Lup Teren (Wolf Land Series Book 1) Read online

  As she tried to regain her bearings, a sharp blow to the back of the head forced her back to her knees making her dizzy. Automatically, she reached upward, her hand landing in a wet spot. At first she thought it was because she’d just showered, but a few seconds later a trickle of crimson began to run out of her black locks.

  Roughly, Barney rolled her over, his scrawny body coming down hard on top of her, legs pinning her immobile. She was at his mercy. Where was the gun? She’d rather shoot herself than let him touch her.

  “Get off of me!” she spat, bucking wildly underneath his body in the hopes of tossing him up and off. His unexpected open-handed slap shocked her into submission.

  “You, my dear, are in no position to give orders.” The wet surface of his tongue stilled her as he licked the side of her face, breath like hammered shit. “I’m gonna fuck ya first,” he toyed as the sound of his zipper being lowered seemed much too loud in the small room. Even her own breath was deafening.

  “Stop!” Raina screeched, her voice hoarse, but she didn’t care.

  Why hadn’t she gotten to know her neighbors better? If she had bothered being more friendly someone might have come to check on her. Being a hermit would be the death of her. Great!

  “Say, please.” The Barney Fife look-alike chuckled from his position straddling her hips, her arms pinned behind her back, eyes temporarily nonfunctioning and burning in agony.

  “Go to Hell!” She’d never beg. It wasn’t in her nature.

  “You first,” Barney scowled menacingly.

  She heard the safety being released, the barrel cocked, locked, and loaded. Bracing herself, Raina held her breath and hoped she’d see her mother on the other side and of course…Antonio, his beautiful, chocolate-brown eyes sparkling whenever he smiled at her.

  Yes. Dying wouldn’t be so bad. Not if she had that to look forward to.

  “You better just shoot me now or so help me…”

  “You heard the lady,” a menacing baritone came from behind Barney. “I do not think she wants to be your love monkey tonight. Let her go. Now!”

  The voice was vaguely familiar, but she couldn’t place it. Regardless, relief began to fill her. At last, someone had come to her aid. She’d never felt as pleased to be a damsel in distress as she did at that moment.

  Barney complied, removing himself from on top of her, but as soon as he stood, he lunged at the man behind him, who was partially hidden to her by the shadows produced by the spray and the lingering dizziness she felt at being hit on the head.

  “Who the fuck, are you?” Barney snarled.

  “I am the bodyguard.”

  “You’re the what?” Barney asked, right as he was punched hard, his jaw making a sickening crack before he fell unconscious to the clothes-littered bathroom floor.

  “Are you ready to get the hell out of here, Miss Jacobs?”

  Raina blinked back surprise as the man suddenly came into focus. Tall, powerfully-built, line-backer sized deliciousness stared back at her. Bright blue eyes partially hidden beneath stray inky, black locks nestled in olive-skinned perfection.

  “Delivery guy?” she whispered, her shock showing on her face.

  “Come on,” he said, helping her to her feet, “it is time to get out of here.”

  Chapter Four

  Raina didn’t know how long she was unconscious. It seemed like years. Slowly. Painfully. She opened her eyes. Around her, darkness blanketed everything as if she was encased in a tomb. Startled by the unfamiliar surroundings, she darted up, and cursed when a wave of dizziness and nausea engulfed her weak limbs. The odd sensation caused her to fall back into her previous position flat on her back.

  Where was she?

  “Easy,” the delivery guy’s voice cajoled. “You have a concussion and a horrid gash on your head the size of a large grape.” His voice had moved to another area further to her right before he added, “I stitched it up.” Reaching up, she felt the area where her scalp burned. “It was too big to heal naturally. I had no choice. It was either do it myself or take you to the hospital and try to explain why you are so beaten up.” With all of her might she tried to sit. “I would not do that if I were you,” he warned firmly, yet sweetly.

  Determined to not seem frail, she tried to sit up again, but her body refused. So instead, she huffed and rearranged herself on what felt like a camping cot made more comfortable by a soft blanket and an even softer down-filled pillow.

  “Where am I?” she asked on a groan, feeling for the gash in her scalp.

  “We are at my family’s cabin in the Adirondacks,” he informed matter-of-factly. A mild European accent pleased her ears and warmed her insides. She couldn’t place where he was from, but right now she didn’t care. “You are safe here.”

  “Good to know,” she whispered. “What happened to Barney?”

  “Who?” the man asked with confusion.

  “The wanker who was on top of me,” she illuminated studying his extremely handsome features.

  “I tied him up and then called the authorities to inform them he was in your apartment waiting.”

  “Oh,” she smirked, still caressing his face with her eyes.

  “I left a detailed note explaining his crimes against you. I am sure he will be incarcerated for a long time.”

  “And who are you?” she asked, her curiosity now at its apex.

  “I’m Nicolae.” He was closer now, crouched low near the cot where she lay.

  “Nicolae,” she repeated, testing the name on her tongue and liking the sound of it. Liked the sound of him. Deep and smooth…like velvet over silk. “Does your family have a last name or are you like Madonna and Prince. Sorry, the artist formally known as Prince.”

  He chuckled, the sound causing heat to pool at her core. Silently, she yelled at her body to stop. Stop right now! To her dismay, it refused to listen. Another trickle of moisture seeped out, dampening her panties. Perfect!

  “Voda,” he replied softly, pressing a cold, wet cloth against her forehead. The cool compress combated the nausea, but did nothing to suppress her libido. “Nicolae Alexi Voda.”

  “It’s nice to meet you. I’m…”

  “I know who you are, Miss Jacobs,” he interrupted.

  “Is that because you’re the delivery guy?” The groggy feeling was lifting.

  Another tantalizing chuckle escaped his well-formed lips before he explained, “I am not a delivery guy.”

  “Then why were you at my flat with the package from my dad?”

  “Mr. Jacobs sent me. I am Romani,” was his only explanation.

  “So…”

  “Ro-man-i.” He punctuated each syllable like he was speaking to an imbecile.

  “Listen, do you not understand English?” she asked with an annoyed growl. “I don’t know what that means.” She was about to go postal on his wonderfully defined buttocks. “Explain what that means or so help me…” His striking features became clearer as her eyes focused more.

  “I am Romani. We are also called gypsies.” He muttered something in a foreign language before repeating more confidently, “Yes. Gypsies. I guess that is the term that is used in modern times.”

  Modern times?

  “Huh?” She felt a migraine coming on. Her fingers immediately went to her temples, the pain quickly increasing tenfold.

  The watchful Romani studied her intently. “Are you not feeling well, Miss Jacobs?”

  “No.” She blinked back the pain. “I need my…” To her surprise, he was already holding something in his hand.

  “Tea,” he interrupted again.

  The familiar aroma of her specialty tea soothed her frayed nerves. Gratefully, she took the ordinary, ceramic mug from his warm, slightly calloused hand. Cautiously, took a small sip of the steamy brew. Then another sip. Finally, a long, thirsty gulp.

  “Ahhh. You’re amazing,” she moaned with delight then realized what she had done when he snickered and blushed.

  “Better?” he asked, voice full
of amusement combined with concern which made her smile.

  Clearing her throat nervously, she managed to mumble, “Yes. Cheers.” Happily, she continued to drink until all of it was gone.

  “Would you care for something to eat?” he questioned as he began walking toward the small galley-style kitchen. His heavenly backside on perfect display.

  “What do you have?” Her eyes glued to his retreating form.

  “I have some crackers. I do not think your stomach is up for anything heavier,” he frowned. “In the morning, I will get some food and supplies. There is a small general store a few miles down the mountain.”

  Accepting his answer, Raina shook her head in agreement then asked, “Who are you? Explain to me, please…what this Romani-gypsy nonsense is.”

  “I have told you already.” The frown was there to stay.

  “I still don’t know what you mean by, I am Romani.” She did her best baritone, but the scowl on his face told her he wasn’t amused. A sigh escaped her. He was a total hottie, but he had the sense of humor of a shriveled raisin. “Expand on your explanation of what Romani means. Please.”

  To her surprise, another masculine voice came from across the room. “Romani, traditionally are known as wanderers hence the use of the term gypsies. However, what they are actually…are hunters.”

  Now that voice she knew. She knew better than she knew her own. The soft, low, sexy undercurrents, interweaved with a touch of an English brogue, sprinkled with a hint of a Spanish drawl that she had always found fascinating. Spinning around in the cot without concern that she was not in full control of her body, she inadvertently tipped the cot and braced for the impact between her shoulder and the wooden, planked floor of the cabin.

  But impact never came. Instead, she opened her eyes to find strong, tanned, muscular arms encasing her. Her gaze immediately locked with smiling, chocolate brown eyes.

  “Antonio?”

  Chapter Five

  It couldn’t be. In disbelief, she shut her eyes and forced them to open once again. The same kind eyes stared at her. Against her will, bile quickly filled her mouth as she sprang up from the cot and headed toward the door at the far side of the room. A door she hoped led to the bathroom or outside or anywhere she could toss her cookies.

  “Raina!” her undead best friend shouted after her retreating form. “Carajo!” he cursed. “Por favor, come back.”

  Horrified, she sprinted toward the door and flung it open. The old hinges creaked in protest as it hit the wall leaving a large ding in the wooden surface.

  Like a deer running from a predator, she ran, stopping only momentarily to spit out what was in her mouth. Ran faster than she ever thought possible, through thick brush…sharp pine-needled tree branches…through a shallow creek that bubbled and ebbed through a narrow leaf-littered pathway. Panic-stricken, she leapt over downed moss-covered logs, crooked branches, and jagged rocks the size of small animals, until finally coming to a clearing.

  Breathlessly, she halted for a moment, hoping to catch her breath and formulate a plan. Hair clinging to her forehead, cheeks on fire, lips quivering, eyes dilated. The bats in her stomach flapping around weren’t helping either.

  High above the surrounding woods, the crescent-shaped moon stood watch, lighting her way from the horrible hallucination she had just had. A hallucination she knew could never be real. Never.

  “He’s dead,” she panted.

  Antonio died in the park that night. Didn’t he? She assumed as much, even though his body was never recovered.

  The only answer came in the form of a high-pitched howl from the direction she had just ran. The dejected sound made her knees shake, and then almost buckle. Shite! It found her. It was here. In the woods. With her.

  Another howl battered her brain. Closer this time. Her empty stomach lurched again.

  In a wild panic, Raina took off at top speed, unsure of where she was going or how she was getting to safety. Her pulse pounded in her ears and the blood pumping along the sinewy, highway of blue veins inside of her threatened to burst. She wasn’t ready to die. Not in her flat. Not in the woods in some small mountain town. Not anywhere.

  It had always been her dream to die at home surrounded by a loving, balding husband who smelled of worn leather and citrus, surrounded by tons of children and grandchildren. She would smile at them and then they’d kiss her sweetly, tell her how much they loved her and would miss her. Yes. That was how she was going to die.

  To Hell with whatever it was that was coming after her!

  Looking around, she spotted a thick branch a few feet away. Moving toward it, she picked it up and held it as if it were her last lifeline. And it was. Never willing to give up, she’d make a stand against the beast and would cause some serious injuries in the process.

  An intimidating, growl came from behind her causing her to spin, swinging the branch in a wide arch at the thing that had come for her. From overhead, the moon illuminated the clearing perfectly, calling attention to the animal in front of her, staring at her with dark brown almost black eyes. Refusing to cower like prey, she stood straighter, eyes locked with the beast. Surprisingly, it lowered its head. Its ears pinned against its furry, beige, chestnut, and white head. Sharp, white teeth gleamed between its partially opened mouth, emphasizing a pink tongue that curled out when it yawned.

  It yawned? Like it was bored with the chase. Son-of-a-bitch! Literally.

  “You’ve found me,” she shouted at the figure standing about fifty feet away near the tree line. Its body relaxed and a look of amusement on its face. Amusement? It was playing with her, damn it! “If you want to kill me, give it your best shot. Be prepared for some pain as well, you mangy mutt.”

  The wolf…the extremely large, extremely menacing wolf, suddenly dropped to its haunches. Wait a minute. His haunches. From the appendage that was now clearly visible, it was definitely a male wolf. A male wolf with a very large…

  Fearfully, she muttered, “If you know what’s good for you, you’ll turn around and go back wherever you came from. You’ve already taken my best friend, but you can’t take me,” her voice climbed an astounded octave. “Do you understand?” The wolf whimpered an answer and crouched low before lying down on the leaf-covered ground.

  What was it waiting for?

  Taking a tentative step backwards, her legs hit a fallen tree trunk causing her to topple backwards…landing on her arse…hard. Raina yelped or made a sound similar to a yelp on impact. Hazel eyes still glued to the massive beast that bounded forward toward where she lay sprawled helplessly.

  “Holy father,” she croaked, silently mouthing a prayer. Wishing with all of her heart, she could see her dad one more time. “I’m not ready to die yet, Cujo.”

  At her softly spoken words, the wolf slowed its pace, until it stopped six inches away from her. His proximity near enough she could smell his hot, spicy breath. Spicy breath? She’d had a dog when she was younger. Its breath was awful and smelled like dead rat or what she imagined a dead rat would smell like. This creature, however, a distant cousin to dogs, smelled of…burritos?

  Slowly, the creature leaned closer and licked her nose. Once. Twice. Three times, then nuzzled her cheek with its head. Raina gasped, the fear seeping out of her replaced by astonishment as the animal began to transform in front of her.

  Fur receded…snout pulled back…teeth going back into its gums until only two straight rows of perfect white teeth remained. Dark almost black eyes lightened, turning into a pair of smiling, chocolate brown orbs. Fur completely disappeared leaving only a stylishly trimmed coif of sandy, blonde hair, rugged squared jaw, and high-chiseled cheekbones.

  “Holy! Shite!” Raina stumbled for words, but couldn’t find the ones she wanted. No. Needed. “Antonio Santiago? It is you.”

  Chapter Six

  Antonio sat in front of his best friend completely naked, staring into hazel eyes he’d longed to see during his four years of torture. Carefully, so as not to scare her, he reac
hed for her, gently placing his hand over hers. The warmth of her skin was just as intense as his.

  “I’ve missed you,” he smiled, leaning forward to place a chaste kiss on her forehead, but before his lips could make contact with skin she pulled back and slapped him hard across the cheek. Then did it again, but this time with more gusto.

  “Ay!” He fell backwards onto his bare arse, twigs, pebbles, and other things poked at his flesh.

  “Son-of-a-bitch! You’ve been alive for all of this time and never told me!” she yelled, rising to her feet. She stared at him, those wise eyes piercing his heart like a laser. His friend was seriously furious with him. And who could blame her?

  “Raina, let me explain.”

  “Explain?” her voice rose. “Explain how you’re still alive. Explain why you didn’t let me know you were safe.” She looked at his bare legs which if memory served…he hadn’t had much of his legs left when she saw him last. “Explain to me that I saw some…thing…attack you and now you’re standing in front of me…intact…after…and this is the damn kicker…you just transformed from a dog…”

  “Timber wolf,” he corrected sheepishly.

  The glare she shot him made the smirk on his face disappear. “What?”

  “I’m not a dog,” he said softly, looking down at his feet. “I’m a timber wolf. Actually, timber wolves are descendants of my line.”

  She couldn’t help rolling her eyes. “Well, that’s so much better,” sarcasm dripped from her lips like melting ice cream on a hot July day. Furiously, she turned on her heels, striding quickly away. Her hips swaying with each angry step, while shoulder-length ebony strands brushed the tops of her well-defined shoulders.

  “Where are you going?” he called after her retreating form.

  “I’m leaving,” she responded, but didn’t look back.

  “You can’t leave.” He quickened his stride to keep pace. For a woman of only 5’4”, she was mostly legs…long graceful legs. His mind drifted to other body parts and he struggled to hold back a groan.