The Empress' Rapture (2 page)

“Tell us, little princess, what happened?” he whispered and kissed her head.

She squeezed his hand harder and took a deep breath. “I went to Jack’s place to make a special dinner for him. We’ve been going out for three months, and I wanted to celebrate. I’d made him a charm. I don’t know why I couldn’t tell he was a Troll. There should have been some trace of his power, but there wasn’t. I should have known. He has to have someone powerful working with him…” She sighed as fresh tears slipped down her face. “Anyway, when I opened the door, three Trolls were there.” She heard the growls echo in the room from the pack, but ignored them.

“They were…oh well…you know what they do with Martha. I could smell Jack. His scent was mixed with that of the Trolls. He was one of them. He told me there was nothing I could do, that he would have me. I dropped my bags and ran. Jack caught me and pulled me back into the warehouse. I guess when he grabbed my coat, his claws cut into my back. I thought it was only the coat.” The rest of the story became harder and harder for her to explain.

“I’m sorry, Papa. I had to use my powers…they would have….” Her body shook with the force of her raspy sobs. She barely heard the shocked gasps of the others.

“If you were mated, this wouldn’t happen. Damn, this stupid Chameleon trait! Sometimes I wish your grandmother had never had that in her genes!” he yelled, getting up and pacing the room. Others moved out of his way as he partially shifted.

The Trolls would have kidnapped her. She knew this. They all knew it. If she hadn’t gotten away, they would have raped her and impregnated her, like they had so many others, keeping her as their breeding slave.

Sierra closed her eyes and hoped for sleep without the nightmares. She was safe at home for now, but she knew Jack wouldn’t give up.

Chapter Two

The wind howled and whipped the snow through the tall evergreens. Sierra’s steps faltered, and she looked up. No stars lit the night sky. Fingers of ice bit at her face. She started walking again, taking in the night and enjoying the peace and quiet. Nighttime was her favorite time no matter what season. She was alone, no customers from the store where she worked, or annoying brothers to deal with and a father issuing commands. Her father was in a meeting with his generals discussing possible ways to deal with the Trolls that roamed their city.

Her back still bothered her, but she was a fast healer like everyone else in her family. She couldn’t believe how lucky she’d been to actually get out of the house without one of her father’s assigned guards. It had been so easy to slip by them. She needed time to think, to be alone from the hassle her mother kept giving her about finding a mate.

I mean, on one hand I would have more power and be able to shift if I was hurt to heal myself. If I were just a normal shifter, I wouldn’t have Trolls and others after me. Ugh, why does my family have to be so different!

The last three months had been a lie. Jack wasn’t the person he’d claimed to be. Somehow, he’d found out what her family tried so hard to hide: her chameleon gene. That night she’d been prepared to give him her most precious gift, her virginity.

What a waste. I am so stupid!

Branches crunched behind her. Sierra’s head snapped up, and goose bumps covered her arms. She stood still, not moving, as an owl hooted in the distance.

A low grumbling snarl echoed through the trees. Animals scattered across the ground, and birds that had been sleeping took flight, sensing a predator.

She scanned the woods and saw nothing, but moments later the growl sounded again, closer this time. To her left in her peripheral vision, a black leopard appeared not twenty feet away from her. His gaze never left hers as he paced back and forth for a minute than stopped.

He sat down in her path, his gaze never wavering from her as his tongue cleaned his private parts. Golden eyes gleamed in the darkness as it stared at her. It was almost as if the beautiful animal knew he was blocking her way on purpose. The brush rustled behind her. She turned to find another leopard obstructing her path from behind her. Only this animal was pure white and beautiful. The cats had her trapped between them.

“Just great. I suppose now I’ll be cat food! Can’t anything go right?”

She threw her hands in the air. Her legs gave way, and she plopped to the ground. She rocked back and forth, waiting for them to attack. “My dad is going to kill me if I make it home.”

* * * *

Roman stared at the woman huddled on the ground before him. He smelled her fear, her scent, and her blood!

She’s hurt!
Roman relayed to his brother. They’d found their mate. With her scent imprinted on his brain, the cat in him wanted to mate, but the man wanted to comfort her.

Roman looked at his twin brother, Garth, who inched his way closer to the woman, trying not to scare her. They’d searched for years for this woman, their mate. Who would’ve thought that a run in the woods would bring them right to her? Here on business for their den, the tension had been high, as they’d waited for the local werewolf pack’s alpha. He smelled wolf blood on her, but from what he could discern, she didn’t carry the odor of shifter.

Yet, to have her close, and not run to her played havoc with his gut. It would only be a matter of time now before she would be theirs. First, they needed to find out what was wrong with her. Roman lifted his head and focused on her body. Due to his night vision, he saw the little spots of blood that soaked through her white winter jacket. He sniffed the air and detected another odor in the woods: a male scent. Both he and his brother growled. The sound of footsteps moved closer.

Move, Garth, now! We’ll observe from the trees.

He knew she watched them with her big brown eyes from under her arms as they moved towards the woods leaving her. He sensed she was in pain.

She reached behind her, and her hand came back with blood on it. She didn’t even pay attention to her surroundings or see the stranger until both brothers heard the branch snap in front of her.

She tipped her face upward and stared at the man in front of her.

Garth tensed.
Look, she’s afraid of him.

The stranger glowered down at her with beady red eyes like she was nothing more than a piece of shit.

We should go out there. Something isn’t right!
Garth insisted.

We will wait. It could be family or anything.

Roman’s gaze never left her form. He waited, knowing if the man touched her he would kill him.

“What the fuck are you doing out here? We had a date, remember! We were supposed to leave at 7:30 for the party. I came by to pick you up and smelled you out here. Why aren’t you dressed?” the man bellowed at her.

Roman watched his mate’s mouth open; her face turned red, and her body shook. This man scared her, but it was obvious that she was determined not to show it.

“We didn’t have a date. After last night I won’t go anywhere with you! Get Martha the Bitch, who you were fucking, and take her instead. Now leave me the fuck alone!” Sierra stood and moved closer, her face inches from the man’s.

Their mate was brave, their children would be strong. He could tell she was tired, cold, and hurt, but still she didn’t take anything from this guy.

The stranger turned around to leave, but whirled and slapped her—hard.

Their mate fell into the snow. Her scream pierced the night around them. Tears rolled down her reddened face. Roman’s body shifted to human form clothed in winter garb. Anger and protectiveness surged through his massive frame. Her cheek started to swell as he made his way to her. His brother right beside him. “He is dead meat!”

* * * *

Jack leaned forward and sneered at her. “You’ll do what I say. If I want to stick my cock in your mom, I will. You’re mine! Do you understand me, Sierra? No one will touch you but me unless I give you to them. Now get up and go make yourself presentable.”

A growl of anger roared through the trees, and had her flinching, but she kept her focus on the Troll in front of her.

Roman nodded, too furious to respond. He knew she’d heard the growl. He watched her try to get up, his gaze never leaving her face as they walked out into the clearing.

They both reached her and helped her up, pulling her between them yet careful not to cause her more pain.

“Did he hurt you, baby?” Roman asked, his gaze fixed on the red mark, which was already swelling of her cheek. He winked and wiped her tears, tracing the mark where she’d been hit. Gently, he pushed her into Garth’s arms, spun on his heel, and swung his fist. It connected with the man’s face, breaking his nose on impact. The crunch of bones rent the air, and blood dripped out of his nostrils. The man grabbed his nose.

Roman’s body shifted to his other form; his hand stretched out, claws broke through the skin, and black fur started to sprout on it as he grabbed the man around the neck, lifting him off the ground.

“Shit, what the fuck? You assholes broke my nose! I don’t know who the hell you are, but you just stepped into the wrong hole.” He tried to swing and attack him, but Roman threw the man away from them. He landed on his feet and glared at them. “You’ll regret this, I promise!” Jack turned and stomped into the trees, holding a hanky to his face.

“You really shouldn’t have done that. His family is wealthy, and he has ties everywhere. You could land in jail.” Sierra stepped away from them glancing around knowing she was alone with them.

“I can’t thank you enough for helping me, though. Maybe now he’ll stalk someone else and leave me alone. My name is Sierra Blacksmith. Would you like some coffee or hot chocolate? My house isn’t far and it’s the least I can do. I know my father would like to thank you personally.” She gazed down at the ground.

Her delicate hands flew all around as she talked and gestured. The smell of Sierra’s blood was stronger now. He searched the area. He couldn’t believe he’d let that man go after he’d hit their mate.

But he wouldn’t start this courtship by showing her how vicious his kind could be. That didn’t mean they couldn’t go hunting later. If that asshole thought it was over, he had another thing coming. Roman looked down at his mate and smiled.

“We would love a cup of hot chocolate. My name is Roman, and this is my brother, Garth. Your coat’s covered in blood. Turn around and let me have a look.” He pushed her hair away from her face with gentle hands. Sierra stared up at him and then turned.

“It’s nothing really,” she said. “My mom will patch me up. I just broke some stitches loose.” She glanced over her shoulder. “We should really get going before Jack comes back with his goons.” She scanned the area again. “Why are you guys out here walking? I hardly ever see anyone around during the winter months, especially at night.” She walked away before he could see the extent of her injuries.

“We love the night. We’re waiting to talk to the local alpha in this area so we decided to get some fresh air to clear our heads,” Garth gazed at her. “Tell me why weren’t you afraid of us back there? Most humans would run screaming.”

Sierra laughed. “That’s easy. You weren’t protecting yourselves, so I could read you. I’ve always had the ability to read people. That is except for that man that just left.” She nodded to where Jack had taken off, looked down at the ground, and shuffled her feet. “Do you have family around? Wives maybe? Oh shit, I shouldn’t have asked that, I’m sorry!” She shook her head. “That was way too personal a question. I guess that slap in the face left me a little scatter-brained. I can get you a meeting tonight with the alpha, if that’s what you need,” Sierra mumbled.

Roman stared at her backside, listening to her ramble to herself. She was a wild one for sure. He gazed at his petite mate. Her head came up to the middle of his chest. Yet, Roman was worried about her injury. He wanted to pick her up and carry her.

She’d be very passionate in the bedroom. He couldn’t wait to tie her to the bed with her ass in the air so he could fuck her. A perfect ass and not too skinny like so many females today. He and his brother would have something to hang on to. His cock hardened and he reached down adjusting his pants.

Roman knew his brother wanted to take her now too. His thoughts drifted to him as he slammed her against the tree and fucked her until she screamed his name. Yet, they promised their mother they would court their mate and not do what their fathers had done to her.

Chapter Three

Sierra pulled out her phone and continued to walk. She looked back at the men and waved at them to follow her. “Come on. I have to make a quick call to work. We’re almost at my house.” She pointed the smoke that rose through the trees.

“Oh, hello. Cindy, can I talk to the manager on duty, please?” Sierra turned and smiled at the men. Large, warm hands grabbed her from behind. Looking down, she saw the fallen tree. They lifted her up over it. Roman and Garth shook their heads and grinned at her.

“Oops, sorry, wasn’t looking.” She grinned and hurried on her way. Sierra chatted on the phone. Her pulse beat fast, and heat surged into her cheeks.

Roman, we’re going to have our hands full with her. She talks non-stop. I think we’ll need the ball gag when we fuck her. I bet she shouts like a banshee when she explodes.

Sierra hung up the phone and glanced back at the men. She’d heard every word Garth had said to his brother. With a smirk on her face, she stopped in mid-step. “I don’t know what a ball gag is, but it isn’t going in my mouth. We’ll see if you are going to…you know. You two might be God’s gift to women, but I do have some say about who I fuck!” She glowered at both of them and turned.

Walking again, Roman grabbed her arm and pulled her against his body. “You heard what he said in my mind?”

“Do you mind?” She glanced down at his hands as he released her.

Shrugging, she answered, “I can hear people’s thoughts; it isn’t hard. I try to stay out of people’s minds when I don’t know them. I have to protect myself, so I usually block unwanted thoughts.” She looked down at his hand as he grabbed her again.