Bitten Read Online Free

left. How many hours until I'm free? How many hours until I'm in his arms again?
    * * * *
    She haunted him. Ebenoral scrubbed his rough palms over his face as his carriage came to a rolling halt in Lady Grauwolf's circular drive. He let himself out and gave his driver a wave.
    Who was the woman who'd come to him last night? So honest. So fearless. Lain with him, and bestowed her greatest, most precious gift in a passionate abandon that still had him hot and wanting more.
    Why didn't I get her name, at least? Because he hadn't been himself. He wasn't tonight, either. Of all nights for Lady Grauwolf to host this dinner. Though, now that he thought back, she'd always held it the night before a full moon.
    He didn't have a chance to ponder further, however. At the front door, the hostess herself headed the receiving line.
    "Lord Malveaux," she said. Her thick, almost masculine voice soothed his too-sensitive ears rather than irritating him like it usually did. Her silver-gray eyes narrowed in her wide face, and her thin lips practically disappeared altogether within her smile of greeting.
    "Lady Grauwolf. It's been too long." He took her hand and placed a kiss on her knuckles.
    "We were all very sorry to learn of Lord Sir Malveaux's death. He was the best of us. A true gentleman." Her intense gaze accompanied a stiffening of her neck. "A true leader."
    "Yes," he agreed. Was she trying to convey something beyond her words? He stood straighter, keenly aware of his father's absence at an event they'd always attended together.
    "My deepest condolences. Under the circumstances, I can't thank you enough for coming."
    "Your yearly dinner was the one event my father never missed." Though I can't begin to guess why. I've been coming for years and never considered it particularly remarkable. "Coming honors his memory. He was the best of fathers." The words spoken stirred raw sorrow, and he swallowed past a throat gone tight.
    Her smile saddened, her features immediately softening into more feminine lines. Her lips once more made an appearance. "I believe it. Please enjoy yourself tonight."
    He gave her a brief nod then hurried through the rest of the receiving line, greeting and accepting kind words from some of the highest ranked noblemen in the land.
    The grand ballroom had been converted into an enormous dining hall. A table surrounded by easily one hundred chairs was elegant in its setting and flower centerpieces.
    Guests mingled in the light of candle sconces evenly spaced along the outer walls and three chandeliers over the table. A liveried servant bearing a tray of wineglasses came to his side. Ebenoral took one but didn't drink. He'd stay only long enough to eat then leave before the dancing began.
    A hush descended over the assembly, and all eyes turned to the entrance. Curious, Ebenoral went to the doorway leading to the foyer.
    She stood talking to Lady Grauwolf. His nostrils flared. Damn it, he could smell her. She smelled heavenly. Clean. Delicious. He licked his lips.
    His wolf-hearing honed into their hostess' voice. She called her Lady Fairforth. His beautiful lady wore her golden hair pulled smooth from her heart-shaped face, and ringlets formed a lovely bouquet at the crown of her head.
    A wild-looking gentleman with shoulder-length black hair and slanted silver eyes stalked from a parlor opposite the ballroom. His impeccable evening attire did nothing to hide the predator in him. Ebenoral distrusted the overconfident smirk on the man's face. When the cur took her hand and lifted it to his lips, he experienced a protective rage like nothing he'd ever suspected possible.
    His grip shattered his wineglass. Gasps sounded all around. Then her gaze met his. Her lips parted on a dazzling smile, and she made to pull her hand free in a cut most smart.
    Both Ebenoral's heart and his cock quickened in reaction. You're mine.
    The gentleman didn't release her, however.

 
     
     
    Chapter Five
     
    Ebenoral's eyes glowed orange.