The doors opened and his shadow covered the floor. Silently he moved up a large staircase and walked to the south wing. Pushing a door open, he stepped into a dark bedroom and approached the bed. Lowering the woman onto the bedding, he looked at the wound and found it almost gone. Her complexion was still pale and he walked over to a cabinet.

Pulling it open, he grabbed a glass and placed it on a table. Moving to a small cooler, he pulled out a bottle and poured the dark liquid into the glass. Setting the bottle on the table, he carried the glass to the bed and sat next to her. He caught her with an arm and held her head up as he held the glass to her lips. She fought the drink but he pushed it past her lips and down her throat.

He lowered her head back onto the pillow and put the glass on the table. Looking back at her, he watched her curl onto her side and curl her hand around the sheets. Her body shook and he grabbed a blanket from a dresser. Covering her, he stepped out of the room and closed the door. Silently he walked down the stairs and stepped outside into the evening.

Breck stood by the door and he led the wolf into the woods. Belenus followed them and Coyle led them to a deep part of the woods. He stopped at a lake and turned to the wolves. Breck slid Cori onto the ground and he took the wolf into his arms. Her head hung limp over his arm and he carried her over to a stand of trees. He flicked his hand and the dirt separated beneath a tall pine.

Laying the white she-wolf in the ground, he flicked his hand once more and the soil resettled. Breck's gaze caught his and he watched the wolf approach the grave. Claw marks cut into the trunk and he gave a howl. Belenus rested next to his father and their howls filled the night's sky.

______________________________________________

Her legs ached and she jumped over a fallen tree. Landing on her feet, she glanced around her and heard a howl up ahead. Resuming the pace, she ran into a clearing and found it empty. Looking around, she felt the coolness creeping into her blood and she grew still. A safety clicked behind her and she looked over her shoulder.

"You have her eyes."

She watched John sit on a boulder and rest the gun in his hand. He held her gaze and the gun rested aligned with her chest. Her eyes narrowed and she slowly turned herself to face him.

"Killing your own flesh?"

He smirked and said, "That wolf was not your family."

"How would you know? You weren't around."

Their eyes met and he growled, "Your mother left me without telling me."

She flashed a cool smirk and said, "Yet you took twenty years to come looking."

Growling, the man rose to his feet and she jumped. Moving over him, she caught the gun and sent a kick into his back. He stumbled forward and she dropped the gun to the ground. Her boot broke the trigger and she looked up at the man.

"That monster has turned you."

She held his gaze and said, "Not yet."

John frowned and stepped back. She leveled her gaze on his face and watched it go white. Looking over her shoulder, she felt the hand catch her throat and looked up into the golden eyes. Her eyes grew red and his fangs flashed in the night. He studied her masked face and pulled the stake away from her.

The point pressed against her stomach and she held his gaze. His hand tightened around her neck and she held her breath. She rested her hand around the stake and balanced herself. He shoved her to the ground and caught John's neck. Snapping it, he watched the man drop to the ground and caught his shirt.

Slowly he looked up and she pushed herself up. She met his gaze and watched his fangs sink into the man's throat. He drank the man dry and ripped his fangs out. The body rested at his feet and he approached her. Her boot slid back and she flexed her hands.

His hand caught her arm and she stopped. His eyes turned dark and she felt the pulse jump inside her. He stood inches in front of her and pulled her closer. His body surrounded hers and she met his gaze. He caught her shirt and pulled it away from her shoulder.

Sinking his fangs into her, he felt her body lurch and weaken. Her eyes fell closed and he caught her as she collapsed into his arm. Dropping to the ground, he drank and she felt her body fill with an unknown sensation. His tongue brushed the marks and he met her gaze. Catching her breath, she held his gaze and slid her hands over his face.

She took a deep breath and slid her lips over his. Her blood lingered in her mouth and she felt him deepen the kiss. Catching his shoulders, she felt him pin her to the ground and met each kiss and demand. He filled her head and filled her body. Her eyes fell closed and she rode the storm, moaning into his ears.

Her eyes snapped open and she sat up. Shoving her hands through her hair, she felt her body slowly calming down and she closed her eyes. The dream shook her and she looked around the room. Running her hand over the healed wound, she took a deep breath and got to her feet. Slowly she crossed the room and pushed the door open.

Looking down the dark hall, she took a deep breath and walked further into the unknown place. She came across a large staircase and looked further down the hall. It led to a different wing and she frowned. She continued walking and stopped outside a large set of doors. Pushing a door open, she stepped into the room and found an enormous amount of shelved books.

Spotting a covered window, she crossed the room and pulled the curtain back. Sunlight didn't fill the room and she frowned. It was dark outside and she looked around the room. Seeing the dark fireplace, she slid a hand along the top and found the old box. Pulling out a match, she lit it and tossed it onto logs.

Flames lit the room and she looked around again. Noticing the literature collection, she approached an antique desk and slid her hand over the finished top. Closing her eyes, she let out a sigh and felt him. Looking over her shoulder, she saw Coyle watching her from the door. He hid in the shadows and she leaned against the desk.

"Where am I?"

"Safe."

Her eyes narrowed and she frowned. He was suppose to have killed her but instead she had been brought to who knows where. His eyes lingered on her and she felt her hand twitch. She needed to get away from him before anything similar to the dream could happen. His eyes flashed a hunger she had come to know and she growled.

Stepping past him, she walked down the hall and he watched her leave. She was unnerved and the restlessness stirred the hunger in him. He knew she would settle down once everything sank in but something in her sleep stirred her nerves. He looked at the burning fireplace and smirked. Their connection was slowly proving to be entertaining and reckless.

___________________________________________________________

Her boots stepped through the woods and her hands hung loosely at her side. She followed some path and stopped upon reaching an enormous lake. Staring at the crystal blue water, she kicked off the boots and approached some boulders. Holding her knees to her chest, she stared at the water and let out a sigh. Everything was spinning in her head and she just wanted to scream.

Her eyes followed a ripple across the lake and she met the wolf's gaze. Breck stood silently and she looked away. She had led Cori to her death and knew he should exclude her. Belenus appeared by his father and she heard him barking at her. She closed her eyes and buried her head in her knees. His joyful sounds shot the pain further through and she bit her lip to keep the scream in.

Feeling her body ready to explode in frustration, she rose to her feet and walked down to the lake. Stepping into the cool water, she removed her shirt and pants. Wading further out, she let the water come up to her shoulders and took a deep breath. Sliding below the surface, she stretched her muscles and came back up. Closing her eyes, she stretched herself out and began a steady swim.

Every muscle loosened in each stroke and slowly began to burn in exhaustion. She pushed past the soreness and quickened her pace. Feeling her lungs burning, she slowed into place and treaded the water. Floating onto her back, she stared up at the stars and heard the splashing. She glanced to her side and watched Belenus approach her.

He swam with energy as she ached watching and appeared at her side. She stretched out on her stomach and swam along side. They worked down to the end of the lake and began a lap back. Feeling her legs finally wearing out on her, she slowed her pace and Belenus slid along her arms. She wrapped her arms around his neck and he led her back to the boulders.

She sat back on the bank, trying to catch her breath, and Belenus shook himself off. Laughing, she pushed him aside and he came back. He covered her in kisses and she shoved him off. He ran down the bank and she let out a sigh. Running her hands over her face, she sat up slowly and shook her hair dry.

Grabbing her pants, she slid them on and stood up. Pulling her shirt over her head, she sat on the boulders and slid into her boots and socks. Tying them, she let out a sigh and sat back. She looked back up at the sky and rested her chin on her knee. Her gaze drifted back to the lake and she felt herself slowly growing cold as her eyes followed the ripples around the lake.

"You want to catch a cold?"

She took a deep breath and looked over her shoulder. He stood against a tree, shadowed from her sight, and she turned forward. He stepped out into the moonlight and approached quietly.

"Your body couldn't fight one off."

Frowning, she met his gaze and he caught her shoulder. Feeling the cold skin beneath his touch, he pulled her off the boulder and she jerked away. His eyes flashed and he watched her walk past him.

"I don't need your help."

Frowning, he looked across the lake and found the wolves watching. Breck's gaze leveled with his and he smirked. Quietly he caught Aine around the waist and lifted her off her feet. She frowned as he slid her arms around his neck and felt her head fall against his chest. Closing her eyes, she felt them moving swiftly through the woods and tried to stay awake.

Coming to a stop, she felt the warmth of indoors surround her and she opened her eyes. Looking up at him, she saw the hard jawline and a stern look on his face. He climbed the stairs swiftly and carried her to the south wing. They entered her room and he sat her in a chair. She watched him light the fireplace and looked back at her.

The warmth caused a chill to run through her and she got to her feet. Kicking off the boots, she ran her hands down her arms and felt the blanket fall around her. Looking up, she saw him behind her and held her breath. His movements were too quick for her eyes to keep alert and she felt his hands catch her shoulders. He lowered her back into the chair and she shoved a hand through her wet hair.

She watched him fill a glass with something and set the bottle on the table. He handed it to her without a word and she took it. Staring at the dark color, she felt the uneasiness fill her and frowned.

"It'll help you sleep."

Looking up at him, she saw the dark shadows in his eyes and took a sip. He walked over to the fire and she studied the way the shadows danced over his form. Knowing it was a mistake, she kept her gaze on him and drank a little more from the glass. Her body was beginning to relax and his gaze met hers. His eyes slid over her slowly and she felt herself warming up under his gaze.

Energy slid from her as she finished the drink and held his gaze. He was studying her, memorizing her form, and it left her relaxed and warm. A light flashed in his eyes and she put the glass aside. Running a hand through her hair once more, she took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She rested her head back on the chair and rubbed the bridge of her nose.

She couldn't afford to fall asleep with him in her room but everything was working against her. She could feel his eyes still moving over her and she fought the smirk back. He was the leader and protector of his kind but she held a power over him. From the way he had looked back in the woods, she knew he had been watching her a while and it left her somewhat smug and uneasy at the same time. She captivated his attention but he held it back, leaving her guessing at his next move.

He watched her rest her eyes and left the fireplace. Standing next to the chair, he picked her up and carried her to the bed. The bedding moved to the end of the bed and he rested her on the warm mattress. Slowly the bedding slid over her and he walked to the door. She was sleeping lightly as he stepped into the hall and pulled the door closed.

He was becoming more lured to her every minute they were close and his control was weakening. He wanted to taste her again and more. He knew she was aware of her power over him but his control left her one step behind. Quietly he entered the north wing and retreated into his room. Windows remained uncovered to the outside and he descended into a lower room.

Walking over to his bed, he sat down and let out a sigh. Leaving his kind would bring revolts and danger, but he needed to finish off this interest this woman left in him. He wanted to know her the way the man had and the more he acknowledged it he knew it was a craving, a need. Seeing her in the lake had ignited the hunger and he thanked Belenus for interfering. Stretching out on the bed, he closed his eyes and shut his mind down to all thought as he drifted into a hard sleep.