Bite, My Love (8 page)

The
Enforcer barks, his powerful maw snapping as he inches forward.
Darting forward again he leaps into the air, going for Daniel’s
face. Daniel outmanoeuvres Aaron’s wild lunge. Spinning to grab the
wolf’s torso, he slams Aaron into the ground with less force a
creature like him is capable. Dirt sprays into the air. Straddling
the Lycan’s back, Daniel wraps his arms around Aaron’s throat until
the thrashing wolf slumps.

Letting
the limp wolf fall, he stands and grabs me when I twist around him
to see if Aaron’s merely unconscious or dead.

“
He’ll live.” Spinning me into his chest, Daniel holds my chin
and directs my panicked gaze to his. “Harmony, listen. Run for the
boundary line and do not stop.”

Weak with
relief, I sag into him and shake my head. “I’ll be faster if I
shift. It’s not happening like it usually does and I
need–”

Irritated,
he storms forward tugging
me behind like a naughty pup. “You will run.”

“
But I–”

Spinning
on his heel he glares at me. “Do not question. I’ll draw them away
from you. Keep heading west and don’t stop until you reach
Castle.”

“
You don’t care for my kind, but,
please
. Please don’t kill them.
They’re following orders.”

He casts
me a scathing look over his shoulder before disappearing with a
burst of speed.

CHAPTER SIX

The
boundary line is less a line and more a twenty-foot section of land
that mingles wolf and Vampire scents.

I launch
myself into the no-mans-land, but stop to search over my shoulder
for a sullen Vampire hot on my heels.

Heart
thumping its Taiko beat, as if a thousand warriors pound war drums,
I scan the tree line. Each pass of my eyes intensifies my sanity
thieving panic. It crackles along my nerve endings leaving doubt in
its tingling wake.

Stormy
clouds gather overhead and flash.

Thunder
rolls.

Daniel
emerges from the forest. He stands before the neutral space,
staring at me.

I can’t
read him.

Smiling
tremulously, I hold out my hand. “Are your feet stuck?”

A howl of
rage splinters the quiet.

The
booming drumbeat ends with a deafening thump. My heart quivers and
skips a beat. “They’re coming.”

“
My life is forfeit.

I grab
his arm. “This is no time to fuck around. Sy’s wolf makes Aaron
look like a bumbling pup.”

“
I am unconcerned. I will take my chances with the Pack rather
than force Lee’s hand.”

I tighten
my hold, eyes strained they open so wide. “You can’t kill my
family. I won’t let you.”

Luminous
eyes snap to mine. “Let me?”

If I were
wolf my ears would flatten in submission.

There’s
nothing I can do to stop Daniel if he wants anarchy. He’s stronger,
and holds the knowledge of a few millennia. Deterred? Hell no. I’m
pissed off. Weaker beings stage non-violent protests all the time
and are successful.

Throwing
my shoulder’s back, I manage to hold eye contact. Experienced as he
is, Daniel has never taken on a wolf as stubborn as me. Letting him
go is hard, but I do it. Fusing myself to his arm won’t stop him,
and Daniel can shake me off easy.

My
demonstration needs to be symbolic yet dangerous.

Skipping
over the line onto the hunting grounds, I plonk my fabulous ass
down. I pluck at the browning grass.

I can
feel
Daniel raging behind me.

“
What do you think you are doing?” He’s using his scary quiet
voice. “Seek sanctuary with Lee until these wolves calm their
rage.”

The
corners of my mouth pull down and my eyebrows lift. I tap my bottom
lip as if considering this. “Nah.” I smile beatifically, finding
the perfect words. “I’ll take my chances with the Pack rather than
force Lee’s hand.”

An
explosion of aquamarine light fans from his pupil and makes his
irises shine. His gaze darts from me to the woods. A range of
expressions chase the worry across his radiant face before he
settles on pissed. “Not funny.”

Arms
crossing, I focus on the murky trees.

It won’t
take Sy long to discover the Vampire is playing games and come
after me. I’m sure he’s worked himself into a state of righteous
indignation and disgust at the idea of me in the hands of a
creature he detests. I remember how he’d gone after Ben’s throat
when we patrolled the boundary line. He’d been angry enough I’d
thwarted his attempt to claim my wolf, but Ben and Lee’s
interruption had sent him feral.

Yeah, if he caught me here Daniel would
have
to fight, or watch his Bride
struggle against a Beta wolf determined to mate.

“
You expect me to believe you will sit there and.…” Daniel
rakes an elegant hand through his hair. “You’ll let that
mongrel…?”

So he
does understand how a Lycan reacts when his claim on a female has
been challenged. Daniel’s scent is all over me. His bite on my
shoulder will send the Enforcers into the haze of rage that Aaron
fell into when he found us.

“
Sy is a dominant wolf and he needs to reassert his claim.”
Shrugging is my new favourite thing. It suggests nonchalance with
the right amount of disrespect. And it drives Daniel crazy. “It’s
our nature. He’ll bite my neck to try and cover your fang marks,
mount me, and the others try to fight you.”

“
Get up.”

I wave
him away, irritated now. Why should I listen if he’s not going to
take this attraction between us seriously? “I’m comfortable here.”
I jerk onto my hands and knees. “May as well assume the position.
He’ll have to turn Human, but I figure you won’t care either
way.”

Daniel
stomps over the boundary line into Vampire territory. Resentful and
bitter, his thoughts swirl in my mind like acid. “Get over
here.”

Shuffling
to face him, I turn my back to the danger. My nature screams not
to, but I need to see his face. “We’re going to find Lee and ask
for help.”

His face
is stony, eyes searching behind me wildly. “You don’t understand
what you’re asking.” He pauses. Perhaps he looks for an excuse to
kill me and be done with it. Whatever argument he finds within
doesn’t please him. He looks lost. “This thing between us is
complicated enough, but returning to Castle is difficult for
me.”

“
More difficult than watching someone else take what’s
yours?”

“
Mine?”

“
Yeah. You told me I’m yours. Ergo you’re mine too.”
He opens his mouth and I snap. “Yes, I know what
‘ergo’ means.”
I motion between us. “This
whole possession thing works both ways.”

“
You should not cling to things said in the heat of
passion.”

“
A girl can only take so much rejection before she begins to
think she’s not wanted.”

“
You’re
not
wanted.” He makes a rude noise. “You refuse to hear
me.”

“
Um, that was a joke, but for the record,
ow
.” I scowl. “See, that’s what I’m
talking about. You open your mouth and all these mean words come
out.”

“
I don’t see you moving.”

Standing,
I edge closer.

Kind of
worried he’s going to punish me for disobeying. That’s what a Lycan
mate would do.

“
All I want is to ask your leader for help fixing this mess. A
mess you caused.” Fidgety, I pat down my skirt. It’s a mess now.
Shredded, muddied, bloodied and torn. “I’m looking forward to
finding out what your problem is. You’ve got everyone riled, ready
for
war
, and I
see no reason for it.” I’m battling the toile and losing. I give
up, letting the poufy skirt claim the victory. I stab a finger at
him. “Their hostility is your fault. You killed Sean and have given
no explanation or apology. Now they’re out for blood.”

Daniel
opens his mouth to argue then pales.

A dozen
howls reveal the Enforcers are closer than expected.

They
sound infuriated.

I imagine
them frothing at the mouth, claws scratching the earth as they race
closer. Hunting. Jaws snapping and seeking blood.

He raises
his arms, face pained. “Come. We’ll go, and I will do my
best.”

With a
sigh, I cross the line. I should be furious, but all he has to do
is open his arms and I’ll start running. I plough into his chest
with enough force to push him back a step. Contentment winds
through me as his arms wrap around my shoulders and bring me in
close.

I curl my
fingers into the creased fabric of his shirt. “We fit.”

‘
I know.’
His voice is
troubled.
‘Heaven help you, I
know.’

Cold wind
batters my back. Feeling the pivotal weather shift, I look
up.

The grey
clouds are lit from the inside by bright flashes of lightning, and
the temperature is dropping.

It’s
going to rain.

Daniel
walks us backwards until we break apart.

We
hurriedly make our way toward the shadowed structure looming at the
edge of the cliffs.

The
moonlight caresses the angled corners.

Humans
can’t see this castle. It’s hidden by old magic. I’ve spent hours
wondering about it. I’m excited to see inside it despite being
taught if I find myself inside that I’m better off dead.

We reach
the bridge arching over a small gush of seawater, and the front
door opens.

An
olive-pale face peeks out from behind the dark wood. A multitude of
expressions flit across Lee’s face too fast for me to identify. She
settles on suspicious. “Harmony?” Voice quiet with distrust, it
echoes with power, and resonates into the atmosphere.

Even the
stars shine brighter.

I
wave.

Her
expression is puzzled now. Welcoming to someone she knows, but
reserved because that person is unexpected.

“
Can we step inside?” I sound suitably non-threatening.
“Please?”

Daniel
reaches for my hand and holds it. Bone crushing. I suppress a wince
and smile at him instead; pleased he needs the contact for
strength. He misses the moment though because he’s staring at the
entrance to Castle like it’s a gateway to hell.

Lee’s
eyes ping back and forth between us. Daniel stiffens. Petrified?
Each time her gaze settles on him he starts until he’s vibrating
tension.

“
I promise we’re only here to talk.” I motion between Daniel
and I. “We need help.”

Silently
moving back she invites us in.

My step
forward is cut short, and I’m left with one foot in the
air.

Daniel
doesn’t move and keeps hold of me. “And Ben?”

“
Not here. He–” A howl cuts her off. She blinks. The light
from her diamond eyes winks out then returns when her lids lift.
“He’s out.”

I tug
Daniel’s hand. “I want to be inside before the Enforcer’s see
us.”

Rain falls as we rush inside Castle. Well,
I
rush and Daniel
skulks.

The
Enforcers coming running from the hunting grounds and past the tree
line before skidding to a stop at the boundary line.

Shutting
the heavy doors drowns out the boisterous howling and the screaming
winds buffering the sea waves.

Lost to
deep thoughts, Lee rubs her hand on the wood door. The milky
splotch on her jaw gives her doll-like face character. Baggy
trousers have been rolled so she can walk without tripping. Her
shirt neckline slouches, exposing a creamy shoulder, and her
sleeves are sloppy. One falls over her hands and the other is
pushed to the crease of her elbow. The dark cotton makes her smooth
skin paler.

Would
Daniel like me better if I were as small and dainty as
her?

“
I wondered why they sounded agitated. I worried I’d convinced
Ben of my safety for nothing. He was reluctant to leave, but I need
stuff from my flat.” Lee focuses, wrinkling her nose. “The last two
nights he’s been panicked. Overly defensive even considering what’s
happened.”

Daniel
shifts. Edgy. “You should not be alone and unprotected.”

“
Adam and Simone
left to, um, wander after….” Her chin juts stubbornly. “After I
gave you to the Pack as restitution. Ben has gone to feed with
Afzal. He’s suffering after what happened to Sebastian. And I need
space to come to terms with all the changes.” She flaps her hands
over her body. “The others were put down. We couldn’t risk them
turning on me, and the others are scattered. I’m safe enough. My
power is young, but strong.”

“
Fools.” He hesitates then inclines his head with deference.
“You should be protected.”