Wolf (5 page)

I listened, my mind swirling with thoughts of what I’d do if it was Stephan. Could I handle another being in his bed? I shivered, knowing it would strike my soul like an axe.

“He was determined to fulfill his father’s wishes and mate with Sedonia, so I had no recourse but to pursue him. This was quite some time ago and women never did such things. The mere thought of being bedded by a man was unfathomable to maidens back then because the alphas could read those thoughts and take us to their chambers immediately—even if they were not intending to mate with us permanently.”

I shivered. My darkest thoughts toyed with the notion, and my pulse jumped at the thought of Stephan dragging me to his bed and taking me with such passion simply because I’d fantasized of him. Would he?

“Stephan’s generation is much like Antonio’s in that regard—they’ve moved back to the more traditional way of dealing with maidens and their passions. It’s why Stephan has had you locked away in this section of the village, where the elders such as me who have lost their mates reside.”

I swallowed. “They read my thoughts as well?”

Nalla nodded. “I doubt they could resist.”

“I should leave the village, then.”

She tugged on my hand and kept me from rising. “The talisman marks you as Stephan’s. They would never drag you to their bed, for his wrath would be too great.”

The talisman marks you as Stephan’s
.

I grasped the talisman I’d found around my neck as a child in disbelief. “But how can that be? This was found on me when I returned from the forest. We were children.”

“Perhaps your mind was that of a young girl still outside of her lusting years, but Stephan was raised to lead this pride. His passions were great even as a youth.”

What she said wasn’t the consolation I needed. “I don’t even know where this came from. I woke with it around my neck and I was back in the village. It could’ve come from anywhere.”

“Stephan can tell you what happened that night. It’s his memory to tell, not mine. But I ask you to give him the chance to do so. There’s much for him to deal with right now. You need to be here—at his side.”

At his side.

It was the last place I should be. I knew nothing of their customs and traditions. My ignorance was no excuse for whatever rifts and turmoil my presence had created. The hidden arguments I’d overheard must’ve been because of my thoughts. I desperately wanted to stop them from being read. I had to.

“I’ll show you how to build barriers in your mind—a fortress to hold your most intimate thoughts. Stay with me. Stephan and I will both show you what you need to know.”

“I can’t. I doubt I can do the things you can. I’m a peasant from the village. I’m not like you.” Self-doubt rose within me. I hated the way it drowned the buds of hope her words had formed. “I’ll try what you show me. I don’t want to bother Stephan with this, though. He has enough to deal with. I refuse to put your people or him at risk anymore than I already have.”

“This war might have hit your village first, but it’s one we’ve been bracing for, for a long time. Don’t blame yourself for the ills of greed.” Nalla stood and leaned down. Her arms wrapped around me. “Land has become a coveted item. These forest lands will never belong to any but our people.”

“My people said the same about our village. I’m afraid that it’s been taken.”

“You were attacked by cowards. No true warrior would attack women and children.” Her scorn was clear. “Let us take you to Stephan’s. There are plenty of rooms for you to rest in until he returns from his meeting with the alphas. I suspect it will be brief.”

Stephan’s.

I stammered, unsure how to respond. A part of me wanted to remain within the confined safety Nalla’s home offered. I couldn’t risk anymore than I had if I was tucked away here. “He may not want me there.”

“He wants you there.”

She smiled and held out her hand. Anticipation pulsed to life. I stood and followed her outside and through the village on the same path I’d traversed with Stephan earlier. Again, cautious gazes followed my movements. A few of the villagers smiled and a few waved, but even more scowls greeted my presence as Nalla led us toward the section where I knew Stephan’s family resided.

I scanned the homes nestled in a tight semi-circle. Which was his? She moved past the homes visible from the main path and followed a trail through a patch of dense vegetation. I pressed through the brush and shrubs and gasped as another glade came into view.

A large structure dominated the area. At least six or seven of the homes I’d seen would fit within it, with much room to spare. Perhaps nine. Six men stood outside of a large entryway. Emblazoned on the wood door was a talisman resembling mine.

Stephan’s.

My head spun. Nalla’s hand went to my back and urged me forward as the six men watched us. Bared chests rippled with muscles that reminded me of Stephan. The same dark pants covered powerful thighs and long legs. Each of them exuded power. Virility.

I shivered and suppressed any more notions of them, afraid they’d read my thoughts. My mind raced as we approached the massive structure of makeshift steps. I counted as I moved upward. Twelve steps. I didn’t know why my compulsion to know was so great. Perhaps my mind needed something to concern itself with beyond what was behind the massive doors one of the six men moved to open.

I swallowed the fear trampling me as Nalla pushed on my back, nudging me through the entrance. I admired the massive structure’s interior. A large room draped in lush pelts of assorted colors covered the wooden floor. Three sets of double doors loomed across the way.

“It’s not as large as it appears. Most of the space is for pride business—rooms where our alphas, and elders such as myself, meet to deal with matters that require our attention. Training quarters for our young alphas are also here. There are many times when they must remain together so they learn to fight as one mind and one body.”

I listened, awestruck by it all. My footsteps followed hers, even though my mind reeled. “And the other?”

“Is Stephan’s private quarters.”

A large seating area filled the east wall of the large room. I moved toward it, but Nalla pulled on my dress. “This way, child.”

Four more men guarded a set of double doors I hadn’t seen before. “What’s the fourth set of doors?”

“The meeting room. It’s where our pride goes when the king wishes to address them.”

The doors swung open, and I gulped my nervousness as Nalla led me through a long corridor of closed doors. We passed at least six before she paused in front of a door to my left and opened it. “You wait here, Hannah. Someone will be here to tend to your needs shortly. I’ll see you in the morning.”

In the morning?

I gasped and stuttered my confusion. “You’re leaving?”

“I have matters that require my attention.” She hugged me before turning and heading back down the hall. I stood in the entryway of the strange room in shock, unable to believe Nalla had abandoned me.

I moved into the room and closed the door. I admired the luxurious pelts covering the furniture in the room. A small basin sat on a wooden table in the corner. What was this room?

The door opened and a woman who appeared to be around my age walked in, her lips thinned. She scrutinized me before she met my eyes. “I must prepare you to be bedded by the king.”

Chapter Five

“He will not be bedding me.” Even as denial tumbled from my lips, my pulse pounded in my ears. My pussy grew wet and heat spread through my body until it rested between my legs where he’d stroked me to passion with his fingers.

The woman regarded me with abhorrence. “He will.”

I had no idea who she was. She moved with efficiency. My arms were raised above my head and my dress stripped from me before my astounded mind could bolster a response. I held my hands over my breasts and gasped my outrage.

She swept my hands away from me. “You are a virgin?”

Her rudeness stunned me, but I nodded.

“You should break your hymen before he beds you. A king shouldn’t have to attend to such matters.” Her gaze skimmed my body. “He’ll likely fuck you into the dawn. I’ll leave some herbs to help you sleep afterwards. You’ll need it.”

Tossing my dress over her shoulder, she turned and headed for the door. I followed her, but leaped back into the safety of the room’s farthest corner when she swung the door open. “I need my dress.”

She laughed. “Someone else will be here shortly. They’ll provide your attire, if you’re found suitable.”

Suitable?

I stared at the door after it slammed shut. Whoever the other woman was, she needed to arrive quickly. I covered my breasts, but soon surrendered my shyness as moments ticked into what seemed an eternity. My heartbeat accelerated when the door opened. I stood, too chilled and desperate for clothing to care if a strange woman saw me naked.

I was shocked when a large figure moved into the room and shut the door.

I was startled to see Fallon, who admired my naked flesh. I moved to cover myself, but he captured a wrist before I could. “It’ll go quicker if you don’t, Hannah.”

“What is the meaning of this?” I moved backward, my hands covering my breasts.

I didn’t understand why he was here. Did Stephan know? I couldn’t have anyone seeing me… I swallowed. Naked. Running from him seemed senseless, given the sheer number of men looming at the end of the corridor.

“Easy. I mean you no harm.” His words didn’t console me. I shook my head and backed away when he stepped toward me, reaching out to my face. I turned away from his touch. “Calm yourself. I will not hurt you.”

“Leave me be.” Fear lanced my words.

“This is customary. The man-of-arms must ensure you don’t possess any weaponry before entering the king’s private chambers.” Fallon’s eyes blazed with the same fiery embers I’d seen in Stephan’s.

“You strip maidens down for no reason?”

“There’s always a reason.” His voice was low, sensual. His fingers ran across my hair. “We’ve had problems in the past when it came to the king.”

“He’s your brother. Why do you refer to him as the king first?”

“I do only when I must remind myself duty comes before preference.”

“And your duty?”

“To protect the king, even if the brother is blinded by a passion so strong he’d lead us to war.” Fallon wet his lips and I shivered, unable to control the curiosity tumbling within me. He resembled Stephan so much, and his mannerisms made it too easy to think of them as one and the same. “My brother would rip out my throat for the things I wish to do with you.”

I swallowed. I’d never had a man look at me with such hunger. Except for Stephan. But the two men were brothers and I had no intention of creating trouble. I was a peasant and not of their people. “Some would consider such statements rude.”

“But not you.” His whisper trailed through the air between us and ignited my memories of Stephan’s kiss. “Your maiden passion and curiosity stirs the blood of all our alphas. Many prowl the village in their feral form, too enthralled by temptation to remain in their skin.”

“I’m unaccustomed to such mental meddling.” I was too aware of his ability to read my thoughts of him and the others. Of Stephan. “Doesn’t it shame you to pry into thoughts not meant for you?”

He chuckled. The sound rumbling through the room made me shiver. “It is the way of our people. Thoughts of all females are available to the pride. It maintains order, security. We know all things occurring within our pack through the females we protect and mate. We treat the thoughts as if they were our own and protect the person’s right to express them without restraint. Few wield such temptation as yours, though. Not since Nalla’s generation.”

Fallon’s words did little to comfort my surging thoughts. I needed to be with Stephan and feel his arms around me again. His presence always calmed my agitation, even if it did leave me writhing in need for his touch.

“Even now your words incite passion, despite an intimidating situation. You lack the fear of a maiden and possess the desires of an alpha. You will be a worthy companion for my brother.”

I shook my head. “He is a king of your people, and I am merely a peasant.”

“You see the man before you think of the king. That is all that matters, for you are the first and only to do so.” His smile calmed my nerves. He turned and left the room. My pulse quickened when he returned and held out a dress for me to wear.

My fingers trembled as I donned it. His gaze never left my body, which was tingling at the realization the time to see Stephan again had arrived. Nothing mattered beyond that. Fallon held out his hand and I took it, following his long stride out the door and down the expanse of corridor we hadn’t traveled before.

“There will be no alphas or attendants within the corridor once I leave you with Stephan.” I wasn’t sure whether his statement was supposed to calm my nervousness, or incite my curiosity as to why.

I knew why.

Stephan intended to pick up where we’d left off in the woods. My mind couldn’t absorb the thought quickly enough. Fallon moved with haste, as if the destination had become one of paramount need that matched the growing desire burning within me. He opened the doors and stood aside for me to enter first.

My steps faltered, and I swallowed when I glanced in at the large room. A large bed loomed in the center, engulfing the bulk of the space. Never had I seen such a large sleeping surface.

Stephan stood at the end of the bed, wearing a pair of snug, chestnut-colored pants. My pulse quickened after I noticed the prominent bulge he didn’t move to hide from me.

He wanted me.

Fallon pressed me forward, sending a wave of heat through my tingling spine. “If you don’t enter, he’ll likely drag you to the bed. Your thoughts have undone much of his restraint already. Take heed not to stir more of his passion.”

How?

My mind reeled, unable to discern how I was to act. Stephan smiled and stepped forward when Fallon shoved me hard into the room. My footing faltered, and I glared back at the alpha who made me feel like an awkward youth still unaccustomed to walking. He smiled and closed the door, sealing me into the bed chamber.