20 Chapter 20 Lightning Strikes
Elena’s POV
“I’m looking forward to it.” The words came out with more bite than intended. She stalked away with her pack of followers, radiating irritation like heat waves off summer pavement.
I stayed put until they disappeared completely from view before making my move. The warehouse felt suffocating now, so I headed toward the forest trail that usually cleared my head. But somehow my feet carried me in the opposite direction, straight to the packhouse.
Standing in the open field, I stared at the imposing structure. Tara was practically vibrating under my skin, her obsession with Alpha Marcus pulling me forward like a magnetic force. I couldn’t fight her animal instincts, even when common sense screamed at me to turn around.
The doorbell echoed through the house when I pressed it. Within seconds, the same omega who’d answered before appeared, but her entire demeanor had shifted. Gone was the cautious hesitation. She welcomed me inside immediately and guided me toward the library without question.
Marcus stood alone beside a heavy wooden table, an open book spread before him. Several more volumes lay scattered around, creating a chaotic landscape of research. His brow was furrowed in concentration.
“Hey, I announced my presence.
His head snapped up, surprise flickering across his features. “Didn’t expect to see you here. Thought you’d avoid the packhouse unless absolutely necessary.”
“Guess you thought wrong.”
“Apparently so. Come in.” He gestured toward the expansive room.
I stepped inside and my jaw nearly dropped. The library stretched impossibly high, with floor–to–ceiling shelves packed with countless volumes. A rolling ladder provided access to the upper levels.
“Bigger than you imagined, right?” Marcus’s voice held a hint of amusement.
“Definitely. Though I’m surprised to find you buried in here instead of handling pack
20 Chapter 20 Lightning Strikes
business.”
“Something bothering you?” His green eyes studied my face intently.
“Why would you think that?”
“You look different. Angry, maybe frustrated.” He set down the book he’d been holding.
“Nothing I haven’t dealt with before. Comes with the territory.” I shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant.
“Someone giving you trouble? I could handle it.” The offer came out protective, almost possessive.
“And raise suspicions? People would wonder why the Alpha suddenly cares about defending me.” The reality of our situation hung between us like a wall.
“Right. Good point.” His expression darkened slightly.
“So what’s all this research about?” I nodded toward the books covering every available surface. They all seemed to share similar themes, suggesting a focused search.
“Trying to track down information about an old treaty. Supposedly my ancestors made some kind of agreement with a vampire coven decades ago. Most people consider it pack legend now, but these diaries might hold the truth.” He gestured toward the ancient volumes.
“Would you honor it if the treaty’s legitimate?”
“I’d have to. My word has to mean something.”
“Good answer.” I nodded approvingly.
“Surprised you feel that way, considering what my father put you through.”
“What he put both of us through,” I corrected firmly. Marcus’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t argue the point.
“If this treaty exists, I’ll need to arrange a meeting with these vampires.”
“Best of luck with that endeavor.”
“What do you mean?”
“Vampires aren’t exactly easy to locate, are they? I’ve never encountered one, but then again, I’ve barely left pack territory. The lie rolled off my tongue smoothly. No way was I mentioning Julian’s unexpected visit to my trailer.
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“Maybe these books will provide leads. Want to help me search? There’s a lot of material to cover.”
“Sure, why not?”
We settled onto the leather couch with different volumes, methodically searching for any mention of vampire treaties or clan names. The work required patience, scanning page after page of handwritten entries and faded ink.
Time seemed to blur together as we worked in comfortable silence. I was deep in a particularly detailed account when I felt Marcus’s stare burning into me. Looking up, found him watching me intently, his book forgotten in his lap.
I
The intensity in his green eyes made my breath catch. Both his wolf and Tara were pushing forward, creating an electric tension between us. The air felt charged, like the moment before lightning strikes.
Without warning, Marcus reached out and cupped my face with his warm palm. He drew me closer, and then his lips were on mine. The kiss sent shockwaves through my entire system, every nerve ending coming alive at once. It felt like I’d been sleepwalking through life until this moment.
He shifted to his knees and gently pressed me back against the couch cushions, his body covering mine as the kiss deepened. Tara was practically howling with joy in my mind, demanding more of this incredible connection. She wasn’t alone in that desire. Every point where our bodies touched generated sparks of heat and electricity. This was what I’d been missing, what I’d been craving without even realizing it. Marcus’s lips moved against mine with a hunger that matched my own, and I lost myself completely in the sensation.
The world outside the library ceased to exist. There was only this moment, this connection, this overwhelming rightness that made everything else fade into insignificance.
16.59
3/4
20 Chapter 20 Lightning Strikes
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