Tasting The Enemy

Elaine POV

“Uh… Azaire, what are you doing here?” I nibbled on my nails.

The room was a mess! It was obvious something happened here and I couldn’t come up with a realistic lie.

Maybe it’s time to stop lying Elaine and come clean, I thought. What was I going to come clean about? I didn’t know what happened here!

“I brought you breakfast. What’s going on?”

His temper was rising. Azaire could break the door if he wanted, but his suspicions hadn’t reached that level yet.

“I know you’re alone,” he said.

“I’m naked,” I said sheepishly.

I stared at my red hands. My nerves were all over the place I suddenly realized my hands were throbbing.

“That’s your best excuse?” Azaire asked.

Even I couldn’t believe I said that.

“No, no fine. I’m coming,” I said.

It smelled like charcoal in here. I was backed into a corner I had no choice but I was also against the clock to get away from Avena’s army. I walked to the door and winced before I got there.

Skin opened up on my cheek and blood trickled down my face.

“Not now,” I whispered.

“Dove,” I called but she didn’t answer. I felt her retreat within me.

My connection to Azaire vanished as my wolf distanced herself. I knew he was on the other side of the door but I couldn’t feel him. I opened the door to meet his intense stare. He’d strangled the bag he brought the breakfast in.

He looked over my head into the room. It would have been easier to explain if I had another guy in here but how to I explain a magic burst of fire? He looked down at me and dropped the bag.

“Your face.” He reached out but held back.

He entered the room and took in the surroundings. I locked the door behind him and set the breakfast on the TV stand.

“I can explain… most of it anyway.”

“Start with your face, Elaine. I want it short, a name and an address because that’s where I’m going next.”

“No, it wasn’t anyone.”

“You expect me to believe that?” He scoffed.

“No, Azaire-”

“What the hell happened here?” He snapped.

I sighed heavily and took his hands in mine. I had no choice but to show him.

“Do you trust me?” I asked.

“Yes, I do,” he replied.

I didn’t have anything sharp with me.

“Do you carry a knife?” I asked sheepishly.

“What?”

“Come on, Azaire, I’m trying to explain here.”

“Fine,” he muttered. He pulled out his wallet from his back pocket and retrieved a pocket knife. He handed it to me.

“You do it. I can’t.”

He raised his brow. “Elaine?”

I looked at his palm. “Trust me.”

I closed my eyes as Azaire opened his palm and placed the blade on his skin.

“There,” he grunted.

I opened my eyes as blood oozed out of his palm. Azaire watched me with interest. I exhaled and focused on healing his cut. I felt power leave me and my body weaken a tad. His hand sealed up rapidly like closing a zipper.

“Here you go,” I said.

He scrutinized his hand and then back at me. I winced as my skin opened on my arm. It was a small cut but it hurt.

“You healed me and it hurt you?” Azaire asked.

I nodded. “I can’t heal like other wolves either. It’s worse with the full moon the shifting really hurts me. Only my Father or brother’s venom counters my… curse.”

He remained silent and listened to me speak. It was like being stripped naked and having to speak to a room full of people.

“That’s why I can’t feel your wolf right now, isn’t it? Your curse restricts your wolf.”

I nodded. “I have a defective wolf. No one knows other than my family and Neel but I didn’t have a choice. I healed Blazer in front of him.”

Azaire raked a hand through his hair and settled on the edge of the bed. I bit my bottom lip. Was he disgusted? What if Avena was right and Azaire didn’t want me after learning the truth?

“I can’t believe this,” he muttered. “And the fire?”

I shrugged. “Avena found me and-”

“Just great,” he puffed. “Your Father’s creepy witch?”

I nodded. “It just happened and I don’t know why.” I held up my palm. “Then this happened.”Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

Azaire’s eyes slightly widened. “We need help, Elaine.”

“You’re not disgusted with me?” I blurted out.

He stood and smiled at me. “I’ve got no reason to be. I’m concerned about you during full moons but we can figure it out.”

Since I’m coming clean should I mention I’ve been using wolf enhancers? I think it’s too much truth for one day.

“I think we should learn more about your curse. Everything you know has been told to you, hasn’t it?”

I nodded. “Avena tried to stop me from finding my mate who knows what else she’s done to me.”

“That’s our first clue that that woman is evil.”

I told him everything about Avena’s visit and we agreed time wasn’t on our side. I needed a new motel. I packed up my things while Azaire called Ross.

“I’m ready,” I said.

Azaire grabbed the back of my head and kissed me passionately.

“We’ll find you another place okay?”

I nodded. We needed to counter Avena’s magic too.

Azaire opened the door and both of us froze.

I turned to Azaire.

“Lucas,” Azaire said, his shoulders falling.

His younger brother stood on the other side of the door looking as stunned as us.

“What are you doing here?” Azaire asked.

Lucas looked between Azaire and me. He must have followed Azaire here.

“Me?” Lucas chuckled. “I should be asking you! Don’t you know who she is?”

“This isn’t the time, Lucas. We can talk later,” Azaire said firmly.

Lucas backed up and shook his head. “I thought they were scum yet here you are shacking up with Elaine? You traitor!”

Azaire closed the distance and grabbed Luca’s shirt.

“Azaire leave him alone.” I held Azaire’s arm but he wouldn’t budge.

“I’m no traitor. You don’t understand,” he said through gritted teeth.

“What about Megan? What did you tell her?” Lucas spat.

“Who’s Megan?” I asked.

“His girlfriend,” Lucas smiled at me.

“No, she’s not.” Azaire shoved Lucas backwards. “Now isn’t the time. Get in your car and follow me, okay? I know where you live I’ll find you and fuck you up if you don’t, go it?”

Lucas straightened his jacket and looked between us. He frowned but nodded.

“Fine.”

Lucas walked back to his Bentley. I stared at Azaire. He kissed my forehead.

“She’s no one. I’ll explain later.”

I frowned. If she’s no one, why would he need to explain? I followed him to his car anyway.