HELLHOUND (Book Two of the Wisteria Chronicles)

CHAPTER 7~Partial Truth~

Phoebe

     The sun was blaring in, making it difficult for me to stay asleep. I untangled myself from Titus’s limps and sat at the edge of the bed, gently flexing my arms. Everything was sore, but every ache was a reminder of how special last night was.  I touched my swollen lips, I never expected Titus Jones to be promised to me. 

   Everything he did surprised me. I thought he would lash out at me when I summoned him but instead he kissed me. I expected his large calloused hands to feel rough and hard, yet his touch was soft and warm. I also assumed that a man of his strength and size would struggle with being gentle. But Titus held me like I was a delicate flower, one that he didn’t want to crush.

   He had touched every inch of my body and watched me the entire time. It was hard not to get lost in his gaze. His chocolate orbs held so much wonder and intensity. He displayed many emotions; gratitude, curiosity, admiration, loneliness but mostly pain. My heart had felt heavy; I never wanted to see him look like that again. I wanted to banish whatever haunted him. 

  I shook my head, confused by the knot that had formed in my chest. I wanted to make Titus happy, but I was in no position to do so. The fact that I felt so strongly about him already had me a little worried. I really didn’t have time for mate. I needed Mr. Jones of Hell’s Shield, not Titus, my mate who turns my bones into jelly.

   I stood up and shuffled over to my bags, pulling out some comfy shorts and a t-shirt. I put them on then got busy putting away the candles from last night’s ritual. The soreness in my body protested as I slowly moved around the room.

    When I finished I decided to make myself a cup of tea. I glanced back at the bed, watching Titus’s sleeping form. He was stretched out and his feet dangled off the bed, but he looked so content. Since I’m up, I might as well make us some breakfast. I made a simple cup of green ginger tea and took a soothing sip. Now that’s more like it. 

     My mate seemed like a coffee type, so I put on a small pot. My hotel room didn’t have a full kitchenette, but I was allowed to use a hot plate. I took out some eggs and sausage from the mini-fridge and started to cook, trying to figure out how to proceed.

   I grazed the scar on my neck, then put on my choker. I don’t know what I’ll tell him when he wakes up. He was so angry on my behalf. I’ve never had someone who was fully on my side. It felt good to be supported, but that was what worried me. What if I tell him I’m a princess and he freaks out? How will he react when I tell him about Kyra or the fact that she killed me?

   I bit my lip, what will he do when he finds out about the goddesses and my missions? I’m confident that he will help me find Faedan, but I’m unsure about him being ok with me looking for a Fallen. Or about having a baby. Did he even want children? I was driving myself crazy with all these questions, questions that I couldn’t ask him. I’ll tell him the partial truth. We find Faedan first, then I’ll come clean.  

Titus

  I woke to the sounds of footsteps moving around, then the smell of coffee filled the air. I grinned, my mate is after my heart. I stretched, bringing in my feet. That was the best sleep I’ve had in years. For once my dreams were absent of nightmares and old memories. I rolled over and watched my mate.

  She had started to cook breakfast; whatever it was, smelled amazing. She took tiny sips from her cup as she flipped over the food. She limped over to the mini fridge and grabbed a couple bread slices that were in a bag on top of it. Wait, limp? Why is she limping? I sat up and focused on her bare feet.

   Her chubby black toes wiggled as she took in another sip. Her right foot was slanted inwards. I c****d my head, maybe that’s just how she stands? She turned and went back to the sink, placing the bread in the toaster. Her right foot never straightened out as she walked. I furrowed my brow, she has a permanent injury, one that her lycan couldn’t fix.  

     I continued to study her, resisting the urge to lick my lips as my gaze travelled up. She had shapely calves, ridiculously thick thighs and a perfectly shaped ass. Her stomach was somewhat extended, blessing her with some fluff. I smirked, I loved a woman with some meat on her bones.

  Her hair was pulled into a mass of curls on top of her head. Her small ears were pierced, but they were pointed. They weren’t as long as an elf’s but there was an obvious peak at the top. Well, that’s interesting. Even though her back was to me, I knew what was under her shirt. 

     The mark cupped under her breast looked like a tattoo. It was a piece that flowed with all the phases of the moon but looked like it was branded, there was some kind of language written in between the phases. The writing looked ancient and I couldn't understand it.  They were the marks of the moon goddess and one of the demon gods. I was starting to think the words came from another god, one that was elven.

  She didn’t have to bother putting back on the necklace from last night. I still remembered the scar on her neck. Someone had tried to hurt her and I wanted to know who. My blood boiled at the thought of my mate being at someone else’s mercy. I’ll kill whoever did this to her. 

     I was completely baffled,  my mate was a walking mystery. Who tried to kill her? Why is she marked by the gods? How can she use dark magic? Was she in some sort of trouble? Where is her pack? My head was swimming with questions. I needed to know. I took a deep breath and asked the easiest question first. “What is your name?” she jumped at the sound of my voice and turned towards me.

  Goddess, she was even more beautiful in the light. She locked her white eyes on mine and smiled. “My name is Phoebe.” I inwardly groaned, even her name was cute. “Breakfast is almost ready.” she said cheerfully and turned back to the pans. I looked around for my clothes, then remembered that I was brought here in my towel. I pursed my lips and tugged the sheet off the bed, wrapping it snugly across my hips.

   I walked over to the small table and waited. Phoebe brought me a cup of coffee and gave me a kiss on the cheek. She had a shy smile on her face as she went back to get our food. She came back and placed a plate stacked high with eggs and sausage with a side of toast. She was definitely after my heart.

   I waited until she sat down before I started to inhale my food. She giggled as she watched me eat, “Is it good? I’ve never cooked for someone else.” “It's delicious, baby.” I said in between bites. She grinned and we ate in silence. Once my plate was cleared, I took a deep swig of my coffee and moaned. “Oh my goddess what is in this coffee? It’s the best cup I’ve ever had.” Phoebe’s smile lit her face, my heart skipped a beat at the sight.

   I cleared my throat, “So, Phoebe, how did you summon me?” She stared at me dumbly, “I used dark magic.” I chuckled at her bluntness. “I know that, but I want to know how a lycan can use dark magic.” She took a sip of her tea before answering. “I’m not a full lycan, I’m part elf.” I nodded as she confirmed my suspicion.

   “Your elven genes must be very strong. Normally hybrids have more lycan in them than their other race. You seem to be an even split.” I told her. She looked down into her mug and just shrugged. “I must’ve gotten lucky.” Hmm.

  I crossed my arms and gave her a stern look. “Are you going to tell me about that scar on your neck or how you have an injury your lycan can’t heal?” She looked me in the eye and thought for a moment. “On the eve of my 18th birthday, my sister and ex boyfriend poisoned me then chased me into the woods. I fell and broke my leg.” My heart fell in my stomach, I didn’t want her to continue.

 She went on without flinching. “When they caught me, they tied me up and told me that they sold my little brother to slave merchants. They laughed and made out in front of me before they left me with a dark magic user. Him and some other weirdos performed a spell, planning to use my blood as a sacrifice. He cut my throat and then vanished. They left before I bled to death. My lycan was awakened and took over my body, healing us. My leg was too mangled to heal, and the cut was too deep, sealing with a scar. I’ve been looking for my brother ever since.”

  I sat up quickly, the chair falling with a loud clack. I walked over to Phoebe and picked her up. She gave a small protest but I refused to let her down. I held her close to me, afraid she would disappear. “I’m so sorry, Phoebe.” My voice was gruff, tears threatening to fall. My heart ached for her; she had endured so much.   

   Phoebe wrapped her small arms around my neck and started to cry. I walked us over to the bed and laid back, letting her rest on my chest. The room echoed her heart wrenching sobs, all I could do was rub her back. I don’t know how long we stayed like that, she eventually cried herself to sleep.

Phoebe

   I must’ve drifted off because I woke up on Titus’s chest. “Are you ok?” he asked me, not really knowing how to give me comfort. “Yes.“ I said softly. “Why did you summon me?” I sighed and climbed off him. “I need your help. My brother Faedan was sold as a slave. I need to find him, I want to bring him home.” I didn’t mention where home was.

   Titus sat up. “And if we find him dead?” I blinked, “Then I will give him a proper burial.” He watched me with curious eyes. “Where is home?” I looked away, “Montana.” “Is that where your sister is?” I nodded my head, but refused to give anymore information. He pursed his lips, he knew I wasn’t telling him the truth.

   I grabbed his hand and pleaded, “Will you help me?” Titus pulled me in and positioned me in his lap. “Of course I’ll help you. I will need to know a lot more information about him. I also don’t want you to get your hopes up. Depending on who he was sold to, he could already be dead. If he is alive, he will never be the same person.” I stiffened at his words.

    Six years as a slave was bound to change a person, I just hoped Faedan would be strong enough to keep his humanity. I looked up at Titus, his eyes brooding. “How do you know so much about this? From my research you’ve never been an active agent.” He shrugged, “I just do.” I frowned, I guess I’m not the only one withholding information.

   He patted my back before swinging his legs over the bed. “Are you ready?” he asked. “For what?” He grinned, “To go home.” My heart started to thunder in my chest, “What do you mean?” He bunched up the sheet around his waist and walked over to my bags. He searched the contents then tossed me a dress.

     “Home. At Black Pines.” he said. I sat motionless as his words bounced around in my head. Home? Frustrated that I still hadn’t made any movement, he stalked towards me and tugged my clothes off. I stood in a daze as he dressed me. I stopped him when he tried to put my flats on. I bent over and slid them into place and stared up at him. “Will there be a lot of people?” 

  He shrugged, “The pack has roughly 170 members. But you won’t meet them all right away. Not until your Luna Ceremony.” My cheeks were getting hot as my anxiety flared up. “Luna?” He looked at me confused. “Yeah. You’re mated to an Alpha, naturally making you Luna.” I was starting to feel overwhelmed. 

    Titus saw the panic in my eyes and pulled me close. “Phoebe, you don’t need to be scared. Those are your people. They will welcome and love you.” His words weren’t very calming. I don’t think anyone has ever had a Luna like me. What if they reject me?