See me, p.37
See Me, page 37
We entered the circle. Lore picked a stopping point but he continued to hold my arm. I closed my eyes and searched for the male’s wolf. “He is ready, Laird.” I bowed my head.
“Who are you working with?”
The wolf growled.
I used more power. It was like turning up the burner on a gas range.
The growl increased in volume.
“Answer,” Black demanded.
The wolf snarled, “Peters.”
The man who dumped me here? I refocused and strengthened my hold.
“What did you receive for your treasonous acts?”
The wolf fought against my power, but I was stronger. “Cash and…”
“Speak, wolf,” Black ordered.
“A human female, so I could mate,” he spat.
“What?” Lydia started to get to her feet. “You promised.”
The wolf turned his gaze to his daughter. “I want young.”
“No more. You promised me, no more,” the woman screamed even more hysterically.
The scenes flooded my brain—young women, screaming, a dead body ripped to shreds, digging graves. I whispered, “Murderer.”
“What?” Black’s voice turned ice cold.
I turned to Lydia. “How many?”
Again, she fell to her knees and dropped her forehead to the hard-packed earth.
“How many human females did he kill?” I added a push to my voice.
“Seven,” her wolf answered. Then Lydia screamed, “Seven because I couldn’t give him a baby.” She made a keening moan. “I begged The Lady to let me have a child. He said I wasn’t good enough…that I was weak.” She pointed her finger at her father. “I gave him everything.”
My knees went to jelly. I was breathing through my mouth. Lore caught me with an arm around my waist.
“Shut up, you filthy whore,” the father yelled at his daughter.
“You touched your daughter?” Black roared.
“She’s mine, ain’t she?” the father responded defensively.
Black changed into his human form, wearing all black. “As leader of the Novus Pack, I, Raider Black, sentence you to death.” He wrapped his hands around the man’s neck and twisted his head and continued until it tore free of the spine. The Laird tossed the head to the ground. Then he lifted his booted foot and crushed it into the earth.
Lydia screamed, “No,” and tried to run toward them.
Conal caught her around the waist.
“Lydia Bohm, I sentence you to death,” our Laird thundered.
She struggled inside Conal’s arms, shrieking, “Daddy? Nooo, daddy.”
I felt the vomit build in my stomach; I fought to swallow it down.
“It’s almost over,” Lore whispered.
Black walked to the woman and tore her head from her body. As her head rolled across the grass, he said, “May The Lady have pity on your soul, Lydia Bohm.”
The crowd was completely silent. Finally, guards moved in to collect the remains and the eerie silence ended.
“Lore,” I whispered. “Lore, there are bodies buried on his land. I saw them.”
“When you were linked?”
His grip around my waist tightened. I think he was holding me up. “Yes.”
“Laird,” Lore shouted over the sounds of the crowd.
Conal and Black crowded around us. “Seer?”
I wanted to fall into Black’s arms, but he wasn’t showing me any signs that would be welcome. I licked my dry lips. “When we were linked,” I rasped, “I saw him kill those human women and bury their bodies on his property. He has a farm, right?’
Conal spoke first, “He did.”
“They’re on his property, you’re sure?” Black’s asked abruptly.
“Yes.”
The Laird turned to Conal. “Raze the farm. Let our wolves take whatever they want and burn it to the ground.”
“As you wish,” Conal responded and jogged to the cart. He vaulted onto it and made the announcement. An answering roar came from the crowd.
Black looked at me again. “Novus thanks you for your service.” He excused me easily, with a nod.
It would be easier to go home, bury myself under the covers, and try to forget this day. However, I was a member of the Pack. I was with Black. If he was going to the farm, then so was I. “Thank you, Laird, but I wish to see this through to the end.” I met his hard gaze.
“As you wish.” He turned to Lore. “Arrange a ride.”
Lore pulled out his cell and made a call.
I watched as Conal and Black changed and took off running in their wolf forms.
* * *
The Bohm farm wasn’t much. There was a falling-down, two-story house, a barn, and a chicken coop. When Lore and I arrived, pack members were carrying items from the house, and others were chasing chickens.
Soon, the wagon arrived carrying the bodies. The guards worked quickly and created a pyre with pieces of wood and siding pried by hand from the buildings. Everyone seemed to be in a frenzy.
Black lit the match that ignited the fire. We all watched as the bodies were engulfed in flames. I stood behind him so that he could partially block my view. However, I couldn’t turn off my senses and all the emotions were overwhelming.
I took a step closer to him and placed my hand in the center of his back. I felt the muscles tense against my palm. He didn’t move away, so I moved in closer. I needed him.
When the flames died down and the crowd began to disperse, the Laird turned abruptly. “Now is the time for you to go.”
I didn’t try to shield the hurt from my eyes. “What are you going to do?”
“Take the keys and go.” It was an order.
Lore held out the SUV keys, and I looked at them skeptically. I hadn’t driven since I’d been dumped. It was against the rules.
“Go,” Black barked savagely.
Lore moved toward me. “I’ll see you to your ride.” He grasped my elbow and prepared to lead me away.
I looked at Black for some kind of explanation, but he gave none. I didn’t have a choice; I went with Lore.
It was weird driving again. I didn’t go over twenty. I came to a complete stop at the intersection. If I turned left, I’d go to Conal’s, right to the Packhouse, and if I continued straight, I could travel away from Novus land. I didn’t hesitate, I turned right.
It took me much too long to arrive at the house. I was being overly cautious, I didn’t trust my reflexes. I left the SUV at the front door with the keys in the ignition. I went directly to Black’s private rooms and sat at the dining room table, waiting for him to come to me.
Forty-Two
Raider Black
I’d watched Theo pause at the crossroads, curious to see which direction she would choose. As always, she surprised me. I was sure she would go to her sanctuary at Conal’s or try to escape us by driving straight out of town. Instead, she turned to go to my home.
Conal’s deep growl had kept the others away from me as I watched the fire burn. Novus would deal with Peters. I would personally kill him, and with great pleasure. The world would know not to strike at my Pack.
Ezra had fucked his daughter. I couldn’t wrap my head around it. Each child was a true gift from The Lady, and he’d used his like that. It disgusted me so much I wanted to kill him again.
I needed to run, to hurt somebody, to be brutal. The need to do damage was strong. I wasn’t safe to be around, especially for Theo. She needed to go back to Conal’s or to her office with the door barred, someplace far, because even though she was miles away, I felt the pull of our attraction.
I turned to my Second. “Go to your Mate.”
“You good?”
“No.” How could I be?
“Your woman will help.”
I changed subjects. “Tomorrow, we’ll meet and plan our move against the human.”
“As you wish, Laird.” Conal nodded and took off.
I did the same, telling myself that I’d stop in at the house and send Theo to Conal’s. After that, I’d work this anger and anguish from my system.
At the main door, I changed into my human form and followed her scent to my rooms. I opened the door and found her sitting at the table. She had her knees pulled to her chest, staring off into space.
“Hey,” she greeted me cautiously.
I pulled out the chair at the opposite end of the table, turned it around, and sat down. “It would be best if you spent the night at Conal’s.”
“Why?” She dropped her feet to the floor and leaned her forearms onto the table.
Why couldn’t she do as I said without a discussion? “I’m angry, and it’s not safe for you.”
“I think we’re all angry.” She tucked her hair behind her ear but made no move to leave.
“I’m not in control tonight.”
She looked me up and down.
“I might injure you,” I warned.
She frowned at me and slowly countered. “You won’t.”
She was being stubborn. She needed to go. My wolf growled; we could make her.
“You shouldn’t be alone.” She squared her shoulders.
“I wasn’t planning on…being alone.”
Her eyes flared wide in surprise before she sputtered, “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“I need to work this anger out of my system. I know only one way, and it’s to inflict pain on another.”
“So, you’re going to fight?” Her forehead creased with worry.
“I’ll probably do a little of that.”
She blinked twice and let out a sigh as her shoulders slumped. “And then what, Black? Find a couple of wolves to fuck?”
I knew the realization hurt. Her scent changed immediately. “I need certain things.”
“And doing it with another is better?” she asked snottily. She was not moving toward the door or making any indication that she planned to do so.
I was losing patience. I’d asked her politely to go, and yet, she was still in the chair arguing. If she wanted to know what was on my mind then I’d share. “Do you think me weak?”
She let out a frustrated sound. “Why would you ask that?” She sounded confused. “No, my answer is no.”
“You rested your hand on my back during the fire, as if you thought I needed your support.” Each word came out tersely as I accused her of this transgression. I felt my wolf push to be freed. He would show her our strength.
Her eyebrows shot upward. “Because I touched you?”
“I don’t need your support or coddling. I am not weak. I am the Laird.”
“Yes, I am well aware that—you are the Laird. It’s your answer to everything.” She got out of her chair. “Well, Laird, let me tell you something. I have never thought that you, personally, needed any emotional support from me. But today, I needed you.” Her voice cracked. “I saw things.” She wiped a hand over her mouth. “Things I can’t get out of my head. I needed some of your strength, Raider Black. Laird.” She spat the last word. “I needed an anchor, those scenes were pulling me under.” She shoved her chair to the table. “So, now you know. I needed you because you are strong, I’ve always been able to count on you. Maybe you can think about that while you’re out fighting and fucking.” She moved swiftly to the door. “Don’t bother coming to me after you’ve been with others. I won’t want you.” She opened the door and left.
My wolf reacted to her admission of pain and weakness. He forced me to my feet. I was in pursuit before I realized I was no longer in the chair. I saw her ahead of me. She must have heard me coming. She tried to increase her speed as she headed to the grand staircase.
She almost lost her footing once, but she grabbed onto the railing and righted herself. She sprinted across the polished marble floor to the front door.
I leaped, covering the space between us, and tackled her body against the thick, steel-reinforced door.
“Get off of me,” she gritted out the words as she struggled.
“Stop fighting,” I ordered her. Her fighting and running to escape excited my wolf. I was struggling for control.
She stopped struggling and turned around to face me. Her eyes were bright blue with her hurt and anger. “You wanted me gone, so let me go.”
“Explain yourself.” I growled in her face. “What you meant.”
“Forget it.” She tried to turn back around.
I stopped her and pressed her into the door with my hips. “You saw what happened with that family?”
She went still. “Yes.”
“How long have you been able to pull memories, Theo?”
“Today was the first time,” she whispered.
“Your gift is growing.”
“Well, she can take this part back anytime.” She held her body stiffly as if she was enduring my touch.
“I won’t ask you about them tonight.”
“Good, because I don’t think I can talk about them right now.” She sighed loudly. “Can I go now, Laird?”
She was upset and hurting. I could see it and smell her turmoil. “You turned to me for help, and I didn’t even realize it.”
“I thought that was part of our deal, but apparently, that was only when it’s convenient for you.”
“I need to inflict pain tonight.” I laid it out for her. I was trying to protect her.
Her gaze swept over my face. “Use me,” she said, her voice cracking.
“Theo,” I tried to caution her. She didn’t know what she was saying…what I could do to her.
“Let me be the one that brings you peace,” she urged, speaking quickly.
My wolf howled his approval at her offering. “I’ll hurt you,” I warned.
“I’m stronger than you think with The Lady’s gift.”
We would see.
“I could use a safe word…?” she suggested cautiously.
I leaned in closer to her ear. “Do I look like I would stop at the utterance of a word?”
She dropped her gaze as she considered my statement. “No, you’re the type who’s going to take until you’re satisfied.”
I approved of her answer. My wolf believed it was a challenge he would strive to meet.
Her voice shook as she continued, “Because I will give until I have no more.”
I studied her eyes and her fierce expression. I lifted my nose and sniffed. She didn’t know that what she was offering could be her life. “I could kill you.”
“You won’t.” She slowly ran her palm down my chest, then lower over my hard cock, teasing me through the denim.
My brain stopped working. “You’re sure?”
“Yours,” she pledged.
I growled as my hand caught her head. I turned it at a sharp angle to capture her mouth. The kiss was hard and possessive.
She ran her nails down my chest through my T-shirt.
I looped my arm under her knees and picked her up. I started up the staircase at a run, using my Lycan speed. Instead of turning to the left to my private quarters, I turned to the right and went down the hall to the last room. I punched the code into the keypad and opened the door.
As soon as I crossed the threshold, I placed Theo on her feet and slammed the door closed. It seemed to echo in the silence as the two locks fell into place.
“What is this?” She was looking around. The day was overcast and the room was cloaked in shadows.
“This is where I come to play.” When I brought a partner home, this is where we would go, not my private quarters.
Her eyes got big, and I knew she understood what tonight would entail.
“Strip.”
She stood a little straighter before her shaking hands moved to her top, and she lifted it over her head. She rolled her pants and panties down her thighs lastly, she unhooked her bra. Then she knelt and neatly folded her clothes. When she’d finished, she sat back on her heels with her head bowed.
“Are you playing a role or are you feeling it?” I demanded the truth. I was still learning her appetites.
She slowly raised her head and met my gaze. “Feeling it.”
I stepped forward until I was towering over here. “Suck my cock.”
Her hands went to my fly without hesitation. Soon, her lips were around my cock and pulling hard.
I kept my hand at the back of her skull, forcing her mouth close to my root, allowing her little breaks to get a lungful of air. I was in charge, even of her breathing.
She took me deep and made a humming sound.
Jesus, the woman loved giving head. “Touch yourself. I want to hear your fingers wet from your juices while you fuck yourself.”
Her scent filled the room, rich and heady. She was losing her rhythm from time to time on my cock. “Don’t you dare come,” I warned her.
She squeezed her eyes shut. She’d been ready to be fucked when I took her mouth downstairs. I pulled hard enough on her hair that she let go of my cock. I repositioned my hand around her throat, like a collar. I pressed her backwards until she couldn’t balance. I wrapped my other hand around her waist to lift her up enough so that I could plant her on her ass on the floor.
I went to my knees over her prone body. “Hands above your head.”
She complied immediately, but I noticed that her hips were lifting, trying to entice me.
I slapped her hip. “I decide when I fuck you.”
“Ooooh,” she moaned as she stretched, her tits pushing upward.
I fell on her. My mouth closed on her hard nipple. I sucked it into my mouth.
She pressed her wet pussy against me.
I switched to her other tit, taking as much as I could into my mouth.
“Please, please,” she chanted.
“Please, what?” I taunted her.
“I need…” Her hips ground upward. “I need to come. Please.”
“Laird, you know to address me by my title,” I growled.
“Oh, God.” She tossed back her head. “Please, Laird, fuck me. If you wish. Please, please fuck me.”
So damn pretty. I gripped my aching cock, lined it up with her entrance, and pushed inside.
I didn’t ride her as hard as I could. We needed to work up to that. I gripped her right leg and looped it over my hip, and she moved her left. That allowed me to go deeper and Goddess, she got wetter.
