withcolorful sheets, a blissful smile onhis face. And withgood reason!The blankets beneathhisbodywerescentedwithflowery,spicyfragrancesthatdrovehiswolfcrazywithpleasure Andcompletelystoned
Theanimalwasnolongercombativeorspirited AssoonashefeltthepresenceofthebeautifulYulianearhim,heturned intoaharmlesskittenreadytodoanythingforalittlecaressorapatonthehead.Readytodoanythingtopleasethiswoman.A rebelwhoquestionedhischaracter,hisauthority,hisperfectsenseofhumorandevenhisvirility.Yes,yes!Theshe-wolfnever stoppedrebukinghimassoonasheopenedhismouth!
Well,maybeshewastiredofhisinsistentwooing,butstill,shecouldsparehimhersnarkyremarksfromtimetotime
Thewolfinhimgrowled.
Heavensmiledwider.
All right, he enjoyed watchingher annoyed and angry. She was always burstingwithenergy, withthe sacred fire thatran throughherSiberianveins,andhelovedit.Yuliawasafierybrunette,withseductivecurvesandagoldencomplexion,whom he'd met two weeks earlier, when he'd brought the traumatized cubs back to their home Two weeks during which he had invadedherhomeandherlife.ThePackwassofarfromhomethathe'dlefthisluggagethereforawhile.
Asaresult,HeavenhadalsoinvadedYulia'sprivacy Well,notonpurpose He'dhadtoopenafewdrawerstoputhisthings in.Afterall,itwasn'thisfaultthathe'dstumbledacrosstheyoungwoman'spantiesinthefirstplace!Northatshe'dcaughthim atit
Heaven closed his eyes and categorically refused to imagine the she-wolf and her fleshy little buttocks encased in fine lingerie Tonoavail Byallthegods,theseidyllic,sultryvisionsmadehisheartbeatfaster Thiswomanhadhimontheedge ofhisseat,whetherwithherbadtemper,hercrazycurvesorherfitswhenhegottooclingy.Hiswolfwasunderherspelland couldn'tstayaway
It had to be said that Yulia was so beautiful! Her Kazakh origins, a fusion of Russian and Asian, had created a carnal, sublime and fascinating creature Unfortunately for him, the pretty brunette remained an unfulfilled, tempting fantasy So tempting,um...
Thewolfbegantopurrlikeadamnfeline.
“Don'ttellmeyou'restillimaginingmenaked!”snappedtheshe-wolf,plantingherfistsonherfleshyhips
Shehadjustcrossedthethresholdintoherbedroom,havingpushedasidethesemitransparent,whitecurtainsthatseparated thisroomfromtherestoftheyurt
“Notatall!WhodoyouthinkIam?”Heavensnarled,sittinguponhiselbows.
Shewasinherunderwearinhisdaydreams,itwasn'tthesamething.
Heturnedhisheadtowardsherandbithislowerlip.Herbeautifuldarkalmondeyeswererivetedonhim.Fullofferocity.It shouldhave intimidatedhim,hadhe notbeena more powerful Alpha thanher,butthe force this womanexuded,evena few metersawayfromhim,wasstinging,burningandterriblyexciting
For God's sake, that's enough, wolf!headmonishedhimselfinthoughtwhentheanimalalmostpurredagain “Hmm...I'mnotsureIbelieveyou...”,sighedYulia.
Suspicious,shecrossedherarmsunderherbreasts,showingthemoffbeautifullyinherslimtop,beforetappingtheground withherbarefoot,toshowherirritation.
It was crazy how much he loved this woman's simplicity. From her golden skin to her dark eyes, from her perfect complexionwithoutatraceofmake-up,toherlong,black,braidedhair.Fromheradamantrefusaltowearabra,to...
Thewolfgrowledheavily,drivenbyaferociousneedtohaveherallupagainsthim.Ifonlysheweren'tsoresistanttohis charisma.Soresistantto...anythingcomingfromhim.
Suddenlynervous,hegrippedthesheetswithclenchedfistsandpouredoutthefrustrationthatwaschillinghisveins. “Youthinksolittleofme,”hemuttered.
“You'vebeenreekingoflustforthepastfewminutes.”
“Idon'tsmell!Mynaturalscentismanlyandsweet!Youcanbesonastywhenyouputyourmindtoit.”
Heraisedhiseyestothesky,whichhadtheeffectofmakingherchuckle.AndsoothedHeaven'sheart.Hesmiledagain,and detailedherfromheadtotoe,unabletogetenoughofthissavage.
Yuliawasdressedinaloose-fittingblacktanktopwithadeepneckline.Asusual,shepaireditwithapairofdenimminishortsthatshowedoffherplump,perfectlytannedlegs
He once againimagined the youngwomandressed inminimalist panties, and his canines slowlypointed. The wolf was hungry She waswhettinghisappetite
“Howaboutyoubringmesomethingtoeat,darling?”hedeclaredwithacockygrin,stretchingbackwithhishandsbehind hishead
“AmIdreaming,ordidyoujustdemandthatIcookforyou?”
Her voice was suddenlyhoarse, full ofanoutrage thatcolored her cheeks red. She opened her mouth, indignant, and her handsfoundtheirwaybacktoherhips Nodoubtaboutit,shewasreadytoslaughterhim
“Youknow something?Ialmostwanttoobeyyouandfillaplatejustforthepleasureofstickingyourheadinit.Untilyou choke,”Yuliagrumbled
“Sweetheart,” laughs Heaven, “Iwasn'ttalkingaboutthatkind offood Take offyour clothes and getyour little buttover here,please.”
Thewolfgrowledagain,excited Thepredatorinhimimmediatelyspottedthewaytheshe-wolf'spulsequickened,andthe heatseemedtoincreasetenfoldintheroom.Yuliadancedfromonefoottotheother,uncomfortable.Andintrigued,too. Didn'tsheunderstandwhathewanted?
Tomakethingsalittleclearer,hehalf-openedhismouthandranhistongueoverhisupperlip.Agestureasprovocativeasit waserotic,judgingbythewayhisbrunettewaddled,pupilsdilatedandchestheavingfasterandfaster.Unawareofhergesture, shetookastepforward.Towardshim.Thenshestopped,afraidofgettingtooclose.
“Youreallyareanuisance,Wolf.Pleasestoppesteringme.Andstopaskingmetoundressallthetime!”
“Oneday,you'llobeyme,”heretortedboldly
“You'redreaming I never obeyorders,”Yuliahammered,glaringathimwithherdarkeyes Lords,thiscolorwasasincredible,magnificentandintenseastheshe-wolfwasstriking.
Heavenstraightenedupandleftthebed,walkingtowardstheyoungwomanwithaheavy,intimidatingstride Hiswolfwas there,justbeneaththesurfaceofhisskin,staringatherwithouttiring.
Asheapproachedher,Yuliatensed,allhermusclescontractingasifshewerepreparingtoflee.
ButAlphasdon'trun Theyneverdid Theyfaceddanger Unabletohelpherself,herpredatorygazewatched,admiredeverysinglemuscleonhisbaretorso Shewasclearlyenjoying thewaytheyrolledwithhiseverystep.Thewaytheyglistenedwithsweatunderthescorchingheatoftheyurt.
HedeployedhisAlphapoweraroundthem,envelopingtheprettybrunetteuntilshewaspanting.Hisforcewasraw,burning andcrushing,butYuliaalwayspushedbackwithouttheslightestproblem.Whichwasafirst,asfarasheknew.Nowolf,no EarthElementalhadeverbeenabletofightagainsthisdominance.
“Don'ttrythatwithme,Heaven,”shegasped,pointingherindexfingerathiminannoyance.Youknow verywellthatyour GreatElementalshenaniganshavenobearingonme
Thedamnrebelsmiledathim,tauntinghim,makinghimgrowl.Hegaveasulkypout,whichsheopenlymocked.Howcould sheresisthim,andsoeasily,too?Itwasincomprehensible Andaboveall,unbearable
Notthathewantedtosubjecther tohiseverywhim,no!However,hewouldhavelikedhispower tobeabletomakeher confessherfeelings.Hewishedithadpreventedherfrompullingawaywhenhisshe-wolfwantedtogetcloser.
Her wolf was flustered, hurt to be pushed away, but Heaven showed nothing. He wasn't the type to reveal the slightest weakness,nomatterhowsmall AndYuliawasthegreatestofthemall
Heleanedtowardsheralittle,hisfacecomingclosertohersuntiltheirbreathsmingled,thensmiledinsolently.
“MyAlphaauramayhavenopoweroveryou,butit'sthemanwhomakesyourheartbeat,isn'tit?”heteased. “Notatall!”
“Admitit,Yulia,”Heavenwhispered,takingonelaststep.
Hisbodybrushedagainsthers.Hegraspedherwristswithdeliberategentleness,andmovedupherbarearms,revelingin theslightestshivertheshe-wolfprovoked HeavenlovedexasperatingYulia Heevenloveditwhenhemadeherhowl Nevertheless,hewouldn'trushherforanythingintheworldwhenitcametothefeelingsdevelopingbetweenthem.Slowly, tooslowlyforthewolf'staste Yeteveryvelvetstephetookintheprettybrunette'sdirectionwasarealvictory Fortheyoung womanwasdeterminedtostayawayfromanyformofintimacy.Shewasevenafraidofit.He'dseenitforhimselfthedaythey met,andithadscratchedhishearttothepointofbleeding
Wolvesweregenerallyveryopentophysicalcontact,whichwasvitaltothem.Andwhatabouttheirsexuality?Therewere fewpracticesthatcouldshockorupsetthem Infact,evennuditywasnaturaltothem Afterall,whentheytransformed,mostof themlosttheir clothes.Onlythemostpowerful creatures hadtheabilitytokeeptheir clothes onbyrevertingtohumanform. Andgenerallyspeaking,theypreferredtobefreeofallties,sotheydidn’tbothertoomuchwithclothes.
Also, onarrivinginZhelezinka a few days earlier, Heavenhad made advances to the Alpha. He liked her. Far too much. Andhehadn'thiddenitfromher
Itwas whenhe feltthe terrible fear thathad awakened inthis strongwomanwhenhe'd touched her thathe'd realized his mistake Yuliahadalmostthrownhimoutthatday,andhehadfoughttostay Toprovethatshecouldtrusthim!
Afterall,inhereyes,hewasaforeigner
But they knew each other well now. They tempted each other, talked to each other, rubbed shoulders. So, he couldn't understandwhyshewasstillterrified
Heavenwasdesperatetofindoutwhatshewashiding,andwhichmanhadmadehersofearful.Becauseheknewverywell thatonlyanabjectandcruel beingcouldhaveputthiswomanthroughenoughtorturetoterrorizeher.Alphasweren'tusually afraidofanything.AndYuliafearedtheintimacyandproximityofmen.
Infact, she feared menaltogether, startingwithhim Onlythe males ofher Packand the few humans bringingfood to this remotecornerfoundfavorinhereyes.
Heaven had apologized a hundred times for touching her without her consent, and although he'd asked her dozens of questions aboutwhyshe was afraid, she'd never wanted to answer. Nor to tell himwho had made her suffer to the pointof terrorizingher withthe intimate act Butthe wolfdidn'tdespair One day, he'd know whatshe'd beenthrough, and he'd take greatcaretomakeherforgetherterror.
Yulianolongerfearedhimsomuch.Sheevenacceptedfleeting,tender,instinctivecontact,aslongasitremainedinnocent.
As he tenderlycaressed the fleshof her arms, Heavenlowered his head and placed his lips onthe hollow of her neck Runningchastekissesoverherskinmadehimalmostfeverish.Hewantedsomuchmore.Yetthemaninsidehimknewhowto control himself Restraininghis everyinstincttopossess,toclaimthis womanas his own Because fromthe momenthe met Yulia,hewassureofonlyonething:shewashistruecompanion,hissoulmate,hispromise.Andnothingandnobodywould standinhisway,noteventheshe-wolf'scruelestnightmares.
“Tellmeyouhatemykisses,”hegasped,hishotbreathwarminghisrebel'sthroat.
Sheturnedherfaceawayfromhis,beforepursingherlipsrudely
“Ihatethemall”
“Sowhyisyourheartspeedingupsomuch?”heinsisted,smiling.
“Becausehe'satraitor,”sheretorted,liftingherchin.
“Andwhyisyourskintingling?”
“I'mjustcold”
Shewantedtocrossherarms.Topushhimaway.Butthatwouldhavemeanttouchinghim,somethingsherefusedtodo.
Hesmiled,beforelettingoutanamused,pretentiouschucklebecausehedidn'tbelieveherconfession.
Whenshe spoke, the youngwoman's softvoice tookona liltingaccentthatpleased him Her Englishwas perfect, butthe waysheslidandrolledwordsaroundinhermouth...Hmm,thatwassexy.
“Yousmelloflies,Yulia,butit'snotthatserious.I,too,sometimeslietomyselfandtrytomakeothersbelievemynonsense. Isitreallyalie,though,ifwetrytobelieveitourselveswithallourmight?”
“Ihateitwhenyouplayshrink,”shegrumbled.
Shenudgedhisshoulderawayfromherbutdidn'tputenoughforceintoittomakehimbackoff.
“Maybe,butyouloveitwhenI'mright.Whichisallthetime.”
“You'reinsufferable,Heaven,”sheretorted,rollinghereyes.
“I'magiftfromheaven,yes!”
Andwithonelasttorridsmile,heplacedasmallkissonhercheekbone,stillasredasever,beforestraighteningup
“One day, you'll be mine, and I'll be all yours,” he announced, regaining his seriousness, his back straight and his gaze rivetedtohers.Allyouhavetodoistrustmeandacceptme,andthenI'lldoeverythinginmypowertomakeyouhappy,day afterday.Moonbymoon.IpromiseYulia.
“Don'tmakepromisesyoucan'tkeep,cursedwolf!”
Sheturnedherbacktoescape Heaven,however,heldherbackwithahandonherroundshoulder “YouthinkIcan'tdoit?”
Hisvoicewashoarsefromthewoundshe'djustinflictedonhim.
“Damnyou,womanoflittlefaith!Ifyouknewme,you'dknowI'mtellingyouthetruth Foryou,becauseit'syou,I'dgivemy life.Evenif,forthemoment,it'smysanitythat'satstake.Pleasestoptreatingmelikeanimpotentman...”
“I'llstopinsultingyouthedayyoustopinvadingmyhome.”
“I'llstopinvadingyourhomethedayyoustoplyingtomeaboutyourfeelingsforme,”Heavenretorted,sarcastically Tell meyouadoreme,andIpromisetosetsail.
Yulia turnedaround,shocked She openedher mouth,andthe air was suddenlyelectric aroundthem Heavensensed no, understoodwhatwasgoingthroughhermindattheprecisemomenttheireyescollided.
Shewasreadytoconfessanythingtolethimgo,exceptthat...exceptthathispresencebyhersidepleasedher.So,shefell silentandbegantotremble.Thefierceanimalinherwantedtoappearandlethimknow,inherownway,thatsheappreciated him Whichflattered himgreatly Indeed, the Alpha knew thatthe predator found himto her liking She almostpurred, too, whenhekissedtheyoungwoman.Onhercheekbones,herforehead.Inthehollowofherwarm,delicate,perfumedneck.
And he wondered how the she-wolf would react the day his lips finally tasted Yulia's. The day their tongues would impatientlycaresseachother.
Suddenly,theyoungwoman'sdarkeyesglittered,revealingthegoldenflashesofhershe-wolfand,withincrediblepower, shesankher teethintohis muscular shoulder Itwas aninstinctivereaction,avisceral needthatmadethewomanhowl with indignation.
“Stupid,stupidshe-wolf!”squeakedYulia,embarrassed,jumpingback.“Shewantedtomarkyou!I'moutraged!”
Heavenburstoutlaughingandmovedclosertoher,pressinghisnakedtorsoagainsttheyoungwoman'schest.Thewayshe apologized,claspingherhandsoverhermouth,thenapologizingagainthroughtremblingfingersamusedhim
“Apparently,shetrustsme AndmytalkaboutallthethingsIcouldofferyouhasmadequiteanimpressiononher.”
“Youhave nothingto offer me, Heaven. Ihave a home, a Packand a skyfull ofstars everynight. Whatmore could Iask for?”
“Orgasms?”
“Youexasperateme!”sheexclaimed,raisingherhandstoavoidhittinghim Hepurredbeforeleaningover her tosuckonher earlobe.Hecouldfeel Yulia's desireperfumingtheair withsoft,sweet, unctuouseffluviawithdisconcertingease.Theirpulsesbegantobeatinunison,andwhileHeavenwantednothingmorethanto placehislipsonhisbeautifulbrunette'smouth,thelatterhadonlyonedesire:toflee.Hesensedthispreciselyasheembraced herfleshywaist
Thenhereleasedher,tenderlystrokedthefewblacklocksthatwavedacrossherfaceandsweptthemback.
Theyoungwomanstrugglednottobackdown,nottopullawayfromhimandshowherweakness.YetHeavenwouldnever findthisAlphaweak,nomatterhowmuchherfearmightasphyxiatehisownanimalside.
“Yourshe-wolfissosubmissivetomytouch,”heteased.
“Callherasubmissiveagain,andIswearshe'llmakeyouregretyourwords.”
“Really?Howso?BymoaningwhenItouchyou,perhaps?BymakingeyesatmewhenIkissyou?”
Tomakeherrealizehowcrazytheanimalwasabouthim,Heavenonceagainkissedthedelicatecurveofherneck,andthe predatorletherselfgo,lazyunderhisAlphaaura,underthetouchofhispossessivemalelips
“Ohdear,I'mreallystuckwiththeworstanimalontheplanet!”sighedYuliainexasperation.“Andforonce,I'mnottalking aboutyou,Mr.GreatElementalfromthemud.”
“FromEarth!”grumbledHeaven “Damnit,woman!I'myoursuperior,youowemerespectandobedience”
“Ofcourse,youdo!AndI'veneverinsultedorthreatenedyou.”
“Wedon'thavethesamedefinitionofaninsult,inthiscase.Butthere'salwaysobedience.”
“Forthat,youcanalwaysrun.Preferablyfarfromhere.Inthemeantime,sinceI'mdoingyouakindnessbywelcomingyou intomyhome,it'suptoyoutoobeymyorders.There'slaundrytohangoutside.”
“Notagain ,”Heavengrumbled,tiltinghisheadback,hisjawclenched
Yulia giggled and leftthe room, pushingaside the white curtainthatservedas a door to the bedroom Heavenspotted the wickerbasketcontainingthelinenbehindit,andhismooddarkenedfurther.
“Youcan'tdothistome,damnit,Lia!WhathaveIdonetodeservesuchpunishment?”
Inthedistance,heheardherretort“exist”,whichirritatedhimimmensely Hegrabbedthebasketfilledwiththeunderpants andsocksofthethreeoldZhelezinkawolvesandheadedoutintothevillageundertheblazingsun.
Itconsisted ofa number ofmagnificentyurts inshimmeringfabrics, arranged inanarc Inthe center ofthe square was a secureareawherethecubscouldplay,enjoyingtheswings.Butthewindthatoftensweptacrossthetundrawasstrong,moving fartoomuchsand,whichtendedtofrightenthem Afterall,thethreecubswerestillveryyoung
TheZhelezinkaPackoncenumberedclosetoahundredandfiftymembers,buttheDiamondWarhaddecimatedit,leaving less thana dozenindividuals inthese parts Inthe distance, inthe desert, we could still make outthe ghostlysilhouettes of deserted,abandonedyurts,theirfaded,tornsailsdancingintherelentlessgustsofwind.
Thisvisionofinfinitesadnessbrokehisheartandwoundedhiswolf Theanimal,liketheman,wasterriblyangryathaving letsuchatragedyhappen.
Heavensquintedunderthebrutalsunandleftthevillage,hisbasketunderhisarm.Theclotheslinesconnectingthedwellings wereallinuse,sohewouldhavetofallbackontheonesalittlefurtheronbetweentheredsanddunes.
Whenhethoughtofeverythingthesepeoplehadexperienced,andthesimplicitythatcharacterizedthem,helearnedagreat lessonaboutlife.Wealth,moneyandpossessionswereephemeral.Whatreallymatteredinone'sexistencewasthesumofall thebeautifulmemoriesoneaccumulatedovertheyears.
TheDiamondWarmayhaveleftitsmarkonthesepeople,buttheywerenonethelesshonest,uprightandwelcoming Ithad beensuchabloody,violentwar.Sobarbaric...Damnit,hiswolfgrowledatthesechaoticreminders.He'donlyexperienced thosebattlesthroughnewspapers,unabletogothereatthetime,butthephotospublishedonthefrontpagehauntedhim They hurthim.Thousandsofhumansarmedtotheteethhadlandedinthevillagetomassacreitsinhabitantsandtakepossessionof thediamondminesthatlayunderground.
Fortunately,Yuliahadorganizedtheresponsewithexemplarystrengthandcourage.
Afterbeingheldfordaysintheleaders' tent,shehadescaped,freedanumberofprisonersand,inthemiddleofthenight, devouredtheenemysoldiers.
Heavenwassurethatwasn'tthewholestory;however,Yuliarefusedtosayawordaboutit,andheonlyknewaboutthewar whatshe'dtoldtheelementaryauthoritieswhenitwasallover.
AndgoodGods,hecouldbecalledcurious,annoyingandevenstubborn,buthewouldneverstopaskingtheyoungwoman about the Diamond War. He had to know what had happened to her. Remaining in the dark and imagining the worst was gnawingathis insides All themoresoas her agitation,everytimehebroachedthesubject,frozehis veins Terror,anguish, tachycardiaanduneaseroseupinsideher.Theshe-wolf'sharshemotionsclashedwithhisownfeelings,thosehefeltforher. Theonesthatturnedhisgutsinsideoutandasphyxiatedhiswolf
Whenheplacedthebasketonthefloor,strangevibrationssuddenlystirredhisbuttocks.
Heavenranahandoverhisforehead,thenoverhisnaked,musculartorso,coveredinsweat,towipeawayafewunwelcome drops Theday'stemperaturewascloseto40°C,andthecloudlessskyassaultedhisskin,whichwasturninggoldenwitheach passing day. When he reached for his phone in the back pocket of his black jeans, he was astonished to find that he had receivednolessthantwohundredmessagesandphonecallsinthelastfewhours.
Well,hehadtobeintheonlyplaceinthevillagewithevenahintofanetwork...
He'dthoughthe'denjoyedtwoweeks'vacationwithouttheslightestdisturbanceinhisownPack...Howcouldhehavebeen sonaive?Goodheavens,hewasbeginningtofeelanxious.
HetriedtocallPhoenix,hisBetaandLieutenant,butthewolfdidn'tpickup So,heconnectedtohisvoicemailandlistened tothelastmessagesleft,datingbackjustafewhours,includingonefromhisCommander.
Andhisbloodbegantoburninhisveins.
Andhefelltohiskneesundertherelentlessheat
Andhisheartcompressedinhischest,crushedundertheharshwordshelistenedto “Heaven, please come home as soonas possible!One ofour ownhas beenkilled. We're aboutto go to war withall the Elementalsandallthehumanslivingnearus!Yourwolveshavebecomeunbearable,theyareoutofcontrol Please,comeback assoonaspossible!Theyneedrevenge,anditwon'thappenwithoutbloodshed.”
Heavenlefteverythingbehindandrushedtothevillage
Hisheartwasbeatingtoohard.Muchtoohard.Itwasabouttobreak!Oneofhiswolveswasdead,andhedidn'tknowwho itwas Yethe'dbeenresponsibleforthemfordecadesanddecades He'dseensomeofthemgrowup Hehadadored,raised, admired and sometimes evenhated others. But theyall had a special place inhis soul. That's how the PackBond worked. Losingoneofhiswolveswaslikelosingastarinhissky,andwhentheceremonywascompletedtoburythatsoul,apieceofit wouldbetornfromhis,hurtinghimfordaystocome.
HeavenenteredYulia'shouseatfullspeedandrushedtothebedroomtopackhisbelongingsintoablackbackpack Hewas completelydevastated.Andobsessedbyaquestionthathauntedhismind.Whohaddied?WhohaddaredtoleavehisPack?
His wolves were healthy, whichwas important for the balance ofthe whole community Iftwo ofthemhad fought, even violently,theyshouldhavebeenabletosurvive.Itallseemedsounreal!
TheAlphawishedhecouldhavelistenedtohisothermessages,contactedoneofhisowntofindoutallaboutit,buthehad tohurry.Gohomeandburyhiswolf.Ifhedidn'tperformtheritualfortheanimalsoultojointheheavens,thenhisPackmate wouldbecondemnedtowanderlimbowithouteverfindingeternalrest
Andhewastheonlyonewhocouldremedythat.
HisroleasAlphamayhavebeenpoliticalorbasedonthestrengthandpowerheneededtoholdthegrouptogether,butthere wasmoretoitthanthat Hisstatusgavehimresponsibilitiesthathetooktoheart,andthisfuneralwasoneofthem
“Haveyoufinishedalready?”beganYulia,whohadjustjoinedhiminthebedroom.
Suddenly,she stoppedinthe middle ofthe room,thentiltedher headtoone side toobserve him.Alittle “oh” passedthe barrierofherlips Sosoft,sodelicate,sosadthatHeavensmiledatherinspiteofeverything Shewasawareoftheturmoil, tensionandanguishthatpiercedherbody,andprobablyknewthatatragedyhadoccurred.
ButHeavenheldbackhisfeartotheverydepthsofhisbeing,sothatitwouldn'toverwhelmhimtothepointofsuffocating him.
“You'releaving?”shesaidinacheerfulvoice,evenasshebegantowringherhands
Thequestionwas meanttobelight-hearted,yetHeavencouldsensethedisappointmentandhurtitprovokedinYulia.His wolfsighedwithpleasure.Theselittlethings,theselittlenothingswheresheletherfew feelingsshow,weresuchareliefto him.
Hedroppedhisbagandwalkedovertoher,asmileonhisface.ThekindofsmilethatmadeHeavenlooklikeheruledthe world
“Youmustbehappy,aren'tyou?”
Shenodded,butherintimidated,evendispiritedpouttoldadifferentstory Heavenslidhishandsoverhercheeksand,for the first time intwo weeks, he decided to be serious. And honest. Especiallyas the prettyshe-wolf clungto his shoulders insteadofpushinghimaway Itwassostrange,sogood,so unique!
“I'mnothappyabouthavingtoleave,Yulia.I'mhappyhere,withyou.Infact,I'msohappythatIwasabouttostartbuilding myownhouserightnexttoyourssoIcouldmoveherewithouthavingtobugyoualldaylong ButI'vegotobligations,andmy Packis...”
Hesighed.
“YourPackis?”sheencouragedhimgently
He turned his Lieutenant's sentence over inhis head, againand again, the words chafingathis gut “One of our own got killed.” Damn,itallsoundedworsethanhe'dimagined.
“Avictim.Ofsomeonewhoattackedoneofmywolves,andIamangry,Yulia.IamsofuriousthatIhavetofighttokeepmy animalinsidemebecauseIhavetogetbackthereassoonaspossible.Thingsareapparentlygettingoutofhand,anddamnit, I'mmadatmyselfforsittingheredoingnothingallthistime.
“Can'tsayyou'vedonenothing,Heaven.You'veboredme,pissedmeoffandannoyedmeforfifteenlong,longdays.”
“Butyoulikedit,”hecompleted,smilingashisslenderfingersdugintohershoulders,asifshewishedtokeephimbyher side.
“I...”
Sheloweredhereyes,maskingtheintensityofherblackpupils,yetHeavenwouldn'ttakehereyesoffhimforamoment.Not whenhewasabouttoleaveherfor...
Forever?
Fortoolong?
Hedidn'tknow...
He straightened her chintenderlyand noticed that she was still pouting. Her prettylips were so full that theyseemed to cravetheslightestofhiskisses Allthetime Hm,thiswomanwasatruebeauty,acurvaceous,fierygoddess. Andshewashis
Nowthathe'ddecidedtoleave,herwolfwasunbearableandwantedtomarkher,toclaimher,goingsofarastoyellathim tocomply.However,Yuliawouldprobablystickherhandinhisfaceifhedaredbitehertomakeherhismate.Biteherwithout herconsent.
“Yes,Ilikedhavingyouhere,”shefinallyadmits. Surprisefrozehim,butthewolfinhimexulted.
“Really?”
“OfcourseIdo!Well,noteveryday,butIhavetosaythathavingsomeonebymysidehas...helpedmealot,”shemurmured, a little embarrassed bythe turnthis conversationwas taking. “Ididn'tthinkIcould trusta manafter the attacks we suffered duringtheDiamondWars,butfromthemomentImetyou,Iknewyouwerehonestandfair.Myshe-wolfsensesthesethings.”
“Itoldyoushewasmybiggestfan,”herepliedwithaseductivesmile “Canyoubeseriousforamoment?”sheresumed,sighing.
“Notachance.Lifeisn'tworthlivingifyouliveitinseclusion,fearorevenrestraint,Yulia.Iknow...Ifeel,deepdown,that you've beenthroughatrocious things, unspeakable things. Everytime Itouchyouand youshudder, Iexult, thenyou become afraid of me, of us, and then I realize that you've been abused And maybe even worse But can't you see that you're an extraordinarywoman,forGod'ssake?You'restrong,determinedandbrave.You'vesavedyourfamilyattheriskofyourlife, andyou'vesurviveddaysanddaysoftorture So,stop,please,stopbeingafraidofwhattomorrowholds,becauseyoudeserve everydaytobringyoucalmandserenity.Bringyoulightness,andaboveall,everythingyoucouldwant,desire.
Heavensmiled,andcaressedhercheekwithitssmooth,perfectskin
“Myshe-wolf ,”hebreathed
Hewasdelightedtofindthatthislittlenicknameannoyedhertonoend.
“Behappy Thisisthegreatestaffrontyoucouldpaytoyourtormentors Tothosemenyoukilled,whohurtyoubeforetheir deaths.They'llneverhurtyouagain,doyouhearme?”
Yulia fluttered her eyelids, a heavyunease suddenlyweighingonthe atmosphere. She looked awayquickly, as ifto hide everythought and emotionfromhim, but Heavenhad just realized something. The beautiful she-wolf was hidinga big, big secretfromhimconcerningtheDiamondWars,andhevowedtodoeverythinginhispowertofindout.
He hadalreadyspentdays interviewingpeople inthe village First,bymakingfriends ThenHeavenhadquicklyrealized thatnoonewouldtalkor reveal their Alpha'ssecrets.So,heplayedtheGreatElemental card,demandinganswers,and,just likethatdamnrebel,thevillagerslaughedinhisface.
Thewolfdidn'tevenknowwhyhelikedbeingheresomuch. Nobodytookhimseriously Theydidn'tgiveadamnabouthisstatusasAlpha,andworsestill!Theyneitherrespectednor obeyedtheGreatElementalhewas!Hehadneverfeltsohumiliatedinhislife!Fortunately,hedidn'tgiveadamnaboutother people'sopinionsofhim Orhowtheyrejectedhisauthority Hispoweranddominancewereenoughwhenitcametothereal
thing,andwhenitcametohand-to-handcombat,henevergavehisopponentsachance.
ThatwaswhatmadehimanAlpha ThebestAlphayettowalkthisearth Hisanimalwastough,brutal,snarling Hispower couldbringthemightiestwarriorstotheirknees,ifneedbe,andhisaurachokedeverylastoneofhisopponentswhenhewas enraged Hedidn'ttoleratefailure Thatis,exceptwiththelittlepestwhohadhimontherun Inanycase,Heavenrarelyusedhispowers.Hegenerallypreferredpeaceful solutionsand,ifneedbe,awell-placedkick whennecessary Hiswolf'sstrengthhadneverbeenanexcusetowallowincoercionandthreats “Behappy...,”Yuliarepeatedthoughtfully.“Iconfess ithasn'toccurredtomeinsolong...Ittookmealongtimetomourn afterthePackwaswipedout,andevenlongertostopfeelingguiltyforthewholedebacle Maybedeepdown,you'reright”
“Maybe?Maybe?!Sweetheart,I'vetoldyouathousandtimes,”hepurredashepressedhimselfagainsther,gazingdownat hersensuallips.“I'malways right.Whenisitgoingtosinkintoyourprettylittlehead?”
“Thedayyoustopbeingpretentious,probably”
She raised her eyebrows and gave himan arrogant smile, before crossing her arms. Her air of superiority made her as adorableasshewasirritating
“It'snotpretension,”Heavenargued “It'sjust ” “Pleasedon'tsay‘thetruth’.”
“Why?”
“BecauseI'llhityouifthosewordscomeoutofyourmouth”
“Fury,”hegrumbled.“Butit’sreal.Hey!”
Yuliahadjustpokedhiminthearm,eventhoughhehadn'tutteredthebannedwords. “Synonymswereforbiddentoo,”shehuffed,rollinghereyes.
“You're...Idon'tevenhavewordsforhowviolentandmeanyouare,”heraged,falselyexcited.
“Allthesecompliments,you'llendupmakingmeblush,”sheteased.
Then, as if these jokes had helped her to relax, Yulia placed her hands on his chest and looked at himwith such rare seriousness,herdarkeyessuddenlyshiningwithsincerity.
Heavensoftenedinhisturn,andtenderlylickedthecurveofhergracefulneck.
Lia'swarm,goldenskinwasaddictive,somuchsothathefeltlikehewasshootingheroinwhenhetastedit.Thetipofhis tongueslidfromherroundshouldertoherearlobe,andhisbreathquickened.Hisbloodpressuresoared.Andwhatabouther pulse,whichwasbeatingalittlefasterbythesecond?Shewashorny,andshelikeditthatway
Butthewayhetastedherskinwassimplyawayforthewolvestothankeachother.Andthe‘thankyou’inquestioncovered everythingtheyoungwomanhaddoneforhim Welcominghim,puttingupwithhim,andappeasinghiswolf,thatoncelonely animalnowinadorationofhisrebel.
“I've loved every day you've spent with me, Heaven I'll never forget all you've done for my Pack,” Yulia suddenly confessed,herfacefullofsincerity.
Heblushedalittle,andgrunted,becausehedidn'twanthertofeelindebted.Andhedidn'twanttoleaveher.And...
“Don'tgiveitanotherthought,”hesighed,awarethattheirtimetogetherwasrunningout
Sheshookherheadslightly
“Itcan'tbedone.”
Gently,herfrailhandsslidoverhispectorals,thenhisbareabs Theshe-wolf'spulsequickened,andheremotionsbecame confused,asifshecouldn'tbelieveheraudacity.
“Canyoufeelthechillsyou'reprovokinginme,myshe-wolf?”hebreathedheavily.
Damn,herwholebodywastense Andreadyforaction
“Yes ”
Shegasped.
Hisgazerivetedonher,Heavensaw herappetizingmouthhalf-open,herbreastsswell Andhefeltherdesireperfumethe airaroundthem.
Ina gesture a little too brusque, almosta survival reflex, he grabbed her betweenhis arms and led her to the bed before lettinghimselffallontothesheets.HisbodypressedagainstYulia's,andhiswolf,Lords,hiswolfloved,adoredeverysecond ofthisembracesowobblytheyofferedeachother Butitwassovital,soimportantthatallhewouldrememberwasthetasteof perfection.
“I'mgoingaway,Yulia I'mgoingaway ” “Iknow.”
Theshe-wolf'sheartwasalmostbeatingagainstherribs.Shewasnolongerafraidofhim,no.Shenolongerfearedanything fromtheircloseness,andhewasmovedtothepointoffeelingtornbythefarewelltocome
Her trustmeantsomuchtohim.Shewas his companion,heknew it,feltit,yethewas doomedtokeepthis secret,for he would never impose a relationship on her fromhalfway around the world And he could never survive if she denied her feelings.
Fromwhatlittleheknew ofher;hewasevencertainthatYuliawoulddojustthat.Shewouldneverrevealherselftohim, neveradmittoanyonethatshehadtheslightestweakness,andlovingwasthegreatestofthemall.
He plunged into the heartofher beautiful eyes, into irises as blackas nightand as brightas the thousands ofstars inher Siberiansky.Injustafortnight,he'dlearnedtoadorethiswoman,toseebeyondherhardness,deepintoherraggedshell.And hehadloved,deeply,theshe-wolf,herweaknessesandhercracks,ashehadneverlovedbefore
Hiswolf,outofbreath,slumpedintoconsciousness Hewasdyingtoknowhe'dsoonbegone,andalreadyregrettedevery kilometerhe'dputbetweenthem.Itwastorturetofeelhimsuffer.ItwastorturetohavetoleaveYuliawithoutknowingifhe wouldeverbeabletoreturn.
“Please,givemeatleastonekiss.Justone,singlekiss,Lia.Ineedtofeelthesaltofyourlipsagainstmine,needtotastethe sweetnessofyourmouthuntilI'mintoxicatedbyyourperfume”
Theshe-wolfhesitated.Along,toolongmoment.
Sheturnedherfaceawaywithpanicked,hesitantfeatures.
Notwishingtoforceorcornerher,Heavenstraightenedupandwasabouttoleavethebedwhenshegrabbedhishand.With a possessiveness thatexcited her to no end, she pulled onhis armso thatitfell ontop ofher, and finally, she tied her arms aroundhisneck
Thesensualityofherlusciouslittlemouth,grazedbyatorridhotbreath,gavehimincendiarycravingsthatmadehisalready blood-gorgedmember harden Withaslow,overtlyeroticgesture,herubbedbetweenher spreadthighs Hard Until theshewolf'stinyshortswerewetwithpleasure.
The eroticismofhis backmovements thrilled her, and whenanorgasmsuddenlyshookher, Heavenadmired it Pure and simple.Fromherjigglingbreaststoherhalf-closedeyes,everythingaboutthiswomanwasravishinglybeautiful.
Thenhe slipped a hand under her tanktop, and the silkysoftness ofher skinmade himgrowl. He wanted to possess her. Bestially.Takeheruntilshescreamedwithpleasure.
Yuliaarchedher backonthebed,herfleshonfire,andwhenhereachedtheedgeofhervoluptuouschest,sheswallowed andclutchedhiswrist
Hereyelidsflutteredheavilyoverherpleasure-veiledeyes,yetshetriedtopushhimaway,toignorehim.
“Please,Heaven.Please,justonekiss...”
The tinyfilaments offear she emitted hurthimmore thanhe could bear, but, Lords, he would never go againsther every whim,hewasnotoneofthosemen.
Withinfinitecare,heloweredherprettysilktoptoconcealherbreasts,herbelly,andsettledhimselfontopofher Hisbare chestagainsthersupplebosom.Hislegsnestlingintheshe-wolf'ssplendidones.
“I'munderpressure,”Heavengrumbledwithasmirk.
“Why?”
Shefrownedslightly
“I'llhavetogiveyouthekissofthecentury,soyou'llneverforgetmeonceI'mgone.”
“Don'tworry,Icouldneverforgetyou,Heaven.You're...”
“Charming,perfect,wonderful?”hesuggestedproudly
“Unbearable How canI forget the manwho rummaged throughmypanties, examiningthemone byone before throwing away the ones he didn't find to his liking? How can I forget the man who cooked meals for the whole pack every day, demandingthatmywolvestellmethatyouweremarriageable...”
“Yes,speakingofwhich,Iorderedthemtosay,‘Yulia,Heavenissoperfectyoushouldkeephim,he'sgoodtomarry.’They forgothalfmysentence Themostimportanthalf!”hecomplained “Mywolvesdon'tliketakingorders,”sheargued,shrugginghershoulders.
“Neitherdoyou,sweetheart,”Heavengasped “So,areyouready?”
Yulia'samusedsmilefaded,andsheshylynodded,blushing
Heaventhenleanedoverherbutdeviatedatthelastmomenttokisshershoulder.Shewasnaked,thethinstrapofhertank tophavingslippeddownherarm
Herexquisiteskintastedofhoneyandlaziness,makingthewolfmorethanalittlelanguid Hiscaninesprotrudedunchecked, andhegentlynibbledthecurveofhershoulder,thehollowofherneck.Hislipsthenpunctuatedherjawwithgentlekisses,and whentheirlipsfinallyfused,heletoutamoan.Itsoundedlikethepossessive,barbaricgrowlofawolfinlove.
Heavendevouredhis rebel's mouth,demandingfromher everybreathofair,everyatomofoxygenthatremainedbetween them Hetastedherwithapossessivenessthatshouldhaveannoyedtheshe-wolf,butsurprisingly,shelovedit Sheevenloved itwhenhetastedhermouthandundulatedlasciviouslyagainsther.
Andthemorethesecondstickedby,themoredemandinghebecame Pressing Insistent Heofferedhereverybreathsoas nottoloseacrumbofthismoment.Heofferedhereverycaresssoasnevertoforgetthetextureofherpeachskin.Theinfinite softnessofYulia'scurves
Ifthiswasthelastkisshe'devergive,he'dbehappy.Andsatisfied.
Especiallyas he sensed, inLia's hesitations and little moans, the inexperience she was showing. And thatmade himeven moreexcited.
He was her first, he was sure ofit. And he would never bragaboutitso as notto offend her, eventhoughhis wolfwas exultant.
Thelitanyofhisscreamsandgruntsmadehischestvibratewithaword,athoughtthatembeddeditselfbeneathhisflesh.
Tous.Yuliaisours.
Butthecrueltyofhisdeparturepreventedhimfromconfessing Andhispredatorwentmad.
Yuliahadnever imaginedthataman'sbodycouldbesoinviting Thattheembraceofmuscular armscouldmakeher want himsomuch.Andyet,hereshewas,pressedbeneathHeaven,andlovingeveryelectricshiverthatpassedbetweenthem. Theirfleshbrushedagainsteachother,touched,andshelongedformore
Discoveringsuchintense,unsuspected,almostintriguingpleasureleftherspeechless.
Shewhohadalwaysthoughtintimacywasallviolenceandbarbarism,painandfear,didn'tknowwhattobelieveanymore. Heavenwasgentle.Possessive,passionate,butgentle.Andthatpleasedher.
Whenthewolfendedtheir kiss,sherealizedthatsomethingterriblewasabouttohappen.Hewasgoingtoleaveher Pack andreturntohisown,leavingbehindonlymemories Goodmemories,ofcourse,butshewantedthemtobemorethanthat She wantedthemtobevivid,alive,burninginhermemory.
Then,herhandstremblingandpushingbackthefearthatrippledthroughher,shegraspedthemassofhischestnuthair,and drewhimtoher.Thistime,onlysheputallherbrutalityanddesireintothisnewkiss.Heavenwascontentwiththepleasureof herdemandinglipsagainsthis
Herlust-filledmoansexcitedhimbut...
Hesuddenlybecamesowise,somotionless...
So, she moaned for himto keep rubbingagainsther, mixingtheir scents, soothingtheir predators and mostofall, mostof all...stimulatingthattinysecretoffleshthathadcausedamonumentalorgasminherafewminutesearlier.
Heavenmadeherloseherfootingsoeasily,itwascrazy!
Hewaspatienceincarnate,evenwhenshescoldedhim
Hewasthesparkthathadputfirebackintohersoulandlifebackintoherheart.
Before him, Yulia would never have thought she could experience the emotions that now overwhelmed her. Pleasure, a boundlessdesirethatvibratedinthehollowsofherthighs,andapassionthatmarkedhernightafternightwhenshethoughtof him.
DuringtheDiamondWars,shehadlostsomuch,startingwithherself
WitnessingthemassacreofherPackhaddevastatedher,andseeingherbodybrutalizeduntilthepainwasconstant,grueling, mortifying,hadplungedherintoadark,unhealthychaos
She'dhadtotakeituponherselfwhenshe'descapedfromheradversaries'quarters,tofindthelastlivingZhelezinkawolves andfreethemfromtheirchains Onlyherwolf'sdesireforvengeancehaddrivenhertoapproachthem Furiously Onestepata time.
She'd never shownitto anyone, the Alpha inher remainingproud and uprightinher boots, butshe'd beenterrorized that night.Thenightwhenallthestarsinherskywentout.Thenightshe'dhadtocountandburyherdead.
Her mourning had allowed her to forget her broken body, bruised by enemy soldiers, yet deep inside her had always remainedthatlittleswarmofinsectsnibblingawayather defenses Feastingonher calmandher insecuritieseverytimeshe cameacrossaman.
Until he cameintoherlife
Heavenhadtaughther,hadshownherthatnotallmalesweremonsters.Eventhough,inreality,sheknewthis,havinggrown upintheheartofastrong,benevolentPack However,hertraumahadeatenawayathersoul,andtobehonest,she'dneeded thisAlphabyhersidetoproveherwrongabouteverything.
Hispowerfulaurahadputherinherplace.Yuliamayhavebeenstrong,butnexttoHeaven,shewasahandful.Hispower madeeveryonestandatattention.Theweakestbowedtheirheadsforhisprotection.Thestrongestwolvesavoidedchallenging him AndinZhelezinka,Yuliawasthemostpowerful
Herdamnshe-wolfhadbeenimmediatelyattracted,magnetizedbyHeavenandhisincredibleeyes Bluerimmedwithblack Blackpunctuatedwithpalestars.Colorsthatbroughtlifetohisgaze,agazethathadbeenfixedonherfromthemomentthey'd met.
Yulia mighthave beenuncomfortable withso muchattention, especiallyfroma stranger arrivingonher land. Yethe had neverusedhispowertodoanythingwrong.Reprehensible.
Hiswolfmayhavebeendominant,buthe'dneverwantedtosubdueYulia,despitethefactthathisownAlphahadgivenhim arunforhismoney
Sheknewshecouldtrustthisman.She'dalwaysknownthat.
Monsters could sometimes hide inthe darkestrecesses ofa personality, butwolves could flushthemoutwithease. And Heavenwasnotoneofthem.Yuliawascertainthatheruledjustlyandhonorably.Becausethat'swhathewas.Amanofhonor.
As hestaredather withasadsmile,sheranher hands over his cheeks,whichwerecoveredwithathree-daybeard.She graced the corners ofhis square, manlyjaw witha caress ofher thumbs, reapinga heavy, burningsighofpleasure. Heaven closedhiseyelidsforamoment,lookingappeased,beforestaringatherwithhispredatoryirises.
“MaybeI'llmissyou,”sheadmittedinahushedwhisper
“I'mgoingtomissyousomuch,”hereplied,loweringhiseyes.
Herestedhisforeheadagainsthers,buryinghisfaceinthehollow ofherneckforonelastkiss.Suddenly,thewolfinhim seemedtotakecommand,andhegrabbedherthroatwithhisteeth,growlingviolently
Heavenbegantopant,withdifficultycontrollingtheanimal thatwas enragedatbeingmuzzled.Theair was suddenlyhot. Thetensionpalpable Yuliarefusedtolethimbiteher,markher Oh,she'dgivehimarunforhismoneyifhedared!
Nevertheless, she was aware that the ongoingbattle betweenHeavenand his predator was alreadyfierce. The slightest word,theslightestnoise,theslightestgestureonherpartcouldsendthewolfintoafrenzy
Shecouldfeelhiscaninesdiggingintothetenderfleshofherneck.Withtheslightestadditionalpressure,hewouldpenetrate her flesh,and...the consequences wouldbe dramatic.Unitedwolves couldn'tsurvive far fromeachother,andbothlivedon differentcontinents.Intwodifferentworlds.Thesmallvillageversusthebigcity.Thesurvivorsofonefamilyagainstahuge, hierarchicalpack
Theyweren'tmeanttobetogether
Assoonasthethoughtcrossedhermind,hershe-wolfbegantoroar,andanamelessterrorfilledYuliawithdread.Whatif... No,no,shecouldn'thavefeelingsforhim,itwasoutofthequestion!
Still,sensingherfear,evenifhe'dmisinterpretedit,repelledHeaven'swolf,whosqueakedapologetically.
So,withoutdaringtogiveheralastglance,hestoodup,pulledonhisblackT-shirtandgrabbedhisbagfromthefloor.With atremblingfist,hegrabbedthebedroomcurtainsandpulledthemasidesosuddenlythathealmosttorethemoff.
Thenhehalf-turned,stillwithoutlookingather.
Thetwowolvesseemedasshockedastheywerebewilderedatbeingsofarapart.
“I'msorryIscaredyou,Lia I'msorryIalmosthurtyou Ididn'tmeantolosemytemperlikethat,but Iknewitwastheend Mywolfwouldn'tacceptit.Andheneverwill.”
So,atlasthecrossedthebarrierofwhiteveilsandlefthishomewithoutlookingback Yuliarantothefrontdoor,herheartracing.Herpulseracing.Herthoughtscompletelyshatteredby...byeverywordthey'd exchangedoverthelastfewdays Byeveryglancethey'dshared,everytouchoftheirskinsintheearlymorningwhenhe'dsaid hello. Or inthe evening, whenhe'd embraced her innocentlybefore goingto bed. And Yulia's fleshkept the imprint of his warmthuntilthefirstlightofdawn
Shefelltoherknees,barelyabletobreatheasshefelthimmoveaway.
Hershe-wolfwascrazyabouthim.
Thewoman?Shetriedtoresist,butitwasallinvain.Sofutile.
Whattodo?
She had obligations to Zhelezinka, her dutyas Alpha was importantfor the cohesionofthe Pack, however... Heavenhad markedher Red-hot Rightinthesoul
Ifheleft,she'dprobablynever recover.Ifheleft...her she-wolfwouldperish.They'dalreadywantedtomarkeachother.
God,theseanimalswereunbearable!Yetshecouldn'tleaveherPack.Shecouldn'tabandonthem.Theymeanttoomuchtoher, thelastremnantsofherfamilyexterminatedinanamelessmassacre.
Leavingwould be like turningher backonthemand forgettingthem. And Yulia would never wantto erase themfromher memory
Yulia struggled to her feet Her head buzzed withanincessantlitany, the howls ofher she-wolfrefusingto lether forget Heaven.Her headhurtsomuchthata dropofbloodbeadedonher nose.She ranher handover it,wipingitwearilyas she openedtheheavywoodendoorseparatingherfromtheSiberiandesertwhereshehadlivedsincebirth.
Whenshesteppedoutside,everythingseemedsovast,sobeautifulandmagnificent.Thesunwasshining,theskyimmaculate blueandthereddishdunesinthedistanceweresweptbyapleasantbreezecarryingwithitthescentsofdistantnature Everythinghadalwaysseemedsobeautifulhere,butthismorning,nothinghadthesameflavor.
Because rightinfrontofher was this manwho was leavingher, and he alone had perfumed her life withanexplosionof flavors.Ofcolor.
Withhisbacktoher,hewalkedtowardstheJeephehadparkedintheshadeofanoldtreeonhisarrivalinZhelezinka.
Evenlikethis,dressedinsimpleskinnyjeansandablackT-shirtrevealinghismusculararms,heexudedvirility Heswayed heavily,slowly,asifhedominatedtheworldandtheworldknewit.
Yulia'sshe-wolfthenlashedout,herfangsseemingtosinkintoherthroatwithpower,takingherbreathawayuntilshefinally reactedtothisdeparture!
The young woman began to run. Running through the semicircle of warmsand that was the village; running towards an emotionallytorturedHeaven,andwhenhesensedherrightbehindher,hefinallyturnedaround Yuliastopped,barelyoutofbreath.
Andshestaredathimintently,noticingthosefinewrinklesthatlinedhisforeheadfromanxiety Hisblue-blackeyesseemed somuchdarkerthanintheearlymorning,asignthathe'dbeenturnedaroundbythecallshe'dreceived.TheAlpha...TheGreat Elemental,even,wasbackinhisleadershiprole,andhewastakingitveryseriously
“Areyoureallyleaving?”askedtheshe-wolfinanuncertainvoice,slidingherhandnervouslyalongherbraid. Shecursedherselfforthestupidityofthisquestion.
HeavenopenedthedooroftheJeeptothrowhisbagintheback,beforeslammingitshut,thendughisfingersintohishair. Hisgoldenhazellocksweredarkenedbythesweatbeadingonhisforehead.Temperatureswereheavythesedays,stickinghis T-shirttohistorso,outliningeverymuscle,everyfinelychiseledabsonhismalebody
Yuliaswallowedandstoppeddevouringhimwithanincreasinglypredatorygaze
“Yeah.Pittsburgh'samess,Lia.I...Inevershouldhavestayedhereandforgottenallmyresponsibilities,damnit.Nowone ofmyownisdead,andthewholePackwantstogotowarwiththeworld,withoutevenknowingwhodidit!I'msureI'llbe challengedbyalltheAlphasintheneighborhoodbecausethey'llholdmeresponsibleforthisdebacle,andiftheywantfightsto thedeath,thenI'llhavemorebloodonmyconscience...
Heavenslumpedagainsthiscardoor,hisgazedowncast,thenranhishandsoverhisface.
Yuliacouldseehow muchitcosthimtohavetohurthiswolves,butapackleaderwasnotallowedtorefuseachallenge. Either hewouldfight,or hewouldabdicateandthenbecondemnedtodeath.Amongwolves,itwasthelaw ofthestrongest thatreigned,butalsothatoftheboldest Courageandstrengthwererespectedqualitiesamongtheirfellowwolves Theyoungwomanthenrealizedsomethingimportant.Shedidn'twantthismantohavehorrorsonhisconsciencethatwould haunthimfortherestofhislife.Andsheknewverywellhowtoavoidthat.
Sheslippedherhandsintohis,revealingafacepetrifiedofdoubt,angeranddismay,andthenextthingsheknew,thewolf wassmilingasifhealreadyknewwhatshe'ddecided.Thisirritatedhertonoend,butshewasn'tgoingtobackdownorplay thecowardoutofsheerpride
“Whatare youdoinghere, huh, gorgeous?” Heavenwhispered as she straightened up, her bodynow brushingagainsthis. “Youmissedmealready,didn'tyou?”
“Stupid...,”sighedYulia,rollinghereyes.
“Don'tworry,you'reallowedtohavefeelings.Totellyouthetruth,Ialreadymissedyoutoo.Butbecareful,myshe-wolf. You'replayingaverydangerousgamehere,”hegrowls.
Hisgazesharpenedashestrokedtheyoungwoman'shandswiththetipsofhisthumbs.
“Whatareyoutalkingabout?”
“I'mtalkingaboutthefactthatImightkidnapyou,Lia...”
Awrysmilelituphisbrighteyes,forcingtheyoungwomantosighheavily.Howinsufferablehewas,sometimes.Orallthe time.
“Heaven,twoweeksago,youarrivedinthevillagewiththreecubsbelongingtomyBeta.They'dbeenkidnapped,theywere scared,andyoubroughtthembacksafeandsoundandreassuredthem I'llneverforgetthedaymyfamilywasabletobreathe again,whilewewereholdingourbreatheverydayforfearofbadnews.AndI'llneverforgethowyougaveusbackoursmile and our joie de vivre. One hundred and fortyof our people perished inthe Diamond War. Three more deaths would have wipedusallout.So,Ioweyoualot...”
“No,” he cuther off “No, Idon'twantyouto feel indebted to me I've failed youtwice inmyrole as GreatElemental I didn'tprotectyoufromthehumaninvasionorfromthosemenwhocapturedthelittleones.”
“Youcan'tdivideyourselftobeonallfronts Youarenotresponsibleforthebarbarityofothers” Hisfistsclenchedinherhands,asifherefusedtobelieveit
“Idon'treallycare.You'vebeen...Lords,you'vebeenthroughmoretorturethanIcouldeverimagine,sodon'tputmeona pedestal justbecause Ibroughtthe cubs backto you Their rescue was orchestrated bythe Nemedynand his team, whichI joinedalongtheway.Ihadnothingtodowithit.”
Itwas the veryfirsttime thathe hadn'tputhimselffirst, thathe'd refused to give her his ‘Isaved the world’speech And somehow,thatmadehimworthierinhereyes.
TheDragons,includingtheNemedynwhoruledthesupernaturalworld,mayhavegonetogreatlengthstoavoidawar,butit wasHeavenwhohadcometoZhelezinkaoutofduty.Itwashe,atthatmoment,whohadtosavethewolvesonceagain.
“Idon'tcareifyoudon'tfeellegitimateinthisstory.Youbroughtthebabiesback,andI'mgrateful.Forthisreason,I'mgoing tofollowyoutotheUnitedStates Thatis,ifyouwantmebyyourside,”shedeclared,blushing
AndthenHeavenwentsuchalongtimewithoutspeakingthatshefeltevenmoreembarrassed.Stupid.Andsoridiculous!He didn'twanther,thatwascertain Hisgazewassohard,sodeep,thatshefelthershe-wolfrecoil,intimidated Theexpression onhisface,atonceclosedandcurious,gaveherpalpitations.
Sheletgoofhishandswithoutgentleness,straighteningherchinasshetriedtocatchthescrapsofhertatteredpride.
“I'm...I'msorry,Ishouldneverhavebargedinlikethat.I'llletyougonow.Ijustwantedtorepaymydebt,andIknowthat twoAlphas whopresentthemselves as one carrymore weightina Pack ButI'manoutsider,andIsuppose thatwouldonly havecomplicatedthings,”shejustifiedherself.
Shethenturnedherbackonhimandsworethatherhearthadn'tjustcracked,evenifonceagainshewaslyingtoherself.
Yuliawasabouttoreturntoherhome,humiliated,butHeavengrabbedherbythewristandpulledhertohim Brusquely He pressedherbackagainstthecarandpinnedheragainsthissteelybodybeforepurring,hisfacesoclosetohersthatshefelthis heavy,hotbreathsweepoverherclammyskin.
“You'renotgoinghome,Yulia.Don'teventhinkaboutitforasecond.You'recomingwithme,andthat'sfinal,”herepliedin aharsh,ruthlessanddeterminedvoice
“IseemtohavetoldyoubeforethatIdon'trespondwelltoorders,”shemuttered.
“You'retheonewhobroughtitup,bytheway Andfrankly,ifI'dknownitmighthavecrossedyourmindtocomewithme,I wouldhaveaskedyoumyself.I'devenhavebeggedyou!I'msorryifyouthoughtforasecondthatIwasrejectingtheidea,butI assure youit's quite the opposite!Damnit, Yulia, Istill can'tbelieve yousuggested it!I'mso happy, youcan'timagine how happyIam.ButI'vegotanultimatumforyou.”
Onceagain,thewolfemergedandpassedfurtivelyintohisdark-blueeyes.
Yulia was fascinated bytheir duality, byhis abilityto raise and thenrepel suchanoverbearinganimal, whichmusthave beenofmonumentalstrength.
“Whichone?”shebreathed,intimidatedbythesuddenheavinessoftheairaroundthem
As Heavenpressed herselfmore firmlyagainst his supple body, the atmosphere grew hot, and the wolfimpatient Inthe Alpha'ssmile,hewassopresentthathiscaninesseemedrazor-sharp.
“You come with me of your own free will or you don't come at all, is that clear? There's no way you're going to feel indebtedtome.Never,”hegrowled.
Andheplacedaquickkissonhercheek
Heavenwentaroundthecartogetbehindthewheel,leavingheralone,slumpedagainstthecar.Herlegsbarelysupported her, so heavywas the wolf's aura around her. He was genuinelyangrythatshe could take his rescue for granted. Hadn'the understoodthat,inreality,she'donlybeenlookingforone,tinyexcusetoleaveeverythingwithoutfeelingguilty?
Lords,thatwolfwasreallydrivinghercrazy...
Worstofall,evenso,shedidn'thavethehearttoleavehimtofacethesituationalone Sheopenedthepassengerdoor,gave himadarklookthatmadehimsmile,anddeclared:
“Givemetimetopack,tellmyBetaandI'llbethere.”
Sheslammedthedoorshutquickly,beforehelaunchedoneofhisexasperatingreflections,forwhichhehadasecret Packingwaseasierthanshethought.Yulialivedinsimplicity,andpackedafewclothes,nothingmore.
Sheleftherroomwithaheavyheart,thenlookedaroundthehuge,warmlivingroomwhereherparentshadlivedandloved. OnthevastwoodenbeamssupportingtheyurtwereengravedthefirstnamesofallthemembersofthePack,atraditionshehad alwaysadored.Theshimmeringfabrics,whichbrightenedthewintersandglowedinsummer,weresublime,embroideredby hermother'sownhands.
“I'msorry,”gaspedYulia,closinghereyes.
She didn'twantto turnher backonZhelezinka or her family, butdeep downshe knew she needed a change ofsceneryto rebuild her life. Justone shortweekwould do her good, she was sure ofit. Itwasn'ta farewell to her homeland;itwas a simplegoodbye
Theyoungwomanwalkedtothelivingroomandopenedthesmallwoodenboxtotakeoutalonggoldpendant,whichshe placedaroundher neck Betweenher breasts now restedher family's medallion: athingoldenquarter moon,withahowling wolfinitshollow.
There Shefeltalittlebetter,alittleclosertoherparents
SheleftherhomeandheadedforherBeta's,whowasalreadywaitingforher Withabigsmileonherface,shewelcomed Yuliaintoherarmsandheldherclose.
“You'releaving,aren'tyou?”
“I Notforlong,Ipromise,butHeaven'sintrouble,andafterallhe'sdoneforus,Ioweittohimtocometohisaid,”she explained,alittleembarrassed.
Astalookedatherwithasmilebeforenoddinggently.
“Icouldneversayotherwise.Hegavemebackmybabies.ButYulia,youhavearighttohappiness,andifyoufinditwith thisman,I'llsupportyouathousandpercent.Inthemeantime,I'mgoingtotakecareofthevillage.Therearen'tmanyofusleft, andtosaytheleast,nobody'sgoingtomakeafuss.Sodon'tworryaboutusand,foronce,liveforyourself.”
Moved,shehuggedhermoretightlyanddecidedtosaygoodbyetoeverywolfinthevillagebeforeleaving.
Assoonassheclosedthecardoor,herfiercestfearsresurfacedinthepitofherstomachandtheshe-wolfwonderedifshe hadn'tjustmadetheworstmistakeofherlife.Herhandstightenedonherthighs.Herpulsequickened.Heavily.Howmanymen wouldshemeet?Howmanyeyeswouldbeonher?Howmany
“Lia,”Heaveninterrupted,realizingthatshewaspanicking.
Heplacedhiswarmhandonhers,andtheirgazeslocked.Therewassomuchgentlenessonhisfaceatthatmomentthatshe calmedimmediately
“Everything'sgoingtobefine.Iknowyoulivehereinautarky,buttheoutsideworldisn'tahugebattlefield.Youwon'thave togotowarthere,eitherwithpeopleorwithyourself Trustme,youcanleaveyourlandwithoutbeingindanger,and,frankly, ifanyoneweretothreatenyou...”
Heswallowedandlookedawayforamoment Whenhelookedintohereyesagain,obsidianflamesweredancingviolently “I'dkillhim,”hefinished.
Andthatwasthetruth.Thestrictest,mostterrifying,darkesttruth.
Nevertheless,thelittlebitofdarknessdeepinsideherwasnottobeoutdone.Hershe-wolfraisedherheaddeepinhersoul andgrowledheavily.
If we're in danger, I'll do everything I can to protect you, too...
The animal thenshowed him, withoutanyfilter, how ithad transformed ona springnightto devour, throatbythroat, the enemysoldierswhohadharmedit.Somuchharm.
The she-wolf withthe blackcoat edged inwhite had runinto the heart of the ruined village, drawnirrepressiblybythe smells,theheady,disgustingscentsofthosemenwhohadtouchedher.Brutalizedher.She'dmemorizedtheirfaces,theirvoices andeventheirlaughter,butitwastheunhealthyscentofdesireandsadismthathadleftadeepimpressiononher
Oncefreed,shedidn'thesitateforasinglesecondbeforetransferringandgoingtosaveherfamily.Onceherdutywasdone, all shecouldthinkaboutwasrevenge.Andfor everyslashmadeinher body,for everymanwhogotinsideher,shecrushed them.Bonebybone,endingwiththeirfragilenecksdestroyedbetweenherpredatoryjaws.
Theshe-wolfwasverycold-blooded.ShecouldsimplyhavekilledthemifithadbeenuptoYulia.Butwhenitcametoher ownpeople,shehadnoself-control,andshetookherrevengeinpain Andintheirscreams “Lia,”Heavengasped.“Hey,comebackwithme,please.Idon'twantyoutofeeltooanxiousaboutthistrip,soifyouwant tostayhere,knowthatIwon'tholditagainstyou”
“No,Ireallywanttogowithyou.Sorryaboutthat.Myshe-wolfisalsoabitnervous,andshe'sbroughtmebacktosome difficultmemories Let'sgoifyoudon'tmind I'manAlpha,I'mnotgoingtofreakoutoverafewhours'drive”
“BeingAlpha doesn'tmeanbeingafraid ofnothing,” he admitted softly. Itmeans goingforward withyour head held high, evenwhenyou'reterrified
Hesmiledather,andhispowergraduallytransformed,envelopingherinacocoonofwell-beingandsoothing
“Lords,howdoyoudothat?”
“It'sasecret,dear.Butifyouadmitthatyou'recrazyaboutme,I'lltellyou.”
“Never ,”grumbledYulia
Andthewolflaughedasthecarsetoff.
Theycrossedthedesertforalmostanhourbeforefinallyreachingarockyroadinpoorcondition.Theirfirststopwasina tiny,almostanonymoustown,wheretheyboughtsomefoodbeforefillingupwithpetrol.Itthentookthemafewmorehoursto reachthecapital,andwhiletheywaitedtocatchtheirplane,Heaventookadvantageofthedisparatenetworktolistentoallhis voicemailsandreadeverytextmessage.Hewasconscientious,focused.
Watchinghim,ashepatientlylistenedtohiswolvesrebel,wasfascinating.Eyebrowsfurrowed,unsatisfiedgrowls,every personpassinghimseemedtowanttofleeasquicklyaspossible.Theicywavesheemittedevenmadeherwolfshiver,and shedemandedthatYuliagoandreassurehim.
Whatwasallthatabout?Shewasn'tgoingtoplaymotherhentothatstupidAlpha!
Scowlingat her she-wolf's nonsense, Yulia crossed her arms. Sittingbackinher seat, she simplywatched Heavenmore attentively,pacingbackandfortha few meters awayfromher How intriguinghe couldbe,lookingather fromtime totime beforesmilingmischievously.Shewonderedwhatwasgoingthroughhismindthatmadehimwanttobanterallthetimewhen shewasnearhim.
Yuliastooduptostretchherlegs,andHeavenimmediatelystoppedwalking.
“Youstayinmyfieldofvision,”heordered.
“AreyougoingAlphaonme?Areyouserious?”commentedtheshe-wolf,plantingherfistsonherhips
“Very.”
To complete the picture, he reached outand puthis armpossessivelyaround her waist. And the shivers she feltwere not fromhimatall...
“Youstayinmyfieldofvision,”herepeated,afiercelookonhisface.“Anddon'teventrytobeastubbornasshole,orI'll tieyoutoyourseat”
Itwas becausehewas indeedserious thatsheburstoutlaughing.Thesoundreverberatedinthevast,impersonal terminal wheretheyhadsettled
“Heaven,letmegorightnow,oryoucankissyourfutureoffspringgoodbye,”shethreatened “Howdareyou!”hegrumbled.
“Forgreatills,greatremedies.”
Helookedsoshocked,withhiswideeyesandsulkypout,thatitmadeherlaughevenharder “Okay,fine.YouwanttoplayexplorerinthisairportthatlookslikeoneofPittsburgh'smostinfamouscut-throats?Thenby allmeans,goahead ButI'llberightbehindyou,honey”
“Don'tyoudare!Andwhywouldyoudosuchathing,yousociopath?”
Increasinglyirritated,sherevealedherfangs,readytothreatenhim.
“Because,”hegrowled,loweringhisvoice.
Hisphonestillinhishand,helistenedtoanothermessage,ignoringit,hisgazerivetedtothewidewindowsoverlookingthe tarmac.Yuliawantedtoleavehisembrace,butthedogpressedherharderagainsthim!
“Heaven,I'mreallygoingtohityouifyoukeeppissingmeoff!”
“Sweetheart,”hefinallysighs,“therearemenallaroundus,staringatyou,staringatyoushamelessly.Fromyoursplendid, half-nakedlegstoyourchest,whichswayswitheverymoveyoumake.Andbelieveme,they'reonlywaitingforyoutoisolate yourself.So,youstayclosetome,isthatclear?”
His confession, whispered inher ear, feltlike a time bomb inhis hands. That's whyhe'd beenso possessive since they'd beenhere.That'swhyhecouldn'ttakehiseyesoffher.
Thewayhespokeeveryword,sosoftlyandyetsoviolently,madeherrealizehowmuchhecaredforher.Howconcerned hewasforherwell-being
Theyoungwomanbegantotremble,observinghersurroundingsforthefirsttime.Shehadbeencarefulnottopayattentionto anyofthemalestoavoidpanicking,butnowshecouldseetheiricystaresandrepulsivesmiles HumansandElementalsalike gaveoffthatunhealthystenchoflustthatsuddenlycloudedhermind.
“GoodGod,that'swhyIdidn'ttellyou.Ididn'twantyoutogetscared,Lia.”
“I I'mnotafraid,”shelied
Butshewaspanting.Anddyingofheat.And...wishedtofleeliketheworstcoward,themostunworthyofAlphas. Sheloweredhergaze,ashamedofherfears.
Heavengrowled withsuddenviolence, and her power seemed to explode inthe air around them, makinghimfeel like a salvo of flames burningeverythinginits path. His skintingled; his eyes moistened. He welcomed her into his embrace to protecther as besthe could, while the strangers around themleftthe small hall where theywere still waitingto board The wolf'srageandpowerhadsentthemfleeingatincrediblespeed.
Whentheywerealoneagain,thewolffinallycalmeddown,andhisdominancediminisheduntilitdisappeared “I'msorry,”Heavengasped “Yourfearwassoasphyxiatingitmademelosemyfooting Ididn'tmeantomakeyoufeelbad, Ilostcontrol.”
Asmirk,ascharmingasitwassmug,gracedthewolf'slips “That'sallright.AndI'mtellingyou,Iwasn'tafraid!”
Heavengaveheraknowinglook,beforeinvitinghertositbackdownonthemetalbench.
“Youknow,”hesays,drapinganarmoverhershoulderstoholdherclose,“evenfivetoone,youcouldhavebeatenthem” “Iknow”
Yulialoweredhereyes.Herterrorwasaboveallpsychological,theresultofordealssheneverwantedtogothroughagain. She had never doubted her own strength, but so much could happen in a fight And even physical strength wasn't always enoughagainstanintelligent,formidableopponent.
“Ican'thelpit;Ican'tcontrolmyemotionssometimes”sheadmittedshyly.
“When?”
She gave himanannoyed look. He still wanted to extractintimate informationfromher, and eventhoughitbothered her, seeinghimsoworriedtouchedher Rightdowntothebottomofhersoul
“Thepresenceofsomanymenmakesmeuncomfortable,”sheconfessedinawhisper,curlingintoherself.
Backstraight,confident,Heavenexudedstrengthandvirility.Butwhenheturnedtoher,shesaw somuchapprehensionin hiseyesthatittookherbreathaway
Hiseyesweredarkwithsadness.Hispupilsdilatedwithgrief.
“Metoo?”
Inthesetwowords,shedetectedaweakness,awoundthatsurprisedher
Toreassure him,she slippedher handintohis,she whousuallyrepelledanycontactbetweenthem.The doubtinhis eyes disappearedalittle
“No I'veneverfeltindangerwithyou
Evenwhenyou'renaggingmetogetundressed,”sherevealedwithasmirk “Inever harassed you,” he laughed. “Ijustoffered, as anygentlemanwould, after a grueling, scorchingday,” he refuted, raisinghishandtokissthetopsofherfingers
“Yourkindnessisexemplary,”ironizedYulia,herlipspursed.
“It'smymainasset,alongwithmycharm,mygreatness,mycompassionandalsomysexybodythatattractsalleyes.” “Youattractattentionbecauseyougrowlallthetime ” “Mywolfhasatemper,it'snotmyfault.”
Yulialaughedopenlyatthetwoofthembeforestandingup.
“Well, now that you've scared everyone away, can I finally go to the bathroom without you threatening to stick to my behind?”
“Indeed,”heagreed,smilingmischievously.
