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“It is not in the stars to hold our destiny, but in ourselves.”
-William Shakespeare-
Daniela
I walk into the shop, my eyes scanning for Tristan. He wasn’t there when I woke up this morning, and I’m afraid it’ll be more of the same heartache when I see him. If nothing else, I’d like to be prepared.
Luz lifts her head behind the receptionist desk and smiles. “He’s in the kitchen, making coffee.”
Hesitation grips me, but I push past it and head inside. Tristan’s massive form makes the place look tinier than it is. “Hey.”
He turns around, and rather than the closed expression I’m used to seeing on him, it’s open. His eyes light up when they fall on me, taking in my simple attire. Then he grins, and something in my stomach wobbles.
Before I can say anything, he crosses the distance separating us and drops his mouth over mine. I make a sound of half-surprise, half-moan, then I’m kissing back with all I’ve got. But Tristan doesn’t stop there.
He moves me to the side, until I feel the fridge at my back. And still, he’s kissing me, and one hand is going lower down my back until he sneaks in the back pocket of my sweatpants, and pulls me closer to him.
Really close.
I manage to pull away enough to catch his eye and breathe, “What’s going on?”
He shrugs, dropping his lips to my neck now that my mouth is busy moving. And it’s distracting as hell, sending tingles down my spine. Then the hand in my back pocket moves under my shirt, tracing my spine. I arch like a cat against his touch, craving more.
“Tristan...” I hate how breathless my voice is, and the puddle he’s reduced me to. “Stop. Please.”
To his credit, he stops moving, but his mouth stays glued to my neck. Almost as if he’s trying to figure out if I’m serious or not. Then he lifts his head, meeting my gaze full-on. “Do you mean that?”
No. “Yes.” My eyes narrow on him and I step to the side, watching as he drops his head to the fridge and takes in a shuddering breath. “Will you talk to me?”
“What’s there to say?” He faces me again, puzzled. “I’d be stupid to ignore what’s between us, Dani. And I know more than most how short life is. So, I’m trying to see what this is, and if it’s more than chemistry.”
My stomach knots. “And where does this new inspiration come from?”
“From waking up next to you this morning.” He moves again towards me, the predatory glint back in his eyes. “Naked. And feeling extremely satisfied.”
I gulp and break the stare, unable to hold it. My every nerve feels on fire, but something tells me now’s a good time as any to get out of here.
“Luz needs, um, help. With, stuff.” I jerk my thumb over my shoulder. “We can talk about this later, okay?”
Then I turned and rush off. Tristan’s laughter follows me. When I erupt in the reception area, Luz looks up with an amused expression on her face.
“That took a while.”
My cheeks flame, and I hold up my hands in prayer. “Please come with me.”
“Where?”
“Anywhere! I told Tristan you need help with something.”
Luz laughs, shaking her head. Then she stands and pulls on her thick winter jacket, following me out the door. I let her take lead, lost in thoughts of what just happened.
“They’re stubborn, you know,” Luz whispers.
I glance at her in surprise, noticing her wistful smile. “How so?”
“Besides their over packed hormonal bodies, I really think their wolf alter ego controls most – if not all – their reactions around their women. Very, err, primal.”
A smile tugs at my lips. “I guess so.” Then, noticing we’re way down the street, I ask, “Where are we going?”
She shrugs. “Finn says sugar is the remedy to everything, so we’re heading to a little bakery spot around here.” A side-glance to me, then, “If you ever need to talk about Tristan, I’m here. I know we just met, but those guys are thick as thieves. We need to stick together, too.”
A sigh escapes me and I dig my hands in my pockets. Not because I’m cold, rather to avoid picking at my fingers again. “He’s just...confusing. And the history doesn’t help.”
“With your sister, you mean?”
I nod, staring at the snow and my sneakers crunching on it. “He used to date her, but she was a hard one. Made his life a living hell once he enlisted.”
Luz is quiet for a while, and when I glance at her again, she has a peculiar look on her face. I replay the words in my head, not seeing what I said wrong.
Noticing my confusion, she says, “You said was a hard one. Is she...?”
I bite on my lip hard enough to draw blood, warring with myself. This is my one chance to come clean – if not to Tristan, at least to someone. Just as I’m about to spill, an arm wraps around my shoulders, pulling me close.
“What are you gorgeous ladies up to?”
We glance up at Finn, his green eyes filled with laughter. Luz holds my gaze for a second, and mouths, Later. I just hope there will be a later.
“Heading to get some sweets,” Luz grins at Finn. “Want to come?”
There’s something eager in her tone, and I clue in once we enter the bakery store. My mouth waters at the delicious aromas of vanilla, cinnamon and chocolate – and helluva load of others. Then I see the girl behind the counter, and can’t help staring.
She’s got brown wavy hair piled in a messy bun atop her head, and beautiful hazel eyes, wide and doe-eyed. Her refined features could be those of a princess, and I can’t help but think of Cinderella when I see her apron filled with flour.
“Elle!” Luz waves, gathering her attention and we move closer. Or, at least, Luz and I do. Finn seems rooted to the spot, eyes wide and staring at Elle like she’s a goddess on earth.
Which, judging by the scent emanating from him, his wolf definitely thinks she is. “Easy, tiger,” I chuckle under my breath, knowing he’ll hear me.
It snaps him out of his daze, at least enough so he moves to a small table and stares from there. Elle follows him with her eyes and blushes, making her even more endearing.
“Lucrezia,” she says in a voice like a fairy, “what can I get you today?”
With a delighted sound, Luz starts pointing at everything in the window and Elle puts together a package for us. By the time we’re done, Luz pulls out her wallet to pay. I want to help, but before either of us can, someone else hands over a card. “Let me.”
Elle stares at the outstretched hand, then her gaze lifts to Finn. And I swear it’s like a fairytale, because their connection fills the air. She stops breathing, and he can’t take his eyes off her. They’re in their own little bubble, completely unaware of how entranced they appear to the outside.
I throw Luz a look, and she smiles a secret little smile.
Then Elle snaps out of her daze and punches in the total on the machine. Finn takes it from her trembling hand and swipes his card. He’s oddly quiet, focusing on the keypad like it has all the answers in the universe. Elle, too, busies herself with putting everything in bags.
I almost want to scream at them to stop, and Luz seems close to doing the same. But before we can, Elle hands over the bags to Luz and smiles. “Thank you.”
Luz nods, then we’re out the door, Finn trailing behind – and throwing glances over his shoulder, to no avail. His distraction gives me time to look around, and I notice a guy in the distance, facing the store. His stormy gaze is fixed on the bakery, and the girl within. When he notices me staring, he waves, a smirk playing on his lips.
I tear my gaze away, rushing to catch up with Luz and Finn. Once we’re back in front of the auto shop, I elbow him. “Cat got your tongue?”
He mutters something under his breath and takes off, leaving me and Luz to break into chuckles. “Did you plan that?”
Luz grins. “Maaaybe.”
I’m about to ask more, when I smell him. My body tenses, and before I can control myself, I’m bursting through the store.
Tristan
I narrow my eyes on the guy stepping in. He’s dressed in casual clothes, but his scent screams wolf. It’s a good thing Luz isn’t here, but where the hell did they go? And are they safe?
“Hello,” he says, noticing me hovering near the receptionist desk.
I nod at him. “Can I help you?”
“Yes, perhaps. I’m looking for Daniela Da Silva. I was given information she’s in this town.”
My eyes narrow on him. Everything about his statement is vague, but there’s an eager look in his eyes. “Who gave you that information?”
“I don’t believe that matters,” he smiles. “Does she work here or not?”
Before I can say anything, Dani bursts in from the street. “What the hell are you doing here, Agostinho?”
She notices my gaze on them, and moves, making sure to keep him between her and Luz, who stepped behind. I gesture for Lucrezia to head to the back, and at least she listens. Though her curious look on us implies she’s going to have questions after.
By the time my attention returns to them, Dani’s now between me and this Agostinho, her every muscle tense. “What do you want?”
“You know what, carinho. They sent me to bring you home.”
“You can tell them to fuck off, Agosti. I’m not coming back.”
He grins, raising his hands as peaceful gesture. But it only spurs Dani on. “Get the hell out of here!”
She shoves him back, despite his raised hands. There’s an aggressiveness to her movements, but it’s not born out of rage. Rather, my wolf senses fear emanating from Dani in waves. Fear, and shame. I’m too busy staring at her to think about the guy, wondering what the hell I’m missing – again.
Dani’s not done, though. She pushes him again, and Agostinho slams against the door to the shop, bursting through and outside in the snow. He looks up at her, making no move to stand up.
I’m afraid we have another Tommy situation on our hands, but something about his demeanor strikes me as odd. He claimed he’s here to get her back, yet he’s oddly subdued. Then it hits me – if Dani’s a Luna, as is Izzy, why would a male wolf try to get her to do anything against her will?
“Dani?”
Her ponytail is coming undone and she’s only got on a t-shirt. Barely enough to keep her warm. But her cheeks are flushed, and there's a glint in her eyes that brings me back in time.
It’s another girl I see, with the same anger flashing – but at me. When I’d told Izabella I was heading to war, she hadn’t been happy. Enough so that the same night, she’d slept with my best buddy to show me what I was losing.
But Dani – I shake my head and come back to the present, not realizing I’ve spoken my ex-lover’s name aloud. Dani’s eyes are on me, and hurt flashes across her face before she storms away.
I frown, until the guy gets up and dusts himself off. “You called her Izabella,” he says softly.
A sigh escapes me and I rub the back of my neck. “Course I did. They're freaking–”
“–different,” he finishes for me. Something about his tone really draws my attention. “No matter what you see, you must know they're different.”
The urgency in his every word really draws me in. “Of course I know that. And my history with Izabella is done. It’s been years since I last saw her, and whatever she’s doing these days is her business. I don’t appreciate you implying it's clouding my judgment.”
The guy stares at where Dani disappeared, then back to me. “Has she not told you?”
I refuse to admit how little Dani confided in me, but it seems an answer is really not required. Agostinho shakes his head, answering his own question. “She didn’t. So you have no idea Izabella is dead, do you?”
The ground shifts under me, but somehow I manage to remain standing. I stare at him, then at the spot Dani disappeared through. A single word escapes me. “How?”
“Suicide.”
My narrowed gaze is enough to make him back up this time. “That’s impossible.”
“It’s the truth.”
I shake my head, pointing an accusing finger his way. “You’ve delivered your message, and stirred enough trouble. Now get your ass out of town before I kick it out.”
Agostinho smiles, but it’s sad. “I will leave, but they will send others. Daniela does not have much time.”
I watch him skulk away, trying to control my tremors. Izabella is dead. Suicide. The thought goes on a loop in my head. How is that possible? The girl I knew, full of life... I shake my head. And this entire time Dani’s been here, she lied. She had plenty of opportunity to tell me, and didn’t.
Why?
That question burns its way to my chest, and I know I need to find her. A growl tears through my throat, and I stomp back inside. “Daniela, get your ass here right now!”
Nothing answers me, and Luz gets up from her spot at the reception. “She’s gone, Tristan. Took off through the back.”
No amount of cursing is enough to calm me down. And when I go to follow her scent, Luz steps in front of me.
“Get out of my way, Red.”
She frowns at me. “You need to cool off. So how about you go for a run, or the gym, or whatever it is you do, and then try to talk to her? Doing so now will only lead to more issues.”
Cursing under my breath, I take off – to the gym.
Daniela
I’m way past drunk at The Cave by the time the gang walks in. Luz makes a move my way, but Tristan steps in front of her and growls something. Everyone’s staring, and something snaps in me.
I run out the bar into the fresh, crisp air, pulling desperate gulps into my aching lungs. Now I’m really out of options. And if Agostinho found me so easily, the rest will be sure to follow. Fear cripples me, but I can’t move, can’t run, can’t hide. What else can I do, but take a stand and fight?
A door squeaks behind, and I'm not alone anymore. He’s there. And I wish it didn’t, but my body leans towards his heat.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
Tristan sounds less angry than I’d feared, and maybe that’s a good thing. If only I had such control. All the guilt I’ve carried around with me since arriving here fills me, and I can’t speak. Sobs choke me, and I gasp air in my lungs, trying to breathe – and failing.
Then Tristan’s there, wrapping his arms around me, hugging me from behind. I don’t know why he’s so understanding. He shouldn’t be.
“I’m not understanding,” he whispers, hearing my thoughts. “The anger’s in me, waiting to come to the surface. But I want to give you the benefit of the doubt, to trust you didn’t lie because you wanted to screw me over. Not after everything we’ve shared.”
“Everything we’ve shared?” I snort, moving out of his grip, but still refusing to face him. I can’t stand those chocolate eyes filled with pain. “You must be delusional. All we have are lies between us. Your demons. Mine.”
“You don’t mean that.” Now his tone is tauter, and I sense the anger less controlled. Good. The angrier he gets, the less I have to care.
“What’s going on, Dani? Why are you acting like this?” His voice is soft, gruff – weird. It takes me a minute to realize it’s filled with emotion, and that has me even more unwilling to turn towards him.
“Don’t know what you’re talking about,” I mutter.
“Ven, beleza,” he whispers, and I shiver at the words. He’s calling me beautiful, when I feel anything but. “I know something deep must have pushed you here, into my arms, so what is it?”
A growl escapes me, and I whirl towards Tristan. “In your arms? Excuse you! Just who do you think you are, a wolf Adonis?”
He grins, and in the night it’s so charming my heart twists. But I remember the same sideways grin aimed at my sister, and look where that got her. I harden my heart against him, unwilling to be another prey.
“I’m not going anywhere with you. Whatever you think you can re-enact with me, that you had with Izzy, you can forget about.”
The grin fades away then, and his eyes flash. “Watch yourself, Dani. Some words, you can’t take back.”
“Oh yeah?” I take a step forward. “Tell me then that last night, when you were in bed, making love to me again, it was really me you were thinking of. Tell me it wasn’t Izabella.”
He stares at me for a beat, then shakes his head. “Why would you even think that? Of course it was you I was thinking about!”
“I don’t believe you!” My shout echoes in the night, and by now tears are streaming down my cheeks. “You’re lying, just like I did.”
His jaw clenches, and he reaches to grab my chin, forcing me to look him in the eyes. “Don’t do this, Dani. It won’t get you anything but heartache. Let me help you, like I said I would. Stay and find out what this thing between us is.”
“What for?” I sniffle, jerking out of his reach. “Only to find out I’m second choice? I don’t think so. I'm here for the sole reason I said. Protection.”
His eyes glint. “From who, Dani? From the people that gave you that mark? From your family? Who’s the enemy here, exactly?”
I glare at him, thankful for my height for once. “Monsters. Creatures in the night. Does it matter?”
Silence lengthens between us as each tries to stare the other down. Then another voice interrupts.
“She’s right, amico.”
I recognize the Italian, and break Tristan's gaze to look over his shoulder. “You’ve already received my formal request for protection, Lucas. What will it be? Because there are others who can grant what I wish quicker.”
His dark eyes are assessing in the night, and I know there’s nothing easy about being submissive to a guy like that. But what other choice do I have?
Lucas nods. “I said I would take it under consideration, cara.” A beat, then, “Tristan, a word. In private.”
“No need, I was leaving.” I push past Tristan, glaring at him one last time before taking off into the night. Before I know it, I’m jogging, running, and then I’m shedding my clothes and basking in the transformation – freedom.
Paws land on the ground rather than my human hands, and I take on a sprint. Anything to get away, even if for only a few moments.