Wolf Mountain Peak Complete Series, page 69
part #1 of Wolf Mountain Peak Series
“I’ve never tasted something so sweet in my whole life,” he whispered, running his gaze up her body, as he leaned back. Cliff gave her a good opportunity to marvel at his body, as he sat up. Recalling his earlier confession, Helena raised her legs in the air, as her lips curled into a devilish smile. The short groan he let out was a clear sign that he had been honest with her.
“They feel like heaven,” he said, the rasp in his voice broadening her smile, his cock resting on her groin, as he grabbed the base of his shaft. “So smooth; so sexy…”
Then, he pushed his manhood down, to align it with her entrance. Helena squeezed her eyes shut, whimpering, as she felt the swollen cockhead parting her soaking wet pussy lips. Cliff wrapped his arms around her upper thighs, as his lips landed on her right ankle. Inch by inch, she enveloped his length, as he kissed his way up her calf. Grazing his fingers up her legs, he nipped at her flesh, as he drove his big, stiff cock in and out of her. Helena’s insides were burning from the friction. The room was spinning around her, as he satisfied the hunger of her affection-starved existence. She struggled to focus her gaze on him, catching a glimpse of her breasts, as they bounced gently up and down. Everything was a blur; yet, the sensations that were sending every nerve in her body into overdrive were crystal clear. His ample inches, stretched her further and further, reaching her depths, as his thick, warm juices mixed with hers, in a sensual union that had them both moaning with intense pleasure. The kisses: up and down her calf, on her knee and her inner thigh; the moisture that had seeped through her nylons; increased her desire as his mouth worked tirelessly to pleasure her. Cliff’s large, strong hands circling around her thighs; squeezing and lightly pinching or stroking her smooth flesh; holding her to his body as her nylons chafed against her skin with each delicious thrust; all kept drawing her closer towards her fulfillment. But, there was one more touch that was missing from this mating ritual, one that Helena could not possibly experience in this position: his lips on her mouth. So, she parted her legs, easing them out of his grasp, to put them back down on the bed, as she opened her hazy eyes.
“Kiss me…” she spoke in a lust-ridden whisper, beckoning him towards her. No response left Cliff’s lips. Bending his body forward, he kept his hands on her calves, looking right into her eyes. Her vision somewhat cleared, enough to see his lustful gaze, as his face got closer. Still, as his lips crashed against hers, it was no longer a matter of sight; it was a matter of touch. His mouth felt more like a raging fire, its sweltering flames licking the seam of her lips, as he shoved his length all the way inside her. Helena quickly put either hand on his cheeks, feeling more warmth and hardness in her depths, as he caressed her thighs. Within moments, she could feel all of the muscles in his body, flexing above her, as the steady strokes turned into deep, hard thrusts. By then, their moans were echoing back at the walls of his room, as Cliff led her to a paradise of ecstasy. Helena’s arms curled around his shoulders, as she tilted her head back. Sinking her long fingernails into his stiff skin, she felt him plowing away into her, as he tugged at her lower lip.
“Please, don’t stop!” She begged, gripping his shoulders, as the sound of his big balls, slapping up against her filled her ears. He was hitting her clit, moving his hands up her legs, as his sweet pounding coaxed her closer to yet another climax. Raking her fingers across his back, she cried out his name once again, as she clung to him. Her astounding orgasm hit with such severity, it caused her to rattle in his arms, as he held onto her hips. All of a sudden, she felt his weight increase, as he tossed his head back. A long, deep groan fled his lips, just before Helena sensed his length on her stomach. She was breathing in pants, as the warm, sticky juices on her skin, helped her realize what had happened. Cliff had exploded all over her. And, much to her surprise, he would not lay in bed. He merely stared into her eyes, his gaze a mix of pleasure, contentment and joy.
“You’re one naughty girl, Helena,” he uttered, breathing in pants, as he leaned over her. Girl… it had been decades since anybody had called her that. “You’ve just…” he paused, and took a deep breath; “blown my mind. I can’t wait for more: dates; spending time with you; touching you…”
“That makes two of us,” she whispered, sliding her hands across his back, before pulling him near. With one more, gentle kiss, they sealed the night, a night that had sent shockwaves down her spine, in more than one way. Helena was feeling more like a young adult, exploring the joys of her maturity. She thought Cliff was the ripe fruit that she was destined to taste: sweet; tender; full of intoxicating juices; and capable of pulling her away from her reality. So much pleasure, the witch became determined to savor it to the last drop.
Chapter Thirteen
Helena might have had a wonderful time with Cliff, but that didn’t mean she could wake up with him. With a massive clan of vampires so near Paxton, she couldn’t afford to be absent from her birthplace. Her family could require her assistance at any given moment. Therefore, she waited long enough for him to fall asleep, put her clothes back on, and left him a note:
“Thank you for an amazing night
We should do this again
Call me
XOXO,
Helena”
She snuck out of his room, and then out of his hotel. Thankfully, it was well after 4 a.m., when she found herself on the main road. It was dark and quiet; perfect for what she had in mind. After getting out of range of the hotel cameras, she teleported back to Roman’s sanctuary.
The night she had spent with Cliff had wearied her. Indeed, Helena could feel the strain in the muscles of her arms and legs. She felt as if she had walked ten miles non-stop. However, despite all her fatigue, she couldn’t even consider sleeping. The taste of his kisses still lingered in her mouth. The moisture between her legs served as a reminder of the passionate encounter that had taken her breath away. Still, she had experienced steamy nights before. Cliff had worshipped her body in almost every way imaginable, but the sex with him was not what dominated her thoughts. What lingered in her mind was the kindness in Cliff’s eyes. The song they had danced to, and, more importantly, his will to assist her in finding a job. What kind of man says those words to a woman on their first date? The answer was simple: an extraordinary man; someone with no malice in their heart; an actual, noble soul, interested in more than just getting her into bed.
The co-protector of Paxton kept pacing up and down the hall, recalling the delight his suggestion had sent into her heart. Her eyes had just started to become heavy when a deep rumble from outside snapped her out of her thoughts. Helena lengthened her strides as the roar of a powerful, diesel engine rang in her ears. It had to be one of the Bradford brothers; but, the sun had yet to rise. They never visited so early. Whatever they had to say had to be of vital importance. The wooden floor began vibrating beneath her feet, as she snapped her fingers. Helena recognized Raul’s large, black boots, as the gate slid open upwards. The Alpha had a piece of paper in his hand, and, for some reason she couldn’t understand, a huge smile on his face.
“Raul, what are you doing here?” She squinted up at him, curiosity written all over her face. “It’s six o’clock in the morning. Couldn’t this wait?”
“Sorry about the hour, but I have good news, good news and great news,” he announced as he entering the hall. “Where would you like me to start?”
“Follow me to the library,” she urged, intrigued by his words. The gate hid them from the outside world, as she snapped her fingers once more. “I’m listening,” she added, as he walked alongside her.
“First of all, the recruitment is going really well,” Raul claimed, flashing a bright, sideways look. “We’ve got twelve new members, all of them young, strong, and agile. They need some training, but they’re prepared to fight for their town.”
“That’s fantastic,” Helena commented, her voice deep, with a hint of change behind it. “We still need more, though.”
“I doubt it,” he disagreed with a laugh. “You see, Martin and Jimmy have done a lot of recon these days. You were right about vampires. A couple of days ago, our guys found out that Redfield’s lieutenants possess a few, impressive skills. Mindreading, mind control, power over water… Redfield himself has some kind of super defense, which doesn’t allow his opponent to strike first. If we ever fight against each other, I’ll have to get real close to attack him.” He continued, as they turned right and into the library. “But, when Martin and Jimmy went back to the woods last night, they discovered that the clan was gone. At first, they thought they were hiding from them, but they weren’t. Their scents were starting to fade. We’re not going to war, Helena. Not this time.”
“Naïve pup!” the witch scoffed at his foolishness, her eyes blazing with anger, as she slammed the door shut behind her. “They’re still here! Maybe not where you left them, but make no mistake. They’re still around.”
“No, they’re not!” Raul’s stentorian voice roared like thunder, as he narrowed his eyes down at her. “Haven’t you been listening? Their scents are…”
“Nonsense!” interrupted Helena, raising her voice even higher. Still, as the echoes lingered in the air, it occurred to her that this was not the way to deal with the problem. Had she kept screaming at him, the two of them would have an argument, and that availed neither of them, or anyone else in the family. “Look…” she heaved a long, heavy sigh, taking two, hesitant steps towards him. “Do you remember our stroll in the forest the other night?”
“Yeah,” he said with a firm nod, as he folded his arms across his chest. “What does that have to do with anything?”
“I told you they were unpredictable,” she declared, her voice stiff. “They are your kind’s natural enemies. Don’t expect them to negotiate terms, Raul. They will strike. It’s just a matter of ‘when’ and ‘where.’ Tell me, did your scouts do anything to mask their scents?”
“They said the smell of death was so strong that they couldn’t smell one another from fifty feet away,” Raul informed her, his voice deepening, as he dropped his gaze from her.
“Major mistake,” Helena reprimanded, fighting the urge to yell at him once again. “By nature, vampires cannot smell one another. They focus on the living. It makes sense, really. They feed off the living, not the dead. You should have consulted with me, before you sent out your scouts, Raul. Redfield’s clan vanished because they discovered they were being watched.”
“That’s a pretty good explanation, but…” he faltered, pressing his lips together. “Those two came back without a scratch. Why would they let them live?”
“Your guess is as good as mine,” she shrugged her shoulders. “Most likely, they wanted them to think they had slipped by undetected. Or, they just didn’t want to engage two, very strong wolves. Martin and Jimmy are among your finest warriors.”
“I’d put my money on the ‘undetected’ theory,” Raul stated, as his face hardened with disappointment. “What do you think should be our next step?”
“Double the guards at the town limits,” Helena advised, assuming a calm tone. “Send out your scouts again. Tell them to rub themselves with this,” she urged, slipping her hand into the right pocket of her cloak. The witch pulled out two, small bottles, and threw them over to him. “It’s Cedar. Redfield will want to take you out first. It’s the only way for him to break the pack’s spirit. Don’t leave the estate, unless you absolutely have to do so. Don’t fret, though. My agents are on the prowl. We’ll find them.”
“Thanks a lot for the advice. I appreciate it, I really do, but the boys would like to see you,” he maintained, unfurling his arms. “They miss you. Monica also told me to invite you over tonight. She wants to have a word with you.”
“Well…” she let out a snort of amusement, as she realized what the Alpha’s mate would like to know. “Tell Monica I’ll be there tonight at eight. As for ‘the boys’, I’m sorry, but I can’t show myself at ‘Joe’s’ diner, while those FBI agents are still here. I’m sure Monica has told you about me and Cliff. He might get curious.”
“Right,” Raul gave a quick chuckle. “I have to run. Take care.”
A smug smile burst upon her lips, as the Alpha made his way out of the library. She and her friends would have a conversation about men, and, for the first time ever, she would be the center of attention. Finally, she had something to talk about with them, other than their mates and any issues they might be facing with them. Cliff had not just given her a night to remember. He had reminded her how it felt to be a woman.
Chapter Fourteen
Helena was in a fantastic mood that night. Oozing with confidence, and understanding that her long days of solitude had at last come to an end, she didn’t use magic to get to the Bradford’s estate. In spite of the cold, she opted for a nighttime stroll down the mountainside. Still, her choice had a disadvantage. She couldn’t just walk down the slope. It was much too steep and slippery for her; and, even if she could make it to Lockhart forest without any incident, the muddy soil would ruin her boots and her cloak alike. Therefore, Helena preferred to use the road. It was much safer and drier, because there hadn’t been any rain in Paxton for two days.
The half-moon was high in the sky, casting its pale light on her birthplace. Thousands upon thousands of flickering stars were joining it, showing Helena the way to the town border. There was moisture in the air, but also, the wonderful scents of cedar, elm and balsam fir. As Helena strolled down the road, however, two identical sounds filled her ears and froze the blood in her veins. She heard massive, diesel engines, like the one she had heard in the sibling’s yard, on the night she and Cliff had exchanged their first kiss. Only seconds afterwards, the first SUV turned left and onto the uphill road. Its high beams were still a little too far, but it was only a matter of time before she was noticed. The driver seemed to be in quite a rush, as the vehicle roared towards her. Helena had to disappear – fast. Nevertheless, the fear that stormed into her senses didn’t allow her to concentrate. She couldn’t find the fortitude to focus on an image of anything. Glancing right, she saw the jagged edging of the side of the road. There was a sizeable bush at the bottom of the hill that began where the road ended. The hill’s surface was so wet that it glistened under the moonlight. Unfortunately, she didn’t have much choice in the matter. With a swift jump, Helena abandoned the road. A short cry of agony left her lips, as her body landed hard and in a supine position on the surface. She began rolling down the hill, feeling a considerable amount of pain in her right shoulder, as her cloak picked up more and more mud by the second. Just before the bush broke her fall, the two SUV’s sped past her spot.
“Oh, my God,” she thought to herself, breathing in gasps, as she spotted a few leaves on her chest. “Cliff, what were you doing here? Who were you talking to? Why did you leave in such a hurry?”
Rising from the ground, she gazed out into the town. She could barely make out the lights in the siblings’ cabins. The trees in the way were blocking her view. Her initial thought was to teleport there. However, she still had the same problem: anxiety; fear. Not wasting any time at all, she started down the hillside, locking her gaze on the trees up ahead. She gripped her staff tightly in her left hand, as she curled her fingers in her right one into a fist. Spurred on by the love for her family, she exploded towards their residence, unable to shake the feeling that something had gone horribly wrong. Had one of the brothers made the mistake of glaring at Cliff or one of his coworkers? Had the truth about her slipped anybody’s tongue? She couldn’t know. All she did know was she had to get there, as quickly as possible. It was no easy task. In a matter of seconds, she found herself trying hard to pull her boots out of the mud. Still, the struggle wouldn’t deter her. Hurtling past trees, she averted her gaze from the Bradford estate, to look down at the ground. She was dying to get to them, but she wouldn’t be able to do so, if she tripped over one of the dozens of rocks that littered the forest. Luckily for her, the moonlight was a great ally in that endeavor. It was showing through a few dim patches between the trees, as she closed in on her destination. Helena’s heart fluttered with joy, as she climbed the short hill, outside the siblings’ yard. Pressing on with all her might, she sprinted across it, as her ears picked up Kate and Dean’s – loud – voices. Instinctively, she headed towards their cabin. Grabbing the handle, she yanked it open, only to find them in their living room, in the middle of an argument. Her fellow witch snapped her head to the right to face her, as she stormed into the kitchen.
“Helena?” Kate exclaimed, her jaw dropping in disbelief. “Eww…” she cringed. “What happened to you? You look like you just took a mud bath.”
“I did, sort of,” Helena gasped, panting for breath. “I…” she exhaled hard. “I just saw…”
“Yeah, the feds,” Kate finished her sentence, as she trotted towards her. “Dean and I were just talking about it. Your guy was asking me questions, when his phone rang. I don’t know what they told him, but, whatever it was, it messed him up pretty badly. He just jumped from his seat, ordered his men out, and then took off. I asked him what was wrong, but, he ignored me. Dean was at the workshop. He says I should have insisted.”
“Damn it!” Helena cried, jerking her head in a spasm of frustration, as she tore her gaze away from Kate’s. A disaster had been avoided, but all of them were still in the dark; and they would continue to be, unless she found out more about that phone call. “Dean…” she croaked, before sucking in a deep breath. “Kate could have insisted all she wanted. They still wouldn’t have told her. They can’t discuss an ongoing investigation. Cliff disclosed my niece’s cause of death to me, because of my relationship with her.”
“Thank you,” Kate gave a satisfied nod, and then cast a fierce glare up at her mate, over her shoulder. “Anyway…” she muttered, bringing her attention back to Helena. “What happened to you?”
“I decided to use the road to get here. Stupid idea…” Sarcasm was dripping off her tongue. “I heard them coming. I panicked; I couldn’t focus; I jumped off the edge of the road.”
“They feel like heaven,” he said, the rasp in his voice broadening her smile, his cock resting on her groin, as he grabbed the base of his shaft. “So smooth; so sexy…”
Then, he pushed his manhood down, to align it with her entrance. Helena squeezed her eyes shut, whimpering, as she felt the swollen cockhead parting her soaking wet pussy lips. Cliff wrapped his arms around her upper thighs, as his lips landed on her right ankle. Inch by inch, she enveloped his length, as he kissed his way up her calf. Grazing his fingers up her legs, he nipped at her flesh, as he drove his big, stiff cock in and out of her. Helena’s insides were burning from the friction. The room was spinning around her, as he satisfied the hunger of her affection-starved existence. She struggled to focus her gaze on him, catching a glimpse of her breasts, as they bounced gently up and down. Everything was a blur; yet, the sensations that were sending every nerve in her body into overdrive were crystal clear. His ample inches, stretched her further and further, reaching her depths, as his thick, warm juices mixed with hers, in a sensual union that had them both moaning with intense pleasure. The kisses: up and down her calf, on her knee and her inner thigh; the moisture that had seeped through her nylons; increased her desire as his mouth worked tirelessly to pleasure her. Cliff’s large, strong hands circling around her thighs; squeezing and lightly pinching or stroking her smooth flesh; holding her to his body as her nylons chafed against her skin with each delicious thrust; all kept drawing her closer towards her fulfillment. But, there was one more touch that was missing from this mating ritual, one that Helena could not possibly experience in this position: his lips on her mouth. So, she parted her legs, easing them out of his grasp, to put them back down on the bed, as she opened her hazy eyes.
“Kiss me…” she spoke in a lust-ridden whisper, beckoning him towards her. No response left Cliff’s lips. Bending his body forward, he kept his hands on her calves, looking right into her eyes. Her vision somewhat cleared, enough to see his lustful gaze, as his face got closer. Still, as his lips crashed against hers, it was no longer a matter of sight; it was a matter of touch. His mouth felt more like a raging fire, its sweltering flames licking the seam of her lips, as he shoved his length all the way inside her. Helena quickly put either hand on his cheeks, feeling more warmth and hardness in her depths, as he caressed her thighs. Within moments, she could feel all of the muscles in his body, flexing above her, as the steady strokes turned into deep, hard thrusts. By then, their moans were echoing back at the walls of his room, as Cliff led her to a paradise of ecstasy. Helena’s arms curled around his shoulders, as she tilted her head back. Sinking her long fingernails into his stiff skin, she felt him plowing away into her, as he tugged at her lower lip.
“Please, don’t stop!” She begged, gripping his shoulders, as the sound of his big balls, slapping up against her filled her ears. He was hitting her clit, moving his hands up her legs, as his sweet pounding coaxed her closer to yet another climax. Raking her fingers across his back, she cried out his name once again, as she clung to him. Her astounding orgasm hit with such severity, it caused her to rattle in his arms, as he held onto her hips. All of a sudden, she felt his weight increase, as he tossed his head back. A long, deep groan fled his lips, just before Helena sensed his length on her stomach. She was breathing in pants, as the warm, sticky juices on her skin, helped her realize what had happened. Cliff had exploded all over her. And, much to her surprise, he would not lay in bed. He merely stared into her eyes, his gaze a mix of pleasure, contentment and joy.
“You’re one naughty girl, Helena,” he uttered, breathing in pants, as he leaned over her. Girl… it had been decades since anybody had called her that. “You’ve just…” he paused, and took a deep breath; “blown my mind. I can’t wait for more: dates; spending time with you; touching you…”
“That makes two of us,” she whispered, sliding her hands across his back, before pulling him near. With one more, gentle kiss, they sealed the night, a night that had sent shockwaves down her spine, in more than one way. Helena was feeling more like a young adult, exploring the joys of her maturity. She thought Cliff was the ripe fruit that she was destined to taste: sweet; tender; full of intoxicating juices; and capable of pulling her away from her reality. So much pleasure, the witch became determined to savor it to the last drop.
Chapter Thirteen
Helena might have had a wonderful time with Cliff, but that didn’t mean she could wake up with him. With a massive clan of vampires so near Paxton, she couldn’t afford to be absent from her birthplace. Her family could require her assistance at any given moment. Therefore, she waited long enough for him to fall asleep, put her clothes back on, and left him a note:
“Thank you for an amazing night
We should do this again
Call me
XOXO,
Helena”
She snuck out of his room, and then out of his hotel. Thankfully, it was well after 4 a.m., when she found herself on the main road. It was dark and quiet; perfect for what she had in mind. After getting out of range of the hotel cameras, she teleported back to Roman’s sanctuary.
The night she had spent with Cliff had wearied her. Indeed, Helena could feel the strain in the muscles of her arms and legs. She felt as if she had walked ten miles non-stop. However, despite all her fatigue, she couldn’t even consider sleeping. The taste of his kisses still lingered in her mouth. The moisture between her legs served as a reminder of the passionate encounter that had taken her breath away. Still, she had experienced steamy nights before. Cliff had worshipped her body in almost every way imaginable, but the sex with him was not what dominated her thoughts. What lingered in her mind was the kindness in Cliff’s eyes. The song they had danced to, and, more importantly, his will to assist her in finding a job. What kind of man says those words to a woman on their first date? The answer was simple: an extraordinary man; someone with no malice in their heart; an actual, noble soul, interested in more than just getting her into bed.
The co-protector of Paxton kept pacing up and down the hall, recalling the delight his suggestion had sent into her heart. Her eyes had just started to become heavy when a deep rumble from outside snapped her out of her thoughts. Helena lengthened her strides as the roar of a powerful, diesel engine rang in her ears. It had to be one of the Bradford brothers; but, the sun had yet to rise. They never visited so early. Whatever they had to say had to be of vital importance. The wooden floor began vibrating beneath her feet, as she snapped her fingers. Helena recognized Raul’s large, black boots, as the gate slid open upwards. The Alpha had a piece of paper in his hand, and, for some reason she couldn’t understand, a huge smile on his face.
“Raul, what are you doing here?” She squinted up at him, curiosity written all over her face. “It’s six o’clock in the morning. Couldn’t this wait?”
“Sorry about the hour, but I have good news, good news and great news,” he announced as he entering the hall. “Where would you like me to start?”
“Follow me to the library,” she urged, intrigued by his words. The gate hid them from the outside world, as she snapped her fingers once more. “I’m listening,” she added, as he walked alongside her.
“First of all, the recruitment is going really well,” Raul claimed, flashing a bright, sideways look. “We’ve got twelve new members, all of them young, strong, and agile. They need some training, but they’re prepared to fight for their town.”
“That’s fantastic,” Helena commented, her voice deep, with a hint of change behind it. “We still need more, though.”
“I doubt it,” he disagreed with a laugh. “You see, Martin and Jimmy have done a lot of recon these days. You were right about vampires. A couple of days ago, our guys found out that Redfield’s lieutenants possess a few, impressive skills. Mindreading, mind control, power over water… Redfield himself has some kind of super defense, which doesn’t allow his opponent to strike first. If we ever fight against each other, I’ll have to get real close to attack him.” He continued, as they turned right and into the library. “But, when Martin and Jimmy went back to the woods last night, they discovered that the clan was gone. At first, they thought they were hiding from them, but they weren’t. Their scents were starting to fade. We’re not going to war, Helena. Not this time.”
“Naïve pup!” the witch scoffed at his foolishness, her eyes blazing with anger, as she slammed the door shut behind her. “They’re still here! Maybe not where you left them, but make no mistake. They’re still around.”
“No, they’re not!” Raul’s stentorian voice roared like thunder, as he narrowed his eyes down at her. “Haven’t you been listening? Their scents are…”
“Nonsense!” interrupted Helena, raising her voice even higher. Still, as the echoes lingered in the air, it occurred to her that this was not the way to deal with the problem. Had she kept screaming at him, the two of them would have an argument, and that availed neither of them, or anyone else in the family. “Look…” she heaved a long, heavy sigh, taking two, hesitant steps towards him. “Do you remember our stroll in the forest the other night?”
“Yeah,” he said with a firm nod, as he folded his arms across his chest. “What does that have to do with anything?”
“I told you they were unpredictable,” she declared, her voice stiff. “They are your kind’s natural enemies. Don’t expect them to negotiate terms, Raul. They will strike. It’s just a matter of ‘when’ and ‘where.’ Tell me, did your scouts do anything to mask their scents?”
“They said the smell of death was so strong that they couldn’t smell one another from fifty feet away,” Raul informed her, his voice deepening, as he dropped his gaze from her.
“Major mistake,” Helena reprimanded, fighting the urge to yell at him once again. “By nature, vampires cannot smell one another. They focus on the living. It makes sense, really. They feed off the living, not the dead. You should have consulted with me, before you sent out your scouts, Raul. Redfield’s clan vanished because they discovered they were being watched.”
“That’s a pretty good explanation, but…” he faltered, pressing his lips together. “Those two came back without a scratch. Why would they let them live?”
“Your guess is as good as mine,” she shrugged her shoulders. “Most likely, they wanted them to think they had slipped by undetected. Or, they just didn’t want to engage two, very strong wolves. Martin and Jimmy are among your finest warriors.”
“I’d put my money on the ‘undetected’ theory,” Raul stated, as his face hardened with disappointment. “What do you think should be our next step?”
“Double the guards at the town limits,” Helena advised, assuming a calm tone. “Send out your scouts again. Tell them to rub themselves with this,” she urged, slipping her hand into the right pocket of her cloak. The witch pulled out two, small bottles, and threw them over to him. “It’s Cedar. Redfield will want to take you out first. It’s the only way for him to break the pack’s spirit. Don’t leave the estate, unless you absolutely have to do so. Don’t fret, though. My agents are on the prowl. We’ll find them.”
“Thanks a lot for the advice. I appreciate it, I really do, but the boys would like to see you,” he maintained, unfurling his arms. “They miss you. Monica also told me to invite you over tonight. She wants to have a word with you.”
“Well…” she let out a snort of amusement, as she realized what the Alpha’s mate would like to know. “Tell Monica I’ll be there tonight at eight. As for ‘the boys’, I’m sorry, but I can’t show myself at ‘Joe’s’ diner, while those FBI agents are still here. I’m sure Monica has told you about me and Cliff. He might get curious.”
“Right,” Raul gave a quick chuckle. “I have to run. Take care.”
A smug smile burst upon her lips, as the Alpha made his way out of the library. She and her friends would have a conversation about men, and, for the first time ever, she would be the center of attention. Finally, she had something to talk about with them, other than their mates and any issues they might be facing with them. Cliff had not just given her a night to remember. He had reminded her how it felt to be a woman.
Chapter Fourteen
Helena was in a fantastic mood that night. Oozing with confidence, and understanding that her long days of solitude had at last come to an end, she didn’t use magic to get to the Bradford’s estate. In spite of the cold, she opted for a nighttime stroll down the mountainside. Still, her choice had a disadvantage. She couldn’t just walk down the slope. It was much too steep and slippery for her; and, even if she could make it to Lockhart forest without any incident, the muddy soil would ruin her boots and her cloak alike. Therefore, Helena preferred to use the road. It was much safer and drier, because there hadn’t been any rain in Paxton for two days.
The half-moon was high in the sky, casting its pale light on her birthplace. Thousands upon thousands of flickering stars were joining it, showing Helena the way to the town border. There was moisture in the air, but also, the wonderful scents of cedar, elm and balsam fir. As Helena strolled down the road, however, two identical sounds filled her ears and froze the blood in her veins. She heard massive, diesel engines, like the one she had heard in the sibling’s yard, on the night she and Cliff had exchanged their first kiss. Only seconds afterwards, the first SUV turned left and onto the uphill road. Its high beams were still a little too far, but it was only a matter of time before she was noticed. The driver seemed to be in quite a rush, as the vehicle roared towards her. Helena had to disappear – fast. Nevertheless, the fear that stormed into her senses didn’t allow her to concentrate. She couldn’t find the fortitude to focus on an image of anything. Glancing right, she saw the jagged edging of the side of the road. There was a sizeable bush at the bottom of the hill that began where the road ended. The hill’s surface was so wet that it glistened under the moonlight. Unfortunately, she didn’t have much choice in the matter. With a swift jump, Helena abandoned the road. A short cry of agony left her lips, as her body landed hard and in a supine position on the surface. She began rolling down the hill, feeling a considerable amount of pain in her right shoulder, as her cloak picked up more and more mud by the second. Just before the bush broke her fall, the two SUV’s sped past her spot.
“Oh, my God,” she thought to herself, breathing in gasps, as she spotted a few leaves on her chest. “Cliff, what were you doing here? Who were you talking to? Why did you leave in such a hurry?”
Rising from the ground, she gazed out into the town. She could barely make out the lights in the siblings’ cabins. The trees in the way were blocking her view. Her initial thought was to teleport there. However, she still had the same problem: anxiety; fear. Not wasting any time at all, she started down the hillside, locking her gaze on the trees up ahead. She gripped her staff tightly in her left hand, as she curled her fingers in her right one into a fist. Spurred on by the love for her family, she exploded towards their residence, unable to shake the feeling that something had gone horribly wrong. Had one of the brothers made the mistake of glaring at Cliff or one of his coworkers? Had the truth about her slipped anybody’s tongue? She couldn’t know. All she did know was she had to get there, as quickly as possible. It was no easy task. In a matter of seconds, she found herself trying hard to pull her boots out of the mud. Still, the struggle wouldn’t deter her. Hurtling past trees, she averted her gaze from the Bradford estate, to look down at the ground. She was dying to get to them, but she wouldn’t be able to do so, if she tripped over one of the dozens of rocks that littered the forest. Luckily for her, the moonlight was a great ally in that endeavor. It was showing through a few dim patches between the trees, as she closed in on her destination. Helena’s heart fluttered with joy, as she climbed the short hill, outside the siblings’ yard. Pressing on with all her might, she sprinted across it, as her ears picked up Kate and Dean’s – loud – voices. Instinctively, she headed towards their cabin. Grabbing the handle, she yanked it open, only to find them in their living room, in the middle of an argument. Her fellow witch snapped her head to the right to face her, as she stormed into the kitchen.
“Helena?” Kate exclaimed, her jaw dropping in disbelief. “Eww…” she cringed. “What happened to you? You look like you just took a mud bath.”
“I did, sort of,” Helena gasped, panting for breath. “I…” she exhaled hard. “I just saw…”
“Yeah, the feds,” Kate finished her sentence, as she trotted towards her. “Dean and I were just talking about it. Your guy was asking me questions, when his phone rang. I don’t know what they told him, but, whatever it was, it messed him up pretty badly. He just jumped from his seat, ordered his men out, and then took off. I asked him what was wrong, but, he ignored me. Dean was at the workshop. He says I should have insisted.”
“Damn it!” Helena cried, jerking her head in a spasm of frustration, as she tore her gaze away from Kate’s. A disaster had been avoided, but all of them were still in the dark; and they would continue to be, unless she found out more about that phone call. “Dean…” she croaked, before sucking in a deep breath. “Kate could have insisted all she wanted. They still wouldn’t have told her. They can’t discuss an ongoing investigation. Cliff disclosed my niece’s cause of death to me, because of my relationship with her.”
“Thank you,” Kate gave a satisfied nod, and then cast a fierce glare up at her mate, over her shoulder. “Anyway…” she muttered, bringing her attention back to Helena. “What happened to you?”
“I decided to use the road to get here. Stupid idea…” Sarcasm was dripping off her tongue. “I heard them coming. I panicked; I couldn’t focus; I jumped off the edge of the road.”
