Chapter 5 • Bigger Than Us

Chapter 5

Bigger Than Us

Carlin

 Clarissa stood transfixed like a graven image and it took gripping her shoulders before she came to. Her eyes were wide with unbelief, and her lips slackened by fear.

 “How... how did you know?” she stuttered, putting some distance between us. I chose to respect her decision by remaining where I was but my wolf disagreed, nipping at me. He did not like her shying away from us. 

 “I have been having daydreams too just as you have been having dreams. Although I am not always a participant, a version of me seeks to be with a female he calls Amaya. It's so complex, really and. . .” Suddenly, I wanted her closer in agreement with my wolf. “Come to me, Clarissa. I will not hurt you.” 

 I extended a hand to her and her gaze flickered tentatively over the offer. Her mind was strong and she was a confident she-wolf but sometimes, the heart won in such situations. She took the needed steps and placed her hand in mine. A sensation of accomplishment seized me and took a burden I was unaware of off my chest. Closing my hand over hers, she answered an unknown pull existing between us and shut the gap for good.

 “Carlin. . .” she shuddered when I pressed my lips to our joint hands. I could almost see the sizzling energy we were creating and I never wanted to let go of her hand. My wolf was relaxed and pleased by her compliance.

 “Yes, Clarissa?” Wanting to see more of her reactions, I nibbled lightly on the soft flesh of her palm and she slid her eyes shut in response, biting down on her lower lip. The action was both alluring and arousing. At that moment, I was ready to do anything she asked of me.

 “What does this mean?” she croaked, her blue eyes going misty with desire. “I have never felt —who are Amaya and Lance? I want answers.” Her calm and cool demeanor was coming around again and it would be time to talk. She murmured in her throat, eating back moans and groans I badly wanted to hear. I tugged on the lower lip she was punishing cruelly and a pop sound announced its freedom. It was raw and sensual, full and inviting. I was not ready to talk; I wanted to ravish her right where she stood.

 “I don’t know what this is or who they are and I do want answers as well. As for how I feel, Clarissa, I don’t think I can put it into words right now.”

 Her eyes brightened the more, her pink tongue peeking out of her mouth to run its length over her troubled lips. As I bent my head to intercept the motion, a guard knocked on the frame of her temporary chambers.

 “My Lord, are you in there? The Alpha seeks your presence; other guests have arrived.”

 Until then, I had not realized how much time I had spent in her chambers, time that could be interpreted as improper. Clarissa met my gaze halfway, waiting for me to make up my mind.

 “I shall be out soon,” I hollered for the guard’s sake and he left the entrance at once. Unfortunately, she had moved out of my embrace, as if punishing me for not choosing her. She tossed my forlorn shirt at me, a merciful gesture because Goddess knew, I would have pranced out of her booth without remembering my half-naked state.

 “You should go,” she prodded, turning her back on me. “I am not the only guest here and you have to meet other. .  . females.” Her hesitation before uttering the last word had not gone unnoticed by me and I went to her compulsively. She stiffened when I stood behind her and my portrait was back in her shaking hands. Following her guts, I wrapped my arms around her waist and splayed my fingers over her hips. She exhaled a great breath and relaxed, oddly silent.

 “There is to be a dance practice tonight for the pack she-wolves. Tell me you will come,”  I whispered hotly in her ears, toying with her earlobe. She shivered and bent her neck to accommodate me.

 “I don’t know—”

  “I won't take a No, Clarissa. I won't. Tell me what I want to hear, sweet. Say you’ll come to watch the dance as my special guest. We can figure out the rest tomorrow.” I refused to give her breathing space, making sure that she could only see, hear and feel me. She grabbed my forearms and fought against her desires, refusing to give in. What was I doing wrong? Her claws dug into my flesh from the force of her grip and I winced despite myself. 

 “Please. . .please, Amaya.” The words left my lips as if I had been saying them forever, and her reaction to them almost brought me to my knees. Clarissa spun around in my arms, her eyes now a midnight blue that had to be her wolf's eyes when she shifted. It was intense and beautiful, swallowing me in its bottomless depths. She traced my lips absently, her touch warm and welcoming. Suddenly, the tempter became tempted. It was like something had gone into her, courtesy of the name I had called her. Clarissa was no longer with me; Amaya was. 

 “You know nobody tells me what to do, Lance, not even you,” she warned subtly in a raspy, husky tone that I had not heard before except in my daydreams. “I go where I wish and see whom I want. Kneel.”

 That order crept up on me like a surprise and I wanted no part in it. Something bigger than us was going on and as she said, we needed answers. But for the moment, I wanted Clarissa back. 

 “I’m sorry,” I apologized in advance, sticking my fingers into her clavicle in a manipulative move I had picked up. She fought me briefly but soon succumbed to the numbing sleepy sensation. Her head fell against my chest finally, out cold for good. I kissed her temple tenderly and laid her on her bed. I quickly put on my shirt and after one last glance at her, I parted the curtains and left her behind.

 Kaira was waiting just outside, still sulking all by herself. When she saw me, she rose on her feet, patting down on her maid’s wear. “My lady —”

 “—is asleep,” I cut in immediately. “Try not to disturb her and let her rest. When she awakens, do not upset her.” "For your own sake," I added mentally. The maid nodded once and I headed out to the courtroom. Whoever had arrived however was not as important as the mystery between me and Clarissa and I planned to spend as little time with them as possible. When Clarissa awoke, she would want answers and I wanted her to hear them from me.