Читать книгу Wolf Dreams - Karen Whiddon - Страница 5

Realizing he’d see Erika again put every one of Lazlo’s nerves on edge. His wolf, slumbering until now, was alert, as well. In the years since he’d left, no other woman had evoked even the slightest interest from his lupine nature. Since wolves only mated once, this in itself made him uneasy. Would it still be the same? Would the part of him that was wolf still try to claim her as mate? And if so, would he have the strength to resist that part of himself…or her?

A child was missing, Lazlo reminded himself fiercely. He had to put any personal feelings aside and do his damndest to ensure that she was returned home unharmed. If Erika really could help, so be it. If not, she’d better keep out of the way.

The parents of the missing child were seated side by side on a faded, well-used blue couch. Mrs. Holson had been weeping, her nose bright red and her eyes swollen. She gripped her husband’s hand so tightly her knuckles gleamed white. They appeared to be genuinely terrified.

He spared a brief glance at the slender woman seated in the chair opposite them, his analytical mind processing and storing details. As his eyes locked on her, he found he couldn’t move his gaze away. Erika Cenov looked remarkably similar to the eighteen-year-old girl he remembered, though she’d blossomed into a lovely woman. She wore her hair—still blond, still straight—in a casual ponytail.

She raised her eyes to meet his, and he had to throttle the dizzying charge that jolted through him. The part of him that was wolf wanted to howl; the human man knew better.

Dragging his eyes away from Erika, he focused on the distraught couple. They stared at Erika with the kind of wild hope reserved for miracle workers.

Rok took the lead asking questions. Lazlo simply watched and listened and tried to avoid glancing at Erika. He could feel her gaze every time it touched on him, light as a feather.

Even worse, his wolf had begun to battle him, wanting to take over, wanting her with an intensity both familiar and appalling. At eighteen, he’d found this craving for her—and what it meant—terrifying. Now it was even more unsettling.

But a Brennan never went back on his word. Even though his father had been killed a few years ago in a cabin fire while on a hunting trip with friends, his death did not release Lazlo from his vow.

Erika and Lazlo could never be together. This harsh truth had been the reason he’d left Teslinko, fleeing something so strong it had threatened to overwhelm him. He’d known he didn’t have the strength to resist her then. Now, with ten years between them, he’d believed he’d be stronger, his feelings for her weaker. Obviously, he’d been wrong.

For the first time since returning home, Lazlo wished he’d stayed in Leaning Tree, New York. The town nestled within the rolling hills of the Catskills had reminded him of Teslinko, minus the presence of the sea. He’d adapted well there, though the homesickness had never entirely gone away. Nor had his longing for a woman he could never have.

But, he reminded himself, he was no longer a weak, indecisive teenager. He was a grown man now and could deal with whatever issues life threw his way.

Mrs. Holson began sobbing loudly. Her husband put his arm around her and pulled her close.

“I think they’ve had enough for today,” Erika said, her soft voice making Lazlo’s wolf sit up and take instant notice.

He waited for Rok to order her to butt out—civilians had no place in a police investigation—but to his surprise, his partner simply nodded.

“Tell them about your dream,” Rok directed Erika.

Lazlo stared.

Mrs. Holson began to wail louder. Her husband clutched at Erika’s arm, his expression anguished. “Please tell us you did not dream of Katya’s death.”

“I did not,” Erika soothed, taking the man’s hand in hers. “But I did see who took her.”

Lazlo watched hope once again blossom on the parents’ faces, and he admired Erika’s empathy; it reminded him of the girl he’d once loved.

Lazlo had had enough. “Come on,” he said, jerking his chin toward the door to indicate Rok should follow.

Appearing reluctant, Rok touched Erika’s shoulder on his way out. “Erika, please call if you dream anything else.”

“I will,” she promised.

Lazlo glanced at Erika and his chest tightened. Anticipating his wolf, he clamped down on all his emotions and suppressed the urge to shake his head.

Once they were outside, Lazlo rounded on his partner. “I can’t believe you allowed that nonsense. She raised those poor people’s hopes.”

“With good cause. She’s helped us many times before, with incredible accuracy, though disappointing results. With Katya, though, the stakes are much higher.” Rok sighed. “If Erika’s going to help us, she’d better damn well hurry.”