10. Veil City Shadows
Veil City Shadows
Malcolm
T he minute he entered the cabin's bedroom, Malcolm realized he should have asked his uncle if there was more than one bedroom. He’d only slept with Eliza in his apartment when she’d asked him to stay, but not every night. It had already stretched his nerves when he’d been in bed with her at those times, but now he was staring at the king-sized bed, and it was clearly the only bed in the cabin.
Malcolm could smell her when she entered the room behind him. She gave a small hum as she walked around him. “Looks like there is only one bed.” She sat her bag down and gave a short look around the room. “Well, I guess it will do.”
“I’ll sleep on the couch?—”
“Why bother?” Eliza asked, clearly not aware of his strong attraction to her. She pressed hand on the surface of the bed. "It feels a whole lot more comfortable than that leather couch,” she clicked her tongue. “Let’s share it; it’s not like we haven’t shared a bed before.”
His brow creased; Malcolm wanted to tell her why sharing a bed with her was both a hell and heaven for him. Beginning and ending with his need to claim her, and mark her over and over, but he didn’t want to overwhelm her. Eliza had just been freed from God only knows what, and the last thing she needed was him panting after her.
Yet, seeing her comfortable and at ease with the idea of sharing a bed with him pleased him. He wanted her to be at ease with him, and okay with sharing her space with him. He bit back a curse and gave a short nod, “If you’re okay with it, so am I.”
She laughed, giving him a mischievous look. “Well, I promise to keep my hands off you.” She gave him her back, missing the pained look he sent her. “I’m going to take a shower, ah.” He felt more than saw the Magic work as her appearance returned to its original form. “Can’t keep it up forever.”
“I just want you to know, you don’t have to hide your appearance from anyone here.” He hadn’t meant to say the words aloud, but from the look on her face, he felt confident it was what she needed to hear.
She said nothing for a second, avoiding his eyes.
“I didn’t do it for them.” She finally said, grabbed her duffel, and walked around the bed to his side. “I did it for myself.”
With that, she left the room.
He sighed, turning and plopping down on the bed. Rubbing a frustrated hand through his hair. Maybe he should have left her with Alek; at least then, he wouldn’t have to fight the urge to pull her into his arms every five seconds.
Deciding he needed a distraction, he grabbed his own bag, pulled out the thick envelope, and pulled out the folders. Opening them, he started looking into the profiles of the victims. It was five werewolves, three women and two males. He frowned, but he would need to find the common thread between them all.
As he studied the evidence in front of him and flipped through them, laying some on the couch beside him his nose twitched when he smelled something sweet.
Pausing, he frowned and went back to reading and found himself distracted again as the scent grew stronger. As it did the aching arousal he’d been ignoring had returned with a vengeance. Giving up, he stood and followed the smell sniffing here and there until he reached the door.
Raising his hand, he went to knock but stopped when he heard a very low moan.
Immediately, Malcolm knew what Eliza was doing behind the closed door.
Eyes turned bright from arousal; he unbuckled his pants, freeing his dick that had long shown its eager craving for the woman inside the bathroom.
“Fuck, look what you’re doing to me,” he groaned.
Spitting into his hand, he took himself in hand and started stroking himself. His toes curled as he tightened his hold until it was almost painful, “Fuck, ah, fuck, so tight. Shit, I want you. Goddammit, I want you so bad.”
As he closed his eyes, he imagined her beautiful body with all its scars, being soaked in water as she rubbed her hands over it. The vision was so real that he could taste the water on his tongue. He imagined watching her as she slowly bent at the waist, exposing herself to him, that lovely ass offering itself to him for conquering.
Unable to hold himself back, he’d lunge at her and lift her to turn her around. Both of their bodies would get soaked as he kissed her swollen lips. Hungrily smashing their lips together, he’d press her roughly against the slick marble wall of the shower and hold her legs out, which was nothing for him to do. Ignoring her surprise, he’d thrust his dick so deep his knot would immediately plug her entrance.
“Is this what you wanted,” he muttered groaning as he fucked his hand. “I’m so, fucking hungry for you, I’m forced to do something so filthy. Fuck, Eliza. I need you.”
Panting, he reopened his eyes as he tried his best to keep his voice down, sliding his calloused up and down his dick, stopping every once in and while to squeeze his currently still deflated knot.
Just as he thought he couldn’t get any more turned on, he heard her as she released a small cry.
“Dammit.”
Gritting his teeth, he placed his free hand on the door jamb and leaned forward. Eyes burning from them changing back and forth from wolfen yellow to human green, Malcolm finally closed his eyes. “Fuck, fuck, I want to fill you with my pups. Fuck, I’m—I’m?—”
The minute his sharp nose picked up that lovely scent turning stronger, Malcolm felt his balls draw up as he came, ropes and ropes of cum splattered against the door and the floor.
Releasing a small growl, he thrust into his hand once, twice, and thrice until he had to stop. Dazed, he stared at it. The sadistic part of him wanted her to open the door and see what he’d done.
But quickly, his sanity returned, and he quickly tucked himself back in. Quietly padding across the floor, he opened the closet for the cleaning products to clean up the mess he’d made. Luckily, his claim to fame was moving silently. Otherwise, he didn’t know how he’d explain why he was hovering around the door.
Sadly, halfway through cleaning, she asked. “Did something fall?”
Quickly, he pawned her off. “Yeah, just something from my luggage.”
“Got it.”
Releasing a sigh of relief, he returned to the couch and forced himself to focus on the evidence.
Eliza
A few minutes before
She hadn’t been lying when she said her changing her appearance had been more for herself than anyone else. She couldn’t help being reminded of where she’d been when she saw herself. The fear would return, and while she’d been dealing with her demons better than others, she didn’t want to be shocked by seeing herself triggering an emotional response that she wasn’t sure she would be able to pull through.
It was hard enough to be able to sleep, ignoring the voices in her head.
“He has the scent of desire on him.”
She tensed as she stared into her eyes in the mirror, which had a cool detachment as if they belonged to someone else. “He has no intention of distrusting you; doesn’t this make him a better tool?”
“That’s enough,” she snapped, setting her duffle bag down on the corner of the tub and casting a silencing spell on the bathroom door. The last thing she needed was for Malcolm to hear her talking to herself. “You wanted to leave Veil City, and here we are. So, what do you think you can do here that you can’t from there.”
The twin of her in the mirror smirked. “Everything. If a higher being like me moved within the walls of that atrocity, it would be noticed immediately.” She reached up and placed a single finger against the mirror, slowly sliding it down. A zipping sound followed her finger, and Eliza found herself staring at a house . “This one is our first target.”
Eliza nodded. “Good, and the others?”
“The few I can communicate with have already stated they’ve been recaptured but that they can give us information on when he plans to make his move.”
Eliza gave a short nod. “Good.”
The mirror slowly filled with fog. “I will leave to see how far I can reach into my realm. If I do not return.” Her twin voice held amusement. “Then think of me as dead.”
“What?” Before Eliza could call for her mirror twin back, the creature was gone, and once more, she was looking at her own face. “Dammit.”
She wondered if she should start second-guessing her choice to work with the unnamed ancient goddess. At one point, she’d called the damn thing a parasite, but that was only when she had gotten fed up with its high-handed ways.
Turning away from the mirror, she focused on getting clean. After the short flight and long train ride, she couldn’t help feeling icky. After being denied a bath for so long, she would shower whenever possible. There was nothing like warm water rushing down your skin and removing the dirt of a long day.
Slowly as her muscles relaxed, Eliza picked up the washcloth and started washing herself. As she swept it over her skin she started to feel her arousal stir. Taken aback she paused, inhaling through the noise she started moving again. Biting her lips, she slowly set the washcloth aside and drew her wet fingers down her body to her pussy that obviously didn’t care about where she was. It had been so long since she’d felt such feelings stir up. At first she only rubbed and teased the lips of it, enjoying the friction she pressed a bit harder, grinding against the palm of her hand as the water showered her. With a soft moan, she cupped her breast and pinched her nipple with her free hand enjoying the sting of pain.
It hadn’t even occurred to her that this sudden need had anything to do with the gentle giant outside her door. She’d also forgotten that werewolves had a good sense of smell.
Ignoring all of this, Eliza finally pushed two fingers inside herself nearly creaming herself at the feel of her own arousal. Worked up more than she’d ever been, she placed her foot on the rim of the bathtub and started aggressively plunging her fingers inside. It was like a bug had gotten under her skin turning arousal up to ten. She moved her hips, riding her fingers, and as she did this she couldn’t help but imagine Malcolm fucking her in the shower, his green eyes burning into hers as dominated her.
Luckily, for her imagination she had an idea of his girth and size from when he’d slept beside her. Something told her that it would not only put her on her back, but keep her there. She imagined what it would be like right now; hard, probably thick, with a curve pointed toward his stomach, as it leaked pre-cum that made her mouth dry in thirst.
Just the thought of it made her pussy wetter. And imagining pounding inside of her instead of fingers sent her over the edge.
“Oh, shit—” She slapped her hand over her mouth as she felt the buzz of orgasm stir. Eyes rolling she closed them tightly, as she rode it out. Spent, she finally regained some clarity and felt her cheeks burn with embarrassment.
“What is wrong with me,” she muttered as she grabbed the washcloth and started washing herself again.
When she finished bathing and stepped out of the bathroom. Wearing a pair of shorts and an oversized T-shirt, she found Malcolm stretched out on the couch. The back of his hand rested on his forehead while his shirt was stretched across his taut muscles. She paused, taking him in, his large body was longer than the couch, and his feet hung off the edge.
A part of her wondered why she wasn’t afraid of him.
Sure, he’d saved her, but there was something else. There had to be another reason why she didn’t flinch when he reached for her and why she wanted him to sit next to her at night when she grew terrified of the dark. She wasn’t the type to easily trust someone, and she was using him, but he seemed to easily share not only his place but his past with her.
Padding over to his side, she crouched and stared at his face. He was handsome in a rough, wild-man way. His jawline was already peppered with a 5 o’clock shadow that she was sure he’d attempt to shave before they went to eat with his people.
A strand of trepidation filled her. She wasn’t sure how she’d react to being surrounded by so many people. One or two were fine, but the idea of being in a crowd made her hands clammy. Without thinking much of it, she reached out and took ahold of his hand that hung off the side of the couch. “I’ll be okay, right Malcolm?”
He didn’t move an inch, continuing to sleep soundly.
She leaned forward and pressed her forehead against the back of his hand. “I’ll be okay.” She answered.
Eliza had been able to hold it together ever since she'd been a kid, so now wasn’t any different. She would hold her tears back, bury her pain, and get through it.
She didn’t see Malcolm's eyes open as he glanced at her before he reclosed them. Soon, she stood and went into the bedroom for a few minutes of sleep.
“I wasn’t sure you two would make it,” Robert said boisterously as he met them in front of a large building with a large sign that read, “Wolf Eatery.” The building boasted bright lights and the smell of food. He offered them a friendly grin, “It’s a bit of a maze when it comes to finding things here.”
Eliza couldn’t help smiling. “It wasn’t too hard when we spotted everyone else headed this way.” She looked around briefly at the people who were making their way inside.
“Do you all usually eat together?” She’d noticed the few looks sent Malcolm’s way; some had been mildly curious, while others had been particularly probing. Especially from the men who she could only assume were other Alphas
“Yes, and no,” Robert casually answered as he walked with them towards the entrance. “Few couples come to the mess hall for their meals; mostly, the unmated wolves eat here. Those who are mated typically stay in their homes to eat, but today is a special occasion.”
“Special?” Malcolm asked, obviously deciding to ignore the looks sent his way. “What’s the occasion?”
Robert didn’t answer; he just offered him a sly smile. “Well, you’ll have to wait for the dinner to find out.” With that, he slipped away and joined a woman who wore her raven-colored hair short. He grabbed her hand and brought it to his lips.
Malcolm glared after him. “You’d think nothing had changed since the last time we’d met.”
“I don’t know, at least he’s not looking at you like them.” Eliza couldn’t help saying, as she spotted another man who looked at Malcolm like he wanted to take his head. “I feel like a few males here don’t like you much.”
He shrugged as they drew closer to the table. “I did something that isn’t the most forgivable; to them, I’m an old enemy,” he said as he pulled a chair out for her. “It’s my luck that the council sent me here. Otherwise, they’d be more inclined to show their distaste.”
Eliza sat down, and he took a seat next to her. “I don’t care what you’ve done; they make one move, and I’m turning them into toads.”
His eyes softened, and he leaned closely in, throwing her off. Her heart rate picked up immediately, and she found herself licking her lips in anticipation of what she wasn’t sure. “My, what a fierce witch you are.”
She nervously looked away and pointed at a random basket packed with bread. “Oh, look.” She mentally winced as she reached for said bread and took a bite.
“Yummy.” She lifted it, hoping that he didn’t notice what she’d done and how awkward it had been, but from the heat in those jungle-colored eyes, he knew he bothered her.
She swallowed the bread, but it felt like she’d eaten dust.
Once everyone had taken a seat, and the noise started to swell, something slammed into the table, jolting her.
“Quiet!” Robert stood at the head of the table; his eyes narrowed on them all. For a second, Eliza felt a slight jolt to her awareness. Robert was a werewolf just like Malcolm. His aura swelled and grew, causing all those who were speaking to quiet immediately. The man had been so friendly early on, but now he appeared stern and unapproachable.
Everything about him screamed leader; she herself felt impressed and a tiny bit attracted, though it was more out of respect than anything else.
“It’s been Five years since the Alpha of our people was killed in cold blood.”
Eliza turned her gaze to Malcolm, who’d immediately tensed up.
What was his uncle doing? And she’d thought he was cool.
Robert exhaled and gave them all a hard look. “When the Alpha was killed then, there were many who sought to punish the one who’d committed the crime. They wished to drag him back from the city of those rotting councilmen and make an example of him.”
Those at the table released shouts and other words of condemnation. Robert lifted his hand, cutting them off. “Yes, the death of our Alpha was shocking, and it was only right that we, his people, got our revenge.”
The sound of something cracking had Eliza looking down to see Malcolm's nails biting into the table as the veins in his hands popped out. She looked from his hand to his face and flinched. His eyes were no longer green but yellow and feral; his lips were drawn back in a cruel snarl.
It was clear Malcolm was displeased by his uncle's words. Gathering her courage, she reached out and covered his hand with hers. “It’s okay, I’m here.”
He whipped his face towards hers; she forced herself not to flinch away at the rage that stained his expression. “It’s okay.”
The yellow color of his eyes slowly faded as he relaxed, his mouth no longer in the shape of a snarl. He lowered his eyes. “I don’t know why he’s doing this,” he whispered.
“We can leave if you want,” she said because Eliza didn’t want to hear anyone bad mouth the man who’d saved her.
“But, the Alpha we worshiped didn’t deserve our respect.” Robert’s voice cut through the cloud of anger, and both Eliza and Malcolm turned their attention to the front. “He didn’t care about the future of our cubs; he sought only his own satisfaction and claimed our daughters with little care and marked them without consent.” Robert's eyes were now deep somber amber. “That criminal was nothing but a tyrant, and we, no, our laws, allowed him this perverse claim to rule us.”
Those at the table grabbed their mugs and banged them on the table. They all respected Malcolm’s uncle. And Eliza felt her suspicions from earlier come back to her as Robert’s gaze moved to Malcolm, who grew even more tense.
“As a stand-in Alpha, I feel great respect and love for you all for allowing me to lead you and guide you to a better future. My time, though, is short; I am old and wish to rest and to do that, another must take my seat,” he said, and Eliza heard Malcolm softly whisper, “No.”
His uncle grinned, baring his sharp canines. “In a few weeks, the packs from other lands will come to the McLaren border, and we will celebrate. Once more, there will be a-sgeithe . Before that, we will have all males of age and strength compete, and one of them.” He looked around the entire room. “Will become our next Alpha.”
A resounding cheer rose, and Malcolm stood before Eliza could stop him. Upon releasing her hand, he turned to leave.
“Malco—”
“Malcolm.”
She stood to chase after him only to see he’d stopped short.
A young woman stood in his pathway; her hair was a darker brown than his. Her eyes were a soft green, and it wasn’t hard to see they were related. Her eyes immediately filled with tears as she reached out towards him, but Malcolm retreated a step lowering his head before he walked around her and quickly exited.
Eliza wasn’t sure what to do. The way the woman looked after him as he walked away suggested that she had something to say. She turned her attention to Malcolm’s retreating back. He obviously wished to be alone.
Reluctantly, she turned back to the table and sat down; she would talk to him once he returned. Until then, she’d eat and return a doggy bag to their cabin.