Legacy: Alexandra's Legacy Part 5

He shook his head, amazed by her sheer stubbornness. He didn't have time to see how long she could go without acknowledging his presence. They had to get moving out of the city.

Quickening his pace until he was alongside her, he gave her a sidelong glance. She ignored him totally, even going so far as to look the other way, pretending great interest in the stores on the other side of the street.

"I know you're angry with me, Alex, but there's no time for that now." He scanned the area ahead of them before looking over his shoulder, searching for anyone who seemed to be out of place. His preternatural senses weren't much help in the crowded city. With so many sounds and smells bombarding him it was hard to distinguish any one in particular. Still, he tried. Alex's safety might depend on that small advantage.

"You have no idea," she muttered as she picked up her pace. People got out of her way as her long legs continued to eat up the sidewalk.

He let her go for two blocks and finally got tired of her ignoring him. Wrapping his hand around her upper arm, he tugged her into a narrow alleyway between two buildings. His senses told him that it was empty, if you didn't count the dumpster at the end with several rats poking around.

She glared at him as she tried to pull her arm from his grasp. His fingers tightened. He wasn't letting her go until she listened to him.

"Oh, right. If you can't get your own way, you'll manhandle me." She dug in her feet as he practically dragged her halfway down the alleyway. Her coat fell from her hands as she ducked beneath his arm and twisted so he was forced to either release her or risk hurting her.

Growling, he let go of her arm and ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. "What do you want from me? Whatever I did, I never intended to make you angry or hurt you." The city still marched on around them, everyone going about their business. Horns blew and the murmur of the crowd was thick in the distance. But here in the alley there was only the two of them.

"That's what makes it worse." Crossing her arms across her chest, she rubbed the spot where he'd gripped her. "It obviously didn't mean anything to you at all."

Not mean anything to him! Not mean anything to him! Did she have any idea just how hard it was for him to even suggest that she meet the other eligible males of the pack when every instinct he possessed was screaming at him to strip her naked, mount her from behind and mark her as his?

His woman. His mate.

"Maybe I will meet those other males and pick someone else," she muttered as she turned away from him.

It was the last straw.

Pouncing, he grabbed her by the shoulders and jerked her around. Whatever she was about to say died on her lips as she got a good look at his face. He moved forward, backing her up against the concrete wall. Capturing her hands in one of his, he raised them over her head. She started to struggle so he shifted his larger body closer to her, using his full weight to trap her.

"Don't you dare say that it didn't mean anything to me." His voice was low and guttural, a mixture of anger and arousal. "What you gave me was a gift. To watch you come, to smell the sweet scent of your cream, to see the ecstasy on your face was a present beyond price. Don't you dare say that it didn't mean anything."

She blinked slowly, her long brown lashes fanning across her cheeks, making her eyes disappear for the briefest of seconds. d.a.m.n, she was beautiful, her skin pale and smooth. He reached up with his free hand and traced his fingers over her cheek. The color of her eyes seemed to deepen. Her eyes fascinated him. They were so expressive, so alive.

"I don't understand." She had ceased to fight him, instead staring at him in obvious confusion.

"I know you don't, Alex. I know this is all new to you. That you don't understand our ways." Joshua lowered his head until their foreheads were touching. "First and foremost, my job is to protect you. Nothing else is more important than that. I can't relax my guard unless I know we're safe. To do anything else would be a dereliction of duty.

"I gave my oath to my alpha that I would bring you back safely. Anything less is unacceptable." He paused and lifted his head. "Besides which, I promised your father I'd look after you. I don't think it's wise to break a pledge to James LeVeau. He'd make a steadfast friend but a relentless enemy."

Alex made a small sound of agreement, but said nothing. The mounds of her b.r.e.a.s.t.s were pressed against his chest and he could feel their hard nubs through both their layers of clothing. She shifted slightly, her thighs rubbing against his. His shaft swelled and he leaned inward, pressing his pelvis against hers.

"See, this is what I'm talking about, Alex. All I have to do is touch you. Smell you. h.e.l.l, all I have to do is see you and I'm hard. But it's not safe here. Nor is it fair to you."

Joshua let out a long, low breath and prayed that what he was about to say didn't get her all worked up and angry with him again. He liked her this way, all soft and supple as she tried to wiggle even closer to him.

He tried not to read too much into her actions, knowing that it might just be the flood of unfamiliar hormones surging through her body, coupled with the adrenaline rush from the danger and their proximity. She had no idea just how potent those hormones and instincts were. But he did. And right now they were urging her to mate with a male of her species and, at this moment, he was the only one available.

"Alex," he began, softening his voice. "You're experiencing emotions and urges you've never felt before and unfortunately you don't have the luxury of time to deal with them. I don't want you to end up doing something you might regret." Not to mention that an alleyway where anyone could walk in on them at any second was not the place to be doing anything. The restroom was bad enough.

He swallowed back a groan as she rubbed her mound against the front of his jeans. Even through the thick fabric, he could feel her heat. He tried to remember what it was he'd been saying. He searched his mind and found the lost thread of the conversation.

"You might feel differently when you meet some of the other males." The last came out on a growl. Just the thought of another male touching her, feeling her heat, made him want to lash out. But he had to be fair to her. He was a tough, unfeeling b.a.s.t.a.r.d. A sanctioned killer. She deserved better.

"And you don't like that idea at all, do you?" She traced her tongue along her bottom lip, teasing him.

"f.u.c.k no, I don't like it. But it's what I have to do. It's fair to you and it's fair to the other unmated males of the pack." He didn't even mention that if he claimed her before he brought her to the Wolf Creek pack that he'd have to fight to keep her.

Going up on her tiptoes, she kissed his chin. Her lips were soft and he knew just how d.a.m.ned good they tasted. He lowered his head just a fraction and she took advantage of it, melding her mouth to his.

Who knew? Alex was reeling from Joshua's confession. She didn't think he had any idea just how much he'd revealed to her. Or maybe he did. He refused her, not because he didn't want her, but because he was being honorable.

She'd never met another man who would turn away from a woman who offered s.e.x out of a sense of honor. Most men would take what was offered and then run. But not Joshua. She suspected this wasn't necessarily a code among werewolves either. She had a feeling that this was the core of the man in front of her.

It made her want him even more.

Deep in her heart, she knew it didn't matter how many other males she met. She'd never meet another one she wanted the way she did Joshua Striker. There was something about him that drew her, made her want to be with him. Only him.

It might sound corny, but she wanted to be the one he came to for comfort at the end of a long, hard day. She was under no misconceptions of what his position in the pack forced him to do. She wanted to be able to share his burdens with him, ease them.

She also knew he wasn't ready to hear that yet, wouldn't accept it no matter what she did.

He'd explain it away as hormones or adrenaline or some other foolishness. Alex knew better. She'd always known her own mind and right now both her heart and mind were screaming that he belonged to her.

The anger in his voice when he talked about her meeting other males actually rea.s.sured her. Now that she knew he was as emotionally involved, that he did care, all her previous anger melted away.

In a way it was even kind of sweet. He'd given her great pleasure, not taking any for himself, because that was his way of protecting her against himself, against her raging hormones. And because he'd pledged to protect her, he would at all costs, even if that meant protecting her from him.

She'd just have to convince him differently. And she'd already made a good start. When she'd touched her lips to his he'd responded immediately.

She savored the low groan that rose from deep in his chest as she slid her tongue into his mouth. His pelvis was hard against hers, his c.o.c.k pressed snug against her s.e.x. Her b.r.e.a.s.t.s ached, their tips swollen. G.o.d, she couldn't believe she was so hot and primed for o.r.g.a.s.m again. Logically, she knew that part of it was hormones, but she knew that just as much had to do with the man in front of her.

He held her hands high above her head, keeping them pinned to the rough brick wall with one hand. His strength was incredible. It was also a complete turn-on, which surprised her. She'd never been the type to be impressed with muscles. She wasn't exactly weak herself and it was hard for any guy to live up to the standard set by her father. But Joshua oozed power even when he was standing still. It was an incredible aphrodisiac.

His tongue twined with hers. It was a slow, unhurried dance that made her entire body hum with pleasure. The man certainly did know how to kiss. He angled his head, deepening the pressure, taking his time as if there was nothing else he'd rather do but spend all day just kissing her.

Come to think of it, she wouldn't mind that at all. She could probably come with him doing nothing else but touching his mouth to hers, his tongue to hers. Her inner core pulsed and she could feel herself creaming her panties. Again.

Joshua eased back, the motion pushing his hips tighter against hers. They both groaned and he gave a m.u.f.fled laugh. "See what I mean. It's too dangerous for me to touch you, Alex." His fingers flexed around her wrists before he reluctantly released her.

She lowered her arms, slipping them around his shoulders, feeling him tense as she stroked the back of his neck. "You live for danger," she teased.

"Ah, Alex. What am I going to do with you?" His eyes were so dark and soft they appeared almost liquid. His lashes were long and thick. On any other man they might have looked feminine. With Joshua, they only accentuated his masculinity, making the harsh angles of his face appear even sharper.

She could lose herself in those eyes. She could also think of a few things she'd like him to do, but she knew now wasn't the time. Already, she sensed his retreat from her. She was beginning to understand the man beneath the hard exterior, beginning to see what drove him, what motivated him. Even as it frustrated her, it made him even more desirable. She not only understood, but also admired his commitment to duty, his loyalty to his pack.

He took a step back, all softness fading from his expression, his face returning to its normal harsh lines. "We have to keep moving. We have less than two days to meet your father at Wolf Creek and we'll probably need every moment of it."

So much had happened this morning. It was too easy to just want to lose herself in Joshua, to forget the danger they were in, the danger her father was in. That wouldn't do any of them any good.

From now on she'd focus on the journey ahead, doing whatever she could to help them get to their destination alive and in one piece. Once they were there, all bets were off. In the meantime, she'd use the opportunity to learn everything she could about Joshua, his family and the Wolf Creek pack.

Her stomach churned. She still wasn't quite ready to face the whole werewolf thing. It was easy to accept it in Joshua, as she'd never known him as anything else. It was difficult to wrap her head around the fact that not only was her father one too, but she was as well. Or rather she was a half-breed.

He was watching her, gauging her reaction. She straightened her shoulders and offered him a tight smile. Reality had just descended again with a huge thud. It was time to go. "I'm ready."

He hesitated as if he wanted to say something further. Alex waited, but he said nothing, just continued to search her face. She wasn't quite sure what he was looking for or if he even found it, but he finally looked away, glancing toward the top of the alleyway. "I've got a vehicle stashed on the edge of town. All we've got to do is get there without anyone finding us first."

"Okay." She finger-combed her hair and straightened her sweatshirt before leaning down to snag her leather jacket from the ground. Thankfully it hadn't fallen into anything disgusting and she was able to just brush off the dirt before slinging it back over her shoulder. It was only now that she began to notice the questionable smells permeating the alley. She wrinkled her nose and tried not to breathe too deeply.

Joshua was still watching her as if he wasn't quite certain of her mood. He'd have to live with it. She couldn't exactly explain it to him. She wasn't quite sure of everything she was feeling at the moment. They'd have time to talk later. At some point they'd have to stop and rest.

"Stay close," he ordered as he led the way back to the top of the alley. With a quick glance in both directions, he turned, stepped out and headed down the sidewalk.

Alex followed close behind, doing her best to try to meld with the ma.s.s of humanity that swarmed around them. For the first time since they'd left the restaurant, she felt exposed and edgy. The reality of the situation was really beginning to sink in.

There were werewolves scouring the city searching for her. If they found her they would kill Joshua and kidnap her, maybe even kill her. From what her father had said, not everyone was enamored of half-breeds like herself. Tainted blood, he'd called it.

She wondered where her father was, praying he was safe. A huge lump swelled up in her throat, but she swallowed it back. He would expect her to do whatever it took to survive and reach Wolf Creek. She had to believe he would be there waiting for her.

She couldn't even contemplate a world in which James Riley wasn't there beside her. Or was it James LeVeau? Joshua had referred to her father by that name twice now. She'd have to ask him about that. No matter the name, he was her father and she'd never known a tougher or more capable man than him. He'd be okay and so would she. They had to be.

Strong fingers entwined with hers, making her jump. She'd been so lost in thought she'd forgotten to focus on her surroundings. That was dangerous, not to mention stupid.

"Everything will be all right." Joshua didn't look at her as he spoke, but kept them moving steadily along with the thinning crowd.

"I know." She fell into step beside him, determined to block out all thoughts, doubts and questions. Survival had to take precedence.

Everything else could wait.

Chapter Seven.

Joshua tugged Alex off the "L" as soon as the doors opened, their fellow travelers giving them a wide berth. City dwellers were nothing if not smart when it came to sensing possible danger. It came naturally to them, just part of the urban survival skills they cultivated in order to live in the city. He was tall and strong, but it was more than that. His wolf was riding near the surface, radiating a sense of menace.

Humans might not need their instincts for hunting and wilderness survival, but those instincts were there, existing just beneath the thin skin of civilization. Folks may not be able to put it into words, but they recognized him for what he was-a predator.

It took them most of the afternoon to reach the edge of the city. They'd barely avoided being detected by two different groups of prowling werewolves. Joshua had no idea which packs they were from, only that they weren't from the Wolf Creek pack.

Joshua had caught the scent of one group of wolves just as they'd neared a train station. They'd jumped on the Red Line, melding with the ma.s.s of humanity to avoid detection, and ended up on the opposite side of the city. They'd walked for a while, taken the "L" again and then several buses. Joshua had purposely led them around in circles, taking a roundabout route to reach the vehicle he'd left parked in the lot of a large grocery wholesaler.

He'd figured there was less chance of someone noticing it was there for hours and, if they did, they'd just figure it belonged to one of the employees. Plus, with cars and trucks coming and going all day long, it was less likely that anything would happen to the vehicle. He'd moved it several times since arriving in Chicago two days ago, finding similar lots all around the city in which to park to avoid detection. It paid to be cautious.

Alex didn't speak much and neither did he. Both of them were alert now, watching their surroundings as they made their way down the city streets. They'd stopped at a small deli around lunchtime and picked up some sandwiches to eat as they walked, but other than that, they'd been on the move since early morning. Joshua was restless now, wanting to be out of the city and back to the forest where there was room for a man, and a wolf, to breathe.

"Almost there." He glanced over at Alex and she nodded. She'd been great considering what she'd been through. He was amazed at her resiliency and her ability to cope under harsh circ.u.mstances. His heart ached as he watched her put one foot in front of the other and keep going. It hadn't been easy to tromp around the city all day while watching for wolves from other packs. Even he felt on edge. He couldn't even begin to wonder just how she was feeling.

"Alex..." He wasn't quite sure what he was going to say to her. He was proud of her. Proud of the way she'd handled herself today with whatever situation had been thrown her way. He wasn't quite sure she would care what he thought. Why would she?

"What is it?" She'd stopped, her eyes darting up and down the street checking for danger.

"Nothing." Now that he'd thought about it, it seemed rather stupid to say something like that to her. Better to just let it go. "The car is just up the road there," he pointed. "The grocery store lot." They could just see the tip of the parking lot from where they were.

"Wonderful." She heaved a sigh and resumed walking. He looked closely at her and noticed the strain on her face and the perspiration on her forehead. She was tired and upset, but hadn't complained once.

Reaching out, he placed his hand on her arm. "I've got to scout out the area first. Just to make sure it's safe." He glanced around and noticed a sheltered doorway of an abandoned building. If she stayed back in the shadows she should be fairly well hidden from view. "Here." He guided her toward it. "Just pretend you're waiting for someone. Keep your eyes open. If for any reason you get nervous, or think someone is watching you, just go into that diner over there." He showed her the one he meant. "If you're not here when I get back, I'll come looking for you over there."

"I want to go with you." She put her hands on her hips and pursed her lips as she stared unflinchingly at him.

"It's safer if I'm alone. Remember, they'll be watching for a couple, not a lone man." He didn't want to tell her that she would also be a danger to him. There weren't as many people and odors here to mask her scent and any male wolf that pa.s.sed within fifteen feet would smell her. The scent of a female werewolf going into heat was not something any of them were likely to miss. Not to mention he didn't want to have to kill anyone in front of her if it wasn't absolutely necessary. He waited while she thought it over, knowing he'd have less trouble if she agreed than if he tried to force her to do as he wanted.

"All right," she acceded. "It makes sense. But that doesn't mean I have to like it," she added.

In spite of himself, he felt the beginnings of a grin tug at the corners of his mouth. "Duly noted."

He waited until she was safely tucked in the doorway before he loped down the side of the road. The sidewalk was cracked and uneven on either side of the pitted asphalt. Turning right, he followed the wall of the building and came out behind it. All his senses were on alert now, searching for any sight, sound or smell that might alert him to possible danger. His eyes were always moving, searching out places where someone might hide. His gaze went to the rooftops, scanning as he pa.s.sed behind them.

He didn't see anything, but his wolf was telling him different. The back of his neck itched as if someone were watching him. Joshua eased into the shadow of a large delivery truck and waited. Dusk was quickly falling over the city and he hoped to be well underway before dark.

Traveling at night was a dangerous proposition. There was less traffic on the road, making them an easier target as the werewolves all knew where they were headed. But the car had some built-in safety features and a stash of weapons. He wouldn't risk it if the situation weren't critical.

Joshua crouched low and scooted behind a dumpster. Again, he waited. Watched. Listened. The air was still and filled with the stench of the city-people, garbage, grease from the few restaurants along this strip of road-making it hard for him to catch the scent of any wolves.

One slow foot at a time, he shifted from cover to cover until he was almost directly across from the grocery store. He could see the dusty, dented car in the parking lot. It was nondescript, but what was under the hood was a prime piece of machinery. Looks could be deceiving, and not only in a vehicle. It was almost too quiet. Joshua didn't trust it.

A slight movement caught his eye and he squinted to focus better. There. Across from the car was a man just sitting in his vehicle. Maybe he was just waiting for someone to come out of the wholesaler. Maybe not. Joshua kept searching.

A flash on the rooftop next to him caught his attention. If he hadn't been looking at just that second he would have missed it. Might be nothing. Could be a rifle of some sort.

He might be paranoid, but he didn't think so. His senses were screaming at him and he always paid attention. The wolf within him could sense more than he could in human form. It paid to listen.

Joshua glanced up at the building beside him. There was a fire escape ladder running down the side, stopping about eight feet from the ground. He hated exposing himself in that way, but he had no choice. He had to check the rooftop. Besides, going up on the roof would give him a better vantage point, allowing him to get a bird's-eye view of the entire area.

Joshua's boots made no noise as he crept across the gravel lot. Fatigue washed over him, but he shook it off. He'd been roaming around this city for the better part of forty-eight hours with only a couple hours sleep. He was hungry too. The sandwich he'd had for lunch had been hours ago and his metabolism was faster than a human's. He needed a lot more calories to function properly.

Ignoring both the fatigue and the hunger, he bent his legs and jumped, grabbing the bottom rung of the ladder. The muscles in his arms flexed and strained as he hauled himself up until he could hook his foot over the metal bar. Not making a sound, he climbed to the top. He peered over the top of the ladder and froze. There on the far side of the roof, watching the road, was a man with a high-powered rifle.

The stranger put his hand to his ear, where a small earpiece rested. "What?"

Joshua closed his eyes and focused his acute sense of hearing in order to hear the voice on the other end of the wireless communication device. Thankfully, there weren't too many extraneous sounds. If he hadn't been this close, he never would have been able to do it.

"Any sign of them yet?"

"Nothing. You sure we're in the right place?" The male swiped a hand across his forehead.