Dire Cravings: Arctic Wolves Series, Book 2 Read online

  “So now we have Hunters to deal with?”

  “We always did. And you weren’t listening to a thing we said were you? All you caught was going home.”

  “Well, yeah, everything else you said made no sense to me. I’m in the dark here.”

  Blue sat up, gripping her around the waist as he adjusted himself on the bed. She was practically sitting on his stomach, and he wasn’t about to move her. If he did, she’d slide right onto his dick, and he needed her undivided attention.

  “The Arrow and the Bow once belonged to Rubana. A demi-god who was birthed to wield the weapon. Together, they are unstoppable. They are also destructive. The Bow will always seek out the Arrow and vice versa. What’s worse, whoever controls the Arrow and the Bow, would also control the person who possesses it. And for some reason, the Bow and Arrow are more accepting of Hunters than wolves. It’s the reason Rubana was destroyed. The Arrow and Bow controlled her; therefore, Roman controlled the Bow and the Arrow.”

  “If we leave, I’ll be okay?”

  “Yes and no.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “It means, you’ll start having dreams. The Arrow will call to the Bow, and it will get harder for you to resist looking for it. Or worse, Roman could find out that you have the Arrow now and use you to find the Bow.”

  “Why is the Bow so important?”

  “It calls to the wolf. Controls the wolf. And that’s what he wants. He wants to control us. We can’t let that happen. Not again.”

  Olivia sat up straighter and crossed her arms over her chest. “Okay, we should definitely leave.” Her face was serious as she tried to move to the side of the bed, but Blue gripped her tighter.

  “Do you trust me?”

  “With what?”

  With your heart, your life.

  He wanted to say that, but instead, he said, “Trust me to keep you safe.”

  “You haven’t let me down yet.”

  “I won’t ever let you down, Olivia. Ever.”

  “Good, but are you going to be okay?”

  “You think because we’re going to the city I can’t handle it. Sweetheart, I can handle any situation thrown my way. You have nothing to worry about. I’ll keep the wolf in check.”

  She looked worried, and Blue swiped his fingers across her forehead to smooth out the lines.

  “Blue, this is a huge step for me.” She shook her head. “No, this is huge because you’re coming into my world, and in my world, I control things.”

  “As long as you’re mine in the bedroom, I can deal with bossy Olivia.” He tweaked her nose. “Besides, it’s sexy. I’m going to get you some clothes and grab us some food for the trip. Wash up, and do whatever it is women do when they get ready. It’s going to take us a day, maybe two, to get down the mountain undetected. We’ll stop at my place in Anchorage before we head to your place in New York.”

  11

  Blue will keep you safe, Olivia,” Nerina tried to reassure. But that wasn’t what Olivia was after. It was almost time to go, and she really needed to confide in someone that she could relate to. Right, because I have so much in common with a half-vampire, half-werewolf woman who is the equivalent of a queen.

  “I know, Nerina, that’s not why I wanted to talk to you.”

  “Well, what’s up?”

  “I had sex with Blue last night.”

  A sly smile spread across Nerina’s lips before she shrugged. “I had sex with Vic last night. No biggie.”

  “You can say that, you’re no longer human. Whereas, I am.”

  “You’re concerned about your status as a human versus a wolf?”

  That wasn’t really what was bothering her, but she knew Nerina was leading her.

  “Yes, and no. I’m concerned about my feelings.”

  “You like him. Blue’s easy to like,” Nerina said matter-of-factly.

  “It goes a little deeper than like, Nerina. I don’t know how to explain it, but last night was…”

  “Amazing? Soul-deep?”

  Olivia could only nod.

  “Yeah, it will be like that all the time. Every time. He’s your mate. Whether you want to accept it or not, Fate has seen fit to give you your soulmate.”

  “I got lost inside myself last night. I felt untethered, yet fully immersed in the act. I was floating in his warmth. I was comforted, but at the same time, protected. It was the strangest thing ever. It was almost as if our souls connected.”

  “Sounds like you guys are bonding. Did he take blood from you yet?”

  “What? No. Nothing like that.”

  Nerina hid her smile behind her hand. “Don’t say no when he asks. It’s a rush, but at the same time, it’s sacred. I really hope everything works out for you guys. Take the time to get to know each other. I’m surprised he’s not going all caveman on you. Victor did when he realized who I was to him.”

  “Are they always like this?”

  “Always. Get used to it.”

  “You say that, but you don’t know me.”

  “Sure, I do, you’re just like I was. Don’t lose that about yourself. Stay true to yourself and embrace the experience. That’s the only sound advice I can give you, Olivia. It’s going to be an adventure. That much I can promise you.”

  “I don’t want adventure. I want to live my life.”

  “Blue will become your life if you let him. You’re already his.”

  Cull was waiting for them. It was like the animal knew what Blue wanted, and Olivia watched stunned as man and horse carried on a conversation. The Mare nodded its head as Blue talked to him.

  “I know you don’t like to have two riders, but if you can get us through this, buddy, I promise you, Victor will let you roam these mountains for as long as you’d like. I’ll be back once this is all over, and all those places I told you about…we’ll visit. This place is nothing like Xosha, Cull.”

  The animal made a noise and shook its head again before Blue patted him firmly on the side of the head and motioned for Olivia. They were packed. Blue had told her they had to pack lightly; otherwise, Cull wouldn’t be able to get them in and out unseen. It wasn’t like she had anything but herself, but Blue did see to his things. That was their goal: to make it off the mountain and into Anchorage undetected.

  “Then what?”

  “We go to New York. Until we can figure out a way to keep you and the Bow apart.”

  “I don’t feel any different.”

  Blue pulled her into his arms, and Olivia didn’t protest. She went willingly.

  “I know, beautiful, but you will. It’s only been a day. Now, up you go.” He hoisted her up onto Cull’s back before settling in behind her. “All right, old friend, let’s get our girl to safety.”

  When Cull started moving, Olivia was a bit disoriented. It was almost as if they were going in slow motion. She could see everything.

  “Blue,” Olivia whispered.

  “Yes, beautiful one.”

  “We’re barely moving.”

  “We are, it’s just really fast, but to you, it doesn’t seem that way. Don’t worry, it’s perfectly safe as long as you keep your legs and arms inside the ride,” he joked. The heat of his breath fanned the back of her neck as he spoke. Olivia had to hold back a moan. What’s wrong with you? Get a grip, girl. It’s a man. Blue was more than a man. He was a beast. Could turn into a wolf, a large-ass, black wolf that could scare a bear.

  “Stop it,” Blue growled against her ear. His arm tightened around her waist as he spoke.

  “I’m not doing anything.”

  “You are. I can smell your need.”

  “For crying out loud. Is nothing sacred anymore?”

  “Why would you want it to be?”

  A little more than embarrassed and frustrated, Olivia groaned. “I can’t smell you, but you can smell me. It’s weird, okay. I don’t know what you’re thinking or feeling, and it’s off-putting. It’s strange for me, all right?”

  He chuckled before kissing t
he top of her head.

  “All you have to do is ask, Olivia, and you can sense things about me. You must tune out all that negative noise in your head. That’s what’s wrong with most people, or humans I should say. Your mind is filled with negative energy, negative remarks, and you don’t trust your instincts.”

  “I do trust my instincts,” Olivia argued.

  To that, Blue grunted.

  Cull suddenly stopped, jerking them both. Blue started to growl, but it wasn’t the sexy growl or even the manly one she was used to hearing. This was more animal than human. His hands tightened on her, and she had to pull in a deep breath.

  “Stay on Cull. Do not leave. We’re not alone.”

  Olivia nodded. She was too afraid to say anything. Blue dismounted, and before she could see the direction he was going, he was gone. The forest held no sound. It was too quiet. There wasn’t even the sound of birds. Even Cull stayed silent. The Shadow Mare was stone-still, and that’s when she felt it. Dread. Like a spider walking along her spine, it crept up and whispered in her ear, sending a chill through her entire body.

  A branch crunched under someone’s foot, and Olivia turned her body in that direction but saw nothing. Stay calm. Blue’s out there. It’s just him. The sound came again, only this time, it was in front of her. Then, it was like hundreds of footfalls until she started to squirm. Under her breath, she muttered, “Cull, if you understand me, get us the hell out of here.”

  He moved, and Olivia held tightly to his mane as he turned back in the direction they’d come. Again, they were in slow motion, but this time, she could see the Hunters. There was at least a dozen of them, and they all looked confused. But what she didn’t expect was to see Blue off to the side, fighting at least four of them. He wasn’t in his wolf form, or at least she didn’t think he was. His legs were bent at a weird angle, though. He also had claws, very long claws, and as he fought with his four assailants, Olivia was overcome with a rage she didn’t know how to control.

  “Stop,” she firmly said to the Mare, and Cull stopped in his tracks. The Hunters were all visible to her now—and she to them—but she didn’t know if that was on purpose or not. As her heart tried to outrun her body, she pulled in a deep breath to steady herself. The tattoo on her arm moved and began to burn. Something was emerging from the palm of her hand, and she didn’t know what it was. Somehow, however, she knew what to do.

  The arrow was solid in her grasp. It was the weirdest thing. One moment, she was unarmed, and the next, she held an arrow. A silver arrow.

  “It’s true, the Arrow is alive and well,” a male said in front of her. He was dressed in an Armani suit. A conundrum to be sure. They were in the middle of the Alaskan wilderness, and it wasn’t hot, it was cold. He wore no jacket, but he did have a smile that sent a fresh shot of dread down her spine.

  As if the arrow had a mind of its own, it sailed from her hand and lodged itself into the Hunter’s heart. She didn’t even have a bow, but it seemed she didn’t need one. Another Hunter rushed forward, and as if she were a pro, Olivia started taking the Hunters down. She didn’t move, just threw. She had a never-ending supply of arrows it seemed. She’d throw one, and another would appear. When she faced Blue, she made sure to aim for the four men, and as if the arrow knew her intentions, it sailed into the air, it fractured into four separate arrows and pierced all four men, taking them down to the ground.

  Blue looked back at her and roared. “What the fuck did I tell you, Olivia?” He started moving towards her with a speed of a racehorse. When she thought he would smash into her, he stopped abruptly. His chest expanded rapidly as he stared her down. “You could have been hurt, or worse, killed,” he rumbled pulling her into her chest. But Olivia pulled out from his hold and peered up at him. He was no longer in that strange half man, half wolf form.

  “Did you not see that shit, Blue? I took them out. Just like that.” She snapped her fingers.

  His lips tilted before he shook his head. “It was the Arrow, Olivia. It wasn’t you.”

  “That was all me. You’re just pissed that you needed help.”

  “Woman, I had it under control. You just let them know that you exist. That the Arrow exists. Now, that they know things are going to get difficult. The goal here was to get you away from the Bow, not to activate the Arrow.”

  “But you were in trouble,” she complained.

  “I wasn’t. I was stalling. Cull would have taken you to safety if I felt you were in any real danger. Do you think I’d leave you alone if I didn’t think I could handle the situation?”

  “Well, no, but look.” She pointed at all the Hunters on the ground. “You clearly needed my help.”

  “They aren’t dead. They are simply immobile for now. Removal of the head or heart is the only way to dispatch them. Now come on, killer, we need to get to my place—and fast.”

  Blue put her back on Cull, and they were off again. She didn’t know why he didn’t see how beneficial she was. She wasn’t a liability. She was an asset. Even before she had the Arrow, she was capable of taking care of herself. She’d grown up in Echo Park, she was badass. Not just in the boardroom either. You’re stretching it there Liv. You can handle human attackers. Not vampires.

  “Well, you’re welcome,” she grumbled.

  Blue laughed and kissed the back of her neck. “Thanks for the assist, beautiful. But next time I tell you not to move, listen. I should spank the hell out of you, but I promised myself I’d go slow. You’re not ready yet, but you will be.”

  “Ready for what?”

  “You’ll see,” is all he said as they raced toward Anchorage.

  You live here?” Olivia asked, her eyes wide, and her mouth open as she turned in a circle. Blue looked around and tried to see his club through her eyes. There was wood piled high, and the windows were still being replaced. To an onlooker, it looked like another building being repaired from a fire. To Blue, this was home. A place of refuge.

  “I did. The club isn’t ready to reopen yet, and won’t be for some time. I’m just here to grab a few things we’ll need for the trip.”

  “What kinds of things?”

  “I.D. for one. Can’t get on a plane without it. Not these days.”

  “Oh.”

  Blue watched as Olivia walked around in the bar area. She ran her hand across the sleek marble countertop and whistled. “Looks expensive.”

  “It was.”

  “What kind of club was this?” She looked toward the center of the club where a cage door hung open.

  “The kind where women submitted to their men and received the ultimate pleasure.”

  She snorted. “What’s so pleasurable about submission?”

  “Must I remind you of our night?”

  “That was a one-time deal,” she rushed to say and tried to avoid eye contact.

  “Olivia,” Blue rumbled. He took a step toward her, lifting her chin and making sure she could see the intent in his eyes. “We will take this slowly. I won’t rush you in any of this. Did I hurt you last night?”

  She shook her head.

  “Give me the words, beauty.”

  “No.”

  “Did anything happen that you didn’t want to happen? Did you feel forced?”

  “No,” she whispered, closing her eyes.

  Blue dipped his head and kissed the corner of her mouth. “Exactly. Trust me to take you on this journey of sexual discovery. I promise not to lead you astray. I offer only pleasure, with a hint of pain so sweet you’ll be begging for more.” He fastened his mouth over hers, coaxing her to open. Olivia dug her fingers into the waistband of his jeans and groaned as Blue deepened their kiss. “There she is, my willing beauty.” He pulled back and lightly kissed her again before pulling her into his embrace.

  “I don’t think I like you,” she mumbled into his chest.

  Blue stepped back, caressing her jaw before bending to whisper in her ear. “I’ll let you keep thinking that, sweet Olivia.”

  “There�
��s nothing sweet about me,” she asserted, stepping back to look up at him.

  “I disagree, your pussy is the sweetest thing I’ve ever feasted on.” Gently, he cupped her between the thighs. The aroma of her desire floating in the air between them. Even as her eyes tried to defy him, her body swayed closer. “I plan to dine on this when we arrive in New York, but only if you promise to behave.”

  “I’m not a child, Blue. I don’t need to behave.” She slapped his hand away and took a step back.

  “Sweet, beautiful, Olivia,” he crooned, crooking his finger for her to come closer.” When she didn’t move, Blue smiled. “Fighting this is useless. You will come to me, and you most assuredly will come for me, and when you do, you’ll enjoy every second.” Before she had a chance to protest, he turned and made his way below the club to his suite of rooms.

  He knew it was going to take time, but he hoped not too much. Last night had been a revelation for him. Holding her, tasting, her, being inside of her, all of it was an experience he’d never forget for as long as he lived. She was perfect for him in every way.

  Anchorage was populated, but not like New York. Blue mentally reminded himself that he couldn’t get away with shifting while in the city. But with things unstable between him and Olivia, he only hoped there’d be no problems. His wolf wanted her, he wanted her, and if anyone so much as tried to hurt what he’d already claimed as his, there would be problems. Big problems. Blue grabbed his cell and his wallet that held all his identification. At least his safe was fireproof.

  12

  How were you able to get us a flight on such short notice?” Olivia asked as they boarded the plane. It wasn’t like she didn’t think he could function in what she’d come to think of as the human world, but Blue had secured tickets in a matter of minutes. And they were flying on a private jet.

  “You can get anything you want if you have the money.”

  “These tickets must have set you back quite a bit. I’ll pay you back my portion when we land in New York.”