A Wolf's Duty Read online

  His sharp teeth nipped again at her lip and she felt herself growing damp. “Tobias,” she moaned against his lips. His head lifted and he felt a surge of pride as he took in her pleasure flushed face. “Tobias,” she groaned, instantly feeling deprived when his lips had left hers. His eyes left her face settling on her neck.

  Mark her, mark her. Do it now. His lips eased forward to the slender column of her throat placing a stream of kisses to the warm flesh. She allowed her head to drop, granting him further access to her skin.

  His lips should come with a warning label. I can barely think straight.

  His lips continued drugging her into a pleasure-induced fog while he tugged at the neckline of her flimsy t-shirt. His canines sharpened and he ran them gently over the exposed skin where shoulder met neck. He grinned against the flesh upon feeling her entire body quiver in response to his action. He placed a quick kiss to the flesh before he began tonguing it wildly, eliciting another moan from deep within her. Opening his mouth wider he quickly pressed his fangs into her flesh, careful not break the skin just yet, that would have to wait until he had truly claimed her. He withdrew them almost immediately and resumed licking the skin, soothing the ache the bite would have caused.

  “Tobias.”

  The hands gripping his hair tightening and he could feel her pulling his head away from her neck. Satisfied that his mark was in place he allowed the move, growling in delight as she pulled his lips back to hers. His wolf retreated; apparently satisfied that it had completed his task. Loosening his grip on her waist he smiled against her lips before stroking their seam with his tongue to gain passage. Instantly understanding what he wanted, she parted her lips and allowed him to slip in. His kiss was less aggressive now as he stroked his tongue against hers, but that did nothing to diminish the sensations she was feeling. Her nipples still painfully hard against his chest and the ache between her thighs now constant as every move his tongue made sent a jolt of pleasure through her before settling at that juncture. His tongue withdrew and he placed light kisses all over her face before resting his forehead against her own.

  “Alexandria,” he began, his tone apologetic.

  “Don’t,” she interrupted. “I’m not sorry for that and you shouldn’t be either.” Her face flushed with heat as she spoke and she cursed her lack of experience with the opposite sex, unsure of if she had said the right thing. She’d never been comfortable around males, terrified that they would all be like Fred. Tobias was a welcome exception to the rule, instantly making her feel safe just by being next to her but her lack of knowledge was showing and she couldn’t help thinking that he was comparing her to other women he had dated. She was positive that she was coming up short.

  He smiled and her worries vanished. “I’m glad you’re not sorry because I plan on doing it again in the future. I plan on doing it a lot.”

  Noting the darkening of the sky as the sun began to set, she quickly became aware of the time. “I should probably go now, my dad will be worried,” she coughed, the lie tasting unexpectedly bitter in her mouth.

  “Do you want me to take you home?”

  “No, I’ll be alright.” If Fred sees you he’ll know I lied to him and I’m not in the mood for a beating after such a wonderful day.

  “Can I see you again tomorrow?”

  I’m meant to be working tomorrow as well so I guess it will be alright. “Yes, tomorrow will be fine.”

  “Same time and place?”

  She nodded. “I guess I’d better be off then.”

  “I suppose you should.” He smiled tightening his grip on her waist and lowering his head towards hers. “Just one more and then you can go.”

  Any protest she might have made was cut off when his lips met hers once more and all rational thought fled her mind. Just one more, she agreed, feeling his teeth nip at her lips again, instantly making her body feel hot. Just one more and then I’ll go.

  Chapter Six

  Sitting on the edge of his large double bed, Tobias found that for the fifth time in as many days, he couldn’t enjoy the splendour of his surroundings. The rented suited that he had been calling home for the past week was of equal grandeur to any of the rooms of his family’s estate, decorated as it was in alternating shades of cream and gold. However his mind was frantic and granted him no moments of peace to enjoy life’s luxuries unless he was with Alexandria, and he was increasingly aware that their time together was growing short.

  The moon’ll be full tomorrow and I still haven’t told her, he groaned, allowing his head to fall heavily into his waiting palms while he wracked his mind for a solution. His inner wolf wasn’t helping matters with its near constant demands to claim her so that she would never be able to escape him. Aware that it was the moon’s influence that was making his wolf act in such a manner, he tried his best to dismiss it, but the demands were wearing on his nerves.

  He could distantly hear the phone ringing in the background and he studiously attempted to ignore its ear piercing wails. Xandria has that number; she might be calling me. Pushing his mounting headache to the back of his mind he forced himself to smile, trying to make himself sound happier than he was.

  “Hello.”

  “Tobias, dearest how are you?”

  Upon hearing his mother’s warm voice, his smile faded and he felt weary once more. “Mother.”

  “You don’t sound happy to hear from me Tobias is something wrong?”

  “No, I just thought it might be someone else.”

  “You mean your wonderful mate?” He said nothing, throwing himself backwards against the mattress. “I’ll take that as a yes then. So, when do we get to meet her? I presume you’re bringing her home this full moon.”

  “It’s complicated mother.”

  “I don’t understand.” He could practically see the frown that had likely appeared on her face at that. “You’re her mate. The moon will be full soon. You should bring her here to be among us.”

  “I’ve told you before mother, she’s human. She doesn’t even know what I am.”

  “Why haven’t you told her?”

  “I just...” He trailed off while he scrambled for an answer to her demand. I don’t want to see that look of disbelief on her face again and if I tell her, it will appear. If I tell her she’ll probably be terrified and I don’t want to lose her to the chase just yet. A little more time, I just want a little more time together, and then I’ll tell her. “Like I said mother, it’s complicated.”

  “Are you ashamed of her? Is that why you don’t want to bring her amongst us?” She sounded disheartened that that might be the case.

  Tobias on the other hand was infuriated by her suggestion. “What?” he roared, his voice echoing through the large room. “She’s my mate; I’ve nothing to be ashamed of. And I’ll kill anyone that tries to make her feel that way. I’ll bring her, mother, just not yet.”

  “The moon will be full tomorrow, what exactly do you plan to do? If you don’t tell her now she’ll find out then.” Her calmly delivered response dissipated his anger and he felt his earlier unease return.

  “I know. I’ve been trying to come up with a solution, but I haven’t found one.”

  “Tobias , tell her now. From what you have told me she’s very understanding.”

  Yes, she’s, but she’s also more skittish than a fawn. She’ll run if I tell her, he grumbled.

  “When the moon rises, you’ll go to her, that’s certain dearest. And when you do she’ll see your true nature, she’ll see what you really are. You’ve got to prepare her.”

  As his mind digested his mother’s last statement, a smile appeared on his face as a solution became increasingly clear. “I won’t tell her yet.”

  “Tobias,” his mother interrupted, “haven’t we just gone over this? She’ll see you when the moon is full.”

  “No she won’t. I’ll leave today and go far away. I’ll go far enough away that once the moon is full and I start to run to her I won’t make it back here unt
il the moon is waning and then she won’t see me.”

  “You’ll leave her undefended?” His mother sounded appalled by such a thought, ashamed of his behaviour.

  “Of course not,” he snapped. “What kind of mate would I be if I left her alone after I’ve marked her?” His mother sighed in relief. “I’ll leave Sebastian and Ryan to look after her. They’re not mated and won’t be as affected by the moon.”

  “You can’t keep up this lie forever Tobias, you can’t just leave her alone for a few days each month, she’ll know something is wrong. If she’s your mate then I doubt that she’s silly enough not to notice something is going on.”

  “No she’s not, but I don’t plan on doing this forever. I’ll tell her at the end of next month. I just want to enjoy the time we have together. I swear I’ll tell her mother, just give me time.”

  “Tobias my dearest you know your father and I would give you all the time in the world to win your mate, but the Council is anxious. They want to crown you and now that you’ve found your mate, they want to put you on the throne as soon as possible.”

  “They’ve found out? I didn’t want them to know yet.”

  “I don’t think they have anything concrete just yet, but we can’t keep this a secret forever, gossip is rife. Lucinda has been talking.”

  Tobias felt his stomach mount a protest at the mere mention of his ex-lover’s name. “What’s she been saying?”

  “I’ve heard rumours that she’s claiming to be your true mate, the rumours say that you rejected her.”

  He saw red. “That’s a lie, she could never be my mate. I would sooner cut my own throat than claim her even if those rumours were true!”

  “Tobias there’s no need to be so dramatic. You would heal from that sort of a wound, you know that. The rumours are however gaining ground. I believe her clan is backing them; you know how they would so want the rumours to be true. You need to squash them and bring Alexandria back with you.”

  “And I will but not right now. She’s not ready to be in our world. Can you help me hide her for the next month?”

  “I’ll do my best son, but someone is bound to catch on.”

  “One thing at a time mother, I have to tell her that I’m leaving first and we’ll go from there.”

  “A month Tobias, that’s all I can give.”

  “I know mother, thank you.”

  “You know there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you. Good luck.”

  “Thank you mother.” Hanging up, he quickly surveyed his surroundings, trying to think of the most efficient means of implementing his plan. I don’t need much, with the moon I’ll be so focused on getting back to her that I won’t have the chance to use anything so I don’t need to pack. I’ll need to get a plane to be far enough away that I won’t make it back while the moon is full, a long flight. I need to tell her as soon as possible, then I’ll be able to get in a few extra hours with her before I have to leave. She has work tonight. A brief glance at his watch told him that she wouldn’t have left for work just yet. I’ll meet up with her and tell her on the way. Bolting upright he picked up his mobile, to call Sebastian and Ryan and tell them of the new arrangements.

  *****

  “Alexandria, wait up.” She shuddered as Emily’s voice reached her ears and continued onwards to the nearby exit.

  Just keep walking, whatever it is will just make you angry and get you in trouble. Just keep your head down and keep walking. Trudging onwards she felt herself stopped short steps from the open doorway by a restraining hand on her shoulder.

  “I told you to wait,” Emily snapped from behind her.

  Shrugging the hand off her shoulder, she turned to face her. “And since when have I ever listened to a thing you had to say, let alone obeyed?”

  “Look at you, anyone hearing you talk would think that you had something that I didn’t and let’s face it raggedy Ann,” her eyes swept over Alex’s worn clothing before landing on her face, a cruel smirk now firmly in place. “You don’t.”

  “Is that all you wanted? I’ve heard these insults a thousand times before and to be honest, I’m not in the mood for it right now.” Turning away, she took a step in the direction of the exit before Emily’s hand once again exerted a restraining influence on her shoulder.

  “I haven’t finished with you.”

  “Well I’m done with you, so let go,” she hissed becoming distantly aware of a gathering crowd. Why is it that people find it so interesting to watch me and Emily have at each other? I mean I gave her one little beating and now it’s like they think they I’m going to give her another one and are squabbling over who gets ring side seats.

  Coming to stand in front of her, Emily’s grin had widened upon seeing Rachel and Sandra approach to offer their support. “Well you see raggedy, I hear you have something that might be of great interest to me.”

  “Oh really, what’s that? My fist in your face? Because let me tell you right now, you’re going about the right way to getting another beating.” Emily’s smile didn’t falter despite the threat of violence Alex had just issued. Calm down Alex, she mentally soothed trying to rein in her anger. Don’t let your anger get the best of you, that’s what she wants. Be the bigger person. “Look,” Alex sighed, “Can’t we just let this go? We’re going to graduate soon, let’s just leave all this crap in the past.”

  “I’ll consider it in exchange for something.”

  “Look Emily as you’re always pointing out I’ve next to nothing, so you know I’ve nothing to give you –”

  “That’s not quite true now is it Alex?” She interrupted.

  “Of course it’s true, I’ve nothing to give you.” She reiterated.

  “I hear that you got quite an interesting looking trinket, this week.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Look I just want to go home. It’s the weekend, now let’s just leave it ok?”

  “No, it’s not ok. What I want I get and I want your bracelet,” she shrieked, tugging back the sleeve on Alex’s shirt to reveal the offending item. “I heard it’s platinum and judging from the shine of those stones, they’re real and really expensive, so I want you to hand it over.”

  Snatching her arm back, Alex glared at her. “You’re not serious.”

  “Oh, but I am.”

  Running her fingers over the intricate carving, she felt her anger rising becoming a living breathing thing, vicious in its desire to cause her enemy harm. As her anger rose she felt the edges of her vision become hazy before tinting red. How dare this spoilt brat demand my bracelet? There’s no way in hell that she’s going to get it from me. Tobias gave this to me. Her glare intensified as hatred filled her eyes while her living anger struggled to find an outlet. “I’m serious too, deadly in fact. If you think you can take this, then you’re in for a world of pain.”

  “I’m going to get it from you one way or another,” Emily snarled, her eyes fixated on the glittering gems of the wolf’s eyes.

  Alex opened her mouth to reply but the words stuck in her throat as she felt Tobias’ presence. She watched as though in slow motion as the double doors of the building opened and he walked in smiling. Her anger immediately dissipated and she felt the familiar heat that Tobias’ mere presence created, rush through her. “Xandria, I’ve been looking for you.” Striding forward he easily parted the gathered crowd. “I wanted to talk to you about something important, are you finished for the day?”

  She nodded dumbly while he grasped her arm and manoeuvred her out of the building. “I thought I’d walk you to work today,” he continued leading her onto the street having apparently missed the tense situation between her and Emily.

  “Oh?” she replied distracted.

  “Yes. Why? Did I do something wrong?”

  Snapping out of her daze, she smiled at him, silently thanking him for his silent intervention. “No you didn’t do anything, don’t worry about it ok?” He nodded. “What was it you wanted to talk to me about then?”

&nb
sp; “I have to go away for a few days.”

  Her smile faltered before vanishing altogether and Tobias found himself wishing he had simply told her the truth rather than this charade, but the path had been laid and he saw no choice but to follow it now.

  “Where are you going?”

  “Russia,” he responded easily having now booked the plane tickets. It’ll take me at least two days to run across Europe at night by then I should be myself again. “I’ll be back by Monday evening, ok?”

  “Yeah sure, what’s in Russia by the way?”

  “Business.”

  “You know, I’ve never actually asked you what it is you do for a living.”

  “True,” he replied, continuing to stroll down the road towards the small coffee shop where Alex worked.

  “Well?” she demanded.

  “Well what?”

  “What exactly do you do?”

  “I work for my family’s business.”

  “And what exactly is that?” she pressed, jogging to keep up with his longer stride.

  I don’t want to lie to my mate. His inner wolf agreed and he found his mouth answering her with a semi truth. “I specialise in people management.”

  Her smile returned when he answered her question fully. “Now that wasn’t so hard now was it?”

  “I guess it wasn’t. Now about Russia…” Her smile faltered. “Let’s say I get you something special while I’m out there, yeah?”

  “No.” Tobias smiled knowingly, the tone of her voice telling him that he could wear her down and eventually get her to accept the gift.

  It’s amazing what you can learn about someone in just a week of nights. He smiled to himself breathing in deep to reassure himself with her odd scent. Then again, it’s amazing what you can still not know after three years of being inside someone’s head.

  Chapter Seven

  The weekend had crawled by without Tobias around. She had gone to work every day until she’d exhausted herself and then proceeded to crawl home where Fred had taken to staring at her for prolonged periods of time. She briefly wondered if he’d found out that she’d snuck out every night during the week to see Tobias before dismissing the idea. If he’d found out she would have already received a beating, Fred wasn’t known for his patience. Monday had finally rolled round and Alex found herself grinning wildly as she awoke. Tobias gets back tonight. She allowed herself a small giggle as she clutched her pillow close. Her laughter died as Fred flung open her bedroom door, barrelling in, obviously displeased with something. His small eyes flitted over the room before finding her curled on her bed.