Ceva's Chance Read online

  Ceva woke in a stranger’s bed. Never a good thing. Her last memory was of being held in Lothar’s arms. He must have dropped me here, but where is here? He wouldn’t have just left me unguarded, would he? Quickly, she stood and put on her boots. It was dark outside, and she wondered what time it was. After washing up, she went in search of the owner of the house in which she was sleeping.

  When she opened the bedroom door, Ceva found two warriors standing on guard in the hallway. Well, at least the wolf didn’t just chuck me inside someone’s house without protection. “Hello, Joseph, Rowl. I see you are stuck with guard duty, but you’re free to go find something to eat. I’m sure it’s well past supper.”

  “Thank you, Ceva,” they said in unison, and then the three followed their noses to the kitchen.

  Ceva took note of all the pictures on the wall; families, portraits, and lots of children’s images smiled back at her. This was a loving home where people liked to gather. Would she ever have a home and children? Could she take that chance? Was it worth the risk? She was staying with the Black Ridge wolves, but that was to protect Princess Helena. It wasn’t really Ceva’s home. This place felt comfortable and loved. She may be a badass witch, but what she saw here was what she truly wanted someday—a home where she was loved. She could hear voices coming from down the hall, which must be the kitchen. Sure enough, a large country kitchen opened before her, packed with men and women. Silence fell the moment she entered. She hated when that happened. Lothar was at the table seated beside a beautiful blonde woman who was touching his arm.

  A large man stepped forward. Ceva assumed he must be Alpha Reume. Even though the roads were becoming unsafe, apparently he’d made it back in one piece.

  “White Witch Ceva, I am Alpha Reume, and I owe you a debt that I can’t possibly repay. You saved the town and our people.” She could see sincerity shining out of his dark brown eyes; he loved his pack.

  “I’m sorry some were lost, Alpha Reume. If I could change one thing, it is that. It was a senseless loss.” Ogres were not supposed to have these kinds of numbers or be a threat to anyone. No lives should have been sacrificed.

  “Yes, we will mourn the loss. They died protecting their home and families. We will honor them all,” Alpha Reume said, not trying to hide his sadness.

  Ceva noticed the blonde woman pouring Lothar another glass of something, which she assumed was beer, and resting her hand a little bit longer on his arm. This should be fun. Ceva watched him squirm under the other woman’s attention.

  “They shouldn’t have had to sacrifice their lives. The ogres shouldn’t have the numbers to attack anyone, but they do, and we need to hunt down whoever is behind this madness,” Ceva explained.

  “We’ve contacted the neighboring towns. They should be prepared,” the Alpha confirmed.

  Reume led Ceva to a chair at the other end of the table from Lothar, giving her a perfect view of him and his new lady friend. He looked up at her and she smiled sweetly but said nothing. The blonde looked over to see who Lothar was looking at and scowled. Ceva smiled even wider.

  “We’ve heard reports that there are bands of them to the north,” Reume stated.

  “Yes, we’ve lost a few towns so far. The King’s military is doing its best to keep them contained, but the beasts seem to be appearing out of the woods without warning,” Ceva informed the group. “I must find the person responsible for this, and it has to be soon before we lose anyone else.”

  “We wish you safety in your travels,” Alpha Reume stated before raising his glass to Ceva and toasting her. “Godspeed to Ceva and her team.”

  The room broke out into a cheer that left her ears ringing. Everyone went back to talking amongst themselves, and Ceva was brought a plate of steak, roasted potatoes, and corn and she dug in. Sustenance was key; she knew she needed to stay at the top of her game if she was to complete her mission. She might be immortal, but she needed food to stay healthy, and no one needed a run-down white witch, especially now.

  Ceva looked toward the end of the table again and saw the blonde bringing a plate of food over for Lothar. Although he seemed panicked, he hadn’t moved away from the young woman, and for some reason that bothered Ceva. Surely, if he didn’t want the attention, he would have set the blonde straight, right? Maybe he did like it and Ceva was reading the situation wrong.

  Whichever it was, Ceva was suddenly tired of the show and needed to be up in the sky to clear her thoughts. “Thank you for your hospitality for myself and my team. I plan on taking a little flight around the area to make sure nothing else is coming our way.”

  “That would be appreciated. My people have been searching the woods but have found nothing as of yet. The extra assurance will do the pack good,” the Alpha said. Ceva stood then walked outside, stretched her wings, and tried to forget about the blonde pawing Lothar. But first she had one last thing to do.

  She headed back inside and asked, “Whose house and bed did I sleep in, Alpha?”

  “This is my mother’s house. Her name is Phanuk,” he replied.

  Ceva scanned the room to where he pointed. She remembered the woman from the clearing after the battle. She found her at the stove stirring a giant pot of something that smelled like garlic, onion, and tomato.

  She walked the few feet to Phanuk’s side. “Ma’am, I am told that you gave me your bed to rest in.”

  Phanuk turned, her eyes wide. “Yes. My bed is the softest in the house, and you needed to recuperate after risking your life for us.”

  “Thank you. For seeing to my comfort, please accept this gift.” Ceva took one of Phanuk’s hands and placed her own over the top. She released her wings but kept them close to her sides as the room was too crowded for that. Ceva began an incantation and could feel her hand warming. Phanuk gasped but didn’t pull her hand away while Ceva finished the spell. When she lifted her hand, a tiny crystal orchid lay in Phanuk’s palm.

  “It’s beautiful,” she whispered.

  Ceva smiled. “Thank you for your thoughtfulness. I am fully rested and at full strength again.” Then she turned to leave the house, only to see the blonde almost sitting in Lothar’s lap. That was it, no more Miss Good Witch. No, no, no. Calm down, witch. It wouldn’t be good to maim someone in Phanuk’s home.

  Ceva continued past the kitchen table and out the patio doors and onto the back deck. The night was clear, with a warm breeze coming in from the south. She stepped down into the yard and unfurled her wings.

  Ceva knew it was ironic for a white witch to have black wings and hair, but there was a dark witch who looked like a high school cheerleader with blonde hair and blue eyes who’d eat your organs while you watched. Clearly, outward appearance meant nothing. It all came down to what was inside. Though Ceva believed this, she knew there was another more serious reason for her black wings, a reason that would remain her own.

  Out of nowhere she thought, maybe he likes blondes. She shook her head. It was none of her business. He was free to do whatever or whoever he wanted. That thought alone made her sick. Well, she is beautiful and she is a wolf. Oh, and let’s not forget her double Ds. Ceva looked down at her Bs and frowned. Sure, she could create a spell that attracted men like wolves to a barbeque, but why bother? It wouldn’t be real, and she wanted real.

  “Where are you going?” Lothar’s voice echoed through the backyard.

  Ceva turned and said, “I’m going to do a little recon to see if we have any stragglers kicking around.”

  “And leave me with Miss Handsy? Oh hell no. I’m coming.” Ceva had taken Lothar flying once before and could easily hold him with her enhanced strength.

  “You didn’t seem all that worried when she was climbing all over you, Wolfie,” Ceva snapped. “And you must’ve been too distracted to check in on me when I was at death’s door, so I think you’re good to stay right where you are.”

  “She wasn’t climbing all over me. I was trying to be polite. And I checked on you repeatedly.” Lothar’s eyes lit up; he
blinked, then blinked again before a sly smirk crept over his face. “You’re jealous.”

  “You wish. I could have any man I want. Why would I worry about what or who you do?”

  “You’re jealous. Admit it. You gotta know there’s nothing there. The girl just took one look at me and never left my side. At first, I thought she was scared because of the ogre attack, but when her hands started wandering, I realized she had an agenda,” Lothar explained.

  “I’m not jealous, Wolfie. And if you want to go flying, it’s best you remember who and what I am because it’s a long way down.”

  He smiled wide, like he’d won some great prize. She spread her wings and motioned him to come over. “Last chance, fly with me or go back to Miss Handsy.”

  “You. It will always be you,” Lothar stated with conviction.

  Her heart skipped a beat, but she didn’t let on that his declaration meant the world to her. She knew he was joking because he was being stalked by blondie, yet Ceva clung to his statement with all her heart. “Okay, let’s go before she tracks you down out here.”

  Lothar walked over to Ceva and gently rubbed her cheek. “A little steak sauce.”

  She couldn’t move. His hand was still on her cheek and she was frozen to the spot, looking up into his moss green eyes. His shaggy blond hair glowed in the moonlight, and all she wanted to do was touch it. Considering she’d never fought her impulses before, she went ahead and ran her fingers through his silky strands, earning her a happy growl.

  “Let’s go, Wolfie.”

  He turned around and she wrapped her arms around his, hooking him to her before she took to the sky. With Lothar’s powerful shoulders and arms, she didn’t worry if he could keep himself secured to her. And she would make sure he would remain right up against her; she would never drop him.

  Lothar whooped and hollered as they soared through the sky. She remembered how much he’d enjoyed their last flight and added a few fancy aerial maneuvers for fun. It lightened her heart to hear him laughing.

  “This is amazing,” he roared, and she was thrilled she was able to share this part of her life with him. She’d never flown with anyone unless it was absolutely necessary, but this was for enjoyment. She found herself doing many things she’d never usually do because of Lothar.

  They flew for miles, scanning the ground for any sign of trouble, thankfully finding none. They flew over the other wolf search parties and landed to check in with them, but they had found no signs of trouble either. It seemed as though the ogres had somehow disappeared from sight.

  Earlier Ceva had flown over a stunning waterfall to the east of the town and now circled back to it. The falls were breathtaking with the moonlight turning the mist into an ethereal fog. She landed then let go of Lothar. The air was alive as the water splashed into the small pond, the moon reflecting off its surface, adding to its magical quality. She wondered if there were any tiny sprites around playing in the moonlight and mist. They came out at night and enjoyed playing tricks on passersby.

  “Beautiful,” Lothar muttered, and Ceva turned toward him and was about to agree when she noticed he wasn’t looking at the waterfall but at her. His eyes began to glow, his wolf close to the surface, and her body filled with excitement.

  “You know this probably isn’t a good idea, right?” she said in a hushed voice as she took a step away from him.

  “I think it’s the best idea I’ve had in a long time,” he replied and began stalking her—there was no other word for it—and for the first time in her life, she wanted to be caught.

  Ceva retracted her wings and backed up. She might want to be caught, but she didn’t have to make it easy. When he was a few feet away, she leapt the twenty-foot span across the small pond. He growled and then laughed as he gave chase. She turned and ran into the forest, darting between trees, Lothar hot on her heels. From tree to tree, she ran until she veered to the left and around a large oak, and slammed right into Lothar’s chest.

  He wrapped his muscled arms around her. “I’ve got you, and now for my prize,” he said with a laugh.

  “Ah, so I’m simply a prize,” Ceva teased.

  “There isn’t anything simple about you. You mean so much more to me than any prize could.” He caressed her cheek with his big hand as he pressed her against the oak.

  They knew he’d never be able to restrain her if she chose to break free, but there was no place she’d rather be. Forget about Lothar being a distraction from their mission; she wanted to feel his lips on hers. He leaned down, rubbing his nose along Ceva’s. She inhaled his masculine scent and her fangs grew just a bit longer, shocking her. Before she could think on the repercussions of that single response, he laid claim to her mouth. His lips were soft but insistent, demanding entry to her mouth, which she easily gave. Their tongues dueled while he wrapped himself around her. She felt cherished and protected, which was odd because she’d never wanted or needed such feelings before.

  Slowly Lothar pulled away until they were mere inches apart. Then he gently kissed the tip of her nose. Delicate was one word never used to describe Ceva, but that one move cemented the feeling, and she liked it. Neither spoke while she reveled in the intimacy they’d shared surrounded in mist, lost in their own private world.

  She didn’t want this moment to end, but his question jarred her out of her reverie.

  “Why are your fangs longer now, beautiful?”

  Ceva couldn’t tell him they were her mating fangs. They’d never done this before, and she was sure he wouldn’t appreciate the connotation behind its significance.

  “Nothing, it happens all the time,” she lied.

  “I’ve never seen them grow.”

  Damn his keen eye. Now what? “We should get back to the town to let the Alpha know the area is clear of ogres.” She dodged her way around the topic, hoping it would be forgotten once they refocused on the mission.

  Lothar caressed her cheek before backing away, and she turned to walk back to the pond, extending her wings as she went. She couldn’t imagine what Lothar would say if he knew. Oh those, those are my mating fangs. Don’t worry, I won’t bite you…I think. Yeah, that would go over like a lead balloon.

  Chapter Two

  Lothar lay in bed, running through the evening’s events. It was almost dawn, and he’d only slept a couple hours. He knew Ceva had lied about the reason her fangs had lengthened, but why? What was she worried about? He’d be the first to admit he didn’t know much about white witches, but he was more than willing to learn. One thing she couldn’t deny was her reaction to him when they kissed. She’d responded passionately, and their bodies had seemed to know each other, leaving him wanting more.

  Today they would head farther north toward the areas heavily hit by the ogres. They had to root out the cause before more people died. The King’s military was out protecting as many towns as they could, but there simply weren’t enough soldiers to cover them all. Lothar was aware the King had sent soldiers to the Black Ridge wolves, his home, to protect his people and the King’s niece, Helena, who had mated Lothar’s Alpha, Aldric.

  Even though he’d been given permission to follow Ceva, he still felt guilty about leaving his own pack even though he knew they were protected. He was their warrior captain, but he just couldn’t let Ceva go off on her own unprotected. Even if she was an immortal white witch, she could still be killed if she sustained enough damage and lost her head.

  He would never allow that to happen.

  Ceva made him crazy. She was stubborn, opinionated, frustrating, kind, sincere, and courageous—she was perfect. He knew he was head over heels for her and had to figure out a way to make that clear. He would bide his time and start slowly, just as he had with their first kiss. And there would definitely be more of them, he swore. One kiss simply wasn’t going to be enough. Hell, kissing wasn’t going to be enough.

  He heard the slight squeak in the hallway floorboards long before his door opened. He sat up quickly, not knowing who would dare en
ter his room this early in the morning, yet secretly hoping it was Ceva. Imagine his surprise when Miss Handsy walked in. Oh hell no! Quickly he grabbed his pants and pulled them on. By the time he turned around to face her, she had already crossed the room and was reaching for him.

  Lothar backed away and rounded the bed, trying to keep it between them. “Miss, I don’t know what you’re doing here, but you need to leave.”

  “Don’t be shy. I won’t bite…hard.”

  What? Won’t bite hard. Shit, shit, shit, and shit. I’m screwed. He had to set her straight.

  “I’m not shy. I’m just not interested.”

  “But I saw the way you were looking at me. I know you want me,” she said with a glint in her eye. She wasn’t backing down. Great.

  “The look in my eyes was panic,” Lothar tried to explain, but the woman was not accepting it. She rubbed her hands down her sides provocatively, which had no effect on him. Now if Ceva did that… Hell, my Ceva would never do something like this.

  “I’m not looking for love. I just want a bit of that amazing piece of manhood I saw when you first walked into town.” She looked down at his zipper and licked her lips.

  He was taken aback. Shifters had rules of propriety that were never to be broken, and cardinal rule number one—it was rude to stare at other shifters’ privates when they shifted.

  “Leave now before I approach your Alpha about your behavior,” he threatened.

  “And who will he believe, the leader of a traveling band of warriors or his own beloved daughter?” She laughed and began to unbutton her shirt.

  Shit.

  He was about to make a break for the door when it opened again and Ceva casually strolled in as if nothing were out of the ordinary. “Lothar, having a party and you didn’t invite me?” she teased, but he could see the barely suppressed rage in her eyes.

  “This isn’t a party, and you aren’t welcome,” Miss Handsy said. “We’re enjoying our alone time before he has to leave.”