Moon Bound

Growl

"Excuse me?" I squeaked out. Both men focused their attention on me. Sweat started to bead along my hairline and my hands went clammy and were shaking. The nausea was back in full force. Being scrutinized by two very attractive psychos was highly unnerving.

"What is going on here?"

Killian laughed again. It was a hollow sound that carried a bite of darkness with it. He ran a hand through his blue-black hair that had a few intricate knots tied through its length. Large rings with rich colored jewels set in them glittered on his long pale fingers under the light of the antler chandelier.

He was what I pictured a shadow come to life would be. Dressed in black from head to toe and covered in rune-like tattoos, it was hard to deny that he was strikingly handsome. But he emitted an energy of mystery, and the way he grimaced at me like I was dirt on a pair of brand new shoes made me want to crawl under the sheets and never come out.

I watched him roll the violet crystal that was hanging from a silver chain around his neck while he began to pace back and forth.

Irritation practically came off him in waves, "Has golden boy not told you what we're here for?" He pointed a finger at Aiden who was still holding on to my hand like his life depended on it.

"No," I murmured, earning a dry chuckle from Killian.

"Of course not. He wants to woo you before he goes in for the kill. He's a nice guy like that." Sarcasm dripped from his velvety voice.

Aiden sped towards Killian, making him wince when he grabbed him by the shoulder and pushed him backwards towards the door.

Killian threw his hands up and left the room without another word.

"So… you're not going to tell me what we're doing here?" I asked once Aiden slammed the door shut.

He locked the door with a definitive click, making my insides do a somersault. Being literally locked in a room with someone who kidnapped me didn't leave warm fuzzy feelings. When he came back over to the bed and sat down next to me my heartbeat quickened.

It was time to get it together. The sicko had drugged me and stole me away. There was no sense in acting like a flustered schoolgirl.

He reached out to carefully untangle a snag in my disheveled ponytail, "I will. I just don't think right now is the time."

This man was astounding. After what he had done to me, telling me why exactly I was trapped with him and doom and gloom out there was the least he could do.

I swatted him away with a huff, "Stop that!"

Aiden dropped his hands in his lap, at least having enough decency to look sheepish. Just because he thought I was his mate didn't mean he could put his big meaty hands on me whenever he wanted.

My mind wandered into dangerous territory again at the thought of his hands on me.

No.

No sexy thoughts about the sexy creep.

"Killian is here to help hide you from Elias. He's a warlock," he spat out the word warlock like it burned.

I just blinked at him. I wasn't sure what that was supposed to mean to me.

"He's a warlock…" He trailed off, waving a hand as if that was supposed to make it click for me. I blinked again.

"Has no one taught you anything about the political structure of wolves and other species?"

"I guess I wouldn't classify "warlock" as a species," I shrugged. "More like an ability? And no, sorry to disappoint ya pal." Aiden's eyebrows rose at me calling him "pal".

My eyes wandered over to the tray still sitting on top of the dresser, leaving me wishing I could have another sandwich. Aiden cleared his throat and I jumped in embarrassment at being caught thinking about my stomach.

"I guess they taught us some of the basics in school. Warlocks have magic, we shed our skin and become big, drooling dogs, and the fae are to never be trusted. The teachers at Crescent Valley mainly focused on pack hierarchy. Like how female shifters are destined for greatness. And by greatness, I mean making babies."

I gave him a pointed glare. The corner of his tempting mouth tilted up a little.

"It's a bit archaic if you ask me. But other than that, no they didn't really get into the nitty gritty of warlocks. And if they had they left me out of it. Maybe because I'm- what's that word again? Oh yeah, human." I smacked the sheets.

Aiden's laugh was beautiful. Just like everything else about the frustrating shifter.

I hated him.

He was beaming at me, fully showing off his straight white teeth and a dimple that, although I wasn't happy to admit it, was pretty cute.

Perhaps hate was too strong of a word.

I disliked him. Strongly.

He was cute, but I didn't appreciate him being amused at my expense.

I didn't know much about werewolf society, but I at least knew how these guys treated their mates and I was not cool with that.

It was bad enough that all the other furry knuckleheads teased and belittled me, I didn't need one of the head honchos doing it as well.

Fatigue coursed through me. My head still hurt like crazy, I obviously wasn't going to get anywhere with Aiden, and I missed Emma and my parents.

I threw the duvet up over my shoulders and turned my back to Aiden. If he wasn't going to even give me bread crumbs of information then I was done for the night.

"Lyra," He said my name tenderly. I shivered as his hand trailed down my back. Even with the duvet and sheets between us, sparks lit up where he touched.

"I didn't want to do this to you."

An uncomfortable silence filled the room. I thought about the past couple of days and broke down out of nowhere like the weak little human I was.

So much for not letting wolves sense my fear.

The cool silk of the pillow muffled my sobs. I cried hard into it, not caring that it had probably cost more than a week's worth of my salary from the diner.

I hoped my tears ruined the pillow case.

"Sweetheart please don't cry," Aiden begged hoarsely, which just made me cry harder.

"I want to go home. Killian is an ass and you are crazy." I blubbered, getting a mouthful of pillowcase.

The sheets were yanked away and I buried my face to hide from the light.

"Get up."

I froze at the command.

"I said get up."

If I could have wolfed out I would have. My teeth ached and the tips of my ears felt like firecrackers were going off on them.

I sniffled, the river of tears quickly drying up and replaced by anger. Aiden's expression was dark when I glared over my shoulder at him.

"f**k you Alpha. Get out of my room."

His eyes shifted from a warm honey color to black in a matter of seconds.

"Oooh, so scary. What are you gonna do? Eat me?"

I had no idea where this sense of bravery was coming from. This guy could totally rip me apart without even trying.

Aiden's chest heaved and I rolled my eyes. Air rushed out of me as I was shoved back against the tufted headboard. One of his huge hands was nearly wrapped around my throat.

"I'll do more than just eat you." His body rumbled around me. I should have been scared, I did have an unstable wolf trying to assert his dominance over me after all. But all that I found within myself was defiance.

I raised my chin to look him straight in the eye, "Get your hands off of me Aiden."

He snarled at me, leaning in so that I was completely trapped between him and the bed. I almost jumped at the sound of the headboard cracking under the pressure of his other hand.

Then something so unexpected happened that he fell backwards at the same time my hands flew up to cover my mouth.

A loud feminine growl.

And it came from me.