“You’re fooling yourself.” I called on my wolf instantly, trying to bring her to the surface. Before I could shift, Avery grabbed onto me roughly. I wasn’t able to finish the change as he spoke a few words, the compulsion cutting me off completely.
I felt all resistance to him melt away, and it was replaced with the sudden urge to wrap myself up in him. I couldn’t keep my hands from reaching out and stroking him, each time I did, it felt like electricity traveling through my body, covering me with tingles.
I wanted him-needed him-and as I began to rub myself against his body, he whipped me around so my back was against his chest.
“Calm yourself, I’m not ready for you to become so playful. We do not have our audience yet.” Leaning forward, he uttered more words, and a surge of energy burst through Mason. His roar of fury bounced off the walls until it was almost deafening.
He strained against the manacles binding him, but they held firm, the clasps refusing to open.
I was worried and began to argue for his release, but a finger brushed down the side of my neck, causing goose bumps to cover my skin. I was lost in a moment of bliss.
My voice was screaming inside my head to ignore his touch, quickly realizing it was the contact which made me lose my reason. I was grateful he hadn’t removed my ability to think and I tried to focus, hoping to find a way around the compulsion.
“Let us go, Avery. Whatever you’re planning, you can’t expect it to work. Regardless of what you do to us, Zane will never abdicate to you. He’ll crush you without a moment’s thought. The people love him and will follow him. You can’t possibly win.”
“But I told you I had a new plan, one that involves you.” He brushed his lips against my neck, and before I could gag, I convulsed with desire. My body rebelled against me, and no matter what I willed it to do, it wouldn’t listening.
“I’m the one you want,” Mason shouted, his eyes never leaving me as he watched me in the embrace of another. “You have no need for Darcy. Release her, and I’ll do what you ask.” He sounded every inch the Alpha as he hung there defenseless, his head held high.
“But I do not want you. As I mentioned earlier, I have changed my mind and it’s all because of your future mate here. Ever since I saw her last, I have had the taste of her in my mouth. It made me realize… why have an Alpha under my control when I could sire the perfect weapon.”
I felt his fangs graze against my pulse, his breath heating my already fevered skin. I moaned, breaking contact with Mason because I was too embarrassed by my reaction.
He saw my intentions and whispered my name. Looking back up, he mouthed the words to be strong and I nodded. He needed me to keep focused and not get lost in my head. I instantly stopped moaning, refusing to give Avery the satisfaction of hearing me.
“You mean to turn her? Is that your master plan?” Mason sounded unbelieving.
Fear quickly replaced whatever desire I was feeling. I didn’t want to become a vampire. I loved being a werewolf, and I began to struggle against the vampire holding me. But it lasted a brief moment before the contact sent me straight back into pleasure and I writhed.
“Of course I am, only a fool would pass by the opportunity to tap into her power. She will be the weapon I use to crush Zane and take over, the people flocking to follow her cause after she reveals how her beloved mate was slaughtered by the vampire king.”
“You’re mad,” he bellowed, tugging again on his restraints. “You greatly overestimate the influence I hold. Again, killing me will only fuel her anger, ensuring she’ll never help you-sire or not. You may be able to compel her mind, but you will never govern her heart.”
“Enough!” It was the only warning I had before I felt razor sharp teeth pierce my skin, latching onto my neck, and the immediate draw of blood from my artery.
Avery’s body hardened and I soon found myself lost in the erotic sensation of his feeding. I tried not to moan, but it only made me sound louder. I tried not to let my hands wander, but I found myself reaching behind for any part of him I could.
I felt myself growing weaker, and made one more attempt to break free, knowing it was my last chance, Remembering Daniel’s instruction I slammed my head back, hitting Avery with such a force, it broke his connection with my neck, causing him to temporarily let me go.
Dropping to the floor, I let my wolf rip free, rushing to the forefront. Fur rippled over me as I rose on all fours. There was no joy in the change, no sense of wonder at the prospect of a run under the moon.
I snarled-my lips curling back from my teeth, and I felt my hackles rise. My ears flattened against my head, and a strand of saliva dripped from my jaw. I lunged forward, aiming for the vampire’s jugular.
Using his supernatural reflexes, he dodged my attack, and with a disappointed tone, chastised me. “Come now, there’s no need for this. Be a good doggy and change back.”
I paced, looking for a weakness to take advantage of, all the while never giving him access to my mate. We tested each opening I found, but the vampire was strong and not easily fooled. Knowing time was of the essence, we faked a leap to the left, twisting at the last moment, and caught his shoulder in between my teeth. The bitter taste of his blood flooded my taste buds and I clamped down hard, shaking my head back and forth as chunks of flesh came away in my mouth.
This caused a reaction from my enemy, his fangs fully descending, and he flew at me, his hands curled into claw-like weapons.
I was ready though, springing off my hind legs, and we collided in midair. I could hear Mason yelling, trying to distract Avery.
Sharp fingernails gouged into my side, and I felt my blood begin to flow. I didn’t focus on the pain though, and instead snapped harder with my own fangs, narrowly missing his throat.
He tried to wrap his arm around my center, but I twisted and turned again, wrestling him onto the floor where I finally got him pinned, and moved in for the kill.
I saw something move out of the corner of my eye, and noticed of Avery’s minions had entered the room.
My focus shifted, and seizing the opportunity, Avery lunged forward. He latched back onto my throat, drinking in mouthfuls of blood, intent on continuing my transition.
I felt myself divide from my wolf, and could hear her howl from the looming weakness. We couldn’t keep united, and I changed back.
I raised my hands up and tried to pry Avery off me. Lifting my knee, I attempted to connect with his body. I hit him and he paused for a moment. I drew in a steadying breath and commanded myself to stay awake. If I could distract him from feeding more, I’d be able to heal and replenish-not completely, but enough to keep fighting.
Worried about the new arrival, I glanced in his direction just in time to see him disintegrate before my eyes. Without warning, the weight holding my body down disappeared, and I suddenly showered with ashes. I screamed, finding myself free, and I scrambled to protect myself from the new threat.
But there was no threat.
Devlin, bloodied and barely able to keep himself standing, threw me a weary grin before he dropped to his knees, a makeshift stake clattering to the floor beside him. A quick glance over his body told me he was already starting to heal, but the blood loss was making it a slow process.
Tearing at my wrist, blood beginning to drip, I knelt beside my friend and protector to offer him freely what he needed. I begged him to drink but he stubbornly refused, muttering about blood oaths and honor. I tried holding the gash over his mouth, but he turned his head, still too weak to move and sit up.
I looked over at Mason, concerned. I had a vampire on the verge of passing out from blood loss, and a werewolf chained to the wall by silver. I couldn’t help either, and I slumped back onto my bottom to think.
Mason’s weary voice finally offered the solution. “Have him remove the chains, Darcy. They’re vampire created so he can break the spell on the locks. Then drag him over here so I can feed him. With the silver no longer touching my skin, I’ll heal quickly.”