CHAPTER TWELVE #3
She stared into his eyes and he stared back, his gaze sizzling. The look was impossible to resist. She felt her body warm, responding to his magnetic and sexual pull, a pull she could actually feel. Then she realized what he was doing. “Are you trying to enchant me?”
“I dinna need to enchant any woman,” he boasted. “But the nights are long an’ very, very cold.”
She breathed hard. This man had once been Aidan’s friend. She had hoped to meet him. “I will not be seduced. I am with Aidan.”
His gaze flickered. “I ken. But he left the Brotherhood long ago. Once, I mourned him. Now I dinna care much for his fate, and I am happy to fight him for a woman.”
Brie had to try to make sense of his words. “You’re joking, right? You don’t intend to fight over me.”
He dimpled. “I’d love to fight over ye, lass,” he said. “In fact, I’d love nothing more.”
Brie gaped at him.
His grin widened.
He must love war, she thought. It was the only rational conclusion she could muster. She was taken aback, but flattered. “Aidan told me about you. But he made you sound like a leader, not a warmonger.”
“Aidan hates my brother,” Seoc said flatly. “’Tis Neil he spoke of. My brother commands the brethren.”
Before Brie could assimilate that, a low, threatening, very angry snarl sounded behind her.
Brie whirled in abject relief. “Aidan!”
But the Wolf seemed as vicious and savage as it had that day in New York. It growled at Seoc and crouched to attack, eyes blazing with murderous fury. I will kill ye, ye fuckin’ bastard.
Brie jerked in dismay, having heard Aidan as clear as day.
Seoc’s saber rang as he lifted it, his eyes blazing.
Brie looked from the Wolf to the Master and she didn’t think twice. She stepped between them. “That is Aidan!”
“Aye, the terrible Wolf of Awe, a beast that enjoys rippin’ a man to shreds and eatin’ from his carcass.” Seoc didn’t seem affable now. “Get away from the Wolf, Brianna Rose.”
“He won’t hurt me. You need to leave,” Brie cried.
Move away, Brianna. I never liked him very much anyway.
Brie looked at the Wolf, trembling. “Don’t you dare attack him,” she managed, horrified that they wanted to destroy one another.
Human blue eyes seared hers. Why? So ye can share his bed tonight?
Brie breathed hard. Seoc had been pouring it on and she had been affected by him—there was no doubt. But she would never have been seduced. If Aidan didn’t know that she was a one-man woman, he didn’t know her at all. She gave him a dark look. “You are on the same side!”
I dinna think so.
Seoc said softly, “Yer one of very few who has any faith in him, lass.”
She whirled. “I’m asking you to leave us.”
He was startled. “Are ye mad? Has he so bedazzled ye in his manly form that ye canna think straight, even now? I willna leave ye with the Wolf. He’ll eat ye fer his supper!”
The Wolf growled and stalked past her.
Very recklessly, heart pounding, Brie seized a hank of fur, causing the Wolf to snap at her. She faltered, and the Wolf stared, but did not bite her. Trembling, she tore her gaze to Seoc, not releasing the animal. “Just leave, please!”
Seoc hesitated, his gaze wary and on the Wolf. “Well,” he finally murmured. “Maybe it’s fond o’ ye, too.” He sheathed his sword and ducked out of the tent.
Brie released the beast and her knees buckled. She backed up. “I really hope you would never hurt me.”
There was no mistaking his anger.
Brie breathed deeply, wanting to defuse his temper. “Thank you for coming back.” Her voice caught. “I have been so afraid for you. I was afraid you went after Moray again.”
The Wolf stalked to the tent flap and pushed it aside, peering out in a very human manner. Then he faced her, staring.
Already uncomfortable and uncertain, she put a bit more distance between them. “Are you staying?”
She felt a smirk in his silent thoughts. Aye.
She hugged herself. She knew he was furious because Seoc had disarmed her. But for God’s sake, except for Aidan, she’d never had that kind of man even look at her, much less want her in bed. “I had no intention of sleeping with him. You can’t be jealous.”
He intended to sleep with ye. The Wolf lay down, his long body barring the path from the tent’s doorway.
Brie flushed. He thought she would have given in to Seoc. She could feel it. “Why are you staring?”
There was no answer now, just the Wolf’s very human, unwavering cold stare.
Allie pushed her head inside the tent, which did not seem to disturb the Wolf. “I heard he was here.” Allie didn’t seem frightened at all.
“Is Tabby here yet?”
“No.” Allie slipped into the tent, stepping over the Wolf, who refused to budge. She smiled at Brie. “Did you see what’s out there?” she asked in a knowing and girly tone.
Brie hesitated, glancing at the Wolf. Better not to open this subject, she thought.
“Brie! Have you ever seen so many gorgeous, hot, supersexed men?” she demanded. “I mean, you do know what sex is like with a Master, don’t you?”
Brie felt her eyes pop. “He can hear us!” The Wolf’s eyes were blazing.
“I know,” Allie said, smiling. “Even though I love Royce, I love being around so many Masters. It just feels so good.” She winked.
Brie decided not to answer. She had no idea why Allie was provoking Aidan but she didn’t like it. It was bad enough that he was stuck in the Wolf’s body.
The Wolf’s eyes blazed even brighter.
Allie looked at him. “Is he jealous? Seoc seemed pissed off. Did he come on to you? He’s a master at seduction. He probably ran a close second to Aidan—before Aidan fell.”
The Wolf finally stood, growling.