Into the Unknown (Werewolf Wars, #2) (3 page)

“Everything okay?”

“Yes,” Natalia mumbled. Smiling, she focused on her son, making him coo as she tickled his exposed belly.

“You know you could come down, if you wanted,” Lark said.

“There is nowhere for Adrian, and I will not leave him up here by himself.”

Natalia stood up and placed her son on a blanket on the floor. After cleaning her hands with sanitizer, she graciously took the plate from Lark.

“Actually, Claire purchased a ton of baby stuff right after you had him,” Lark said, biting her lip.

“I do not want anything from the fake alpha’s wife!” Claire had allowed her husband to hold Natalia prisoner, and treat Natalia like a possession. Claire had welcomed her grandfather into the McKinley home, and treated him as an honored guest. She wanted nothing from that vile woman.

“If it helps, I think she used Gene’s money to purchase it.”

Natalia ignored Lark’s comment and asked, “Do you mind watching Adrian again tonight for a few minutes?”

“Yeah. You going for another run?”

“I think I waited too long in between transformations after I had Adrian. It’s like I am playing catch up, or something. It also helps me to clear my head,” Natalia sighed as she sat on the end of the bed. Even though the change was hard and the transition back was worse, the urge to unleash the animal inside her was strong.

“If I’m ever not available, I’m sure someone else—”

“No,” Natalia sneered. “I do not want any of them touching my son.”

“Oh,” Lark said quietly. “Just let me know, whenever you need me. Sarah’s here too if you prefer a...human. I’ll come back up after dinner.”

Natalia nodded. She and Lark had become quick friends and, while Lark was kind, her being human had played a big factor in the beginning of their relationship. “Thank you. I’ll see you later.”

***

N
atalia leapt over a log, her paws sinking into the wet earth as she landed in the clearing where she’d left her clothes. Inhaling the smell of dank leaves and rain one last time, she scanned around the area. Satisfied that she was alone, she closed her eyes and focused on her transformation.

Wincing as her bones began to snap, Natalia gritted her teeth. Her black fur was sucked inward as her pink wolf flesh was replaced with honeyed skin. Long brown hair fell in her face as her bones continued to crack, realigning themselves. After several long, painful moments, the transition was complete. Panting heavily, Natalia sat back, trying to regain control of her breathing. Shaking, she rocked back and forth, waiting for the dizziness and pain to ebb away.

Transitioning shouldn’t be this hard. She knew that. Most wolves did it within seconds—how, she had no idea. Perhaps it was because she was part human, or maybe there was a trick to it. She couldn’t be sure.

Leaves crunched as footsteps creeped across the ground. Natalia stiffened, shooting to her feet. She scurried to get her clothes. Grabbing her panties first, she slid into them as the sound of footsteps drew near. She threw on her jeans next, followed by her bra. Her trembling fingers fought to fasten the back as Gene came into view.

“Go away,” Natalia screeched, snatching her shirt up and covering herself with it.

“I’m sorry,” Gene said, quickly turning his back to her.

She continued to fumble with her bra, finally hooking it and throwing her shirt on. “What are you doing out here?” she demanded, her face and ears burning while her body still twitched from the shift. Tensing her body, she fought to remain calm and in control of the spasms. She could not appear weak to him.

Gene turned around with one eyebrow quirked up, and a smile on his face. “This is my home. I was going for a run,” he said, gesturing toward the open woods.

Natalia drew in a deep breath, her eyes inadvertently wandering to his bare, toned chest. The moon hit his tanned skin just right, illuminating the scars on his side. Claw marks. Even with the blemish, he was perfect. The grey running shorts he wore fit snugly, showing off his muscular thighs. Taking all of him in, she veered up toward Gene’s face. His chiseled jaw and brown eyes stared at her intently.

He’s watching you while you are ogling him!

“I didn’t realize anyone else ran at this time,” she said, entwining her hands together to control the shaking. Now she would have to find a new time to run. Apparently, it was too much to ask to have time to herself.

Gene shrugged and took a step toward her. “I run when I can. One of the downfalls to being alpha. I have very little time to myself.”

“Great,” Natalia mumbled as she bent over to pick up her sneakers.

Another bout of dizziness overtook her, and she stumbled forward. Just as the earth reached up to grab her, warm hands caught her under her arms.

“You okay?” Gene asked as he righted her. He drew her close, their faces mere inches apart as his hand reached up to pull a leaf from her hair. Entranced, she met his eyes as her body heated with desire.

What are you thinking?

Natalia pulled away, tripping over herself before finding her footing. Brushing a long lock of hair from her face, she replied, “I am fine.”

“You are shaking,” Gene said, grasping her hand in his.

Natalia tried to wrench her hand free of his calloused grip, but couldn’t. She placed her other hand on his chest, pushing him. Gene immediately dropped her hand.

Warmth pulsated into her hand where it still lay across his smooth skin. Goose bumps erupted on her flesh as she shivered from the contact. Confused, she quickly yanked her hand away. Emotions tumbled through her, clouding her vision. Jamming her hands into her pockets, she stepped back, willing the shaking and insane attraction to go away.

“Are you hurt?” Gene asked, reaching out for her again, but stopping himself when she recoiled.

“I am fine,” she repeated.

Gene frowned, watching her. “This is what happens when you turn?”

Natalia opened her mouth to lie, but thought better of it. His concern seemed so genuine, and the problem was getting worse with each shift. Looking down at her feet, she nodded. As much as she didn’t want anyone’s help, she couldn’t let anything happen to herself. She needed to be there for Adrian.

“How long has this been going on?”

Natalia didn’t answer. Shifts had always been horrible. They were much worse now, though.

“This isn’t normal, Natalia. Are you hurt or sick?”

“It is nothing new. My transitions have always been rough. I do not need you worrying over me,” Natalia said.

“No one ever showed you how to shift properly?” Gene asked, stepping in front of her as she went to move off.

“I taught myself.”

Gene frowned. “You are hurting yourself the way you’re doing it. I can help you.”

“Why?” Natalia scoffed, moving around him.

“I’m sure it’s very painful for you. Our transformation should be enjoyable. A pleasurable pain. Not a burden,” Gene said.

Natalia glared at him as he fell in step beside her. She did enjoy the freedom once she was the wolf, but the transition was excruciating. Still, could she trust him? She didn’t know what to think about that.

“And what do you want in return for helping me?” Natalia growled. There was always something with wolves.

“I only wish to help you.”

Natalia stopped, and jabbed her finger out at him. His woodsy pine and moss scent infiltrated her nostrils causing her to waiver for a moment. Swallowing, she gritted her teeth, refusing to let him distract her.

“Do not lie to me. I know you are all the same. I sensed your arousal earlier. You say you will allow me to be free, but I doubt it. You are just like the fake alpha and Juarez. Your intentions for me are not pure.” Heat scorched her face as her ears burned from the realization. Even more frightening, a small part of her—the wolf in her—was attracted to him, desired him.

Gene sighed and ran a hand through his russet hair. “I think that you are very beautiful, but that doesn’t mean I would go back on my word. Help me defeat your grandfather, and you will be free. I promise.”

“I don’t believe you are any different,” Natalia said. Her bottom lip trembled. Clenching it between her teeth, she met his eyes defiantly. She would not be a prisoner again.

“Perhaps I can give you a sign of good faith. Would you like to call your alpha in Cabo San Lucas?”

Natalia paused at his offer. She couldn’t help but wonder if he would really do that for her.

“There is no alpha there. No wolves live there to my knowledge,” she answered honestly.

“You and your mother were lone wolves?” Gene asked, his chocolate eyes widening.

“When my mother found out what a monster my father and grandfather were, she ran as far away as she could. She raised me and taught me what she knew about werewolves.” Sniffling, she looked away. Tears pricked her eyes as she thought of her mother.

“Then perhaps we can call her. Bring her here. I’m sure—”

“She’s dead,” Natalia snapped. “They killed her when they took me.”

A traitorous tear slid down her face, trickling over her nose and pooling on her lip. I cannot appear weak in front of Gene, she chastised herself. Swiping the tear away, she stood her ground. Since she was stuck here, she may as well use her time here to her advantage. If this alpha wanted to take Juarez down too, she would help him. It was the only way she could get her freedom. “I want Juarez to pay for what he did to my family. I will tell you everything I know about him.”

Taking a step forward, she stared Gene down. “But one way or another, when this is over, I will be leaving your pack. There is nothing you can say or do to stop me.” Turning on her heel, she stomped away from him. Adrian was the only family she had left, and she would do anything to protect her son. If she had to work with this alpha for the time being, she would. But freedom for her, and Adrian was her first priority.

“H
ey,” Lark greeted as she entered the main house of the ranch balancing several boxes in her hand. “I have some leftovers for you.”

A banana-cranberry scent wafted from the box, making Gene’s taste buds salivate. “Smells good,” Gene said. He took the boxes from her motioning for her to follow him into the kitchen. “I wasn’t expecting you tonight. I thought Sarah and Preston would bring the leftovers.”

“I told Natalia I’d watch Adrian while she goes for a run,” Lark explained.

“She does know that any of us would be willing to look after him?” Gene asked.

“I think so, but she doesn’t trust anyone. Especially Claire,” Lark said quietly as they entered the kitchen. “After everything she’s been through, I can’t say that I blame her. She does seem to be coming around, though.”

“She also seems to be shifting into her wolf form more often. Is she okay when she comes back? She appeared shaken up last night,” Gene said. Worry filled him as he remembered the twitching of her hands, and the strained look on her face. If something was wrong, he wanted to help.

Lark frowned, biting her lip, before shrugging. “She seems okay. Maybe a little fidgety. I think that she just likes to keep to herself. She doesn’t trust very easily—especially not wolves. You startled her the other night.”

“That wasn’t my intent.”

“I know that. Talia is guarded. I’m not entirely sure what happened to her, but she doesn’t trust you guys. Given what Emmett and Juarez have done to her, I can’t say I blame her. I was a prisoner for a day—I can’t imagine being one for as long as she was,” Lark said, wrapping her arms around herself.

“Hey,” Gene said, softly touching her shoulder. “Dev and I aren’t going to let anything happen to you, or anyone else.”

She shuddered under his grip, but smiled up at him. “I know. It’s just a memory I’d rather forget. So why are you all of a sudden interested in Talia?”

Gene blinked as he dropped his hand from her shoulder. Any sign that Lark was upset was now gone.
He
swallowed, hating to see her in pain. Lark was not only one of his closest friends, but he also considered her as a sister—a member of his pack family. Family was the most important thing to him. The blonde also knew him well enough to read into his answer. There was a draw to the she-wolf that he could not explain and didn’t want to until he figured it out himself.

He contemplated how to answer her question for a moment longer. “I’m sure Dev told you about Fernando Juarez’s call, and that Natalia is his granddaughter.” Lark nodded as she opened one of the boxes, pulling out a muffin. She plucked the top off the muffin and took a bite.

“Do you think Natalia is legit? Not a spy?” Gene asked, curious. He trusted Lark; she was the one person who had had the most contact with the timid she-wolf. Natalia had managed to sneak past his guards for who knew how long to go for a run in the woods; he could only guess what else she was capable of when no one was looking.

“I don’t know exactly what happened, but I do know she absolutely abhorrers Juarez. She was very much a prisoner there. Talia is not working for him—I think that she would rather die.” Lark said.

“Do you think she was always a prisoner there?” Gene asked, grabbing a cranberry muffin from the partially open box. He took a thoughtful bite, waiting for his blonde counterpart’s answer.

Lark shrugged in response, leaning against the counter. “It’s not my place to say. If Talia wants you to know, she’ll tell you, Gene. She’s a good person, but very nervous about all of us. I think she’s spent so much time having to see what’s bad in the world, that she can’t figure out what is good. She doesn’t trust that we’re the good guys.”

“I’m doing my best to make her feel at home.”

Lark smiled and shook her head. “I know.” She reached out to touch his arm. “After being kidnapped, I definitely see your world differently. I can’t even imagine being there for months, or even years. She just needs some time.”

“Dev and I aren’t going to let anything happen to you, or anyone under our protection,” he reiterated.

“I know.” Lark bit her lip and looked away. “Talia’s complicated. Give her time to come around to you. Push her, but not too hard. From the little bit I saw of her treatment at the McKinley Ranch, her previous pack experiences haven’t been good. Even though she isn’t a prisoner here, she feels like one. I think that, before you can make any real progress, you need to help her overcome that mentality.”