Chapter Ten

Christian hadn't slept this well in a long time. Wolves didn't need as much sleep as humans. He only slept when his body absolutely needed to do it. As a child, he had night terrors. Thankfully, the nightmares stopped as he became older and felt safe in his new home with Grace.

He really hoped Anna would wake soon; after all, he was still tied up. Anna began to stir. He felt her yawn on his chest. He also felt her drool on him as well. He grimaced.

"Sorry," she said.

"It's alright, he said.

He felt her rub part of the bed sheet on his chest. He smiled. She told him not laugh at her. He kept smiling.

"What time is it…never mind," she said.

She moved to untie him. She loosened each restraint. She reached for the tie, but decided to do something else instead. She told him to remove his tie. He removed his tie and held it in his hand. She told him to kiss her. He kissed her. She began to move her lips towards his groin. He gently held her arms. He said he couldn't. She didn't understand. He told her that he preferred to be restrained. She thought about what that meant. Was he never going to touch her? He kissed her again and she melted against him. What was she doing? What was she getting into? She wanted more, but she didn't have the right to ask for more. Should she just leave?

"I promise it'll be worth it," he said.

Was he psychic? She mused.

"I think I should go. Can you take me home?"

"Alright."

She stood up and looked for her dress. She saw the key first, picked it up and handed it to him. He took the key and placed it on the dresser. He dressed himself as well. He wished he could explain himself better. Telling her that he was a werewolf and he was afraid that he would literally fuck her to death was not an option. Let's say she believed him, would she want to be with him after hearing that? For now, it was better for him to give her some space.

"Anna, I hope we can see each other again," he said.

He can't believe he just said that. He was not acting like himself. Now he looked like a chump. A lesser woman would use that to her advantage. She just smiled and gave his quick kiss on the forehead and walked out of the room. He finished dressing himself and followed after her. She stood at the side of the door. He closed the door and locked it. They walked towards the elevator. He asked if she wanted to get something to eat on the way. She said it was fine.

"Is this good bye, Anna?"

"No, I'm just leaving."

What does that mean? He wanted more, but he couldn't say anything. He brought this on himself. He had to figure out how to get her to understand him without revealing what he was. He had no idea how to do that. She pressed the button on the elevator. Both were surprised to see an older woman standing in the elevator.

"Mother," he said.

"Christian," said Grace.

Grace looked at Anna. Anna could only imagine what it looked like. A young woman was standing next to her son with bed head. Anna did her best to use her hand to flatten her hair.

"And who is this lovely young woman," said Grace.

"My name is Anna; it's nice to meet you."

Anna reached in and hugged Grace. Anna immediately regretted it. Why did she hug a stranger? Grace stiffened slightly. Her wolf was surprised; Grace had to remind her wolf that, it was just a awkward human gesture from a nervous girl. Anna noticed Grace's reaction.

"I'm sorry. I don't know why I did that," said Anna.

"Isn't it obvious? I'm just so lovable," Grace joked.

They laughed. Anna calmed down. Grace wasn't as up tight as Anna thought she would be. Christian was still wary, but he hid it from Anna. His mother never showed up to his apartment unannounced. Something must have happened? Was it Elliot? Christian balled his hands into fist. Grace eyed Christian. Before Anna could look at Christian, Grace walked up to Christian and rubbed his back as she did as child. He relaxed.

"Mother, this is surprise," he said.

"Uh oh, I think I may be in trouble," said Grace.

"Of course not," he said.

Anna wanted to leave, but she didn't even know where she was. All she could do was stand there. Grace and Christian looked at Anna. The elevator opened and Taylor walked out of the elevator and could only imagine what was happening.

Christian and Anna sat in the back of his car as Taylor drove. Christian was clearly distracted. His mother was waiting for him at his apartment. He mind raced; he had no idea what his mother wanted. He looked out the window. Anna could tell Christian was worried. She didn't know what to do. They basically had a one night stand. She still felt he needed help. She reached for his hand and held it. He moved his fingers so they were intertwined with her fingers. He looked at her, but he couldn't smile.

He walked her to her apartment door. He still had to be a gentleman, even though his mind was somewhere else. She unlocked her door and turned to face him. She kissed him deeply. He hesitated as he raised his hands to caress her face. He quickly pushed her against the wall by the door as he kissed her. He pulled away. Her eyes were filled need.

"I'm sorry. I should go," he said.

He walked away. She bit her lip and walked into her apartment. She shut the door slowly and smiled. She jumped and held her chest when she saw a man sleeping on her couch. Kate walked out of her bedroom wearing only a t-shirt.

"So, how did it go," Kate said while yawning.

Anna covered her mouth and pointed towards the man on the couch.

"Huh? Oh," said Kate. "That's Elliot. He's a stray I picked up last night."

"I heard that," he said.

"And," said Kate.

Kate rolled her eyes. They heard a knock at the door. Elliot already knew who it was. Anna turned and opened the door. Christian stood at the door. Elliot stood up and rubbed his eyes.

"Hi, Christian," said Elliot.

Christian lowered his head and glared at Elliot. What was Elliot doing here? Anna took a step back and Kate's eyes widened. Elliot smiled.

"Elliot," said Christian.

Elliot decided to use his charms to calm everyone down.

"Don't worry. Christian is my brother. I tend to annoy him, but I haven't figured out why?"

You know damn well, why? Christian thought. Christian turned to Anna.

"I'm sorry; I thought I heard my brother snoring. Clearly I was right," said Christian.

Anna didn't remember hearing Elliot snore, but she didn't really have time to process anything. Anna looked up at Kate. Did Kate sleep with Christian's brother? Kate walked towards Anna and stood beside her.

"Let's go," said Christian.

Elliot chuckled. He decided to play nice for now. He didn't want to frighten Kate and her roommate because Christian lost control. Elliot could sense that Christian's wolf was restless, which was confusing; he could tell Christian and Anna had sex. Christian was worried.

"Okay," said Elliot.

Elliot walked up to Kate and thanked her for letting him stay here. He took her hand and kissed it. Christian rolled his eyes. Kate blushed and looked away.

"You ready," said Elliot.

As Elliot and Christian walked toward the car, Elliot could sense Christian's anger. What was going on? Elliot was worried about him. Christian was always in control; he was like a second father to him. If Christian lost it, what would happen to their family? Taylor opened the door and blinked when he saw Elliot walking beside to Christian.

"Good morning, Elliot," said Taylor.

Elliot smiled and hugged Taylor.

"Hey, man."

"Don't hug him," said Christian.

Elliot shook his head and gave Taylor a "who is this guy" look.

Christian and Elliot sat in the back seat. As Taylor drove away, Elliot began to speak. Christian growled, grabbed Elliot's shirt, pushed Elliot against the door and held him there. Taylor looked back for a moment and kept driving. If it got worse, Taylor planned to park the car. Christian eyes glowed. His wolf was so close, but it wasn't his wolf that was acting this way. It was Christian. Elliot knew when Christian was serious. Elliot raised his hands, but did not submit to Christian and lower his eyes.

"Christian…you're scaring Taylor."

"What were you doing there? Are you trying to take Anna?"

"What? No! I just saw her this morning. From what I smelled, she was already with you."

Christian pushed Elliot against the door again. Elliot hit his head.

"Owe."

"What were you doing there?"

Elliot slowly lowered hands towards Christian's wrists. Christian snarled.

"You know I can't hurt you. I'll tell you everything. I just want you to stop pushing me," Elliot said calmly.

Christian's senses returned and his eyes stopped glowing. Christian released Elliot. Elliot touched his lower back for a moment. His brother must love pushing him against things, but he never hit or clawed at him. Maybe that was Christian's way of showing Elliot mercy. Either way, it still hurt.

Elliot told Christian about Kate. Kate had bought him a drink last night at the bar. Christian frowned as he looked down at his brother's clothes. Elliot was adamant. Christian simply continued to listen. He said he and Kate danced and drank for most of the night. Kate felt he shouldn't go home alone. Elliot went to kiss her and she pulled away. Now Christian was starting believe him. Elliot was about to leave when Kate took his hand and said that she still wanted to make sure he was okay. Elliot told her that he didn't need her to feel sorry for him. She then kissed him and rubbed his…Christian said he understood and Elliot to move on with the story. They talked; he was surprised by how easy it was to talk to her. Then she left him there with an erection and box of tissues. Christian smiled. Good. Elliot needed to be humbled. Elliot also recapped the last fifteen minutes that occurred with Christian to be smart and ended the story with Christian pushing Elliot against the car door.

"I apologize," said Christian.

"What was that," asked Elliot.

"I already apologized. I'm not saying anything else," said Christian.

"Okay, I'll take it," said Elliot.

Grace sat on the couch and waited for her son to return. She couldn't risk talking to Christian with Carrick and Elliot at the house. She heard the elevator door moving. She stood and walked toward the door. When she smelled Elliot, she knew her planned had failed. The doors opened. Elliot and Grace locked eyes first. Elliot's demeanor changed.

"Hello mother," said Elliot.

"Elliot," said Grace.

Elliot walked towards Grace and gave her a fake hug. Clearly, Elliot had blamed Grace more for what happened. Christian stepped out of the elevator.

"Mother wanted to tell me something," said Christian.

Grace rubbed her neck for a moment.

"Yes, I needed to talk to Christian."

Christian was shocked to hear her mother dismiss Elliot. Elliot laughed.

"Mother…"said Christian.

"It's fine," said Elliot. "Can Taylor drive me home?"

"Of course," said Christian.

"Will I see you at home," asked Grace.

"Sure," said Elliot.

Elliot walked as if he was shuffling toward the elevator door. Christian and Grace watched in silence. They heard him press the button and the doors opened. Elliot walked in to the elevator and the doors closed. Christian turned to his mother. For the first time in his life, he was disappointed in her. What was so important and selective that his brother could not be a part of it?

"Was that necessary, asked Christian?

"Unfortunately, yes. I was ordered to keep this between us for now," said Grace.

She was ordered? Their family had no real ties to a pack? Who could order her to do anything? Christian could sense her fear. She was afraid of someone. Who was she afraid of?

"What are you afraid of?"

"I'm afraid that after I tell you this, you may not ever want to speak to me again."

Thanks for reading! Looks like Grace has some explaining to do. This may strain Grace and Christian's relationship. Anna has a lot of decisions to make, we all know she can't shake Christian that easily, but she also wants to do what's best for her. Poor Anna...

I wasn't planning on making Elliot and Kate an item, but I have now warmed up to it. Full disclosure, I was going to make Elliot's love interest a wolf, but I couldn't figure out a way to make that work. I needed someone to get Elliot out of his funk and Kate was actually the perfect choice for that.

As always, I appreciate your comments and any constructive criticism.