Elements Unbound (4 page)

Usually it happened when her own feelings were heightened. Staring into Bruno’s almost black eyes with silver streaks, like lightning, showing her his more carnal side, she reached past the strong wall of domination that he had built around himself.

Slowly she managed to get her leg muscles to cooperate and she lifted herself off his cock. Before he was out of her, she sank on to him again. As she fucked him, his concern, his fear that he’d be able to pull off leading the pack, and his heartfelt yearning to have her by his side while he did it, filled her file://C:\Documents and Settings\Chrissy\My Documents\My Ebooks\ElementsUnbound\El...

5/4/2006

Elements Unbound

Page 17 of 44

mind. She’d moved into his head.

Holy fucking shit! She read his mind, their thoughts mingling together as their bodies joined.

As she shared her body with him, he shared his mind with her. He needed her, was convinced without any doubt that what needed to be done could only be done if they ran together. He’d kill for her, protect her, and would love her.

God. She saw it all in a flash, dumped into her head. She picked up the pace, ignoring the burning in her thighs as she rode his cock. He moved his hands from her hair, stroking her back, holding her to him while she glided her pussy over his cock.

When the pressure burned out of control inside her, it flared to an exploding point in him. Renee knew that exact moment, as a tidal wave of pent-up need erupted inside, that she took him with her. He held her in a death grip, throwing his head back and growling as he filled her with his come.

They collapsed on the ground, both of them breathing too hard to speak. Which was fine with her.

She didn’t have words for what they’d just shared. And she wasn’t sure she was ready to hear his explanation.

file://C:\Documents and Settings\Chrissy\My Documents\My Ebooks\ElementsUnbound\El...

5/4/2006

Elements Unbound

Page 18 of 44

“Bruno!” Bernard Tangaree yelled from his bike as he zigzagged through the trees.

His motorcycle rumbled over the rough ground, the smell of oil burning suddenly filling the air.

“Oh God. Oh shit!” Renee struggled underneath him, panic taking over as she scrambled for her clothes.

“It’s okay.” He grabbed her dress for her, shaking it out before handing it to her. Her look was wild when she stared at him wide-eyed. He blocked her with his body and turned toward his cousin who approached quickly. “Wait there,” he yelled.

“I’ve got to go. If I’m discovered,” Renee muttered, struggling as she pulled her dress over her head.

Her slender body stretched before him briefly before the soft yellow material of her dress glided over it. She pulled it over her head and then lifted her long hair, letting it stream over her shoulders and down her back. The glow on her face was as beautiful as the smell of their sex.

He pulled his jeans on, holding her gaze as he did so. “You are protected with me. Do you understand that?”

“You were serious?” She frowned at him, and at the same time her smell faded. She fought to block her feelings from him. “You want to mate with me? Bruno, we don’t know each other that well.”

He didn’t bother with his shirt. This was a hell of a lot more important. Cupping her face, he stretched his fingers through her hair. God. Just holding her like this warmed his insides. More than just great sex, knowing how linked they would be, that she was his other half, would make her the perfect mate.

He stared deeply into her eyes and used his mind.
You have the gift, Renee.

She blinked, and the salty smell of nervousness swarmed around them.
What is this? Now you’re in
my
mind?

“When were you in my mind?” This surprised him.

She was more powerful than he’d imagined. Yet she hadn’t worked with her gift, hadn’t fine-tuned it. This would take time, and he’d guide her through mastering it. Together, they would make each other even stronger. No werewolf in Malta would surpass what they’d possess together.

A slow smile crossed her face and she backed away from him, glancing beyond him to where Bernard’s motorcycle idled. She wasn’t going to answer him. They would work on trust, it was imperative that it existed between them. Not to mention, he wondered what she’d found in his mind.

file://C:\Documents and Settings\Chrissy\My Documents\My Ebooks\ElementsUnbound\El...

5/4/2006

Elements Unbound

Page 19 of 44

More than likely she learned he wasn’t as confident as he wanted her to believe. Damn. He’d have to fight for her after fighting for position as pack leader. None of this would be easy.

“Having a gift, as you call it, doesn’t mean we’re compatible as mates.” She didn’t look at him, but stared past him toward Bernard.

Bruno took her arm, pulling her to him until he had her attention. Her hand brushed over his chest, her fingers spreading over his thumping heart.

“You’ve watched me for years, and I’ve looked out for you since you were a pup. Are you turning down my offer to mate?” He had to know.

A mixture of scents hit him, none of them strong enough to label. She licked her lips, searching his face. “I’m not sure the offer is sincere.”

Something stabbed his heart with piercing accuracy. He stared down at her. Bernard revved his motor behind him, letting him know he grew impatient. Bruno ignored him. This was more important.

He reached into Renee’s mind, searching for the hesitation she claimed existed.

His thoughts mingled with hers. God, she was warm. Creeping into her mind was like finding a sanctuary that was hot and sensual. She wrapped around his soul, embracing him with steamy, sultry need. He almost forgot why he was in there.

Not once had he explored a mind so open, so content and relaxed. There was no manipulation, no intention of deceiving anyone. Renee detested trickery. She wouldn’t run with scoundrels. She was young, just now twenty, and she wasn’t sure what she wanted to do with her life. But she did know she wouldn’t waste it mated to some old werewolf who would parade her around on a leash like a souvenir.

Suddenly she pushed him away, a wall shutting him out of her mind. She straightened her dress and long strands of silky black hair fell over her face.

She brushed them over her shoulder, her dark eyes growing black as she looked up at him. “And I’ll know it’s sincere when you speak your mind and quit trying to probe mine.”

“It’s sincere.” He grabbed her wrist, pulling her hand from her hair. “And that’s fucking amazing that you feel me inside you.”

She blushed, her cheeks taking on that rosy hue that contrasted so beautifully with her dark skin.

God, she was sexy as hell—breathtaking.

“I still feel you inside me,” she whispered, and then looked down at the ground quickly.

As if deciding being shy didn’t appeal to her, she lifted her head, straightening. Standing a few inches shorter than him, she almost met him eye to eye. Something spicy, like anger, filled the air between them.

“Your friend is waiting for you.” Her tone turned serious, guarded.

He wouldn’t have her holding back from him. Not now.

“Yes. He is.” He looked over his shoulder at Bernard, who leaned over his handlebars, watching file://C:\Documents and Settings\Chrissy\My Documents\My Ebooks\ElementsUnbound\El...

5/4/2006

Elements Unbound

Page 20 of 44

them. “He’s here to tell me where the challenge will be.”

“You’re really going to challenge Alberto?” She looked at him in disbelief.

Her support was imperative, along with her trust.

“You doubt me,” he said.

She hesitated. “No. I think you’d be an excellent pack leader.”

That surprised him, and pleased him. Pleased the hell out of him.

He grabbed her hair, needing to taste her. He wanted her on his lips, her scent filling his nostrils when he entered the field where he’d fight the older werewolf who’d led their pack for most of his life—

until one of them died.

She almost squealed, her emotions suddenly flooding him, when he took her off guard and slammed her body against his. Holding her head, he tilted it back and nipped at her lower lip then ran his tongue over her teeth. She submitted to him, collapsing against him. She ran her fingers over his shoulders and he thought he’d explode again right there, holding her.

Their tongues swirled around each other, exploring, probing. He loved her hesitation that mixed with determination to be strong. He’d seen these qualities in her before, but they came forward when she’d run from her sire, refusing the mating he’d planned for her. Some day, after the ordeal of securing his title as leader of their pack was over, he’d ask her if her refusal had anything to do with him. The curious looks she’d given him over the years had branded her image in his brain. He’d prayed she longed for him as much as he’d ached for her.

He ran his hands down her hair, over her shoulders, and then down her arms. Grabbing her waist, he pushed her from him as quickly as he’d grabbed her. She panted, her teeth longer than they’d been a minute ago. She was one hot little bitch.

And she wanted him. He knew that. Her hesitation stemmed from doubts regarding his sincerity.

His words weren’t good enough for her. She needed actions.

“Stay here while I go talk to him,” he told her.

She simply nodded, taking slow breaths. He’d give her that moment to calm the beast that ached to surface inside her. Without her bra, her small breasts pressed eagerly against her dress, her nipples harder than stone. He let his gaze drop, devouring them before turning from her and heading toward Bernard.

“Taken a mate?” Bernard asked quietly, leaning his head to see past Bruno.

Bruno growled, grabbing his cousin’s attention. “What do you have to tell me?” Unmated werewolves would chase after the single bitches in their pack until a claim was announced.

Bernard snapped to attention, Bruno’s silent warning to quit staring enough for the other werewolf to show respect. “The challenge is at midnight, just like you asked. Alberto wasn’t too happy.” Bernard chuckled, his breath smelling like onions and beer. “He agrees to the location, the isolated meadow just file://C:\Documents and Settings\Chrissy\My Documents\My Ebooks\ElementsUnbound\El...

5/4/2006

Elements Unbound

Page 21 of 44

south of town. Word is running thick through the pack.”

“I’m sure.” Bruno wouldn’t mourn the werewolf until he was dead. Then he’d personally see to it that the previous pack leader had a glorious funeral.

It was their way.

“Setting fire to the pack grapevine doesn’t take a lot of effort. Most dens are in favor of your leadership. They speak of new strength and aggression that will make us stronger.”

Which was exactly what he wanted them talking about.

“Word should reach everyone by nightfall.” Bruno wanted the entire pack there. They had to be.

Once he killed Alberto, the entire pack would belly up to him, or be killed too. “After I’ve gained rank as leader, I’ll announce my mating to Renee.”

“You’ve made a good choice.” Bernard leaned a bit to look at Renee again, but this time his expression remained chaste.

Bruno wouldn’t tell Bernard how perfect of a match it was. No one knew his strengths. For now, it would stay that way. In time, he’d teach others his gift. It would make the werewolves of Malta the strongest and most powerful in the world. The small island of Malta would be seen with new reverence.

“We’ll meet you at Freddie’s
locanda
at eleven thirty,” Bruno told him.

Bernard nodded. “Sounds good,
fratello
. See you then.” He revved up his motorcycle then turned it around and headed back down the mountain toward town.

Bruno turned, and froze as he stared at Renee. She’d walked away from them, respecting their privacy. At the distance she’d been, if she’d been quiet, she could have overheard their conversation.

Werewolves had heightened senses even in their human form. But she hadn’t tried eavesdropping.

Instead she’d walked back toward the cliff.

Renee wasn’t a snoop. She didn’t itch to get her nose in other werewolves’ business. Soon she would learn that his affairs were hers too. She honored his privacy. That in itself was a level of trust he respected. There would be no secrets. They would always run together. But he gained even more respect for her seeing that she made no effort to learn firsthand what he’d share with her as soon as he could.

He drank in her beauty. As he had when he’d first seen her. Black silky hair lifted with the breeze and blew along her back. It almost reached her ass, but not quite. Which was a damn good thing because that ass of hers was breathtaking. Her pale yellow dress hugged the slight curve of her hips, showing off the soft roundness that he’d love to slide his cock into. Just thinking about bending her over, her hair falling over her face and shoulders, while her soft ass was on perfect display for him, was enough to send all blood rushing to his cock.

The change hardened every inch of his body. For a moment, movement was impossible. He clenched his teeth together, feeling them grow against his lips. His vision grew more acute, and the leaves rustling in the trees around him made his ears ring. He fought the sensation that gripped him. The file://C:\Documents and Settings\Chrissy\My Documents\My Ebooks\ElementsUnbound\El...

5/4/2006

Elements Unbound

Page 22 of 44

more carnal, more primitive side of him cried to come forward. Fuck her in her fur and she’d be his for life. Some traditions held strong and true no matter how modern the pack became. And those traditions ran thick in his veins. Some would call it old-fashioned. But the ancient laws of the werewolves remained intact for good reason.

Pack law and tradition were what had her running up here to the cliff in the first place. He wouldn’t do anything to force her into mating with him. Bruno knew he didn’t have to. Even though he’d tried searching her mind for proof of her desire for him, he hadn’t found it. But he knew—somehow he knew—even without the gift.