Chapter 141

I did not talk to Andrew the rest of the day. He called me, but I refused to answer. After what he had done, all I wanted was some space to think things over.

The next morning, I was having some oatmeal for breakfast when I heard a knock at the door. I rolled my eyes, certain that it was Jeffrey coming to tell me to cut Andrew some slack. When I opened the door, though, Andrew stood in front of me.

“Hello, Crystal,” he said. “May I come in?”

I glanced behind him to see if anyone was with him.

“Just you? No fake attackers?”

Andrew cracked his neck.

“I deserved that. I promise, it’s only me.”

I looked him up and down, noting the dark circles under his eyes. He was well put together, as usual, but I could tell that he had not gotten much sleep. A part of me was pleased with that.

“Come in,” I said, motioning him into my apartment.

I closed the door after he walked inside.

“So, what do you want?” I asked, my arms crossed over my chest.

“I want to apologize.”

He held my gaze steadily. The earnestness in his eyes touched my heart.

“I should have known better than to have someone simulate an attack on you without letting you know, no matter what it was for,” he continued. “I should have known what it would do to you, given your PTSD. I am truly, deeply sorry.”

I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.

“Thank you. That means a lot to me.”

He closed the gap between us and kissed me gently on the lips. I returned his kiss and wrapped my arms around his back. Then I pulled away and placed my head on his chest.

“Please,” I continued, “just don’t do that to me again.”

“I promise.” He paused, and I could almost hear the gears on his head turning. “Would you be willing to try my exercises again?”

I stiffened.

“I really think that the yoga and meditation could help you,” he urged me.

“And you won’t have someone attack me again?”

Andrew shook his head as he stroked my hair.

“No. I have something a little different in mind for that exercise.”

I hesitated, then nodded.

“I’m willing to try again, as long as there are no more surprises.”

• * *

Once more in Andrew’s home gym, I sat on a mat in the lotus position. Andrew had guided me into the meditation and then left me alone for the next phase of the exercise.

Andrew was going to attack me in his wolf-man form, that much I knew. I just didn’t know when. The trick, Andrew explained, was for me to be able to access and control Susan once he did attack without freezing up.

Easier said than done.

I tried to focus on the forest and Susan, keeping myself in the scene. In the back of my mind, though, I couldn’t help but wonder when Andrew was going to attack. As the vision began to fade, I recentered myself and forced my mind to stay on the task at hand.

“He is near,” Susan told me, staring into my eyes. “I can sense his wolf.”

“Of course, he is near,” I responded. “He left the room, not the mansion.”

“No. Sniff. Listen.”

I took in another deep breath, and Andrew’s familiar, delicious scent filled my lungs. Claws scraped on the slick wooden floor nearby. In the vision, I dug my hand farther into Susan’s fur to keep a hold of her.

“I am not leaving,” she assured me.

That was when I felt Andrew grab me, his claws scratching my shoulders. He clapped his hand over my mouth and started dragging me toward the door.

My heart started pounding. My breathing raced. I knew that this was just a simulation, but it felt so real that I had to fight off the flashbacks to my kidnapping.

“I’m here,” Susan said. “I’m not leaving you.”

I envisioned myself gripping Susan’s fur tighter. As I did, Susan disappeared into a cloud of glowing white particles. The particles swirled around me and merged with me, causing my body to radiate.

My eyes flew open. I commanded Susan to come forth.

My nails elongated, as did my teeth. My bones and muscles grew, and fur sprouted all over my body. Soon, my wolf-woman form took over.

I grabbed at Andrew’s arm and clawed him. He howled as he released me, blood dripping down his forearm. I scrambled away, then faced him, snarling.

That was when the exercise should have ended. Instead, the naked wolf-man snarled back and leapt at me.

I rolled away in time to miss him, but he caught my leg and pulled me back. I twisted around and struck at him. He hissed as blood streamed down the fresh wounds on his face.

Andrew dove for my arms and pinned me down. He straddled me, breathing heavily as he stared down at me. His eyes dilated, and his tongue lolled out of his wolf-snout.

I could smell his arousal. It was growing in me, too.

He lowered his head and licked my neck, causing me to growl in excitement. He rubbed his erection against my groin, and the wetness in my private area spread. He dragged his clawed hand down my arm and onto my breast, rubbing it roughly.

I bit his shoulder as the pleasure built in me. I tasted his blood, enjoying its metallic taste. He dug his claws into my arm, adding a hint of pain to my pleasure and bringing my ecstasy higher.

Andrew ripped off the remains of my dress. A low rumble emitted from his chest as he examined my bare form. Drool dripped down from his mouth and landed on my chest, sending chills down my spine.

“Your Highness,” Parker’s voice broke through our trance, “there’s a phone call for you from—oh my!”

Parker averted his eyes the moment he saw us in such a compromising position.

“I am so sorry, Your Highness, Ms. Blanchard…I just…”

Andrew transformed back into his human form, and I followed suit. I blushed as Andrew covered me with his body, trying to preserve what little of my dignity I had left.

“It’s all right, Parker,” Andrew said. “Just tell me, who is calling?”

“Yes, yes, of course,” Parker replied, holding the phone out towards Andrew. “It’s the hospital. There’s been an accident.”

Andrew’s brows furrowed.

“What do you mean?”

“The hospital will explain, Your Highness.”

Andrew grabbed the phone from Parker’s grasp.

“May I…be excused now, Your Highness?” Parker asked desperately.

Andrew nodded and shooed him away.

“Of course, Parker, of course. You are dismissed.”

Parker gave Andrew a quick bow before rushing out of the room.

Andrew put the phone to his ear and said, “Andrew Dubois speaking.”

His eyes widened as a voice spoke on the other end. The color seemed to drain from his face. He jumped to his feet and ran toward the door.

“Yes, thank you,” he said, the panic in his voice barely suppressed. “I will be there right away. Thank you again.”

Andrew hung up the phone and yanked the door open.

“Wait, Andrew!” I called out to him. “What’s going on?”

“It’s Lisa,” he said. “She’s been in a car accident.”