Page 10 of Stone Crest: Rise of a Raven
Declan is the last thing on this earth I would describe aspleasant.He’s a pain in the ass most days, and our kind may have always been at war, but we’re bonded by something much deeper than friendship.
“Why are you pacing?” He asks then frowns. “I feel like I’ve seen that girl somewhere?”
My jaw clenches.
“Have I brought her home before?” He asks.
My eyes narrow on him. “No. And stay the fuck away from her.”
He holds up his palms. “Struck a nerve?”
I shake my head. “We’ve got an assignment tonight.” I try to steer the conversation away from my new student.
She’s a student.
I slept with a fucking student.
“Right.” He uncrosses his ankles and stands. “What time should I make the arrangements for?”
I reach for my suit jacket and slide it on. “Nine.”
He dips his chin. After a flick of my collar, I head for the door.
“Where are you off to?” He shouts.
“On a run,” I mutter as I push out the doors.
I got to get this feeling handled.
I’ve already stripped off my jacket and shirt when I make it to the forest just outside of my estate. My Range Rover comes to a screeching stop as I park just at the edge of the full tree line. My wolf is restless. Pawing and urging to break through the surface. I’ve perfected the control of the shift over the years. I’ve learned to manage my emotions and delegate the appropriate time to lethim emerge or stay hidden. Staying hidden is not only necessary, but mandatory. Shifters have been around for generations, but in this area of the United States, it’s been nothing but a myth. Stories, and urban legends that plague the humans who walk the streets of Stone Crest.
I step out of my shoes, my fingers tugging at my button and zipper as I stride towards freedom. My slacks are dropped, my boxers follow, then I’m lunging. Before I’ve hit the ground, two large paws appear, catching the earth beneath me. I run. I weave and climb the thick and rocky terrain, letting my wolf work out his shit. My thick golden fur blends well in the forest. I’ve never been spotted. Neither have any of my team. Our secret is sacred. Our legends true, and our kind is alive and well among the human world though most will never know it.
Flashes of blue and black flicker in my eyes as I leap across the swift river that runs through the property.The eyes.Her long dark hair.Her scent.I push harder, running up to the top of the mountain and out onto the clearing. My lungs expand painfully, evidence of how hard I ran. But it’s what’s pushing me. What’s got my wolf in such a disheveled state.
Her.
I must have spent hours roaming the heavy woods, and when I finally follow the same path to the edge of the trees, I shift back to my human form before I break into the open, stark naked. Slipping back into my clothes, I feel my wolf settle. His energy was released and now he’s somewhat content. It’s still unusual. It’s like a faint whisper. Something toying with his attention.
My fingers fasten the buttons along my shirt just as I slip my foot into my dress shoes. I can’t let him lose control. Especially not with her. Not again. Because he’s lost his damn mind if he thinks I’m going to let him do what he’s insinuating.
There’s no way. As bad as I may want to, she’s one thing I can’t touch.
Chapter seven
Locke
My feet carry me down into the basement of our estate. Declan and I went in together on this thing nearly fifteen years ago. It was in rough shape, but we managed to bring the eight thousand square foot house back to its original state. Refinished the hardwood floors, updated the bathrooms, remodeled the kitchen, and created the underground safe room that I’m currently walking into.
“Incoming,” Hendrix bellows just as a football comes flying through the air and nearly hits my temple.
My quick reflexes allow me to catch it before I’m firing it back to him. It hits him square in the chest and he hunches over with a groan. “Fuck, Locke.”
“You done?” I ask. “I thought you vampires were tougher than that?”
He nods and rubs a hand over his shirt. “Yeah yeah. You’re always so damn….”
“Henny, give the man a break. He’s got…things on his mind.” Declan leans against the bar that’s tucked in the back corner of the room with a calculating grin.
