Page 10 of The Alpha’s Seer (The Shifters of Stormhollow #1)

Chapter Ten

BLAIR

Ican’t sleep, and it’s no surprise, considering everything I’ve been through these past twenty-four hours. Now Calix is brooding and refusing to leave my aunt’s house, and he keeps saying that he wants to keep me safe.

How does he expect to do that?

I know he’s a big guy, but those men that attacked me…

I shudder. There were three of them, and there was something odd about them, something not quite right.

My mind drifts back to the wolf that came to my aid after the attack, and my chest aches for him.

I can’t explain it, but his presence soothed me in a way nothing has since.

Well, only Calix, but he’s irritating me with his asshole ways. His words earlier hurt.

An old woman and a drunk…my aunt and my brother. Also, the only family I have left.

Who the hell does Calix think he is coming at me like that? I didn’t ask for him to be here. He isn’t even friends with my brother, so why is he here?

I can’t help but wonder if it was him I saw that night outside my window, watching me climax with my book in hand, the same eyes that locked onto mine so intently I gasped, stepping back and shutting my curtains.

No one has ever watched me do that before.

But he did, and I’m sure it was him.

Those honey-colored eyes haunt you once you’ve seen them, and I can’t get them out of my mind.

What if that’s why he’s here? Because he watched me…doing things to myself, and now he wants a piece of me? My body flushes at the thought; I can’t deny I wouldn’t mind having his hands all over me, that’s for sure… but… damn.

None of this makes any sense.

I throw the covers off and huff, annoyed that sleep eludes me.

I stand and move to the window, staring down at the porch where Calix threatened to sleep.

Icicles line the window, and my breath creates mist on the glass as I press my face to it, trying to see the porch as much as possible.

It’s useless; I can’t see him if he is still there.

I meant what I said, though; he’ll freeze if he stays out there tonight.

Then my eyes move to the woods; the darkness that once comforted me sends shivers down my spine.

What if Billy and his friends are in there, watching me?

Why would they be watching me? I’m nothing special.

I chew on my lip and blink when I see a flash of burnt orange move through the trees. My heart thunders in my chest, and I suck in a breath, wondering if this is it, if I’m under attack.

I look around for a weapon, but there’s nothing but books, unless I want to yank the curtain pole away from the wall. I don’t think Aunt Ray will like that, even if it’s in self-defense.

Aunt Ray.

I can’t let her suffer because of me; if someone is hiding in the woods, I need to call the police.

Unless…

I chew my lip so hard it bleeds, and I groan with annoyance.

If Calix is still on the porch, I feel I won’t need the police. But then again, why should he fight for me?

Argh, make it make sense!

I need to know why Calix is here, and he has to answer me.

I straighten my shoulders and drag my robe around me for all the good it does.

This house is so cold my nipples are constantly stiff, and my teeth chatter.

I’m surprised I can’t see plumes of my breath.

Padding down the stairs, I hesitate, staring at the front door with bated breath.

I’m about to walk toward it when I hear a voice.

“Are you okay?”

I let out a yelp and almost fall into the wall in fright, my hand clutching my chest like it’s going to calm me.

Calix watches me in amusement with a grin that fades when his eyes drop to my open robe. His gaze hardens, and he sniffs the air, confusion lining his beautiful features.

“Are you…aroused?”

I gape at him, a sharp laugh leaving my lips. “What?”

He strides towards me, pressing me against the wall as he stares at me, his nostrils flaring as he inhales sharply. He closes his eyes and dips his nose to my neck, a growl leaving his throat.

“Calix, this is inappropriate!” I attempt to scold him, but now I am fucking aroused, especially with his caging me against the wall like this. I don’t feel frightened at all.

“Your…” Calix clears his throat before wincing. “Your nipples are hard.”

I can’t even respond. He can see them through my shirt and robe?

Jesus, how embarrassing!

“You shouldn’t be looking at my nipples, Calix!” I cross my arms over my chest, and he smirks, his tongue wetting his lips and sending electric shocks straight from my nipples to my pussy.

Whoa!

“Why not?” He looks genuinely perplexed, and he moves closer to me as he speaks. “I can’t stop looking at you, Blair. It’s not my fault; you’re…” He turns away, and his jaw tenses.

“I’m what?” I demand, my breathing heavy. He just said he can’t stop looking at me, and I need him to tell me why. “God, Calix, tell me why you’re here!”

He stares at me but says nothing, his eyes burning into mine like they can explain it to me if only I can read their language.

“Please tell me,” I say more softly than before, my hand moving to his arm. I hesitate before resting it there, and I’m shocked by the warmth his body gives off. “You’re so warm,” I state, my brow furrowing. “But it’s freezing.”

He must have slept in the house, but even still…I’m shivering.

“I am meant to protect you,” Calix informs me gruffly, swallowing hard. “It’s written in the stars… I have to keep you safe.”

I feel dizzy when he wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me against him. My body reacts like an icicle, thawing instantly.

“Written in the stars? Have you been drinking?”

Calix laughs, a deep, rumbling noise that makes me want to wrap my legs around him and beg him to take me, right here and now, against the wall. Like he knows, he presses against me, making me gasp with want and need.

“Calix,” I whisper, my eyes wide.

“Yes?” Calix rasps, his lips a hairsbreadth away from mine.

“I don’t know,” I comment, knowing I should move away from him but feeling unable to.

He looks like he’s about to say something else, but his expression changes when his head snaps up, cursing under his breath before putting a finger to my lips.

I freeze when I hear a scuffle from the front porch, and fear pierces my heart.

No! Not again!

Calix’s eyes seem to glow, and his lips move like he’s speaking, but not a sound comes from them. My heart jolts when I hear a snarl so deep and deadly that I whimper, burying my head in Calix’s neck.

God, he smells so good…

Calix doesn’t move an inch, but his grip tightens on my waist.

There’s a loud howl and then silence.

“Calix,” I whisper against his skin as he shakes his head, still gripping me.

“Wait.” His voice is deep and gravelly, vibrating against my lips, and I move back to stare at his eyes, which are glowing gold now.

What the actual fuck?

Eyes don’t change color!

“It’s okay,” Calix breathes, running a hand through his hair before finally moving his eyes to mine. He sees how I look at him, and his eyes return to normal. I swear I’m tripping. Maybe I’m dreaming. “Go back to bed, Blair. We leave in the morning.”

“Leave?” I frown as he releases me, pointing upstairs.

“Your family is in danger so long as you are here. Go, we’ll talk in the morning.”

I stare at him, my mind buzzing.

My family is in danger?

I move to the stairs, stopping to look back at him.

“You’ll tell me everything tomorrow?” I demand.

He looks up at me with a yearning so intense I almost offer myself to him there and then, but I don’t even know this man.

“When we leave,” Calix says with a nod. “Yes.”

“Where are you taking me?” I ask, knowing that I’ll be going with him whether I like it or not. I can’t risk my family’s safety.

Calix holds my gaze before he answers, “To my home.”