Keeping Kaitlyn by Anya Bast

location.”
    “Magick? I thought the only magick the Lycaon possessed was the magick allowing them to shift, given to them by the Magica.”
    “That’s true, but not all the Magica want the Lycaon eliminated. There are some mages who are sympathetic to us. They provide the shield at great risk to themselves, along with other protective magicks. If the leaders of the Magica ever discover their aid to us, their punishment would be brutal.”
    “So not all the Magica are assholes.”
    “No, just most of them.”
    “Are we shielded out here, so far away from the village?”
    He smoothed the back of his back down her cheek. “We would never endanger you, Kaitlyn. We are safe here. We’re not very far from the village, in any case. About a ten minute run as a dire wolf.”
    She snorted. “So about an hour’s walk for us mere humanoid types.”
    “You could always ride me.”
    She grinned, looking playful. “Promise?”
    He wound his arms around her, cupping her sweet rear in his hands and pulled her up so she straddled him. She yelped with surprise at the rearrangement of their positions, then stilled, hovering over him. Her long dark hair made curtains around her face and she’d caught her lower lip between her teeth. She had a mischievous look on her face that he liked.
    Slowly, she ground down on his erection.   “My, Mr. wolf, what a big—”
    Someone pounded on the front door.
    Lucas groaned, letting his head fall back against the pillows, as Kaitlyn rolled to the side and pulled the sheets up to cover herself. Whoever it was pounded again.
    He forced himself out of bed, leaving a naked Kaitlyn in it, grabbed his pants and pulled them on before heading down the stairs and answering the door.
    Torrent stood on the other side, or, rather, towered. Most of the men of the Lycaon were tall and muscular when compared to the Magica or to human males, but Torrent even topped most Lycaon in the size department.
    The leader of the Lycaon took Lucas in from his bare feet to the top of his rumpled hair. “It’s nearly noon, brother.”
    “Yes. And I was still in bed. This had better be important.”
    “Ah.” Torrent grinned. “My apologies.”
    With his dark hair cut close to his head and with a face most females seemed to find attractive, Torrent was popular among the few unmated females of the Lycaon, and he took advantage of it. As leader and under a heavy prophecy, one that would mean his death one day soon, Torrent would never take a mate for himself.  
    Kaitlyn shuffled into the kitchen behind him and Torrent looked past Lucas, focusing on her. She’d draped herself in a sheet and looked as rumpled as he did. “Welcome, Kaitlyn. It’s good to have another Lycaon female among us.”
    She came to stand beside Lucas, squinting against the bright morning sunshine. “Uhm. Thank you?”
    Torrent turned his attention back to Lucas. “Yes, it’s important. It’s Rafian.”
    Lucas groaned. “Please don’t tell me he spent the night in the tavern.”
    “He spent the night in the tavern.”
    He groaned again. “Give me a minute and I’ll go with you.” He closed the door.
    Kaitlyn frowned at him. “What’s going on?”
    “Rafian’s been drinking all night.”
    “Why would he do that?”
    “You.”
    She clutched the sheet to her chest so hard her knuckles turned white. “Why would he do that because of me?”
    “Because he knows I planned to sleep with you last night.”
    Her eyes narrowed and Lucas suddenly had a suspicion he was in trouble. “You planned that?”
    “Not your nightmare, but, when it happened, yes, I saw an opportunity and I took it.”
    Her jaw locked for a dangerous moment. “I’m surprised you haven’t been beaten to death by a woman before now.” She made a noise of frustration, then turned on her heel and stalked down the hallway.
    “Where are you going?”
    “To take a shower,” she called over her shoulder. “I’m going with you.”

    * * * * *

    Kaitlyn rode to the