Knights of Stone - Lachlan (9 page)

After a pause, during which she eyed him with clinical speculation, she said, “I’m the alpha’s daughter. Seth has been loyal to my father for many years. It’s natural for the two of us to become the next alphas of our pack and lead the way my parents did.”

For a brief moment, he pictured himself in Seth’s place as Raina’s intended mate. Where did such an unsettling idea come from? He didn’t believe in love and mates; what a foolish waste of time. Those were for shifters who wanted to settle down with one person for the rest of their boring lives. Not for him.

What was the point of devoting himself to one woman when there were many to bed in the world? Love was for the weak, commitment was a waste of a sacrifice.

Still, if Mason had fallen in love with a tree witch and had found happiness in commitment, perhaps there was something to it.

No, he wasn’t like Mason. He was alpha of a small gargoyle clan and played in a rock band; a possibly defunct band, but he wasn’t giving up on the Knights of Stone, just yet.

“Is that what your parents want?”

“My mother’s dead,” she said, her tone flat.

Her unexpected response shattered some of his steely resolve to shake off his distracting feelings. “I—uh—I’m sorry.”

She shrugged. “It happened a long time ago. I barely remember her.”

Despite the dismissive words, he caught the longing in her voice. “What happened?”

She blinked a few times before answering. “She was killed. Shot by human hunters while in wolf form. We were on holiday with my father in the Highlands.”

Ah, the way she snapped at the humans when she’d noticed their weapons made sense, now. That’s why it was so important to her that he threw their weapons out to sea. A small surge of pride swelled in his chest that she’d entrusted him with that act, and he’d taken care of it. Compassion soon followed. She was raised without a mother and expected to mate to someone she clearly didn’t love so she could lead the pack. Compassion combined with the desire that stirred just being near her, it was a dangerous mix. One that left him on the edge of controlling his impulses, which gravitated between wrapping his arms around her in a tight embrace or throwing her on the ground and fucking her senseless.

Neither was a suitable response in regards to the alpha’s daughter, so he shoved them from his mind. “That explains your reaction when you saw their weapons, yesterday.”

“I hate them.”

“Humans?”

“No. Their weapons. It gives them an unfair advantage.”

“Is it?” he replied. “What if one wolf is much bigger and stronger than the other?”

She shrugged. “It’s a more even fight than one person pulling a trigger against an animal for no good reason.”

Her eyes took on a lost, faraway look making him wonder if she was picturing her mother’s death. “You must miss her a great deal.”

“My father has done his best. And I know he loves me.”

Her voice caught when she spoke, triggering something in him. His protective instincts welled up, overshadowing all else.

“But—,” he said, not knowing what he was trying to say. “But—loss?”

If something like that had happened to his mother, would he be able to recover? He raised his hand to her, but dropped it. What was he trying to do? All he wanted to do was take care of her. Take away her pain. Without questioning himself any more, he let his instincts take the lead. He stepped forward and opened his arms. “Come here, Raina.”

She didn’t look up at him, but fell against his chest as if that was where she was meant to be. She barely reached his shoulders. He wrapped his arms around her, inhaling the scent of heather in her hair, not wanting to let go. The way she fit cradled in his arms…

It hit him hard—how right this felt. Her warm skin touching his shot thousands of bolts of awareness through him. His heart pounded like the gods’ hammers, and he hoped she didn’t hear it. Forget the sound, she might feel it pound against her cheek.

What was going on?

Why did his mind have to interrupt and ruin the pleasurable sensations? The muscles in his back tightened in response.

She pulled back. Her eyes were moist as she glanced at him. “I don’t know why I did that.”

“You didn’t do anything,” he said. “I did.”

Her eyes flickered as she searched his face. “Why?”

“Because—” Gargoyles were known for their protective streak. That part of him had kicked into high gear when he’d reached out to her, but what he felt for her encompassed far beyond anything he’d ever experienced. “Because—” he tried again. He wanted to shield her from any pain, keep her from harm. He couldn’t tell her any of this, though. He barely knew her, or how she would respond. “I don’t know,” was all he managed to say.

“Why did you come see me?” she said, straightening with sudden wariness.

He came to get something from her. His mind, befuddled by desire and concern for her, took a moment to recall what it was. Her help with shifter magic. “I wanted to ask you something.”

This woman confused the hell out of him, and he didn’t like that one bit.

“What?”

His gaze dropped from her gleaming eyes to her delectable lips, which was a mistake. They were too close, too damn bewitching. After having her so close, his warring emotions didn’t stand a chance against his body’s need to touch her, again. His question could wait.

He pulled her closer, unable to drag his eyes from her mouth. When they parted, the implied invitation was too much to resist. And her feminine scent, dear gods, it alone was enough to drive his inner beast to hunt and conquer the world.

No matter how angry she might have been at him yesterday, he recognized the subtle changes in her body today—the widening pupils, flushed cheeks, and quickened breath. All indicated she was as affected by him as he was by her.

He bent down, needing to kiss her, knowing he was done for.

Raina’s body melted in response to the kiss. She stroked the long, silky strands of his hair and the powerful muscles flexing in his back, before curling her hands behind his neck. Swimming in the exquisite sensations, she’d willingly drown in them; the taste of him and his heady, masculine scent were too good to give up. Her wolf moaned in contentment, getting what she wanted.

When he cupped her head and growled, Raina opened her mouth wider, allowing him to deepen the kiss, the most passionate one she’d known.

Still, a small voice niggled at her, growing louder. Why had Lachlan asked her those questions, cutting right down to the core of her uncertainties? And worse, why had she answered them?

He wanted something. He’d admitted that. As much as she wanted to continue the kiss, she pulled back. Her wolf whimpered in complaint.

“What do you want from me, Lachlan?”

His bright eyes had darkened with a predatory glint. “What makes you think I want anything?”

His voice came out in a low, husky tone that washed over her with a wave of sensuality.

“All those questions.” She straightened her lust-addled body. “Like you’re digging for information.”

He dropped his hands to rest on his kilt. “Sure, we all want information, but I’m not spying on you.”

She ran her hands over her temples and through her hair, searching the rolling moors for some peace and composure amid the rising confusion and frustration. “No games. Tell me what you want, or I’m leaving.”

He inhaled and let out a slow, audible exhale. “I’m stuck on our part for the veil.”

Although flames of desire like she’d never experienced still licked her body, his grave admission pushed past her needs to grip her attention. “Stuck how?”

His face hardened as he looked away. “I don’t know what to do.”

Her eyes widened. “
At all
?”

“I know how to use gargoyle magic.” He waved an open hand while he took a few paces and then turned. “But not what I need to do for our part to protect the Isle of Stone.”

Raina studied his movements and expression. Was he telling the truth or was it a ruse? “None of the gargoyles will help you?”

“I’m the eldest and know the most of the five of us. With the rest of the clan having left the island, they’ve taken their knowledge with them.”

“So can’t you ask them?”

He faced her with a grim expression. “Already done. I flew to the Highlands last night.”

“And?”

“I got nowhere.”

Wait a minute. If he came to her for help with magic, did he have a hidden agenda? Her nostrils flared, blood heating with the humiliation soaring through her.

“So what was with that kiss? Were you just trying to seduce me to get information?”

His head jerked back. “What was that?”

“I asked if all that,” she waved her hand in a quick circle, “rock star aura of seduction or whatever you were doing—was put on to coax me to reveal information.”

After blinking a few times, he asked, “Are you serious?”

She raised an eyebrow. “Do I
look
like I’m joking?”

He scanned her from head to toe. If he had a clue, he’d catch on to the anger radiating from her body. She relaxed her hands, not realizing until then that she’d clenched them.

“Not at all,” he replied in a measured tone. “But I can’t believe that’s what you think was going on.”

“What do you expect me to think?” She planted her hands on her hips. She wouldn’t dare admit how much his kiss it had affected her. Or how many fantasies she’d had since then with them continuing from that point…

For several moments, they stared at each other without uttering a word. Her rapid breathing broke the silence, drumming in her ears.

“No. That wasn’t my intention,” he said. “I shouldn’t have let my feelings distract me.”

“What feelings?”

He shook his head, motioning back and forth in the space between them. “Whatever this is…”

She blinked. A mystery to her as well. “What do you think it is?”

“I don’t know.” He looked away, appearing flustered. “I came to you because I’m stuck with the gargoyle magic. As much as it pains me to admit it, I do need help. I don’t know if that’s something I can even work on with another species. But if there’s anyone I can work with on this, I’d like it to be you.”

“Why?” She raised her chin. No way was she going to fall for empty words just to get what he wanted.

“I enjoy being near you.”

She scanned him, searching for signs he was lying. His demeanor projected sincerity, but she didn’t know much about him. He could be a master at deception. “Why me?”

“Why not? We’re both shifters.”

She scrutinized him while assessing his words. He was a gargoyle, and she’d let down her guard moments ago, but she had to be sensible.

“What makes you think I want to work with you?”

He searched her face before scanning her body in a way that made her burn with slow, sudden heat. Then he inhaled, closing his eyes and smiling. No—could he sense how turned on she’d been by the kiss?

“Just a hunch.” He gave her a wicked smile.

“
Och
. You’re impossible!” She turned on her heel and stormed forward.

“Raina, please.” He caught up to her and took her wrist. “I’m sorry I’ve been a wanker, with all this back and forth. I’m not trying to play games. But the truth is I need your help.” When she stopped, he added, “It’s not just me. We all need to work together if we want to save your island. Think of your pack.”

She froze and tried to evaluate his request from a rational standpoint, rather than the emotional one. It was so damn hard to think straight when he looked at her like he wanted to devour her. Especially, the way her body reacted to his touch, his kiss.

“And you think I may be able to help?”

He ran his fingers through his long black hair in an utterly distracting way. “Maybe you can, maybe not. You’re a shifter, and our magic might work in a similar way.”

“What’s with all the kissing then? Is that part of your plan?”

For the first time, he appeared flustered. “No. That’s exactly what I shouldn’t be doing.”

“Then why did you?”

“There’s something about you I’m drawn to. Your will, your feistiness. Not to mention, you’re one of the bonniest of lassies I’ve ever seen.” He watched her for a long moment and then turned his head with a frustrated wave. “Forget this whole thing. I’ll figure something out.” He clenched his jaw. “I see the suspicion in your eyes, and I hate how you think so poorly of me.”

Was he telling the truth? It was impossible to know for sure. She chewed her lip while she weighed his words and considered her options. Without gargoyle magic, the veil might not work. That was true. So helping him would be helping the island and her pack. The young wolves needed protection from the moon. Besides logic, the opportunity to spend more time with him lit an excitement inside her, no matter how she tried to ignore it.

She could debate it back and forth, but something inside told her to take a chance. She cut off her internal argument with a decision. “Okay, Lachlan. I’ll help you—if I can.”

“You will?” His eyes brightened. “Thank you, Raina.”

He crushed her in a hug that made her entire body tingle with excitement. When he released her, his absence hit her with a sudden sting. Maybe she was making a mistake, but it was too late now, she’d made her choice.

Would her pack agree with her decision?

Raina would help him learn shifter magic. How, he wasn’t exactly sure, but the bigger surprise was that she’d agreed.

A flock of birds flew out from one of the trees, as if startled. Lachlan turned back, searching for his brothers. No sign of them, but that didn’t mean they weren’t watching from somewhere, maybe hiding among the foliage of the trees. Picturing the kiss he’d shared with Raina, he scowled. More like spying on them so they could rib him again later.

“Let’s go down to the shore,” he said. “I know a spot where we can talk uninterrupted.”

One area on the island he considered his own; where he could sit alone on one of the large rocks as he watched the tide move in and out. Odd that he invited someone else into his private space.