The devil She-wolf

An unexpected visit

*Sterling*

I know the hour is fast approaching when everything that has been within my grasp will be beyond my reach.

Sitting in my library, drinking my brandy, I listen as the incessantly loud clock on the mantel marks the passage of my life. I tamp down the raw fury that threatens to erupt. Anger requires energy I can ill afford to squander. Not now. Later perhaps, when I have nothing better to do except reflect on how much better life might have been if only…

I’m determined not to have regrets, and yet they hover near, waiting to make their presence known. I’ll reflect on them later as well.

Meanwhile, I am obsessed with filling up my reservoir of memories. I have one more I desperately want to add to my treasure trove. A night with her might very well be my crowning glory, my last indulgence, my final bit of wickedness before I turn my attention to duty. I have little doubt she will be worth delaying the inevitable course of my life.

Frannie Tempest.

She is slender, but something about her makes her appear larger than she is… as though she has battled life’s disappointments and known the taste of victory. Being a commoner, she is not the sort I consider taking to mate. But as a lover, I have a feeling she would excel.

Closing my eyes, I bring forth images from our encounter in the library. Her fingers run up into my hair. Her mouth plays skillfully over mine. Her delicate rose scent wafts around me, and even now I can still smell her fragrance lingering in my clothes. I want her fragrance lingering in my bed. It has been so very long since I have actually anticipated holding a she-wolf in my arms, and she hasn’t disappointed.

I can hardly fathom now that I actually propositioned her, suggested we become lovers. Her bold answer, before she turned on her heel and waltzed out, stunned me.

‘I’ll consider your offer.’

Did she mean it? Or was she teasing me? It’s a strange game we’re playing. She is the devil masquerading as a seductress. Or at the very least, she is a witch, because she has cast a spell over me that I am unable to escape. I am obsessed with the softness of her skin, the green of her eyes, the vibrant red of her hair. I want to kiss her again, want to slowly peel off her clothes and reveal all the hidden treasures. I have seen much during my travels, but nothing has ever held my interest as she does. Will she come around? Will her answer be yes? How could she refuse an Alpha?

But a time will come when even my title will gain me nothing. She will have no interest in me, then. No she-wolf will want me. Hadn’t my father shouted the truth of that loudly enough?

It is the reason my father opposed me traveling the world, insisted that I see to the matter of taking a mate first. But I couldn’t explore the world… and the she-wolves… as I wanted with a mate in hand. I have every intention of remaining faithful to my mate, although I doubt she will grant me the same consideration when she learns the truth of my circumstance. And I have learned the hard way that it is best to keep my failings a secret as long as possible. Miss Angelina scorned me, taught me that love is an illusion easily shattered by the truth.

I won’t make that mistake again. I’ll hold my secrets until after I have a mate. But before I begin to seriously pursue marriage, I want one last night of unbridled passion. And for that, only one she-wolf will do.

Frannie Tempest.

I can still taste her on my lips. I long to release every button that denies me a view of her skin. Based on the smooth complexion of her face, I have little doubt that she is exquisite perfection beneath her clothes. Her breasts would fit nicely in the palm of my hand; her n*****s would harden beneath the slow stroke of my tongue. I want to trail my mouth along…

“More brandy, sir?”

The unexpected voice should startle me, but lost in thoughts of Miss Tempest along with the abundance of brandy I’ve swallowed has made me lethargic. I am almost floating, know I should refuse, because I haven’t even heard my servant enter the room, but that isn’t unusual. My servants always exhibit the utmost in decorum and glide along without a sound, as though their feet never touch the floor.

In answer to the question, I hold the glass up slightly, in the mood to get completely foxed. Maybe then I will be able to shut Miss Tempest out of my mind so that I can sleep. Or maybe it would be better to entice her into my dreams, where she would desire me as much as I…

The brandy spills over the rim of my glass, onto my thigh, and splashes onto my shirt. “Dammit, man!”

Unsteadily, I lurch out of the chair and spin around…

To discover a servant hasn’t entered my sanctuary. No indeed. It has been violated by Jack Moondancer and Jamie Swindler. I suppose I should count my blessings that only two and not four of the ruffians have sneaked in on me.

Swindler sets the decanter back on the table with incredible delicacy for a man so large.

“How did you get in here?” I ask, wishing my words didn’t sound quite so slurred. I am having more difficulty than usual bringing my shadowed world into focus. Damnation, why hadn’t I lit more lamps or poured myself fewer snifters of brandy?

“Not important,” Jack Moondancer says. “What is important is for you to realize that you can do nothing to keep us out if we decide we want in.”

I sigh, “I would threaten to call around for a constable, but I suppose that would do me little good considering an inspector has broken into my residence.”

“It will do you no good at all, my Alpha.” Swindler’s sneer leaves no doubt as to where he stands regarding my title. He apparently considers it as worthless as he does me.

“Could I offer you gentlemen a drink?”

“You’re to stay away from Frannie,” Swindler states succinctly.

No, then, to the drink.

“Or what?” I ask.

“I can make you disappear.”

Ah, nothing like an unveiled threat to make matters perfectly clear. Unfortunately, I don’t appreciate threats. If anything, they only serve to make me more stubborn and determined to have my way. “Indeed? And are your superiors aware of this unusual skill you’ve apparently honed?”

“Frannie is special to us, Greywind,” Jack Moondancer says. “We have no intention of seeing her hurt.”

“Well, that makes three of us, as I have no intentions of harming her.”

He shakes his head, “You may not intend it, but if you make her your mistress, that’ll be the result.”

As a muscle in my jaw tightens, I narrow my eyes. Had I been that obvious?

“She told us,” Moondancer says, as though a question had been asked. “She’s that innocent.”

“She doesn’t kiss as though she’s innocent.”

Swindler’s meaty hands ball into fists, and he takes a step toward me. Moondancer grabs him by the back of his jacket. “Hold up, Swindler.”

The authority in Moondancer’s words is enough to halt Swindler, but it is clear he doesn’t appreciate the interference. I, on the other hand, am grateful for it. If it comes to a fight, I know I will give it my best, but I won’t stand a chance. Not that I am in the habit of fighting, but Swindler looks as though he is. He also appears to be in the habit of winning.

Moondancer steps in front of me, putting himself between Swindler and me, but Swindler is tall enough that I can still see the fury in his green eyes. Of the two, he is undoubtedly the more dangerous, although I am not foolish enough to underestimate Jack Moondancer.

“The thing of it is, Greywind,” Moondancer begins, “Swindler, Grimley, Claybourne, and I consider ourselves to be her brothers. Each of us would willingly go to the gallows for her.”

I nod, “I have heard you’re protective of what’s yours.”

“I am. I fear I have to terminate your membership at my club. You’ll need to seek your pleasures elsewhere.”

“Gentlemen, if I truly want something, you do not have it within your power to stop me from obtaining it.”

The pain that ricochets through my face is almost as fierce as the pain bouncing through my skull when I hit the floor. I didn’t see Swindler move, and I certainly didn’t see his fist coming at me from the side… my Achilles’ heel. Suddenly, Swindler is kneeling beside me. With his massive hand latched onto my shirt, he jerks me upright until I am almost sitting.

“If you hurt her, I’ll kill you.”

“I appreciate a man who doesn’t mince words.”

Swindler releases his hold, and I make painful contact with the floor once more. He stands up and storms from the room, the tread of his heavy footsteps reverberating through the floor.

Moondancer kneels beside me. “Greywind, you have to understand we come from the streets. When Frannie was a young girl, we weren't able to stop someone from hurting her very badly. The four of us swore an oath that we’ll die before we let anyone harm her again. It’s a vow we keep.”

I lie where I am long after Moondancer leaves. He is right about one thing: they do love her.

Unfortunately, I find little consolation in being correct, but I am more determined than ever to have her.