Allora's lips found mine, her tongue slipping between my teeth. My hands cupped her face, pulling her closer. My body ached for her, wanting to be as close as possible, right now.
I reached out to unbutton my shirt, but Allora held it.
"Let me do this," she whispered. "You've already ruined two of my favorite shirts."
I was going to protest, but she started undoing the buttons, starting at the neck and working her way down. She looked a little nervous, like a schoolgirl in the backseat of a car for the first time. It only heightened my desire as she unfastened the last button and opened her blouse.
Her breasts were cupped inside a black bra. I reached behind her and released him, sliding the blouse off my shoulders. I cupped one of her breasts in my hands, loving how perky and firm it was. She gasped as I closed my mouth around the nipple and sucked gently, her nails digging into my back.
As I suckled on her other breast, Allora fumbled with my buttons. I took my shirt off my shoulders and pressed my body against hers, loving the skin against skin, the way her hard nipples rubbed against my chest.
Allora took off her jeans and mine too. I pulled down her panties and pushed my face between her legs. I parted her lips with my tongue, inhaling her sweet scent. She moaned as I ran my tongue along her, finding her clit and circling it slowly. Allora's nails dug deep into my shoulders as her first orgasm claimed her.
While her body was still trembling with pleasure, I went on top of her, put on the condom and penetrated her. Her wetness enveloped me, our bodies meshing perfectly. I moved slowly against her, pressure rising in my stomach as my own pleasure built. Allora gasped and scratched my back.
— You are delicious. My cock slid in and out of her, our bodies meshing perfectly. I buried my head in his shoulder, dragging my teeth along his neck. The pressure tugged at my core, the wolf inside me fighting to escape, to release all my wildness.
“Josh,” she gasped, her walls tightening around me. I pumped harder, enjoying the way my length slid right into her, the way she lifted her hips to meet each thrust. She wanted me as much as I needed her. “Oh, Josh.
Allora tightened around me, her body shuddering as an orgasm ripped through her. Her eyes closed, her head fell back, her breath hitching. Her walls contracted around my cock, squeezing me tight. I pushed faster, enjoying watching her lose control.
Feeling her come sent me over the edge. The pressure inside me boiled over. I saw stars when I arrived, the bright lights of a thousand distant galaxies glowing in brilliant supernovae.
We collapsed against each other, utterly exhausted. I wrapped her in my arms, enjoying the warmth of her body stretched across the furs. For a few precious minutes, we enjoyed the bliss of our bodies, but then the fear and uncertainty started to creep back in.
Allora put her arms around my neck. His limbs went rigid.
“Josh, I'm scared. Allora's lip trembled.
- Do not stay. I put my arm under her neck, stroking her cheek with my other hand. “I'm here, and so is Caleb. We won't let anything happen to you.
I won't let anything happen to you, I thought, as I kept my eyes glued to the door. Especially nothing named Caleb.
I wasn't going to let that redhead fool me again. He wasn't going to get Allora. I would make sure of that.
**
allora
I woke up from a dream about death to find Josh still lying beside me, his eyes wide open.
— Did you fall asleep? - I asked.
- No. But you're fine, and that's what matters. There are no black wolves in sight.
"Where's Caleb?"
Why didn't Josh sleep? Caleb didn't relieve him of his duty?
“Outside,” Josh growled. "But I needed to watch him too."
"You don't suspect him yet, do you?" You're being paranoid. Caleb is your cousin, and barring the time he attacked me, he's been the perfect gentleman.
“I have to be suspicious. He's a wolf in my territory and he's close enough to do you real harm. Just let me be protective alpha, will you?
- I think so. Does that mean you're going with me today
DownMoor? That would mean leaving the site unprotected.
— Do you have to go?
I looked at my phone.
- Yes. I need to talk to Clara about some charms to protect us, and I need to talk to my friend Derek before he comes to the woods.
- What? Why?
“Remember how I said my friend, the mythology freak, was coming over today to look at the caves? But after what happened with Misty on the road, I don't want him anywhere near here. But I can't call him and tell him not to come. — I touched the screen of my useless phone.
“Shit. Okay. I think we'll go to town then. Josh looked at me with hard eyes. "Do you really trust Caleb?"
“I really do.
- All good. But if we come back here and Ruth has been torn apart, try not to do a victory dance over her dead body.
- I do not promise. I smiled at his somber mood, hoping with all my heart that there were no more deaths.
"Derek, have you noticed anything strange this week?"
"I mean, besides you spending more time at my house drinking all my tea than you do at the archeological discovery of the century?"
I drained the rest of my cup and punched him in the arm.
“Seriously, please. And be serious while you put another kettle on to heat. I need another.
I felt a little guilty about leaving Josh sitting in the car while he had tea with Derek, but there was no helping it. True to his word, Josh wouldn't let me go into town alone, but I didn't want him in there while I talked to Derek. I was worried that Josh's presence would alter our usual relationship. I hadn't told Derek about Josh and I didn't want to suddenly surprise him by knowing how he still felt about me. Also, I hadn't told Josh about Derek's feelings and I didn't want a macho confrontation. We had more important things to worry about.
“I was serious, you know? About you noticing something strange.
Derek went into the kitchen and got the kettle, then sat down across from me, patting my leg in a friendly manner.
"Strange how?"
- I don't know. A feeling of being watched, someone walking around your house. Someone who isn't me asking weird questions. Anything strange or out of the ordinary.
"What is it, Allora?" Derek leaned forward, his eyes twinkling. He loved a good mystery, and here I was, being pretty mysterious. "Does this have anything to do with the reporter who died?"
— Yes, and because you can no longer enter the site. It's too complicated,” I said, thinking fast. “It's… top secret. There are some interesting facts about cave paintings that have not been reported in the media. I think that might be why this reporter was killed, someone thought she was getting too close to the truth.
"What kind of facts?" You're not in danger, are you, Allora?
Oh, just a manic werewolf who wants to mate with me. Nothing particularly dangerous.
I shrugged.
“I… guess I am, but I'm being well looked after. I can't say too much at the moment, but suffice it to say that the paintings might not be as old or special as once thought.
“It looks like something out of a spy movie.
- I know. And it gets worse. I think, before I died, the reporter was following me. I was at home the other day after coming here and I think she might have come in while I left the door open. And since I was at your house first, I'm worried they might come after you next.
“I'm intrigued. And a little terrified. You need to be careful, Allora. ’ Behind us, the kettle popped. Derek got to his feet, taking my empty cup with him into the kitchen. "Would you like snacks with your tea?"
- Yes please.
While Derek made the tea, sliced cheese and tomatoes, and heated the griddle, I rummaged through the papers on his coffee table. He was really making progress on his family history project, probably because his master's thesis deadline was fast approaching and he was desperate for distractions. He placed the family tree across the table on a large sheet of white card—all the different generations labeled with great-grandparents, spouses, and children. Postnotes highlighted on all surfaces and lines were scratched or dotted. There were some lines with question marks where he obviously hadn't found the correct data, and others had notes referring to certain documents he copied from the archives. I read the names above Derek. There were his parents — Theodore and Alice — and his grandparents, and he followed the line until…
I stopped briefly, my breath freezing in my throat. It couldn't be the same person. It must be a coincidence.
In the paper, listed as Derek's great-grandfather on his father's side, was Robert Peyton, the man who had killed Josh's family.
“Derek? My voice came out loud, shrill.
- Yes? he called over the sizzle of bubbling cheese.
“This chart indicates that you are related to the Peyton family.
- Yes. Is not cool? Derek returned to the table with two steaming mugs of tea and a plate of cheese. He pushed a thin book across the table towards me. “They're quite an old DownMoor family. Apparently, they used to have a reputation as righteous witch hunters. My great-grandfather Robert was Bishop of Loamshire.
“I've heard some stories about them. Someone in the village was saying it had something to do with the caves...
My phone vibrated, startling us both. I picked it up and held it to my ear.
It was French. She was screaming incoherently. I held the phone away from my ear as Frances' screams cut to static.
"France, what happened?" Where you are? How is your phone signal?
The phone crackled some more, and Ruth's voice reached my ear.
— Allora? You have to come… immediately. The site was… -trucked.
- What? "I don't think I heard you right." The line was terrible. They must still be somewhere near the site.
- Come back now! The police are on their way and they need to take your statement. Ruth's voice was choked with sobs. “Someone's been in here with a crowbar. The cave paintings were completely destroyed.
**
josh
this time, I was the one driving. My powerful truck made quick work of the dirt roads and we even passed the police on the way to the farm. Allora gripped the edges of the seat so hard her knuckles turned white.
When we got out of the truck and ran to the caves together, my hand tightened around Allora's, Ruth looked at us like we had something to do with this mess. Frances was sitting at the mouth of the cave, her face in her hands.
- What happened? Allora snorted as she stopped beside the other archaeologists.
"It's like I told you on the phone," Ruth said, her voice husky. "You are gone." We did a quick Skype interview in the trailer and came down here to do more work. But when we entered the tunnel, we noticed all the debris around and the paintings were gone. Someone cropped all the pictures. There's nothing left but dust and chips on the tunnel floor.
Frances let out a strangled sob.
“Shit. ’ Allora’s knees shook. She sank to the floor beside Frances, her face terrified. "Who would do such a thing?"
His words were directed at Ruth, but the question was meant for me. I answered in my head. Caleb. I left him alone here and tried to forget all my doubts about him because Allora trusted him. I even checked in with Ruth before we left, and she confirmed that he didn't leave their side for a moment yesterday. But then he did—despite swearing he wouldn't—and forever destroyed the last link I had with my family, my history. Hatred and anger burned through my veins.
"No one saw anything?" Alora asked. "Aren't you hurt?"
Ruth shook her head.
“We were all in the trailer. But I can't help thinking, what if we were here when…' She shuddered.
Allora was already sliding through the cave entrance. I jumped in after her.
— Where are you going? Ruth called. — You can't touch anything. The police are on their way...
Allora ignored her. She picked up one of the lanterns on the edge of the abandoned Neolithic site and lit it. I followed her through the crevice and down to the tunnel entrance. The entire cave reeked of wolf. The scent of the black wolf, which I knew now was Caleb's true scent.
“Shit,” Allora whispered, shining her flashlight down the tunnel.
I took a deep breath as the full magnitude of the damage appeared. The tunnel walls had been cruelly hacked to pieces, leaving jagged streaks of color. Piles of rocky debris littered the tunnel. Dust floated in the stale air. I coughed as the scent invaded my nostrils, smothering my other senses.
The only thing left was a single crude piece of graffiti that hadn't been there before—a dummy of a woman with hair and dark glasses, a knife sticking out of her chest. The woman must be Allora.
I'm going to kill the motherfucker.
My hands curled into fists. The wolf inside me growled in agreement.
— Josh, I think you're wrong about Caleb...
"I've seen enough," I snapped. “This is a direct threat to your life. I will make him pay.
"But we don't even know if it's me…" Allora screamed as I grabbed her hand and dragged her back through the cave. "Josh, hey, where are you going?" Let me go!
I pulled Allora back through the cave entrance and into the forest, sniffing several times.
"Where's Caleb?" I snarled at Ruth.
"He went for a walk," she replied. He thought he'd take a look around the camp, see if he could see anyone hiding there, footprints or something. At least he's looking out for our safety. Isn't that supposed to be your job, park ranger?
I didn't have time to get into a verbal sparring match with Ruth. I grabbed Allora by the hand. There was no letting her out of my sight until I'd mastered Caleb.
"Josh, what are you doing?" Allora cried. I crashed into the trees, screaming Caleb's name.
“Damn it, Josh. Allora punched my shoulder. - Answer me.
"I'm looking for that cousin of mine," I growled. “He's responsible for this. We're going to settle this once and for all.
“You're blaming the wrong wolf, Josh. Ruth said that Caleb was in the trailer with them. He couldn't have done that.
“Ruth likes Caleb. She'd say anything to protect him,” I growled back.
“He didn't. You need to get this through your head if we're going to work things out.
“Listen to your princess, Josh.
I turned. Caleb was halfway through the woods, his unbuttoned shirt flapping in the brisk breeze. At least this time, he wasn't smiling. He looked tired, exhausted. But most of all, he looked incredibly guilty.
“You,” I hissed at Caleb. “You did it.
He shook his head.
“I assure you… this was all the black wolf did.
"You just couldn't take it, did you?" I growled. “You couldn't stand the fact that Allora chose me. So you kill that reporter, destroy the paintings and threaten her. Well, if you want Allora, you'll have to go through me, and I tell you now that...
"Is that how you talk to your cousin?"
“You are not my cousin.
Caleb took a step closer. I showed my teeth. My hands curled into fists. The wolf bubbled beneath the surface, tingling against my skin. My nails dug into my flesh, becoming sharp claws. Frizzy hair sprouted on my arms.
Caleb shook his head, his eyes dark with fury. When he took another step towards me, I saw his own fur breaking out on his skin.
“You seem quick to blame yourself, cousin. What motive would I have to kill the reporter? How does she fit into my nefarious plan? I could easily ask you the same questions. Weren't you the one who tried to destroy the paintings just a few days ago? Don't you keep a crowbar in the back of that filthy truck of yours?
- I will kill you! I yelled, rattling my claws in his face. Caleb stepped back and my fingers sliced the air inches from him. Caleb growled in response, his lips turning into a grimace.