Jewel of Darkness

Chapter 2-4

He knew his eyes were glowing as his wolf pushed forward, and he felt his canines lengthen. She was so close. His wolf pushed closer to the surface, causing him to throw his head back and let out a loud howl—a call to their mate. If Gustavo could put the howl into words it would have said I’m here, I’m a safe place, come to me where you belong. Instead of feeling her move closer to him, she moved further and her emotions began to bounce all over the place. Gustavo closed his eyes and let his instincts take over. He allowed his wolf control for a moment, using his superior senses to guide him. He shed his human form, bursting into his wolf skin, clothes falling in shreds all around him.

“Holy crap,” Kara shouted. “He’s huge.”

“I thought you said you could control him,” Ainsel said, an edge in his voice.

“He’s not going to hurt her,” the Beta, Alston, assured.

“But he might tear this realm apart to find her,” Costin pointed out.

Gustavo pushed all of their voices away as he took off at a sprint, his paws chewing up ground as he ran. His only thought was for his female. She was close. And the Beta was correct. He would remove every obstacle in his way to find his mate. So close, his wolf growled. After several minutes, his paws came to a skidding halt as he came upon a group of humans and wolves, four of which he recognized. There were two other females that he did not. Not ours, his wolf confirmed.

“Gustavo,” the male he knew as Sorin said and stood to step in front of his female, a fae warrior named Elle.

Gustavo shifted, uncaring that he was naked. “Where is she?” he asked, unable to keep the gruffness from his voice.

“I totally get that you werewolves are comfortable with the whole phasing and lack of clothing thing, but us mere humans prefer the essentials to stay covered,” the dark-skinned female bit out.

“Wait, he’s just standing there in his birthday suit?” the girl he figured must be Heather asked as a thick southern accent rolled off her tongue.

“Naked as the day he was born,” the other female confirmed.

The blind female smacked her leg. “Ain’t that the way of it. Blind chick misses out on all the fun.”

“Stella, Heather,” Sorin snapped. “Now is not the time for your antics.”

“Is that his way of saying we should put a cork in it?” the one they called Stella asked.

“I’m assuming since you two aren’t his mate, Anna must be, and she isn’t here at the moment to calm him if you get my drift,” Crina, the she-wolf Gustavo knew belonged to Vasile’s pack, told them.

“Anna,” her name rolled off his tongue like the sweetest prayer.

“At least I’m not deaf,” Heather said with a shiver. “That Spanish accent gives me the tingles.”

“There will be no tingling,” Elle growled. “You two are going to get yourselves put on Anna’s hit list once her instincts take over and she claims him.”

“Yeah, well I didn’t exactly ask to get a look at him. So, not exactly our fault, however, I am with Heather on the whole Spanish accent. That’s nice,” Stella pointed out. “I’ll totally risk her ire just to hear him talk. Go on handsome,” she encouraged. “Grace us with some more of that magical voice and accent.”

Adam, the other elf warrior in the group, pinched the bridge of his nose. “These healers are going to be the death of me.”

Gustavo was growing impatient. He didn’t give a damn if the females saw him without his clothes or liked his accent. All he cared about was Anna, his Anna. He looked back at Sorin. “¿Dondé?” he asked again.

“Perhaps, Alpha, it would be better if you waited on her to return instead of chasing after her.” Sorin tilted his head slightly to show he wasn’t challenging him. It didn’t mean that Gustavo didn’t appreciate his suggestion. He growled at the younger, less dominant wolf.

“She is mine.”

“No one is disputing that,” Elle said calmly. “But right now, you are thinking with your instincts instead of with your good sense.”

Gustavo growled so low that it rumbled in his chest as his gaze bore into the female. Sorin pushed her behind him and met the alpha’s gaze briefly before dropping his eyes. “We aren’t trying to keep you from her. But she is young, she’s human, and she’s new to our world. You don’t want her to fear you, so don’t give her a reason to.”

Anna. Ours. They stand between us and what is ours. His wolf was agitated and growing more so by the minute. Gustavo understood what they were saying, but he wasn’t the one in control. His instincts were stronger than his logic at that moment. Hunt, his wolf told him. Yes, the man agreed. He phased. Fur covered his skin and his hands and feet changed to paws. His paws hit the ground and he lunged, bounding over the clearing in a single leap. He followed the only scent that seemed to travel in that direction―the smell of sweet spices and ocean air. He knew it was the unique smell of his mate.

Gustavo felt the bond opening between them the closer he got. His excitement grew knowing he would see her soon. I’m coming, querida.