Page 43 of Forsaken Fate

“Anyway, Theo,” Grayson said. “I’ve had some meetings with the packs in the city. I’m really encouraged. But I’d really like to know I can count on you.”

“I’d really like my dad’s land back, Grayson,” I said.

“Is that all? Is that really going to be your answer from now on?”

“Pretty much.”

“You’re a shit sometimes, Theo.”

“You’re not really helping your cause, Grayson.”

“Fine,” he said. “I shouldn’t have called you so late. I’ll call you tomorrow when you’re in a better mood.”

I was about to say something skewering but a soft knock on my door took the sarcasm right out of my mouth. I went to the door and looked out.

Brynna was there, standing in the hallway looking small. Even with the distortion of the keyhole I could see something different in her face. She was momentarily unguarded. She wiped at her eyes and ran a hand through her hair. Something was wrong.

I became aware that Grayson was still talking in my ear and I clicked the phone off and tossed it on a chair as I opened the door.

“Hey,” Brynna said. A smile had come back into her face and it was genuine. I wanted to take her, pull her close to me and make her forget whatever shadow darkened her eyes just a moment ago.

“I’d just about given up on you,” I said, swinging the door wide. She ducked under my arm and came into the room.

“Don’t,” she said in a firm voice which she covered an instant later with a smile and a laugh.

I shut the door and watched her. Something was definitely off. Her pulse raced. Her scent had changed. It was subtle. But it was there. She smelled earthy. Not bad. She smelled damn good. Intoxicating. But different. She rubbed her hands on the thighs of her jeans and paced in front of the bed like she didn’t know if she should stand or sit. She was uncomfortable and I needed to know why.

“Brynna?” I started.

“Don’t,” she said again, even more abruptly. “I don’t want to talk. I just want to be, Theo. I don’t want to think. I just want.”

Then she was on me. She crossed the room and threw her arms around my shoulder, pressing her body against mine hard. Her mouth was hot, urgent. But she was awkward as she pulled at my shirt and stuck her hand down the waistband of my pants.

She closed her fingers around my dick; I was hard for her already. Of course I was. But she had a desperation about her that was wildly out of sync with the look I saw in her eyes just a few minutes ago.

“Brynna,” I put my hands up and took her wrists while she kissed me harder.

“Please,” she whispered against my mouth. She pulled at me, guiding me toward the bed. She sat down on the bed and tried to pull me on top of her but wasn’t strong enough to move me unless I wanted to be moved. I stepped back, leaving her panting on the bed.

“Stop for a second,” I said, and the part of my brain connected to my dick wanted to bitch slap me. My wolf raged with lust inside of me.

“Why?” Brynna almost shrieked it.

“Because something’s wrong with you,” I said. “You’re upset about something and I want to know what the hell it is first.”

Her shoulders slumped and she folded her hands in her lap. Slowly, I sat down next to her. I was almost afraid to touch her. Afraid that if I did, whatever she’d been hanging on to so tightly would crumble.

“What’s going on? Is it Grayson? Did he do something to you?”

She shook her head.

“You aren’t going to tell me, are you?” I said.

When she raised her eyes to mine, I saw deep pain behind them and it nearly gutted me. This was getting dangerous for me. I was starting to feel things for her that usually led to trouble for me down the road. As far as baggage went, we both had truck loads. But she was hurt. Something had hurt her and whatever it was – whoever it was – I wanted to punch it until it bled. Anything to get that look out of her eyes.

She might have sensed something in mine because she raised her hand and stroked my cheek. “It’s okay,” she said. “I’m sorry. I didn’t come over to unload my crap on you.”

“Okay,” I answered. I brought my hand up and took hers away from my face. The bones of her wrist seemed so small and delicate. Everything about her was except for the green fire in her eyes and steel in her back. I wanted to know what made her that way.

---