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  Amalie’s eyes hardened. “Well, in the real world we call that attempted murder.”

  He ignored her sarcasm and dove to the heart of the problem. “Before turning was outlawed, werewolves would ’gift’ a beloved human friend or lover with the bite, in order to bestow long life and superior health. In many cases, the human didn’t ask for this and turned against their wolf companion, resulting in accusations and witch hunts. In other cases, turned werewolves abused their newfound power without care.”

  Liam took Amalie’s hand and tried to ignore the electricity that arced between them. “I have a very real problem in that you’ve been bitten by a werewolf and are alive to tell the tale. Someone must be held accountable for your turning. And, as I’m the one who interfered and stopped Mikhail from killing you, I’m responsible.”

  “So you’ll be punished for saving my life?” Amalie asked, her nostrils flaring. “That’s absurd. What kind of man would you be if you ignored someone getting mauled?”

  “Don’t you see? I’m not a man. I’m the alpha male of a wolf pack. I’m half animal. Things are not so black and white in my—our world.”

  She swallowed visibly, her neck muscles moving. “So what now?”

  “The area packs will meet, a trial of sorts will be held, and a course of action will be voted upon. There are a lot of gray areas here as it wasn’t my intention to turn you. But in the eyes of some, I should have let nature take its course.”

  He didn’t want to tell her the rest, but most of his apprehension was for himself, not her. What would keep the other packs from deciding to rectify his wrongdoing by eliminating the problem altogether? He seethed at the idea of someone hurting her.

  She lifted her chin, steely determination lighting her eyes. “I’m coming with you. I’ll explain what happened and everything will be okay. Well, as okay as things could be, considering.”

  A surge of pride coursed through him. He’d known instinctively she would be a loyal friend and a fierce enemy. Her offer to stand by him as they faced their accusers only served to strengthen his resolve to protect her. He nodded. “They’ll want to see you anyway. And when they do, maybe they’ll understand why I had no choice.”

  She tipped her head to the side, her gaze questioning.

  “You have no real sense of how special you are, do you?” He longed to tell her why she was extraordinary, but he’d given her so much life-changing information. She needed time to process everything. “Enough for now. I’ve given you a lot to think about, and your body needs to rest for the changes to come.”

  He got up from the chair and walked toward the door. Feeling her gaze on his back, he stopped at the doorway and turned to face her. His heart lurched at the need etched plainly on her face.

  He gripped the doorknob, lust racing through him. “Fair warning: you need to stop looking at me like that. Tonight I was as much of a gentleman as a wolf like me can possibly be. But, if you’re smart, you’ll keep your distance. I can’t promise I’ll be able to manage my desire a second time.”

  She met his gaze in the dim light and replied steadily, “I’ll make you a deal, Chief. If you stop looking at me like you want to bend me over something, I’ll stop looking back like I want you to.” And with that she rolled to her side, and closed her eyes.

  As he walked out, Liam shook his head, his mouth twisting into a wry smile. She was amazing. In one day she’d shown him she possessed incredible beauty and strength, loyalty, and a sense of humor. And passion…he couldn’t forget the passion. She was on fire, and he wanted her for his own. Now he just had to determine if she wanted him for real, or if her desire was due to her transformation. Only time would tell.

  Chapter Six

  Amalie awoke the next morning, shocked that she’d slept at all. Initially, after Liam had left, she’d tossed and turned, trying to let everything sink in. Eventually though, the need for sleep had overpowered her and silenced her churning mind.

  She looked at the clock next to the bed. 6:00 a.m. She was starving. And hot. What else was new?

  Not sure whether she should leave the room, she tiptoed to the door and peered into the corridor. The house was quiet, so she padded lightly down the hall to a set of stairs then cautiously descended into the kitchen. Liam sat at the table alone with a steaming cup of coffee before him.

  He raked her with a lengthy, appreciative perusal, from her almost bare legs to her too-tight top. She wondered if he’d given her the boxer shorts and t-shirt for his own enjoyment instead of her comfort. “Good morning,” he drawled.

  Her nipples tightened under his hot stare, and she turned away quickly. She plucked at the shirt ineffectually, mortified to see it was almost transparent in the morning light.

  “Stop looking at me like that.” Her voice sounded unnaturally husky, much to her annoyance. “I can’t help—” she broke off as a male voice behind her boomed.

  “Well, hello there! I’m Billy. And you must be Amalie.”

  She turned to face a large blond man with emerald green eyes. Gorgeous. He wiggled his eyebrows and bowed gallantly.

  Amalie blushed to the roots of her hair. Stammering a quick hello, she turned to Liam and blurted, “I’m hungry but I don’t have any clothes, so I’m just going to leave now.” And with that, she ran back up the stairs to his room.

  She shut the door behind her, threw herself on the bed, and covered her face. What was wrong with her? Every time she got near Liam she wanted to jump his bones, and now his friend had seen her half naked.

  She cringed as the door opened and closed.

  “I brought you some fruit for now. Once I find you better clothes, I’ll come back and take you downstairs for something more substantial.”

  “Go away,” she said, her voice muffled by the pillow.

  Liam stared down at her and tried to ignore his jealousy. Regardless of what he’d told her, she might very well be drawn to someone else, and Billy was, well, Billy. “Amalie, none of this is your fault. Your physical reactions right now are no reflection on you as a person. Billy is quite a specimen, and I’d be surprised if you weren’t attracted to him, given your current state of transition. In a few days you’ll be back in control and this will be a distant memory.”

  She raised her head and gave him a narrowed-eyed stare. “What are you talking about? I’m not attracted to that big oaf. I don’t even know him. Some stranger just saw my boobs and witnessed us about to jump each other in the kitchen. I’m marinating in my shame. That’s a purely human reaction, I assure you.” She flopped face down back onto the pillow and covered her head with the blanket.

  Liam was both shocked and elated. She’d been flustered in the kitchen because she was embarrassed. Not hot for Billy, just mortified. Sweet.

  He reached down and lifted the blanket off of her, uncovering her backside and legs. Amalie struggled to wrestle the blanket from him but stopped abruptly when he pressed his hand to her shoulder and slowly slid it down her back and over the delicious curve of her ass, stopping to rest on her hip. He squeezed the fullness there sharply, and she let out a strangled squeak.

  “Liam,” she said into the pillow. “Do not mess with me right now. I’m in a fragile state and I can’t take it.”

  He remained silent for a moment, slipping his hand over the mound of her firm behind, hardening instantly at the feel of her.

  “Oh, Amalie, I’m not messing with you. Tell me to stop and I will. But tell me now,” he said, as he slid his hand under the waistband of her boxer shorts and squeezed her bare flesh. She writhed beneath his touch, but did not speak a word. He gripped the shorts in his hand and pulled them roughly down her legs, stopping at the back of her knees to caress her lightly there before moving back up her body.

  “This needs to come off,” he growled, as he grabbed the neck of her t-shirt with both hands. It tore easily in his powerful grip and a moment later lay in tattered halves around her. He wrapped a fist in her long dark hair and pulled, turning her head sharply to one
side. He licked and bit at her neck, gently at first then harder as he parted her legs with his hand. He slid one finger down the cleft between her cheeks then slipped into her moist heat as he reached her core. She whimpered and pressed back against his hand.

  He worked her with his finger as he trailed his tongue from her neck to her back and down to her bottom. He bit one cheek, and then lapped delicately at the tender spot with his tongue. Grasping her hips, he tossed her onto her back. Her sex glistened moistly just inches from his mouth. It took all of his willpower not to bury his face between her legs and stay there for eternity. But he wanted to tease her. He wanted to make it last.

  He closed his teeth over the flesh on her hip then her thigh, kissing and touching all around, but avoiding the sweet spot. She began to squirm.

  “What is it, love? Tell me what you want,” he whispered darkly.

  “Please,” she whimpered.

  “Please what?”

  “Please put your mouth on me, Liam.”

  “Where? Show me.” His cock pulsed as he watched her hand slide between her thighs, and down into her slit.

  “Damn, you’re sexy.”

  He took her hand and thrust one of her fingers into her pussy, pressing deep. He almost came just from the sight of it. At the same time, he bent and covered her with his tongue, lapping then sucking. She cried out and moved against his mouth. He quickened the pace, licking and suckling harder and faster. She pulled her hand from his grasp and grabbed his hair, tugging sharply.

  “Not this time,” she hissed, and pulled him up until he covered her.

  She reached between them, clasped his cock through his gym pants, and squeezed. The blood rushed from his head. He was perilously close to exploding.

  With a vicious tug he pulled her boxers the rest of the way off, then ripped away his pants and shirt and tossed them aside.

  She lifted a hand to his chest, stilling him.

  Dear God, she wanted to stop. He closed his eyes in agony and put a hand to the bed, steeling himself to get up and try to walk away.

  A puff of warm breath on his stomach was the only warning he had before Amalie’s hot mouth closed over his cock. He froze as the remaining blood in his head drained south.

  He struggled to stay still as she sucked his flesh, exerting every ounce of control not to thrust himself deep into her hungry mouth. He looked down to where her dark, shiny hair caressed his hips. Her head bobbed over him as she continued her torture.

  “Deeper,” he groaned, his thighs flexing as she drew him further into the wet cavern of her mouth. His hips moved of their own accord as she sucked him off, harder and deeper each time, until the sensitive head of his cock bumped the back of her throat. He gripped her hair and held her there for a long moment as he willed himself not to come. With a gasp, he pulled her away. The drag of her lips and tongue as she expelled him almost sent him over the edge.

  He looked down again and she gave him a siren’s smile. Then she slid up his body and pressed her swollen lips to his.

  He nipped her sharply, and she moaned.

  “No more teasing,” he rasped.

  He moved over her, positioning himself between her legs. She pulled him close so they were chest to chest, and rubbed her breasts over his torso and stomach. His breathing grew labored as she guided him to her hot pussy. She surged upward, seeking his cock.

  Liam pinned her hips with his hands. She couldn’t take all of him so quickly. Slowly, he slid into her, inch by inch. Halfway, he pulled out and began the steady slide back in. She struggled against him, begging with her body to take more. He gritted his teeth, fighting to maintain control. Amalie growled, then reached back and gripped his ass with both hands. She pulled him into her until he was seated to the hilt. Gasping, she stilled as her body stretched to accommodate him.

  Liam’s body screamed for release. He wanted to pump in and out of her until she begged him to let her come. But she lay so quiet, the tiny part of his brain that was still functioning was afraid he’d injured her. To his immense relief she began to bounce her hips against his. He started to say a silent prayer of thanks but was cut short as her slick inner walls squeezed him. He moved too, matching her rhythm with long, slow, deep strokes. They moved faster, and he bent his head to lick and suck her nipple as he plunged into her again and again.

  Her body tensed, tightening around him, and a low, vibrating moan started deep in her throat. He swelled to the point of pain and thrust further into her. His stomach grew tight and a tingling sensation spread to his loins. She called his name, her nails digging into his back.

  “I’m here,” he murmured as she sobbed and convulsed. He tried to wait so she could come again and again, but she gripped him so tightly, her pussy milking him like a fist. Then she pressed her luscious lips to his, and stabbed her tongue into his mouth. She rolled her hips, and her thighs squeezed him. All conscious thought fled as his body flexed one last time. He thrust deep, groaning her name as his body exploded, and he emptied himself into Amalie.

  Chapter Seven

  Amalie awoke a few hours later to find herself cocooned in Liam’s strong arms as he slept. She looked at the clock then burrowed deeper into the covers. At that moment, she felt fabulous, despite the upcoming meeting. She pressed her head to Liam’s shoulder and kissed him on the neck. He stirred and squeezed her closer.

  “Good morning again, love.”

  Unfamiliar warmth spread through her at the endearment. Was it merely an offhand remark, or did it truly reflect some depth of feeling?

  “Good morning again to you too.”

  He stroked his fingers along her bare spine. “We have the whole day before the trial, and I’d like to spend it with you.”

  “I’d like that,” she responded, careful to keep her tone light. It wouldn’t do to let him know how close she felt to him already, as if they’d been lovers for years instead of hours. Or how the promise of spending the day with him was as thrilling as the bike Santa had brought one Christmas morning. But at the same time, she wasn’t going to turn away the opportunity to spend time with him. Especially since their time could be so short. After the trial, it could all be over.

  What if she never saw Liam again? Amalie swallowed the lump suddenly lodged in her throat. Choosing not to examine that too closely, she asked the question that had been in the back of her mind since the night before.

  “Liam, the image of the white wolf has been haunting me. Would you tell me about her?”

  His smile disappeared. Her stomach churned. His eyes lost focus, and his mind seemed to wander, perhaps to some distant memory. “Sara was a member of our pack. Her mate is…was Sean. They have a son, Ryan. We’d taken him on a hunt. Sean had been away on business, but Ryan had begged to come along. Sara agreed, but wanted to start him with something small. The two of them went away from where we hunted larger game so she could teach him to track rabbits.” He smiled then and her heart tripped. “Little Ryan was off the wall with excitement, hoping to call his dad that night and tell him about his first rabbit.”

  Liam’s eyes turned glassy, and Amalie held him tightly as she tried to control her own emotions.

  “Sara was careful to stay in the most remote part of the forest as Ryan still hadn’t mastered changing yet. Sometimes he shifted back and forth when trying to maintain wolf form, and she wouldn’t risk anyone witnessing him shift. I was with the rest of the pack. We’d already taken down an elk when we heard the shots.”

  Liam began to tremble, his voice breaking as he took a breath. Tears burned down Amalie’s cheeks as she waited for him to continue.

  “We all immediately reached for Sara’s mind to see if they were okay, but she was gone so quickly. We ran as fast as we could, but by the time we got there, Ryan was circling her bloodied body, whimpering. I tried to see what had happened through his consciousness, but he was in shock. It was almost like he didn’t even know what had happened. All I could gather was that a large man had come out of nowhere and fire
d at him. Sara dove in front of him and took the shot.

  “Although one shot would have felled a regular wolf, a werewolf like Sara would have healed from that in minutes. But the man kept firing and firing, as if he knew…” Liam’s muscles bunched tightly beneath Amalie’s hands. She wanted to ease his pain, but it seemed his recounting of the tale might lessen his anguish, if only for a short time.

  “Ryan ran, but not far. When the shots ceased, he returned to his mother and we arrived moments later. She’d taken eighteen bullets, some at unbearably close range. There was too much damage inflicted too quickly for her body to heal.

  “I wanted to find him and kill him. I could smell him in the area, probably looking for Ryan, but as much as we wanted revenge, we had to get the child-cub to safety. We brought him back to the house and left the women to care for him while we retrieved Sara’s body.” The flesh around Liam’s mouth paled, and Amalie knew what he was going to say next. “She was gone. Her murderer was no ordinary hunter, and I don’t think we’ve seen the last of him.”

  Amalie hardly knew Liam, but she’d be willing to bet he was right. She stroked his back, drawing calming circles over his smooth flesh with her fingertips. “I suspect your instincts are rarely wrong.”

  “In the past few months I’ve tried to work with Ryan to get him to remember the man’s face so that we can see him and find him. But he can’t, or won’t, remember. And I don’t blame him. It was the worst day of my life. I can’t imagine how awful it was for the boy.”

  He hugged her close and they rocked together, mourning the loss of Sara. They fell asleep like that, wrapped in one another’s arms.