Unitary Read online

  “What the fuck are you doing here?” I ask.

  “Clarissa, stop,” Sebastian says.

  “Why would you come here and say such a thing!” I exclaim.

  “Clarissa, you’re going to kill him,” Theo says.

  “After he forced himself on me? It’s what he deserves,” I say.

  “He did what?” Toshi asks.

  I can smell Vlad’s blood. I can hear his heartbeat thumping in my ears. I smell his sarcasm and his shock and his intrigue as he wiggles beneath my claws.

  What I don’t smell, however, is deception.

  Vlad’s telling the truth.

  “Get off!” Theo says.

  I feel him grab my shoulders and pry me away from the Wolf.

  “Excuse me, you took advantage of Clarissa?” Toshi asks.

  “Not in the way you think,” Vlad asks.

  “Oh, in the way you think Toshi,” Sebastian says.

  “Her scent is strong, and an alpha wolf life myself is weak to something so—pungent,” Vlad says as his eyes rake down my form.

  “So you took advantage of her?” Toshi asks.

  “I admit, it was a moment of voluntary weakness. But if you understood the rules of my village, you would understand my reaction.”

  “Does your village take kindly to forcing themselves on women?” Theo asks.

  “In my village, the women want it. They come, ready to mate with those who can prove themselves the strongest. Sebastian fought proudly at the gate, but willingly bowed to me when I asked him to get us drinks. Clarissa even sent him off to do it. That was my victory, and to the winner go the spoils of war,” Vlad says.

  I can hear the hissing of Toshi’s voice as Vlad’s blood drips from my claws. I can feel our heartbeats syncing up. He’s going into protective mode. I can feel his comforting warmth draping over my skin. I can feel his soft purring rattling my ribcage as his eyes burrow into the man in the suit.

  Well, blood-covered suit.

  “Nevertheless, I miscalculated. And for that, I am sorry.”

  Vlad turns his gaze to me, and I can smell him change. The confidence and the sarcasm and the predatory smell all morph into something that makes my skin crawl. That makes me sick to my stomach. That bucks up against the anger and strength I feel coursing through my veins.

  Sorrow.

  I can smell his sorrow, and it reeks.

  “I’m truly sorry, Clarissa. For what I did to you. You did not come to my village seeking a mate. You came seeking information. You should have simply said so.”

  “Would you have willingly given it to me had I asked?”

  “We could have come to an arrangement,” he says.

  Sebastian scoffs, and I can feel Toshi recoil at his words.

  “You’re a beautiful woman with a very intoxicating scent. It isn’t my fault that you tug at my most primal of urges,” Vlad says.

  “You knew I was seeking information before you pinned me,” I say.

  “No, I thought you were inducing foreplay,” Vlad says. “Females in a Wolf pack that seek out the strongest male usually do so by asking about a Wolf’s lineage. You were asking questions about my father, so I assumed that was what you were doing. And with the way you swayed your hips and kept looking down at my mouth, well. You can see how things became a little twisted.”

  “Then why didn’t you stop?” I ask. “When I asked you to, why didn’t you?”

  “That is where my fault comes into play. I allowed myself to fall prey to my weakness for you, and I couldn't back away from the animal rising up. I’m sorry if I startled you.”

  “Sorry?” I ask. “You’re sorry you didn’t stop clawing at my clothes. Well let me tell you something, you see that man standing over there?”

  I point to Sebastian and Vlad’s eyes pan over in his direction.

  “He fought the urge twice. And the first time I gave him permission to go. Because he knew what was right and what was wrong. Which means you are capable of it, no matter your lineage,” I say.

  “I truly am sorry, Clarissa. What happened was not your fault. It was a miscommunication and a clashing of old culture and new. If I could go back and control myself more, I would. But I come bearing information I knew you would want,” he says.

  I can smell the sorrow dripping off him, and I want it to stop. I want the stench to go away. The Wolf in me doesn’t like it. For an Alpha, it comes too easily for him. My nostrils flare, and my nose crinkles, and I look over at Sebastian and find him staring at me.

  “Say the word, and he’s gone.”

  “Do you believe him?”

  My eyes connect with Sebastian as my claws slowly begin to retract.

  “When he says ‘sorry,’ do you believe him, Sebastian?”

  “Yes.”

  I pan my gaze back to Vlad before I flick my gaze to Theo.

  “That would answer why we couldn't get in touch with Kyle,” I say.

  “So you believe him?” Theo says.

  “I believe his apology. Sebastian believes his apology.”

  “You what?” Toshi asks. “This man tried to rape her!”

  “In the context of the situation, it was easy to misconstrue our reason for being there,” Sebastian says. “It isn’t one of a Wolf’s more charming traits, but that is how packs work. Men get to take what is theirs, and the women of the pack always submit. Vlad was under the assumption Clarissa would automatically submit, and when it didn’t happen was when I intervened.”

  “What a disgusting practice,” Toshi says.

  “Don’t worry. There’s plenty we don’t like about Cats,” Sebastian says.

  “How do you know Kyle’s alive?” I ask.

  The conversation falls silent as my eyes lock with Vlad’s.

  “I overheard my father talking about it,” he says.

  “And you’re sure?” I ask.

  “I’m positive that was what he said, yes.”

  I feel like the wind is rushing from my lungs. It is hard to breathe. Hard to keep eye contact. The floor feels like it’s tilting, and my heart is drumming in my ears. Kyle’s alive.

  My husband is alive.

  I feel my heart soaring for the first time in months. Since the moment I said “I do” and looked into those beautiful blue eyes. Hope surges through my veins. A smile crosses my face, and I can see the light in Vlad’s eyes dance. I no longer care about our past. About things that were miscommunicated and wires that were crossed.

  He is delivering the best news I could’ve ever hoped for.

  And I lunge at him and wrap my arms around his neck.

  “Thank you for finding us,” I say breathlessly.

  “I hope it will be the first of many chances to show you how truly sorry I am for what I put you through,” he says.

  “I still don’t understand all the Primal cultures, but if Sebastian knows your apology is sincere, then I believe it,” I say as I grasp onto his shoulders. “Are you still bleeding?”

  “You’re strong, but not that strong,” he says with a coy smile.

  “Good. So now you get to answer my questions. Where is he?”

  “In Russia.”

  “We just came from Russia,” I say. “Where in Russia?”

  I can see Vlad’s nostrils flaring, and I recognize that look in his eyes. It’s the same look he gave me in the village before he pounced on my body. Pinning me to the wall. I take a step back from him and throw my guard up as Sebastian rushes in front of me. I sniff my arm. I can smell him. I can smell the lust dripping from Vlad’s form as his lips begin to curl into a devious smile.

  “You really do smell divine,” Vlad says.

  Both Toshi and Theo step in front of me as Sebastian holds Vlad back.

  “Move,” he says.

  “I can’t,” Sebastian says.

  “Just a taste. A little taste.”

  “Calm down, Vlad. Listen to my voice. Come back. You were doing well, friend.”

  “What is it about her? What is
that scent? I need more of it,” he says.

  “I know,” Sebastian says as his eyes pan back to mine. “I know how it feels.”

  I watch as Sebastian gets Vlad to calm down. It’s like watching Jekyll and Hyde. One minute, Vlad is sincerely sorry for what he did, and the next his appetite is insatiable. Is this what Sebastian is always fighting when he’s around me? This constant urge to mate me and sink his teeth into my skin.

  The realization hits me with a brute force as my awe of Sebastian skyrockets.

  “Get out of my way,” Vlad growls.

  “If you hurt her, I will kill you. Even though I know the kind of state you’re in. I will kill you if you touch her while you’re like this,” Sebastian says.

  “I’m not yours,” I say.

  That statement seems to get Vlad’s attention. I step out from behind Theo and posture myself, bucking up to the Wolf with the hazy eyes. I can see him fighting. Trying to stuff down the primal urge that is ingrained into his DNA. I rise onto my tiptoes as my eyes lock with his, and I can smell his scent slowly changing.

  Morphing from lust to confusion.

  “I will never be yours,” I say with a growl.

  And just like that, Vlad’s eyes snap back. He holds up his hands in surrender as his cocky countenance returns. I fall back to my feet and gaze over at Sebastian, but his eyes are fully trained on the Wolf.

  “He’s never had to restrain himself before. Stay close, Clarissa.”

  “If you want to find Kyle, you must return to Russia,” Vlad says.

  “Why?” Theo asks.

  “Because Kyle’s being caged up in a secret chamber in one of Igo’s offices.”

  “He’s what?” I ask. “They have him as a prisoner?”

  “You don’t have time for any more questions if you want to find him alive,” Vlad says. “So are you coming, or not?”

  THE MOMENT WE STEP foot onto Russian soil, the Council is after us. The plane ride was long, and we were all tired, but they had been waiting for us. Waiting to kill us. To kill me. I can hear their footsteps on our tail as all of us run for the hills. Trekking through the snow and puffing air through our noses and shaking off the cold to lose the Councilmen on our heels.

  “Get her!” someone exclaims.

  “Cover their left side!” another one shouts.

  It’s easy for Toshi and I to maneuver but having two wolves and a bear is slowing us down. Sebastian and Vlad are fighting them off when they get too close, but we can’t seek out shelter until we lose them. Theo is trying to shield Toshi and I as we run, and I know there’s talk of me branching off and finding a place to stay until they can shake the Councilmen.

  “Go, Clarissa. While you still can. We’ll find you.”

  “I’ll have to cover my scent, Sebastian. How will you find me?”

  “Really? With how we’re talking, you’re asking that question?”

  I giggle and shake my head as I dart away from Toshi’s side. I can feel his want to go with me, but Theo steers him in another direction. I’m heading deeper into the woods. Deeper into the thick of Russian trees and snow. The brush overhead is so dense that light is no longer penetrating. My eyes are adjusting the best I can, and I’m covering up my scented trail, but I can still hear someone behind me. A raging growl pierces the air. I hear Primals doing battle behind me, and every part of me wants to look back and see what’s going on.

  But I resist the urge and keep running.

  I don’t know how long I’ve been running and have no idea where I am, but smoke alerts me to someone in the area. I follow the smoke as it gets thicker and thicker. So thick it’s almost hard to breathe. I stumble upon a wooded area that’s been cleared out, and in front of me stands a house.

  A cottage, even.

  I fall to my knees as exhaustion overtakes me. I can smell my scent being sprayed everywhere. I see two people emerge as my vision begins to fade, and as I fall forward, I feel a strong pair of arms catch me.

  “Get her inside,” a woman says.

  “Heat her up some of that soup,” a man says.

  “What if she’s one of them? What if this is a trap?”

  “We know when the Council gets out this far. She isn’t with them. Trust me.”

  “How do you know that?”

  “Just get her some soup.”

  “Lie her down. Right there. And use that blanket to cover up her scent.”

  I feel something fluttering down on my skin. My entire body is shaking with the exertion it took to find this place. I have no idea who these people are, and I don’t have the strength to voice who I am.

  It isn’t until I smell him that I try to sit up.

  Vlad.

  He’s at the door.

  “Clarissa? Are you in there?”

  I groan to try and answer as a bowl is lifted to my lips.

  “Are you Clarissa?” the girl asks.

  I nod my head before I begin chugging the salted broth.

  “Hello? Anyone?” Vlad asks.

  “Is he safe?” the man asks.

  I take one last gulp and look over at him before I nod my head. The man rushes to the door and opens it, and I see Vlad standing there. With tattered clothes around his body and claw marks on his face, I watch him heal right in front of my eyes as he’s ushered into the house.

  “Who are you?” the man asks.

  “That would be a wonderful question for you to answer as well,” Vlad says as he comes over toward me.

  I watch as he kneels beside me and takes my hand within his.

  “Clarissa, are you okay?” he asks.

  His touch is soft. Tender. Not at all like the uncontrollable Wolf that was in Theo’s apartment. I shake my head “no” and allow it to fall back onto the pillow.

  “Do you have any more of that soup?” Vlad asks. “If you do, get her some more.”

  “Who died and made you king?” the man asks.

  Vlad growls as other footsteps are heard bouncing up the stairs to the cottage.

  “Looks like we’re going to need a lot more soup,” the woman says.

  “Clarissa!”

  Toshi runs to my side as Sebastian comes over and rips my hand away from Vlad’s. Theo stands in the doorway, blocking the cold coming in without closing the door. He’s protecting us. Ready to strike if these people aren’t as nice as they seem.

  “Who are you?” Sebastian asks.

  “Seriously? You’re asking us that?” the man asks.

  “I’m Josie, and this is my twin brother Joel,” the woman says.

  “It’s nice to meet you two,” Vlad says. “Thank you for taking Clarissa in.”

  “We thought she was with the Council at first,” Joel says.

  “And why would you think that?” Sebastian growls.

  “We don’t live all the way out here for no reason,” Josie says with a giggle. “We’re part of a group.”

  “So there’s more cottages like this one?” Theo asks.

  “Definitely. Within a four-mile radius,” Joel says.

  “Why?” Vlad asks. “Why are you all out here?”

  “Because we’re fighting the Council,” Joel says. “They need to be taken out, and they know we’re out to hunt them down.”

  Chapter 2

  Theo

  “Y ou’re hunting them down,” I say. “As humans.”

  “We are, yes,” Joel says.

  “You’ll never defeat the Council as humans,” Vlad says with a chuckle. “You must be mad.”

  “Better than letting them rule the way they do,” Josie says. “They take humans as slaves, you know.”

  I look over at Toshi and Sebastian and watch them shrug their shoulders. I’m still pissed off as Sebastian for sleeping with Clarissa. I could smell it all over the cabin when Toshi and I came back with clothes and food for her. Their scent was sprayed all over the walls, and their bodies were huddled together in the firelight.

  It had been so hard to look at Clarissa for days, and I�
�m still having a hard time stomaching being around Sebastian.

  “The Council does many things, but enslaving humans isn’t one of them,” I say.

  “Tell that to our mother. She died in their chains,” Joel says.

  “We’ve been in the building,” Toshi says. “There weren’t any humans. All of the guards were Primal.”

  “Not guards, you idiot. The slaves. The ones that clean the building and prepare the meals and craft the cages they keep unruly Primals in. All done by humans,” Josie says.

  I watch Sebastian smile as Toshi hisses at the two of them. I know he’s getting a kick out of someone calling Toshi an idiot, but I’m siding with Toshi. These humans are suspect, at best. We have no way of validating their claims or figuring out if they are telling the truth about their little gild of humans without putting Clarissa in harm’s way. And I have lived long enough to know that if I can’t immediately prove something, I need to be wary until I do.

  So I wasn’t going to start trusting these humans until I had a good reason to trust them.

  “You don’t seem convinced,” Joel says.

  I find his eyes looking my way so I shake my head.

  “I’m wary of things I can’t readily prove,” I say. “There have been a lot of bold claims made lately.”

  My eyes shoot over to Vlad and a sly grin slides across his cheeks.

  Clarissa’s groans catch my attention. I bend down and cradle her head in the palm of my hand. I lift her up and watch her cough and my heart aches. Her body automatically travels to mine, trying to curl up into my warmth.

  “Are you cold?” I ask.

  She nods her head furiously so I gather her in my arms. I wrap her up in the blankets and place her against my chest as I sit down on the floor. Couches have never been comfortable to me. Plus, I break most of the ones I sit on anyway. She curls into my lap and burrows into my chest, and I can see the jealousy in Vlad’s eyes.

  I also see Sebastian staring at Vlad with cautious eyes.

  At least someone is keeping an eye on that out-of-control lunatic.

  “So, you claim your mother was enslaved by the Council,” Vlad says.

  “She was,” Joel says flatly.

  “Okay, but you have to understand our reservations. We have a bit on our plate at the moment,” he says.

  “Then indulge us. You know, since you are in our home eating our soup,” Josie says.