Lycan Christmas by S. Yule (best contemporary novels txt) 📗

Lorent would never allow harm to come to Melony. He’d kill anyone who hurt her in any way, and that’s where the true problem lay. He wasn’t supposed to kill unless necessary. He was trained to have restraint, compassion, but he doubted that restraint when it came to Melony and other men.

Reformants were not allowed to be near the women until they’d been trained and proved to be trustworthy. Melony would be his final test. If he screwed this up, if he touched her, it may be the death of him, literally. He eyed Knox and Rose. They were protective of Melony. If he hurt her, they’d have no qualms about ripping shreds from his ass.

Hell, if he hurt her, he’d deserve it. How had this happened? He couldn’t refuse to do as they’d requested. He had to find some way to dig deep into his control and get through this. How long could it take to teach someone 23

Lycan Christmas

S. K. Yule

about lycans anyway? A couple of days? He might be able to get through that.

“We would also like for you to teach Melony basic self-defense, Lorent.”

Rose smiled.

Shit. So much for keeping his hands off her. He wouldn’t be able to teach her self-defense without touching her at least a little.

“Now that you two have been introduced, you can both meet at the Learning Center tomorrow. We trust that you can talk with Melony and figure out how to proceed with her training in a way suitable for her specific needs. We don’t want her overwhelmed or frightened in any way,” Knox continued on. “Over the next few weeks, she’ll count on you to enlighten her of our ways, to answer any questions she may have, and to show her how to protect herself. You’ll need to have the lessons in the afternoons, as you’ll have your normal duties to carry out in the morning, Lorent.”

Lorent barely heard another word. A few weeks? He’d have to spend every afternoon with her for a few weeks? How would he get through this without claiming her? Should he come clean and tell Knox that she was his?

Rogues were not allowed mates until they’d finished their training, and apparently, he wasn’t done as he’d thought—not until after tutoring Melony.

If he told Knox, Knox would undoubtedly tell Rose, perhaps Anthony, Brent, Raze, and Piers. He didn’t know what would happen after that. At the very least, he’d be watched so closely he’d never have a private moment again. At the most, he might be asked to leave, because if anyone was asked to go, it would be him, not Melony. He didn’t want to leave. Sanctuary was the only true home he’d had. It was the only place he felt safe, had friends.

He had no choice. He had to do this. He’d play Melony’s teacher for the next few weeks, keep his hands to himself, and when it was all over, when he’d finally finished his training . . . well, he didn’t know exactly what would happen after that.

He either had to control his urges with her or leave Sanctuary. He didn’t want to do either, didn’t want to lose either. He took a long, deep breath.

The next few weeks were going to be pure hell.

24

Lycan Christmas

S. K. Yule

“Now that we’ve got that out of the way, we’ll introduce you to the rest of the couples and let you enjoy the fire.” Knox smiled at Melony and motioned her to follow him and Rose.

* * * *

“Do you think it’s a good idea pairing Melony with Lorent?” Rose whispered to Knox as they discreetly watched Melony, who, after being introduced to the others, had made her way over to the fire and now sat next to Lorent.

“We don’t have a choice. The only place he didn’t excel in his training was communication. It’s okay to be laid-back, quiet, keep to oneself, but it’s more than that with him. He won’t hurt her. I wouldn’t put her in danger.”

Knox hugged Rose to him.

“I know,” she sighed. “He just acted strange when we introduced them.”

“Strange how?”

“I don’t know.” Rose shrugged before wrapping her arms around Knox.

“Something I can’t quite pinpoint. I mean, I didn’t get any vibes that I thought he would hurt her. It’s just . . .”

“We’ll keep an eye on them, baby.”

He ran his knuckles over her cheek, and she closed her eyes, letting his caress soak into her skin. She still couldn’t believe she’d fallen in love with a lycan. She’d hunted them, had hated them for over ten years, but Knox had changed all of that. He bent and captured her lips, and she sighed, opening her mouth, allowing his tongue to sweep in.

When he deepened the kiss, she melted against him. They’d been together for over a year now, and she had a big surprise for him. She wanted it to be his Christmas present, but she wasn’t sure she could wait a whole month. His hands cupped her ass, and all thoughts fled her mind, replaced by the heat of his touch.

* * * *

25

Lycan Christmas

S. K. Yule

Whew wee, the man was some serious eye candy. Melony sat next to Lorent—well, kind of next to. Every time she’d lean a bit closer to try to start conversation, he’d widen the distance between them. Did she make him uneasy somehow? Maybe he didn’t like pink hair. He hadn’t been rude in any way, but he seemed cagey, withdrawn. Maybe he was just shy, like Knox had said. Shy she could deal with.

She looked around at each of the couples she’d been introduced to: Anthony and Karen, Rindy and Brent, Raze and Janine, and Sherry and Piers—who had arrived only a few moments ago. When her gaze rested on Knox and Rose, she blushed when she saw their heated embrace. Lorent followed her gaze, and