Текст книги "Dark Seduction"

Автор книги: T. A. Grey

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Текущая страница: 5 (всего у книги 11 страниц)

With a final cry, she collapsed on top of him.

Dmetri wrapped a heavy arm around her because he couldn’t move anything else. Hell, trying to catch his breath was difficult. His thighs trembled from the force of his orgasm and that, alone, was strange enough that he didn’t want to contemplate it.

His head no longer felt groggy but his body floated with her in his arms. As he lay there, he noticed something odd. A strange feeling in his chest. He wanted to rub it but couldn’t move a muscle.

“My chest feels...different.”

She nuzzled her face against his bare chest and pressed a kiss near his nipple. “Sorry, I was digging my nails in pretty hard.”

Ah, of course. That must be it.

Chapter 11

After a long shower, Dmetri felt completely refreshed and reenergized. He dressed in another suit and pulled on a pair of shoes that weren’t caked in blood. Damn shame about his shoes.

On his way outside, he stopped and looked at the couch. Christine left after they woke up from their bout of play this morning. Having her body, no matter how unexpected she’d been, only cemented that he’d be keeping her.

But today he had a meeting with the Kategans and Brayden. After Claude’s attack last night, the pack was on high alert. The restaurant was only thirty minutes away, which meant he was close by, maybe even spying on the pack from the surrounding forest.

One thing Dmetri knew from his interviews with Claude during his trial was that the man was determined and would stop at nothing. How did he plan to kill the Kategans, though? It wouldn’t be easy and Dmetri’d make sure he didn’t succeed. Still, people’s lives were in danger so long as he was at large.

Dmetri made his rounds with the sentries. No unusual activity occured in the night. The thought wasn’t a relief; he wished Claude would attack now and get this over with. Then he could grab his new woman and head back home. He missed his massive bed and luxurious baths.

He slowed his pace to a stroll as he went up the street to Vane and Sarina’s cabin. His eyes caught a scene unraveling outside the cabin that was better than any cinema.

Brayden and Vanessa were in the midst of a heated argument. She was flushed with anger and looked like she was cursing him. Brayden stood there like a stone statue, uncaring. Then he said only a few words and her jaw dropped open, eyes wide.

She actually shook with rage. Her eyes started to glow brighter, the color of amber, and even in the daylight, they shined like gems. Her lykaen was coming through. Brayden said something else and she snapped her teeth at him but slowly the color from her eyes recessed and she stopped shaking. She said something but this time it looked like she was exhausted. She turned around sharply, her back straight as an arrow and marched away.

Dmetri came up to Brayden. “What was that all about?”

His old friend was slow to acknowledge him. “She’s an insolent brat.”

“And?”

Brayden turned fully towards him and that’s when Dmetri noticed his friend’s eyes were bright with anger. The man never let himself get this riled about anything. Dmetri shot a glance at the back of the cabin as the young Kategan disappeared behind it.

“She told me to help her situation with her father. She was trying to make me see her point of view.”

Dmetri’s brow arched high. “I take it you didn’t.” Of course he didn’t. Brayden was the senior Elder for the Justicars because of his steadfast honor and strict rule-keeping.

Brayden didn’t deign to answer that since Dmetri already knew the answer. “She called me an asshole.”

Dmetri’s laughter rang out over the street. He clapped his friend on the back. “You are an asshole, Brayden.”

His friend’s serious face, with permanent crinkles around his eyes and mouth from a life of frowning, looked all the more haggard. The normally trimmed beard he kept was growing in, which didn’t help the appearance.

Brayden’s nostrils flared as he took a deep breath. “You finally took the woman.” Dmetri scoffed, insulted. “Finally? I’ve been here only a few days and already had her.

I’d say that was pretty fast.”

“Not by your standards.”

Dmetri shrugged neither agreeing nor disagreeing. “I’ll be taking her home with me.” The only sign Brayden gave that he’d heard him was a slight shake of his head. “Like she’s some gift to put on your shelf at home.”

“Much better than a gift.”

Brayden’s lips flattened, brow pulling into a vee. “I saw your woman today. She was having a fight with another woman outside her cabin, looked like a family member. Older than her but with the same hair and eyes.”

A mixture of deadly emotions filled Dmetri. Anyone who dared to fight with his woman will feel his wrath.

“What were they talking about?” Already he felt the itchy nag to go over to Christine’s and talk to her, but dammit she just left him a couple hours ago.

“I couldn’t hear what your woman said, she spoke too quietly. But the other shouted loud enough for the entire pack to hear. I believe the words she used were ‘you fucked the vampire.’” Dmetri’s gaze shot in the direction of Christine’s cabin, a snarl on his face.

Brayden caught the look on his face. “No time for that now, we have business to deal with,”

Dmetri didn’t follow Brayden inside Vane’s cabin. He was breathing heavily and had to get himself under control. It wasn’t what her mother had said, wasn’t even the language she used, because he agreed. Christine did fuck him and quite well, in fact. But that she dared to embarrass her, to hurt her publicly, and to act as though bedding him was bad. He would have laughed if he weren’t so angry.

Brayden stepped back outside a moment later. “Now Dmetri. There’s news.”

* * *

The news wasn’t good but then again it wasn’t surprising either.

The Justicars watching Claude’s clan have seen movement in and out. Males, warriors coming and going, mostly going. When several of them didn’t come back, they set a tracker after them but the males were good and diverted the trackers off their scent.

“The perimeter is already as tight as we can make it. I saw to it myself. If anything comes our way, we’ll see it,” Vane said. He held his new baby in his arms, his big hands and arms nearly encompassing its fragile form. Dmetri thought it was the strangest sight he’d ever seen.

Alpha Vane Kategan cradling his newborn child. Didn’t get weirder than that.

“You should alert the other pack members,” Brayden said.

Vane looked at him. “They already know that something’s up. Why would I worry them further?”

“So that if Claude attacks they’ll be prepared for it.” Vane contemplated it for a moment then slowly nodded. “Maybe it’s for the best. I’ll let them know right away.”

“Have you spoken to Vanessa’s father about the mating?” Dmetri and Vane both turned to Brayden in surprise.

Slowly, Vane said, “I did call him this morning. He says I need to turn her over.”

“That’d be wise.”

Vane shook his head. “I won’t do it. I can’t. Hell, I stopped Sarina’s father from mating her off to Prince Conlin. I’ll find a way to stop this too.”

“But you can’t mate with her,” Dmetri said, smiling.

“Hell no, but I can protect her.”

Brayden didn’t say anything as he rested his chin on his fist.

Dmetri shook his head at his friend. What did he care what happened to Vanessa one way or the other? Sure his friend was straight-laced but even this seemed overboard for him. He was the most honorable man he knew, Dmetri was surprised he didn’t see things from Vanessa’s point of view.

“I’ve got to go,” Dmetri said, coming to a stand.

“Date?” asked Vane.

“Something like that.”

He let himself out of the cabin and headed straight to where he’d been itching to go all morning. His hopes flared that maybe he’d find her in the backyard again wearing that sexy little bikini. Curse his luck though, because when he knocked she answered and was wearing clothes.

But damn if her outfit didn’t kick his libido into gear.

He tried to recall why he liked gowns on women because this, this was what he liked.

Cut-off shorts, frayed at the ends, faded with age and a t-shirt that showed off her breasts and stomach to perfection. His eyes traveled down her bare legs and feet. God, he even liked her feet.

Small and neat with a pale pink polish on them.

His eyes finally caught hers and his smile died. “What’s wrong?” She tried to smile back but her lips just fell flat. When he took a step towards her, she closed the door leaving her body to block the entrance. Somehow, that felt as though she’d just slapped him across the face.

“Tell me,” he commanded.

She sighed helplessly and looked down. “Sorry I’m just not having a great day.” Dmetri leaned against the doorframe. “I thought we had a great day together.” She laughed but it sounded like she was trying not to cry. Dmetri stiffened; his patience had already run out. Grabbing her by the shoulders, he pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her. She stood stiffly at first but slowly relaxed in his arms, eventually squeezing the jacket at his waist.

“What’s going on, Christine?”

She pulled back and gave him a tight-lipped smile. “I, uh, can’t see you anymore.” She quickly stepped inside and attempted to slam the door shut. Dmetri caught it with the palm of his hand. He almost shattered the wood with how hard he hit it.

“Excuse me?”

The only thing that had ever shocked him more than this was when Vera had told him she loved him. He hadn’t believed it at first, and then had wanted to run away fast. He eventually did.

“You heard me. I won’t repeat it,” she said softly, her eyes never quite meeting his.

“And why’s that, millaya moya?”

She shook her head to clear it. “What the hell does that even mean anyways?” If she was trying to deter him, it wouldn’t work. “My sweet.” She sighed and fell against the door in the closest thing to a swoon he’d seen since the Victorian age. But then her eyes widened and she quickly resumed the stature of a soldier. A sexy soldier. Damn, he wanted her right now. First, he had to take care of this...problem.

“I’m losing patience, Christine. Tell me what’s wrong now.” She sighed in frustration and put a hand on her hip. “Oh, all right, dammit.” Her eyes darted away from his, never lingering in one spot for longer than a second. “I can’t see you anymore.”

Dmetri stood, crossing his arms to glare down at her. “Yes you can and you will. This morning is only the beginning for us.”

She looked up at him and smiled but as if she couldn’t help herself she frowned again.

“No, really, I can’t. Really. ”

“Why?” God, he shouldn’t even be having this conversation now. They should be entwined in the covers of her bed right now, him deep inside of her.

“I-I can’t tell you that.”

That damned tic pulsed at his temple. “Why not?” He felt like he was back interviewing criminals at the Justicars’ office asking endless question after question.

When she only shrugged, he wanted to shake her.

“Dear, God, woman just tell me.” It was almost a shout.

“Fine,” she said, stiffening. “I don’t want to waste my time with a man I won’t mate with.

So after this morning, it’s done.”

Dmetri rubbed a hand across his forehead. The pounding there grew heavier, faster. “I don’t want to mate with you, Christine.”

A light in her eyes dimmed, and her lips flattened. He almost regretted saying it but surely she knew that, had heard about him from Vera.

“Of course not but if I’m...doing whatever with you then that hinders me from searching for my mate.”

“That’s because you won’t be searching for your mate while you’re with me. You’ll be with me and only me.” Her eyes widened and he realized he’d made it a threat. And that damn strange feeling was back in his chest—dark and possessive.

“No, that’s why I won’t be with you so I can search for my mate.” He’d heard enough of this. “Christine, listen to me. You are mine now.” Her eyes widened and lips parted in surprise. Her lips...he couldn’t wait to taste them again. “This means that after we catch Claude you’re coming back with me.” She jerked back in shock then tossed her head back and laughed. Tic, tic, went his temple.

“You are forever laughing at me,” he warned dangerously.

She stopped laughing but still looked at him like he was nuts. “I’m not going anywhere with you, ever. Dmetri, you heard what I said, right? I’m looking for an Alpha to mate with. I can’t do that if I’m with you.”

“No you can’t, but I want you so you’re coming with me.” She looked sad as the laughter faded from her like she truly regretted this. Looking away, she said, “I have a date tomorrow.”

Tic, tic.

“With me, of course.”

She slowly shook her head and swallowed hard enough for him to see it. “My mother set up a date, okayed it through Vane to let him in. He’s another Alpha—” She didn’t get to finish her sentence because he picked her up in his arms and slammed his mouth down on hers. As she sucked in a surprised breath he thrust his tongue inside.

The kiss was brutal, mind-numbing, wonderfully delicious. He told her with his kiss what he couldn’t with words.

This woman was the most frustrating female he’d ever met. He liked her, he wanted her, and she wanted him ergo done deal. She was his and he’d settle for nothing less now that he’d tasted her.

He pulled away and stared down at her glossy eyes. “If you think I’ll just leave you alone, you’re in for a hell of a surprise, Christine. When I said that you’re mine, I meant it. Those words will not be undone.”

Her wide eyes were so distraught that he wanted to go straight to her mother’s house and have a little...talk with her. She did this; she put these stupid ideas in his woman’s head. His woman...he really liked the sound of that. Just for practice he decided to say the words aloud.

“You’re mine now. And you won’t be seeing that Alpha tomorrow. Do you hear me?”

“Okay.”

He blinked, expecting to hear her protest.

“Good,” he growled, and then claimed her lips again.

He backed her into the door, grabbed her hips to lift her up, and kissed her like he really wanted to. Like he was branding her. She thrust her soft little tongue in his mouth and licked at his fang. His mind nearly exploded at the touch. Hot and wicked just like her. He growled as his body tightened with arousal.

Her phone started ringing. While he was content to keep kissing her and finally take things into the bedroom, she pushed at him until he let her down and ran for the phone.

She mumbled a ‘sorry’ to him before answering. She kept her voice oddly low as she answered the call and darted looks at him.

Dmetri started towards her and her eyes widened. She quickly hung up.

“Who was that?”

Her eyebrows rose high. “Just my mother,” she said quickly. “Listen, I have a lot of work to do today. A few of the members are sick, but maybe I’ll see you tonight?” He knew she was trying to push him away but he let her...for now. He needed to have a few words with a certain Alpha anyways.

He grabbed her by the back of her neck and when she climbed on her toes to better reach him he smiled with approval. Her eyes fluttered close as he leaned down, but he skipped her mouth and went for her neck.

Her gasp of surprise made him rethink not taking her into the bedroom right now. The bite marks from this morning were still fresh and red. He licked sensuously over the bites and felt her shudder against him.

“Later,” he promised and left.

Chapter 12

Dmetri found the Kategans in the backyard at Vanes. The BBQ pit smoked with charring meat. Lawn chairs were pulled up and the women congregated together, smiling and passing around the new baby while the men sipped beers around the grill.

Dmetri didn’t really have a plan, though he usually made one. He also probably didn’t think what he was about to do through.

The Kategan men nodded at him as he approached. Ignoring them, he stepped in front of Vane and shoved him back. It was only a few feet but it was enough room for what he was about to do.

Vane looked at him, his expression part outrage and shock. Then Dmetri slammed his fist into his face.

Maybe if he’d planned this better then he wouldn’t have ended up in an outright brawl.

But as such, with his emotions running high on anger and the damned thought of Christine going out with a possible mate—and possibly fucking him—really, really made him want to hit something. So he chose the man who’d let her accept the date.

As soon as his fist connected with Vane’s jaw, several semi-trucks slammed into him from the side and back. He grunted and hit the ground with enough force to make his teeth chatter.

Fucking lykaens and their strength. Dmetri caught one of the men—Darien—and rolled with him in a tackle. Darien’s palm shot up connected with his nose. Dmetri lifted an elbow and slammed it into Darien’s face a second before he was dragged off.

“What the fuck is wrong with you?”

It was Jackson’s voice. Dmetri wrapped his arms around the arms pulling him and threw him forward; Jackson went soaring through the air but gracefully rolled on the ground as he landed.

Vane came over him and clocked him in the jaw—hard. His vision actually darkened, blurring for several seconds. Dmetri’s blood pumped so hard his muscles were tight with the need to expend pent-up energy. Dmetri shot forward with his speed and wrapped his arm around Vane’s throat. He backed up with him like he was holding him hostage, putting his back to the outside so no one could sneak up on him.

That’s when he noticed all the women were staring at him with mouths agape, eyes wide.

Somehow that...baffled him.

“Why aren’t you fighting for your men?”

They looked at one another and mutual shrugs ensued. “You think you’re the first one to come here and start a fight? Typical Saturday really,” Sarina said.

Vane grunted, then planted an elbow in his chest.

“Fuck,” Dmetri hissed and released his grip on Vane’s neck.

Vane laughed then slowly turned around as he rubbed at his neck.

“Wanna tell me what that was about?”

Shit. He really should have thought this through before he came here. But he’d been seeing red with only one solution possible—Vane’s physical pain.

That damned temple ticked again. What would he say? That he was pissed that Vane was going to let one of his pack mates go on a date with an Alpha? That would look as though he cared for her, and that wasn’t the case. She was just his now. Settling on what he was going to say, he straightened.

“You can’t let Christine see that Alpha.”

Vane sighed. “Yes I can and I don’t see why I shouldn’t.” Now everyone’s attention was on him. Dmetri rocked on his feet. “I’d rather talk about this alone.”

Everyone laughed. Vanessa leaned forward in her seat. “Oh no, we all want to hear this.”

“Agreed,” Rome said.

Vane looked like he thought this whole thing was hilarious. Dmetri wanted to hit him again just to wipe the smirk off his face.

“You that into her, huh?” asked Vane.

“She’s mine now. I don’t want her seeing anybody else.” Well if that didn’t just send the women chattering.

Jackson came forward, a frown on his mouth. “Since when do you go around claiming females?”

“I’m not claiming females. I’m claiming a single woman. As I said, she’s mine.” He wasn’t used to having his matters argued.

Vane shook his head. “Listen, you want her, great. Talk her into that. She called me and said she wanted permission for Alpha Jason Granger to come by tomorrow. I know the man, he’s solid.”

Even though she’d agreed that she wouldn’t see him, his gut told him she’d try anyways.

“You won’t let him see her.”

Sarina rolled her eyes and rocked the baby in her arms. “Dmetri, I respect what you want to do, but Christine’s a member of our pack, you’re not. Which means her wishes take precedence over yours.”

Fuck. He wasn’t going to get anywhere with these people.

“You really like her, don’t you?” asked Vera.

Dmetri looked at her. She was such a changed woman from when he’d been with her. He was happy for her, truly. And he didn’t regret their time together, even if it wasn’t what she or he wanted in the end.

“Of course I ‘like’ her. Why else would I tell her she’s coming home with me?” Vera whistled softly under her breath. “No, you really like her. I can tell. Maybe you’re about to find out what love feels like, Dmetri.” She said the words so softly but they sounded as though they were screamed in his ear. Love. He’d felt great fondness for his father and maybe that was fraternal love, but never for a woman.

Shaking his head, he looked around at the Kategans and their mates. They felt the need for that kind of connection, but it wasn’t one he cared for. Why did he need that when his life was perfect without it?

The sky slowly darkened overhead, heavy black clouds pulling in with the onslaught of a good storm. Everyone looked up at the sudden change.

“Looks like we’ll be taking this BBQ inside,” Vane said.

Everyone stood and did their part in putting away the lawn furniture. The air stirred around Dmetri, he didn’t have to turn his head to know who it was—Brayden. The man moved faster than he did, but then again, the man was old as dirt. He made Dmetri look like a teenager.

Brayden stood next to him and spoke quietly enough so that the Kategans couldn’t hear.

“We have movement in the forest.”

Dmetri’s heart pumped hard at the thought of getting some actual action. He’d underestimated Vane’s hearing, because he came up to them and in an equally quiet voice asked,

“What’s wrong?”

Brayden told him and Vane’s face pulled into a lethal mask.

Before another word could be spoken, an explosion boomed from behind them like a violent thunderclap.

Vane’s cabin exploded apart at the seams, wood flying everywhere like shrapnel. The smell of burning wood and the stench of smoke bloomed around them in heavy black clouds.

Terrified screams, shouts, and chaos rained down upon them.

“Get the women into the field!” Vane roared.

Dmetri, Brayden, and the men took off on a sprint. He only gave a passing glance to what had been Vane’s home that now burned and smoked with an acrid stench. As they reached the front of the cabin, another explosion sounded.

Dmetri’s eyes widened—it was the house next to Christine. He sprinted after her before he finished the thought. People were already coming out of their houses, screaming at the violence. Dmetri spotted a man and recognized him—one of Claude’s clan members. He stood in the backyard of the house he just bombed and held a grenade in his hand.

Dmetri’s heart had never pounded so hard in his life. Fear drove him. He leapt over the six-foot tall fence and tackled the man to the ground. The squeak of the pin being pulled sounded too loud and he knew it was his adrenaline. Dmetri acted out of instinct and grabbed the grenade from his hand, throwing it into the street behind the fence. He could only hope no one was there.

As the boom shook the decrepit house, flattening it into a pile of fiery rubble, he grabbed the vampires head and twisted. It snapped with a sick cracking sound. He needed a silver blade, needed to slam it into the vamp’s heart to really kill it, but for now it’d stay the fuck down.

Dmetri was on his feet in the next second and bounded over the fence into Christine’s yard. He slammed open her sliding glass door, eyes wide and frantic.

“Christine!”

No answer. He ran through each of the rooms, throwing open doors and closets, searching everywhere. He felt like he was losing his mind. He threw open the front door and saw her. His relief was so profound his heart slammed against his chest.

She turned and saw him, eyes wide and scared. He ran to her and she met him halfway, jumping into his arms. He caught her, squeezing her tight. Quickly he released her. More vampires were around, he could smell them.

“Stay here and stay safe,” he ordered and took off down the street.

He caught sight of a man darting behind another house and was just about to slam him into the ground, when someone beat him to it. Quick and efficient, Brayden snapped the vampire’s head so hard he was surprised it didn’t come off. He tore the grenade from his loose fingers a moment later.

“How many?” said Dmetri.

Brayden nodded at the dead vampire at his feet. “That was the last one. They killed four sentries before breaking into the compound.” He stared down at the lykaen with burning hate, violence barely contained in his too-still body. Then he pulled out a wicked curved blade and buried it in vamp’s chest. “I’ll take care of the others.” Brayden had always been honorable and with that came the protecting of innocent lives.

Losing them, putting them in danger set the vampire off like nothing he’d ever seen.

“Come on, drook. We need to go back and make sure everyone’s safe.” He spoke slowly carefully.

Brayden only stared at the dead vampire, his fists clenched so hard they trembled.

Screams tore through the air; they both whipped their heads at the sound and raced together—one blur of movement. They arrived back at the Vane’s cabin and the place looked like a disaster zone.

Smoke blackened the sky, raging fires burned, and people from the pack milled about in the streets like lost orphans. Dmetri’s gut tightened.

It was Sarina who screamed. Vane ran to her, his eyes wide with fear and panic. Dmetri could practically hear the man’s thoughts: is the baby okay?

He grabbed Sarina by the shoulders. “Where’s Vince? What’s wrong?” She was crying, babbling but finally the words became clear. “Vanessa’s gone. Someone took Vanessa. Oh, God, Vane she was holding the baby!” Vane stood so still he might have been dead. His mate pushed herself into his arms, burying her face in his chest and cried. That seemed to snap him out of his shock. Slowly he wrapped his arms around her. He pulled away and spoke something into her ear and she nodded quickly then ran back to the field where the other women waited.

Vane never moved. He was rooted in place. Dmetri and Brayden came up to him just as the other Kategan males did.

“What’s wrong?” asked Darien.

“They took two of ours.”

“Who was it?” asked Rome, cracking his neck like he was ready for a fight.

Vane swallowed but when he tried to speak nothing came out.

“Vanessa and Vince. We need runners out now. They’ll be taken as hostages,” Dmetri said.

Vane nodded slowly but he looked shell-shocked. Rome and Darien stepped forward to embrace their brother.

“We’ll get them back,” Rome said.

Darien hugged Vane hard enough to crack ribs, then all of them, including Jacks, took off into the woods. Shouts sounded, giving orders to search for the missing.

Vane still hadn’t moved. His eyes were glued to the grass.

Brayden stepped forward. “Your mate was almost killed!” Dmetri almost jumped at the sound of Brayden’s shout. The man never shouted. Vane met Brayden’s gaze.

“Your child has been taken. They will kill them. Do you hear me? They will die if you don’t move.”

Vane started trembling, first at his shoulders then down to his hands.

“Do you want them to die, Vane? Go! Go and get them back. Now! ” Vane stumbled back a step as if he’d been pushed. Then he nodded slowly, then faster.

His eyes darted off in the direction his brothers had gone. He took off at an impressive sprint a moment later.

“You yelled,” Dmetri said.

Brayden looked at him with hard eyes. “I know how to treat soldiers in shock.” His words rang true but there was something else to them, something in his eyes that said there was more to the story.

The next several hours were a mess. Fire trucks were called in, and Dmetri watched as Christine rushed person-to-person until it was too much. She called an ambulance and sent some of the worst to the hospital. She couldn’t treat them all. He’d never felt prouder of anyone.

The pack came together quietly and started gathering wood from the exploded cabins into big piles.

Two were dead. A mother and daughter who were outside of the second house when it exploded. Mourners already surrounded the house with flowers, their heads bowed low. He wanted to kill that bastard again for murdering two innocents, but the dead could only die once.

Thunder boomed overhead and when the rain started pouring no one was bothered by it.