Awaken: Book One: London Read online

  Relief flooded through me.

  ‘Help,’ Fi said in between squeals. ‘It’s completely broken.’

  I hurried forward and began moving all the cleaning equipment out of the way in the cupboard under the sink.

  ‘Pass me a knife,’ I said as I started to get sprayed with water.

  ‘What kind?’ Fi asked, but Wolfe appeared beside me with a clean butter knife from the side. I used it to turn off the valve. Without water spurting everywhere, I was able to get the tap back on while the others watched.

  ‘It needs tightening,’ I said as I rummaged through the toolbox in the utility cupboard until I found the wrench and finished the work. I released the valve and tested the tap to check all was working.

  ‘How many people does it take to fix a leak?’ Vince offered with a grin.

  ‘Just one,’ Fi said as we all began to clean up. ‘Ceri knows how to fix pretty much everything.’

  ‘An ideal flatmate. Skills of a misspent youth?’

  It depended what he meant by misspent. Or youth. With enough time, you can pick up almost anything.

  Chapter 12

  After Wolfe’s pep talk, I decided I should spend my Saturday lying low and gathering my wits. Wolfe had wanted me with him while he finished the final preparations for the guests, but I didn’t want to be any part of it. I was nervous enough without peeking over bannisters as people arrived and silverware was polished…or however it was that werewolves prepared for a party. I also didn’t like the ease with which he seemed to think he could order me around. Doubly so because all the other wolves seemed to find nothing wrong with his bossiness. After some back and forth, where admittedly I turned into a petulant teenager and him an overbearing parent, he conceded.

  Begrudgingly, I agreed to a bodyguard – though I had every intent to ditch him at the earliest opportunity – but I didn’t want Vince. Ostensibly, it was because Vince and Fi seemed to be having fun getting to know each other and I didn’t want to ruin that. But it was also because I didn’t want to have to talk.

  If I allowed myself to admit it, I was also jealous of the way Fi was able to put Vince at ease. Ever since we’d both found out about Ariane, he hadn’t been as relaxed around me. Oh, he was fun and his usual stupid self, but at the same time I could tell he was on guard – ready at any moment to snap into action to respond to an order.

  My alternative bodyguard was not subtle. Instead of the lithe woman who had been guarding the door, I got the seven-foot burley bodybuilder type who had been lurking on the stairs. He followed me out of the building and humphed after me down the road.

  ‘You know, I’m pretty sure I’m not supposed to be able to tell you’re there,’ I shot back at him over my shoulder as we walked.

  He shrugged.

  ‘People are going to think you’re a massive stalker.’

  He shrugged again and stood a little way behind me at the crossing. As we waited for the lights to change, I turned to give him a more thorough appraisal. He really was huge. How did a werewolf get to be so big? If they were supposed to be frozen at their predator-peak, how could his have known to take steroids? Unless that was all him? But did anyone naturally grow that muscly? Maybe werewolves could work out in the gym to get like that. But, then, what would a werewolf have to bench press to get those muscles? A train? Was it possible to bench trains?

  My mind was wandering. I pulled it back.

  ‘Do you enjoy babysitting people all day?’ He glanced at me then looked straight ahead. ‘I’m fairly certain you can speak to me. It’s not like I’m just going to forget you’re there. At the very least, you cast a shadow. What are you – six-eight? Six-nine?’

  ‘Six-ten,’ he said, straightening but still looking straight ahead. ‘The lights have changed.’ He had a London accent.

  I darted a look at the green man and then turned and began walking. A moment later, I sensed my bodyguard back at my shoulder.

  ‘What’s your name?’ I asked, opting for more conversation than I really wanted. He seemed surprised that I would ask but answered me anyway.

  ‘Frankie Tucker.’

  ‘Hi, Frankie,’ I stretched out my hand, still walking. ‘I’m Ceri.’ He jumped, startled, but shook my hand. ‘Presumably you’re a wolf?’ He gave a nod. ‘Do you know who I am?’ Another nod.

  I thought on my options. I could spend the day trying to lose him. I could spend the day trying to ignore him. Or I could spend the day doing what I did best – research. I opted for the latter.

  ‘How long have you been a werewolf?’

  ‘A few hundred.’

  Years, presumably. That made him another baby. ‘So you’re about the same age as Vince. Vince Leyton,’ I clarified. He gave a nod as if he knew exactly who I was talking about. If pack was family, of course they all knew each other. ‘How come you’re a bodyguard and he’s a lab researcher?’

  ‘I actually have a bookshop in Greenwich but I was called in because of…’ He trailed off.

  Because of Ariane. Everyone was stopping their lives – or afterlives – or whatever this non-human part of their existence was because of Ariane. It was sobering and I didn’t like it. I had spent the last 400 years surviving by blending in and taking care to not cause a scene. And here I suddenly was standing out. It didn’t sit right.

  ‘So, there aren’t always loads of werewolves living in Mayfair?’ I said all blasé.

  ‘There is usually a big presence in Wolfe’s house, but not as many as there are now. We are staying close as the other houses converge.’ I sobered. For the “family reunion”. The other packs were coming so my pack was readying in case it needed to fight.

  ‘Does it happen a lot? The converging houses, family meetings.’

  ‘No.’

  ‘When was the last one?’

  He shrugged. ‘Before my time.’

  I wasn’t sure how I felt about that. I was rewriting the playbook again. Something about an irregular conference with a load of werewolves didn’t fill me with confidence for the outcome. I was tempted to see if Attenborough had done any documentaries on what happens when rival wolf packs met. I doubted I’d like it.

  Fortunately, Frankie turned out to be easy conversation so I didn’t spend my time stewing. By the time we’d finished our first circuit of Hyde Park, he’d run through the who’s and where’s of most of the evening’s visitors. Not that I could remember any names but I had the gist. From what I’d gathered, it would be an international event. There were wolves flying in from packs across the globe – the alphas and a few key supporting roles. It sounded more political than I’d anticipated. Like a meeting of the G20 or Davos.

  And they were convening to discuss me.

  I still didn’t know what that actually meant. Did they want to just talk about me? Or talk about what was to be done about me? I didn’t like the idea of anyone else deciding my fate.

  Frankie and I did a few more circuits before stopping for a panini lunch and then lazily wandering back to the house via a few bookshops and coffee. By the time we got there, it was getting late. The kitchen was full of the usual faces but they were all wearing black-tie. I frowned – I hadn’t packed the wardrobe. In retrospect, it was ludicrous to expect to get away with wearing jeans and a jumper. At academic conferences, it was de rigeuer.

  I spotted Vince, all smart and well-tailored, and went over. ‘Where’s Wolfe?’

  He smiled at me and then glanced at my clothes. ‘In his study, I think. Shouldn’t you be getting ready?’

  ‘I was out all day and didn’t bring anything,’ I confessed. ‘I need to go back to the flat.’ I would have to borrow another one of Fi’s dresses. Maybe the black one again. That had been deceptively comfy.

  He glanced at the clock. ‘We have to leave in half an hour, there won’t be time to stop off.’ He seemed suddenly serious. ‘And we can’t be late, Ceri. It would be a big insult.’

  I frowned. ‘Then it doesn’t matter. I’ll just go like this.’


  But Vince just stared at me as if I’d spoken another language. Although he always looked good, I wasn’t used to him caring about appearances. On the occasions he wore a shirt, it was paired with jeans. Even when lecturing.’

  He let out a breath and shook his head at me. ‘You’re trouble.’ And then straightened. ‘It’s a good thing we’re in Mayfair. I’ll run out and get you something. What size are you?’

  ‘You?’ Was that really necessary? More dogsbody work on my behalf? ‘If it’s a big deal, I’ll go.’ And break my bank balance on a dress I can’t afford.

  ‘Go where?’ Wolfe was suddenly with us, tightening a cufflink on an impeccable suit. My mouth ran dry when he looked up at me. He was the definition of breath-taking. And he knew it. A ghost of a smile teased at the corner of his mouth. I knew he could hear my suddenly-racing heart and see my blush. My body had so easily reacted to him. No matter what my brain worried about, the rest of me was 100% ready to follow him wherever he wanted to go.

  Vince filled him in. ‘Ceri needs something to wear. I was about to go and pick something up.’

  Wolfe sobered. ‘You have no clothes?’

  ‘I didn’t bring any.’ Of the thousand-and-one questions I had asked Frankie about tonight, none of them had been about the dress code. They all must have assumed it was a given but I had made a point of eschewing certain kinds of high-profile events during my lifetime.

  Wolfe let out a short breath and signalled to someone by the door. After passing them some instruction, he turned back to me. ‘Come with me.’

  Not feeling like being chastised, I begrudgingly followed him along a path through the maze into a lift, then up to what appeared to be a penthouse suite. Floor to ceiling glass opened out onto a terrace with views across London. Instinctively, I moved closer to have a look.

  ‘There is a shower in there,’ he said, pulling back my attention and directing it to a door at the far end of the room. ‘They will bring up your clothes when they arrive.’ My clothes? Someone had been dispatched to fetch me something? I felt awkward at the thought. I was hardly above dressing myself. If someone had told me in advance, this wouldn’t have been an issue. It was my inner proud working class talking – I could source Sunday best by myself without the need of servants.

  And then he left me.

  I scowled. Had he really just commanded me to wash and then dress in whatever he wanted? One of the better aspects of this century was that such archaic behaviour could be called out for what it was. Archaic. Even if he was the pack alpha, I did not want a master.

  I was sorely tempted to stay exactly as I was until the time passed, but then my own curiosity overcame me and I went to check out the bathroom.

  And then I changed my mind about what I wanted.

  It was less of a shower and more of a personal spa. And there was no way I was going to pass up an opportunity to try every setting on the various showerheads.

  By the time I had finished, I felt so clean and relaxed that I didn’t even care that someone had brought in a few boxes without my noticing. I opened them carefully and tried not to cringe when I saw lingerie. I like pretty things as much as the next person, but the thought that someone had picked out something so intimate and sexy made me squirm. There was a dress also, and shoes. Whoever had bought them had guessed my size to perfection.

  I quickly dressed and hurried out to find Wolfe by the window staring out across London.

  ‘Are we late?’

  He turned and let his eyes run over me in a slow, lingering sweep. I felt my cheeks burning. ‘No,’ he said a little croakily before clearing his throat. ‘No.’

  ‘I take it that means I look the part.’ I tried to make light of the way he was looking at me. It was difficult because I – because Ariane – clearly liked it.

  He opened his mouth to speak and instead opted to clear his throat again.

  I won’t lie – I enjoyed making him speechless. He indicated the door and we made our way over to the private lift.

  ‘How far is the venue from here?’ I asked, pretending not to notice how close he stood or how his hand brushed against my side when he entered the lift behind me.

  ‘Little more than an hour. Fareham Castle. Just beyond London.’

  ‘Will everyone be there when we arrive?’ I swallowed a sudden nervousness in my throat. I obviously didn’t want to show any weakness but it was hard not to freak out at the thought of a room full of staring werewolves.

  ‘Yes. We will begin immediately.’

  ‘Begin what? The dinner? Or do we speak first?’

  We met my eye and then he reached passed me to stop the lift. I barely had a chance to question why his hands were on my shoulders before he kissed me. I held my breath. It started softly, a gentle brushing of his lips against mine, and then went somewhere else.

  The warning bells in my head were telling me not to trust him, but my body ignored them. I sank into the kiss. It was so different to any kiss I had had before. It seemed to involve more than my body. It quickly turned from something soft to something base. And raw. And primal. Was this what it was like to kiss a werewolf? Was this what it was like to kiss a mate?

  He pressed me back against the side of the lift and devoured my mouth. I rose to meet him with every sweep, my hands fisting in his jacket, his hair. The feel of him, the taste of him, the smell of him was stoking something strong inside me.

  Not just me.

  Ariane.

  Then just as suddenly as it had begun, it ended. Wolfe pulled back and restarted the lift. I blinked my eyes open and stared at him. His eyes were focused on the lift doors, straight ahead. He looked as unaffected as before, if a little tousled.

  ‘You did that to distract me,’ I reasoned, my voice breaking slightly as I regained control over my limbs.

  ‘If you like.’

  I tried not to scowl. What did that mean? Was that a yes? Or a dismissive no? Had he even wanted to kiss me?

  I concentrated all my effort on looking like I hadn’t just been thoroughly kissed when the doors pinged open. Deep breath, brushing loose, damp hair behind my ears etc. But I needn’t have bothered. The entrance hall was mostly empty.

  ‘Where is everyone?’

  ‘They have gone ahead. Come,’ he said, ‘the car is waiting.’

  Oh.

  It was an insult to be late but perhaps Ariane got a free pass if the others were on time.

  Wolfe barely acknowledged my existence the whole ride, save the occasional glance in my direction. Meanwhile, my mind raced down alternate tracks; sometimes the unknown fear of the party we were heading to, and sometimes the unexpected passion of the kiss. Even if the kiss had been a device, it had affected my body differently to other far more passionate experiences I had had with others. Like it or not, some part of that had to be because we were mated. It felt strange that something so intangible could affect the experience so much. It meant I could trust my body even less.

  I spent the rest of the journey trying to shake the thoughts away. All of them. I didn’t want Wolfe to know what I was thinking. Since he could sense emotion then I would try to have none.

  Fareham Castle looked more like an estate manor than a castle. No doubt the effect of centuries of expansion and reconstruction. As soon as I stepped out onto the gravel drive, I sensed them. It was like getting off a plane in a hot country – I was hit by a wall of power. Wolfe appeared by my side, entirely unaffected. Did he give off a wall like that to others outside the pack? An intimidating sense that he was in charge?

  ‘You are stronger than all of them,’ he told me out of nowhere, his eyes on the entrance. He offered his arm and after a brief hesitation, I took it. He was the devil I knew…sort of. And I had no real idea what to expect inside.

  Wolfe confidently led me up the steps, across the entrance hall towards the ballroom where elegant guests clinked glasses and appeared to be enjoying canapes and conversation. It reminded me of some of the parties I’d served at just before the s
econd world war. Refined elegance, opulence, and a pulsing desire to have fun.

  It was strange to be a guest. I should have been preparing the trays to go up or being on hand to straighten outfits. It was all far too refined for the likes of me. Even with my new outfit.

  Wolfe must have sensed my unease because he paused just before the threshold and moved us to one side. He stepped far too close and let his hands fall to rest on my hips. I probably should have brushed him off. I didn’t.

  ‘The dress,’ he said, his voice low. ‘It looks good on you.’

  I blinked. Was this a real compliment or just a distraction? I wasn’t sure I cared. ‘Thank you,’ I said as a prickle of excitement skittered across my skin.

  His eyes held mine. ‘I have no gift for flattery. It has been a long time since I have had cause to—’ He stopped himself. ‘That is, we only get one mate.’

  I wasn’t quite sure what to read into that. Had Wolfe been alone for hundreds of years? In mourning for his mate who hadn’t died? Maybe he’d even been celibate that entire time! I certainly hadn’t.

  He lowered his head again and moved even closer. This time when he kissed me it was the briefest brush against my lips. Soft. Tender. I let it happen and felt strangely bereft when he stepped back. He offered his arm again.

  At first, no one paid me any interest as we walked in and were handed drinks. I took a glass; he did not. Was it better not to drink? There were many greetings to Wolfe, of course – acknowledgements and respects – and the odd look in my direction, but for the most part I was invisible.

  He led me over to some familiar faces.

  ‘The other alphas are already in the meeting room. I must speak to them first before I introduce you.’

  I gave a nod as I was left with Vince. He really had scrubbed up well. As soon as we were alone, he seemed to relax a little.

  ‘Well, don’t you look nice,’ he smiled.

  I tried not to blush. ‘As do you. I didn’t know you owned a suit.’ At the last grant pitch, he had worn a Buffy the Vampire Slayer t-shirt.