Essence

Lake

“I can’t believe those two did this!” I groan loudly. The Layfields filled the back end of my suitcase with lingerie and the other side with dresses made for occasions such as tonight.

“They must have known.” Derrick laughs into my hair as he hugs me from behind.

“I was wondering why you had a new suitcase!” I smack his arm playfully and unravel myself from his grip. “You knew all about this, didn’t you?”

“You have no proof!” Derrick teases. “Although, I am ~very~ excited to see you in some of those cheeky little outfits soon.”

Cheeky outfits, as in lingerie.

I run a hand over the back of my neck, suddenly nervous. This evening has odd vibes written all over it, but I can’t put my finger on what’s making me so anxious.

“This dress would look amazing on you, Firefly.” Derrick holds up a knee-length red dress with lace sleeves and a sweetheart neckline.

“It would boost the red in my eyes, you dork.” I point to my eyes, but my mate only stares at me with a blank look on his face. “Why can’t you be a regular male and refuse to let me go out in that revealing dress?”

“Firefly, jealousy and knowing you’re mine are two different things.” Derrick hands me the dress and walks into the bathroom. “Plus, that dress will show off your mark beautifully.”

I throw a pillow at Derrick just as he closes the bathroom door behind him. The pillow hits the floor, and his muffled chuckle echoes from the bathroom.

***

The pack-house blazes with light as Derrick offers his hand to me to help me out of the car. It was waiting for us when we exited the hotel, only adding to the unnerving vibes radiating in the air.

Lynne stirs within my mind. She’s just as uneasy as I am, if not more. The smell of lavender and vanilla saturates the air, throwing off my senses.

“Firefly, are you okay?” Derrick whispers in my ear, his hot breath creating goosebumps on my neck.

This event better be quick—I can’t wait to get him into bed.

“Do you not smell all of this lavender and vanilla?” I scrunch my nose. “It’s almost suffocating.”

“Lavender? All I smell is you.”

I let out a low growl at my mate. He knows what buttons to press to rile me up, and it’s pissing me off right now. With how on edge I am, you’d think he’d feel it through our bond.

“Ah!” a voice yelps. “The two I was looking for!”

Across the front yard stands Franklin Layfield, one of the owners of the restaurant. He waves and wipes his bald head with an old rag. His large belly is held up by suspenders that look like they’re on their last leg.

“Frank! Good to see you!” Derrick smiles and hugs our friend.

I look for his partner, Frederick, but see him nowhere. Frank notices.

“Fred’s back at the restaurant closing up,” Frank explains. “He’ll be here in a few. The Alpha wanted him sooner, but my mate insisted.”

I smile. “I look forward to seeing him!”

Frank is nice, but Fred is more outgoing, while his mate is the responsible and headstrong one. They balance each other well, just as mates should.

When I first met the two, I didn’t know what to expect. A same-gender mating was something I’d only ever heard about, never witnessed.

Many wolves in the community believe two mates of the same gender choose to be this way, but I don’t buy that. The Fates know what they’re doing when they choose people for each other.

“Our Alpha is upholding the tradition of celebrating the spring season tonight,” Fred says, interrupting my thoughts. Derrick must have asked about the festivities planned.

“All wolves in the territory gather to give thanks to the Moon Goddess for her wisdom and for granting us another year under her protection.”

I held back a laugh. The past few years had been hell for me, thanks to the goddess and her so-called “wisdom.” She’d played with my life as if it were a toy.

“How are you, dear?” Frank asks, turning to me. “Have you fed recently? You don’t look good.”

~Yeah, because I’m pissed off reminiscing about the bitch who turned me into this.~

“I’ll be fine until we get back to the hotel, Frank,” I say. “One night more won’t hurt anything.”

Derrick wraps an arm around my waist and squeezes my hip. Ever since leaving his sister and the others behind, I’ve only fed off him. It’s the best solution we could think of, so I wouldn’t have to harm any humans.

“You—”

“Leave the girl alone, hunbun.” Fred appears behind me and pulls me into a hug. His sweet scent fills my lungs, bringing a sense of comfort. He reminds me of my father more and more every time I see him.

“Hi, Fred.” Derrick shakes Fred’s hand when he and I release each other. They both exchange pleasantries before all four of us make our way into the pack-house. I’m immediately hit with more of that lavender and vanilla smell.

“Now, you two may be surprised by our Alpha,” Fred says. “He invites all kinds of…”

Suddenly, my fingertips tingle and my legs feel like lead. Two steps into the doorway, my feet seem to root themselves to the entry floor. The usual sparks I feel from Derrick’s touch dissipate.

Derrick’s black eyes fill with worry. “Firefly?”

“I—I can’t brea—”

Fred’s voice rings in my ears, but I can’t understand his words. He and Frank both embrace a strong-looking male nearby, who glances at Derrick with a raised eyebrow.

“Firefly, breathe.” Derrick rubs my cheek with his thumb, but I feel nothing. My nerves are shot.

My fangs extend behind my cheeks, and my mouth begins to salivate. My eyes make contact with the stranger’s. He’s the source of the lavender-and-vanilla scent.

“Is she okay?” the stranger asks, his red eyes locked on mine.

Derrick shields me from the stranger. His growl rumbles deep in his chest. It’s odd for my usually unflappable mate to take the defensive like this.

“Derrick, calm down.” Fred lodges himself between the two much-larger males.

“The name’s Sylas, pup,” the stranger smirks, and his calm demeanor throws me off for a split second. “You know, it’s not wise to challenge someone so much older than you.”

~Older? This guy looks like an eighteen-year-old on steroids!~

Suddenly, I can breathe again. I gulp air into my lungs, but the thick, lavender-vanilla scent feels like it’s blocking my airways. I can see the glow of my hungry eyes on the back of my mate’s black dress shirt.

I race for the door. Thankfully, no one gets in my way as I burst outside and down the front stairs of the pack-house.

My veins all feel like they’re on fire while my heart speeds up to the normal rhythm of a human. Not a good sign, considering my usual sixteen beats per minute.

“Lake!”

Fred and Frank flank me as I drop to all fours in the grass. I’m gagging, crying, ~starving~ for air.

“When was the last time she fed?” Sylas asks. I can feel him hovering nearby, that damned scent of his making my mouth water more with every moment.

“I knew this would happen!” Fred yells. “She hasn’t fed in four months, Derrick! I told you to feed her as soon as you two came back!”

I can physically feel my veins expand with nothing but air. The pain is so excruciating that I almost pass out. Sylas takes a step toward me, but Derrick is quick to push him back.

Sylas huffs indignantly. “My business isn’t with you right now, pup. If you want her to survive, let me through. Thanks to your negligence, your blood isn’t going to be enough for her hunger anymore.”

Derrick snarls, “One of your kind would never understand—"

“~She~ is one of my kind,” Sylas interrupts. “Now move, before she makes you.”

“Touch her and you’ll be seeing the Sun Goddess before you can blink.”

My mate’s voice is deep and threatening. I know Drax must be fighting him for control right now.

Sylas sighs. “You’ve forced my hand.”

A sweet, succulent smell fills my burning lungs. I look up to see blood dripping from the stranger’s bare arm. My fangs grow so much that they pierce my bottom gums.

“Please...I want—” I reach my trembling hand out to the red liquid pooling in the grass.

~Just a small mouthful. Please. Anything to take this pain away.~

Derrick’s face is aghast. “Firefly, don’t—"

Sylas takes advantage of Derrick’s shock and swiftly lifts his wrist to my mouth.

I immediately latch on, sinking my fangs into the open wound.

“I wouldn’t do that,” Sylas sings as my mate goes to attack. “You’ll break her only means of feeding herself if you rip me away before she’s fully satisfied.”

Sylas’s sweet blood rolls over my taste buds like honey, soothing my aching throat. My eyes flutter closed as I wrap my hands around Sylas’s forearm, drawing him closer to me.

“I’ve finally found you.” Sylas puts his forehead to mine. “My Essence.”