fortress beauties

Amara Eldwood

I was extremely aware of the way the big wolf watched me, his hard chest stretching when he crossed his arms around his expansive chest.

What else on his body was that hard?

Embarrassment made my face heat until I was sure it was a beetroot red but I managed to maintain the nonchalant expression I’d been working hard on.

“Strauss says you're all ready to get discharged. Think you're up for it? Or would you feel better if I carried you?” He growled, and shock made my jaw slacken before I shook my head instinctively, cursing myself right after.

Ugh! Why did I say no? 

I couldn't help the way the butterflies in my belly fluttered when a slow smirk of amusement tugged on his full lips and he nodded once, not contesting my choice like a gentleman would have.

“Wouldn’t want to be imprisoned for attempted murder next when you give yourself a heart attack halfway there,” I seethed, watching his thick white brows jump before he threw his head back to laugh.

The silvery sound was startling and soft, and a warm feeling spread in my belly when I realized I’d made him laugh.

Get that? Joker of the year over here, making the big bad wolf grin.

 What was happening to me? 

Where did I come off being so bold to a man who could snap me in half with just a flick of his wrist?

If I didn't know any better I would have sworn Ronan Ironside was enjoying this. 

Like he would have taken whatever I threw at him if it meant buying my forgiveness.

“I’m sorry, Mara. Really, I am. I should have protected you better, but really, you have to understand there was no way for me to know,” He started, but I shook my head, not ready to hear anymore.

“I think you’ve all made that very clear,” I whispered, motioning to the row of flowers damned near filling the room.

“Well then! I’ll get your reports and medications ready, a moment please—” 

My fingers tightened in the thick white duvet and I felt my nipples harden under the quilt, my breaths coming faster and faster when he held his hand out for mine.

Dark energy rolled off the old Beta’s body in waves as he leaned forward, his face an unreadable, hard mask before a the ghost of a smirk flickered across his full lips.

“Are you scared of me? Mara? Is that why you refuse to look me in the eye?” His tepid curiosity made me swivel my head up to face him before feeling the boldness die in my throat when I realized he was closer than I thought.

He had leaned over the railing to peer at me, making the space between us charge with electricity.

Every nerve in my body willed me to arch into his hold, and for a crazed minute, I wondered how he would react if I threw myself into his big, strong arms.

The door creaked open before I could respond and I heaved a relieved sigh when he backed away after a beat.

The lean doctor’s eyes went everywhere but at my face as he paused at the door, before making it inside, clearing his throat.

More nurses filed into the room behind him, unhooking the bloodless drip lines in my arms and sticking new bandages around my temples.

I realized how I must look to the wolf when the tangled mass of my red curls fell over my shoulder as I rose to my feet.

Ungh!

“You mustn't do anything to exacerbate your condition, miss Eldwood…no heavy work or sex.” He muttered, brown eyes flickering the white wolf and me for a second and I resisted the urge to run at the fireplace and stick my head in mid-scream.

Sex? Who the hell said anything about sex?!

“The root herbs i’ve prescribed, Miss Eldwood, well, some of them tend to increase one’s libido, and seeing as you two already share a mate bond, it would be wise to keep your distance.” Doctor Strauss confided in a strict no-nonsense tone that made something in my stomach revolt deeply.

Oh my goodness! Was the doctor saying I would throw myself at the elite shifter?

My face felt like it suddenly caught in fire, but I didn't dare to look back at the wolf behind me, only bobbing my head in a nod when the doctor continued.

“I’ll be over to check on you as the Alpha requests it,” the doctor breathed, his long bone-thin fingers tightening around the notepad he held in one hand before he bowed softly.

Blood roared in my ears as I watched the doctor leave, and only the crackling noise of the fireplace filled the tense silence between us as seconds ticked by…and then minutes.

What was he thinking? Why was he so quiet?

I could feel the burn of his stare even without glancing up.

My breathing was shorter and heavier as my arousal heightened and I hoped against hope that he couldn't smell the need pooling between my legs.

He was so close…so freaking close that I could think of nothing else besides how the heat of his hard chest warmed my back.

How could he have such an effect on me without even using his hands?

I tried not to imagine what I must look like to the elite shifter, forcing my gaze to stay on the creased white lines of the duvet instead.

One Mississippi...two Mississippi. 

My body stirred reflexively when I heard the clod of footsteps in the hallway, growing louder as they approached the large white door.

A wave of dizziness washed over me and I ground my teeth to hold back the nausea that swam in my throat from moving too quickly.

“That’s it, fucking hell, come on, i’m taking you,” Ronan growled after catching me by the arm and keeping me from decorating the tiles with my brain matter.

Pain zipped through my temples and my spine until my body quivered and his fingers softened on my arm before his chest pressed into my back.

I gasped, feeling the hardness of his bulge a split second before he swept me off the floor.

#

I couldn't breathe in the Beta’s arms for fear that I would let out the exhausted moan that had been building in the back of my throat.

“Relax, Mara. I don't bite. Not around women, anyway.” His deep voice when he mouthed the words reverberated right into my skull and goosebumps popped on my skin as tingles spread down my back to tickle my sides.

He was hot. That much was undeniable.

“I’m sorry, it’s just…I’ve never been held like this by any man before…you know?” I offered, wishing I could bite off my tongue the second the words left my lips.

Why the hell did I say that? 

Great! 

Now not only did I look like a bloody incompetent redhead, i’d just indirectly told the smokeshow I was some sort of green virgin!

Unreadable hazel eyes swept down to mine when he paused at the entrance to my wing, one corner of his lips forming a lopsided grin,” Oh,” 

That was it? That’s all he was going to say to my confession?

“Careful, Mara…you don't need this right now! What you’re going to do is pack your bags and get the hell out of infinity Fortress while you’ve still got daylight!” A small part of me hedged, but I pushed back on the thought reluctantly, wondering if I could have Ronan before I left.

There was something so magnetic about him that I was physically unable to stop myself from leaning into his arms with a sigh.

Infinity fortress was a beauty to behold at night, with swooping fairy lights hooked around the pink-leafed cherry blossom trees lined on each side.

The cobblestone path branched like a labyrinth into each alleyway, and circled the clear water spring that seemed almost luminescent, its wavy roar echoing in the night.

There was no use waiting until it was dark now. Not with the number of patrol guards I’d seen on our short walk.

My head buzzed with thoughts and sooner than I would have liked, he opened the door to my room, the fresh soapy scent telling me it had just been scrubbed down for my return.

“Thank you,” I breathed shakily, realizing with horror that I had been staring at the bulge in his pants before tearing my eyes away.

What was wrong with me? Were the roots already in effect?

“I must warn that you stay in your room at all times. Amenie will help you out if you need anything,” He growled, and the hint of danger in his words made my brows furrow.

Was he imprisoning me yet again? My startled look must have aired my thoughts to him because he scrubbed a hand over his face, before those hauntingly beautiful hazel eyes of his found mine once more.

“I shouldn't be telling you this, Mara, but…the other Alphas and I, we don't think your poisoning was a mistake.”

The gentility he had injected into his tone as he stared down at me didn't stop me from feeling like the ground had been snatched out from beneath my feet.

“What?”

My breathless gasp made a muscle tick in his jaw before I shook my head, certain that they were wrong.

“No…that doesnt make any sense, why would anyone try to kill me? I mean… I just got here! Surely, your people don't hate me THAT much?” I shrieked, my eyes widening when the white wolf leaped down as quick as a flash to press one large hand over my mouth.

He was so big that his hands felt like they were damned near the size of my entire head, and a bolt of arousal cut through my center like a chainsaw.

Wet earth and testosterone rippled through the tight sculpted muscles in the compression tee he wore, but I forced my eyes away, up to his face.

Worse.

“Lower your voice, for moon’s sake woman. We don't know who might be listening in.” He hedged, letting go of me to slip his hands around the headboard.

I bobbed my head in a nod when my tongue flopped uselessly in my mouth.

Had I imagined it or had there been a slight breathlessness to his voice just now?

“I frightened you. I apologize, if I knew this would have upset you so much I would have kept it to myself,” He murmured after a moment of silence but I shook my head, fighting the frustrated tears brewing in my eyes.

This was no time for me to be a weakling. Get it together, Mara!

“Its fine…I’m okay. I can take care of myself,” I whispered, wringing my hands in my dress as an awkward silence stretched between us.

Outside, the noise of seagulls and soldiers laughing drifted in through the half-open windows, reminding me of just how chilly it had become in the room.

The fire in the stone fireplace was burning down to embers. It would need to be rekindled soon.

“I have to go. The Alpha needs me in his court,” Ronan started, shifting his weight on his feet before I launched myself at him faster than I could think.

My hands circled around his wrist and I tugged him into me, shuddering when he raked his gaze slowly from where my hand was gripping his flesh up to my face.

“Mara,” 

There was an edge of warning in his voice that I didn't understand, but the confessor’s last words echoed noisily in my ear now, too loud for me to ignore.

“W-Would you stay? Please? I-If someone really is out to get me then…I think I need to tell you something,” I wheezed, catching the sharp way his lined white brows snapped together before his forehead was smooth once more.

“Okay…” 

His tone was unsure, and I half-expected him to stand, surprised when he threw open the duvet to sit across from me on the bed.