Wolf's Fall (4 page)

“Calla, I'm so sorry,” he said quietly. His tone and his expression were honest.

“Me, too. Stefano was a wonderful man, and we were very much in love. Do you know it's rare for a vampire to find his or her true Bondmate?”

“I've heard that, yes. Is that what you were to each other?”

“We were,” she said. “Some vampires wait centuries and never find their other half. Many of them seek death when they can't stand the loneliness any longer. After I came of age, I waited two hundred years before we found each other, which seemed forever but is actually not nearly as long as most of our kind. We had more than a hundred years together, and then just like that, he was gone.”

“Can you talk about what happened?”

The commander was so kind, and understanding. Tears pricked her eyes, and she sniffed. “One day, I'll tell you more about him, and what happened. That's not the point I'm making right now.”

“What
is
the point?” He was still holding her hand.

She considered her words carefully. “There have been many times in the past seventy years I've wanted to give up. Sometimes the struggle just seems so overwhelming, like I can't take one more day. Some days I have to dig deep, and I survive for three reasons: First, Tarron would be devastated and I can't leave him with that burden. He'd blame himself forever, perhaps even follow me,
and I'm not going to let it happen. Second, the bastards who ruined my life would win, and that's not acceptable, either.”

“Those are damned good reasons. And third?”

“There's always a tiny bit of hope inside me that I'll find happiness again,” she whispered. “What if I took myself out of the game too soon, when I only had to wait a little longer?”

“How come you make so much sense?” He tried a smile, but it didn't quite materialize.

Reaching out, she touched his face. She loved the manly stubble against her fingers, his lips and cheekbones. Even more, she was drawn to the kind, genuine man behind the steely demeanor. “I can see how sad you are, Nick. How weary. Whatever Carter did to you, I suspect that's not the only reason you're feeling down.”

“You're right. It's not. It's just the latest in a string of blows.”

“And yet you're still here. Don't you see? You don't
really
want to give up, or you would have by now. You're a bit lost, but you're going to find your way.”

“You seem sure about that.”

“I am,” she said with growing confidence.

“And I thought
I
was the Seer.”

Then Nick gave her the first honest smile she'd seen since they had met, one that reached his eyes, and it completely transformed his face.
Sweet gods, he's beautiful!
If she'd thought him handsome
before, now she just about swallowed her tongue. Her long-neglected libido stretched and awakened, purring like the engine of a Ferrari ready to burn rubber.

With regret, she reined herself in. Neither of them was ready to move fast, were they?

“Would you like to go for a walk?” she asked.

“That's the best idea I've heard all day.”

Nick lifted the right cuff of his jeans and sheathed his knife in the holster strapped to his ankle. Then he stood and helped her up, letting his hand remain wrapped around her smaller one for a moment before releasing it. She felt the loss of his touch immediately, and craved more. She would have to content herself with his nearness—for the time being.

“Tell me about your family,” he said. “I got the impression there's only you and Tarron in the coven?”

“Yes, but we have a younger brother, Adrian, who lives in England. He doesn't prefer coven life; he's sort of a loner. He works for the Secret Service and loves it.”

Nick whistled in appreciation. “I'm impressed. Do they know he's a vampire?”

“Only his handler and one close friend. Everyone else is discretionary, on an absolute need-to-know basis. He's good at his job, a real badass.” She shot him a grin. “Sort of like someone else I know.”

“Not so sure about that.” But his expression was pleased. “Anyway, you sound very proud of Adrian.”

“I am. I was blessed with wonderful brothers.”

“What about your parents?”

“They died long ago, right after I reached puberty,” she said wistfully. “Even though there were so many dangers that existed back then from human hunters, rogue shifters, and other paranormal creatures, that's not what got them. It was a simple accident. A log shifted and rolled from the hearth in the night and our little cottage went up in flames before we knew what was happening. They couldn't get out.”

“I'm sorry.” Reaching out, he took her hand again, stroking her skin with his thumb.

A pang lanced her soul, but Nick's hand wrapped around hers soothed it. “It's all right. I've had centuries to make peace with their deaths. Tarron got me and Adrian out, and has been taking care of us ever since. Well, mostly me these days. Sometimes I think he takes his role of substitute father a bit too seriously,” she said to lighten the conversation.

“Let him. Family is everything, and at least he loves you.”

Something in his tone made her wonder, and she decided to probe a little. “What about your family? I was introduced to your daughter and her mate when your team stayed at the
stronghold. Then I met your brother at the party, but I don't know much about them.”

He sucked in a breath. “Selene and I are just getting to know each other again after many years apart. Things were rocky at first, but I think mating with Zan has really grounded her. They're madly in love and I'm reaping some of the benefits of her softened attitude.”

“Why did you and Selene spend time apart?” She shook her head. “From your expression I'd say that's upsetting to you. I'm sorry.”

“It's all right. It's a long story, but the short version is that when Selene was eleven years old I made a mistake and broke Pack law. As a result, my brother, Damien, who you met at the party, took Selene from me and cast me out of our Pack.”

“That's terrible,” she said quietly. Her brain couldn't wrap itself around the thought of being rejected by her own family. The sorrow of such an act would probably kill her.

His hand squeezed hers. “The horror I recently suffered at Carter's hands doesn't begin to compare to losing my child. Only the hope that we might know each other someday, that she might forgive me, kept me going. It seems we're finally finding each other again.”

“I'm so glad. And Damien?”

His jaw clenched. “He's an asshole. The bastard can rot in hell for all I care.”

This might not be a good time to mention the intense longing on Damien's face as he'd observed Nick at the party. That his eyes had been filled with regret. Maybe once she and Nick were better acquainted, he'd be ready to hear it.

He went on before she could form a response. “We never had any other siblings, and our parents are dead also. My father was murdered by hunters thirty-five years ago, just before I met my mate, and my mother died of grief soon after.”

Mate? What effing mate?
She cleared her throat. “I'm so sorry to hear that.”

“Thank you. It was a terrible time for the clan. My father was the Alpha, and was beloved by almost everyone. Damien took his place and there were the usual challenges to his leadership before he settled in.” He paused. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

She stopped walking and leaned her back against a tree, studying him. “You mentioned a mate. Am I going to find myself on the business end of some alpha bitch's teeth and claws?”

He shook his head. “That mistake I mentioned before, the one that got me ousted from my Pack? My mate was killed as a result—by Carter Darrow. He saw an opportunity to come after me recently, and you know the rest.”

“Not entirely, but I won't press you.”

“I appreciate that. I'm sure I'll tell you the whole story one day, but not today.”

“I'm sorry about your mate,” she said sincerely. “What was her name, if you don't mind my asking?”

His lips curved up just a bit, and his expression was fond. “Jennifer. A name as sweet and simple as the woman. I wasn't looking for a mate, and one day she visited from a neighboring Pack. It was like being electrocuted.”

He got the strangest look on his face, and she cocked her head. “What?”

“Nothing. Anyway, that's ancient history.”

Time to lighten the mood again. “Speaking of ancient, how old are you?”

He laughed, showing off those straight white teeth—complete with a couple of canines that were slightly longer than a human's yet not as long as her own. The sight intrigued her.

“I'm two hundred sixteen. A mere baby next to you,” he teased, blue eyes dancing with mischief.

“Oooh, that was a low blow, wolf.” She narrowed her eyes, her tone playfully menacing. “Or should I say ‘pup'? Perhaps you're too young and green to play with the grown-ups.”

“Pup?” A feral gleam lit his eyes, coupled with humor. Moving in swiftly, he pressed his big body against hers, palm braced above her head. “Do I seem like a pup to you?”

Bark dug into her back, and she relished the feel of his hard muscles surrounding her. The thump
of his heart. And there was nothing humorous about the hard-on in his jeans.

Their easy playfulness rapidly becoming something deeper. Nick continued to push against her, letting her feel his arousal. Then he raised a hand and stroked her face. Brushed a thumb over her lips.

“No,” she admitted. “You certainly don't.”

“You're beautiful.”

She stared back at him, ensnared in his gaze. “Thank you.”

Please, kiss me. I need—

His mouth covered hers and she whimpered, returning the kiss with equal hunger. Heaven. He was pure heaven, his heady scent and rich taste playing havoc with her hormones. Never before had a man
owned
her with a kiss like this one. As though he fully intended to possess every corner of her soul.

She wanted the contact to go on forever. Her vampire instincts surged to the fore, and she had to force down the desire to bite him. To claim her mate.

Mate!

Suddenly he pushed back, breaking the kiss. His chest heaved and he stared at her as though he'd read her thoughts. Maybe he had, somehow. And if so, he seemed less than happy about what he'd seen.

“I shouldn't have done that.”

Not too promising.

“In case you didn't notice, I rather enjoyed it,” she pointed out.

“So did I, but . . .” He ran a hand through his jet-black hair. “Look, I need to get back. I'm not ditching you, it's just that something tells me I'm needed.”

He sounded sincere and she breathed a small sigh of relief. “I'll take you.”

“You don't have to do that. My wolf can run fast.”

“My way is faster.” She held out a hand and waited. He hesitated only a second before placing his palm in hers. With a smile, she said, “Don't let go of me.”

“Wouldn't dream of it.”

Shifters didn't like traveling by translocation as a general rule. It tended to make many of them dizzy and sick to their stomachs. But there were times that it was the most expedient way to get where you were going.

Closing her eyes, she imagined the Pack's compound and let her gift take them there. The flight lasted merely a few seconds and soon she felt solid earth under her shoes again. Looking around, she saw that they were in the grassy yard area in the back where the party had taken place.

Nick staggered a bit, then leaned over and rested his hands on his knees. “God, that sucks.”

“Are you all right?” She touched his shoulder.

“I will be.” Gradually he straightened and gave her a rueful smile. “At least my lunch didn't make a reappearance.”

“Thank goodness for small favors.”

“Yeah.”

“Nick!” The commander glanced toward the back of the building to see one of his men jogging out the door.

“Micah, what's wrong?”

Calla recognized the younger man with the scarred face as Micah Chase, Rowan's brother. One side of his face was like melted wax from being tortured months ago while in captivity. The evil scientist who'd held him and many other shifters had poured molten silver on him, ensuring the tissue would never heal. She shoved down the stirring of pity, sensing the young wolf wouldn't appreciate it.

“We got called out,” Micah said, jogging up. “Oh, hi, Princess Calla. Sorry to interrupt.”

“Just Calla, and no worries,” she assured him. Seemed Nick's gut feeling that he needed to return had been spot-on.

“What type of call, and when did it come in?” Nick was all business now, standing straight and tall, his own problems forgotten. Every inch the Pack's Alpha wolf.

Secretly, it gave her a bit of a thrill to watch him work.

“About two minutes ago. There's a group of hunters attacking a coven of vampires about fifty miles from here. We gotta skate. They can't hold out much longer.”

Nick turned to Calla, but she held up a hand. “Go. I'll be fine.”

“Either stay here until I get back or go straight home,” he ordered firmly. “I don't want you without protection with hunters running around here.”

“I'll go home. Promise.” She gave him a smile, and his face softened a tad.

“I'll talk to you soon.”

With that, the commander turned and jogged with Micah toward the hangar. Calla was so intrigued by the sway of his tight ass as he ran, she hadn't noticed that someone else had joined her.

“Quite the sight, isn't he?” a woman's voice teased.

Calla turned her head to see Selene, Nick's daughter, observing her with humor etched on her angular face. Great, she'd been busted ogling the woman's father.