Wen Read online

  “What if he asked someone else? That would be awkward to hear over the phone.”

  “It would be more awkward being introduced to his date at the club. Just call him. I'm out.” Gerri clicked off the connection, shaking her head.

  “Are human dating rituals that seriously messed up?”

  Gerri jumped in her seat, her heart racing. She didn't turn around though, not needing to. “How in the hell did you get in?”

  Wen was quiet, and she finally turned her head to the side, finding him leaning just inside the door. He looked as if he'd been there for a while, with his comfortable stance. The jacket was gone but he still wore the same clothes. His eyes were uncovered, and as she stared into them, she wished he still sported the sunglasses.

  “I forgot to brace the door but I locked it. Did you break my locks?”

  “You live in an apartment.”

  She pushed out of her chair, gripping her robe tighter. “The manager has a spare set of keys,” she guessed. “You hypnotized poor Mrs. Wagnor into handing them over.”

  “It was easy.”

  “That's so rude and wrong. Just because you can, doesn't mean you should mess with people's heads. She's a sweet lady. You didn't do anything to her, did you?”

  He scowled. “I don't harm innocents.”

  “You just force them to your will. What did you tell her?”

  “I completely wiped her of meeting me. She won't remember a thing.”

  “Do you still have my key?”

  He grinned. “Yes.”

  “What happens when she notices my set of keys are missing and thinks she's gone senile to have misplaced them?” She crossed the room but kept a good four feet of space between him. “Return them to her so that doesn't happen. You guys never think about the consequences of the crap you do. Leave now, Wen. We have nothing left to say.”

  “I disagree. I remember your parting words when you left our clan too. You told me to eat shit and called me dog face.”

  “I was mad!”

  “I had come to say goodbye and wish you well.”

  “I thought you were coming to stop me from leaving.”

  He moved fast, and Gerri gasped when his hands gripped her around her waist, hoisting her right off her feet. She clutched at his arms as he stormed out of the guestroom and into her bedroom. He broke the connection between them by flinging her through the air. She landed on her back, bouncing when she hit the mattress. It took her a second to realize what he'd done.

  “Damn you!” She struggled to sit upright.

  “What was I supposed to do? Knock your mother on her ass and throw you over my shoulder? Rush into the woods to live out there with you while the entire clan hunted for us?”

  Her mouth parted, but no words came out as she stared at one very angry Wen. His eye color had darkened to a deep midnight blue, a sure indication that he was close to changing shapes. She glanced down and spotted the telling sign of his fingernails lengthening. Hair seemed to darken and thicken along his arms, spreading upward to his biceps. He snarled, the sound loud in her apartment, and he flashed some sharp fangs.

  His reaction killed her anger and made her wary instead. It wasn't like a VampLycan to easily lose their skin. She finally found something to say. “Calm down. Don't go all beasty in my apartment. I'd never get all the hair you'd shed out of my carpet.”

  “They would have caught us within two days—that's what I figured, anyway. Your humanness would have slowed us down, even with me carrying you on my back. I thought we could seek sanctuary with the GarLycans if we could make it that far, to give you time to mature. It was crazy, since they would have turned us back, but my mind went there anyway.”

  Astonishment silenced her.

  “Your mother refused to stay. I begged her but she didn't want that kind of life for you. She said everything reminded her of her mate and it was breaking her heart. You were fifteen, so I had no right to claim you. The age of consent is eighteen unless both parents die. Then it's seventeen. I even considered killing your mother. It wasn't my best day.”

  “Wen…what are you saying?” She scooted down the bed to sit on the edge, not sure her legs would support her enough to stand.

  He glanced at his hands, flexed them until all the extra hair faded from his arms, and then lifted one to brush his fingers through his hair. He turned away, giving her his back. “I had feelings too. I planned to track you down later…but things changed.”

  Her entire world felt as if it were crumbling around her. He'd once thought he was in love with her too. That's what he was saying. What he left unsaid hurt. “You found someone else you cared about more? Do you have a mate? Where is she, Wen? You wouldn't leave a mate for anything. It's against your nature.”

  He sighed and slowly faced her again. “There's no mate, Gerri. My older brother was killed and his responsibilities fell to me. My parents took it hard. He was their first son. My mother went a little insane too. She took his loss the worst. They knew how I felt about you, but made it clear they'd reject you as my mate. They’ve demanded I mate a full-blooded VampLycan. My offspring will carry our family name and position in the clan.”

  Part of her was relieved he wasn't mated but she was also sad. “I'm sorry about Gerbin.”

  “Thanks. I couldn't put you in danger. My mom really has lost her mind and my father is overly protective. She’s mentally fragile, which makes him crazy too. I worried that she’d try to kill you if I ever brought you home—or he would do it to keep her happy.”

  “They think my being human would make for weak grandkids.”

  “Yes.”

  They stared at each other. He let his hand fall to his side, where it fisted. He took a step closer but then halted. “I'd hoped the attraction would be gone when I set out to find you.” He glanced down her body. “You want the truth? I saw you…and all those feelings I used to have resurfaced. You're beautiful, G.L. You have no idea what you do to me still.”

  Gerri remained seated, sure her legs wouldn't support her now. The old nickname was a reminder of the past. He'd teased her about her golden locks and called himself the big bad wolf. She'd pointed out he had his fairy tales mixed up but he hadn't cared. “That's why you really came to me for help?”

  “I am hunting a crazy Vamp, but I thought of you when I came to the lower forty-eight. My plan gives me an excuse to both spend time with you and accomplish my mission.”

  “Two birds with one stone, huh?”

  He smiled, the blue of his eyes lightening. “Yes.”

  “So you lied about me needing to play the part of your lover because you were hoping if you got me into bed, you could rid yourself of the itch? Finally scratch it?”

  All humor fled. “That was the truth. The only way I'm going to get close to him is if we go in together as a couple. He'll know I'm there for him otherwise, but my exit from the clan to be with a human is plausible. He's most familiar with Decker's clan, since he’s the bastard who sent them to Alaska. I not only have to kill him, but I need to find out what kind of damage he’s done before I do. That means spending at least a few days around him.”

  “Why would Decker do that? I deserve answers if you want me involved.”

  He hesitated, then sighed. “You’re right. Decker wanted to rule all four clans, not just his own. He’s been making sneak attacks on our clan and the others for years. Lord Aveoth forbid him to outright go to war with other VampLycans. The fear of having the GarLycans defend Trayis’s, Velder’s, and Crocker’s clans kept him mostly in check. Then Decker thought he’d finally found a way to control Lord Aveoth and make him join forces to take out his enemies. It backfired. Instead, Lord Aveoth is furious and wants him dead, so Decker fled.”

  “Decker is insane. Never anger a fur bat. They’re cold and mean.” She shivered, remembering the few times she’d seen GarLycans from a distance when one would visit the clan to relay a message. They were terrifying. “Plus they fly. You can’t even outrun them.”