“I do!” Justin couldn’t believe he was having this conversation. Demetri had always treated him kindly, but he had never taken such close interest like this before. Over the years, the older man had visited Justin in the hospital every time he’d gotten sick and paid all of Justin’s medical bills. He had sent his car to pick Justin up when Justin was in foster care so that Caleb and Justin could hang out together. Demetri paid for Justin’s college tuition and the apartment that Justin currently rented. He’d spent every holiday with the Frost family. He had even gone on vacation with them. But although Demetri was always caring toward Justin, this intense interest was a new development.
Justin dropped his head and fiddled with the sheets.
Demetri smoothed his hand over Justin’s face and then gripped Justin’s chin, tilting it upward. “Tell me.”
Chapter Five
Justin jackknifed, his head nearly colliding with Demetri’s chest as a howl erupted so close to the house it sounded as if it was right outside the French doors. He snapped his head in that direction, but what he could see of the balcony through the windows was empty.
Had he just imagined that? Could there really be a wolf just outside the second floor doors? Justin thought maybe he was imagining things until he gazed up at Demetri.
Demetri’s face was hard as he stood. “Stay right here.”
When the older man swung the balcony doors open, Justin scented jasmine and honeysuckle on the air as a breeze skirted through the room. Spring had taken hold of Dark Haven, and although the nights were still a bit nippy, the days were warm and welcoming. Justin loved to feel the sun on his face even if he burned easily.
Demetri gazed downward and then turned on his heel and left the bedroom. Justin was partly relieved. If Demetri wasn’t here, then the older man couldn’t force Justin to reveal why he’d been outside the study. But it was strange how Demetri had reacted to the closeness of the howls. The guy should have been concerned, but Justin had seen the anger on the man’s face before he left.
Curious, he slid from the bed and padded to the open doors, careful to stay out of view. He could see the dark and dense forest beyond the concrete wall of the balcony. Justin stepped closer, peering down onto the shadowed lawn. This room faced the back of the house, Justin realized. His eyes searched the sprawling green lawn until they landed on Demetri.
Justin slapped a hand over his mouth to stop the scream when he saw something that couldn’t be possible. Shouldn’t be possible. Standing in front of Demetri was a pack of wolves. They were covered in dark-grey fur, and all seemed to be listening intently to Demetri. There had to be a good dozen out there.
Werewolf.
Justin wasn’t sure how he knew this. He feared Demetri would be torn to shreds by these creatures. Justin started to turn away, to run and find Wulf when the older man said, “You were ordered to keep to the forest. Defy me again, and I’ll punish all of you.”
Demetri’s tone was harsh and hard. The creatures bent their heads as if bowing before they turned and loped back into the woods. Justin scrambled back when Demetri turned his head and looked up at the balcony. Had he seen Justin watching them?
Racing across the room, Justin hurried toward the bedroom door. He had to get out of here. He didn’t care if he was naked. Clothes didn’t matter to him at the moment. What in the hell was Demetri that he could control a dozen wolves? More importantly, why had the creatures bowed to the man?
Things were definitely hinky around here, and Justin knew he couldn’t stick around. Over the years he’d come to realize that Frost Manor had secrets, but never did he dream those secrets were otherworldly. Justin’s mind became a scrambled mess as he rushed down the hallway and flew down the stairs. He came to a skittering halt and fell on his ass when he spotted Demetri standing at the front door, hands on hips, his eyes glowing.
“W–what are you?” Justin shrank back when the older man took a step toward him. “Please don’t kill me. I swear I won’t tell anyone what I saw.”
Demetri pressed one knee against the marble floor as he knelt beside Justin. The glowing ebbed away, and the only thing Justin could see was the amber coloring he’d grown to adore. “And what did you see, pup?”
“Nothing,” Justin quickly said. “I didn’t see anything!”
Justin’s breath stuttered in his chest when Demetri lifted him from the floor, cradling Justin in his arms as he climbed the steps.
Oh, god. He’s going to take me into one of the rooms upstairs and let those wolves eat me! Justin began to shake violently in Demetri’s arms but knew escape was futile. Demetri was too large and too strong for Justin to get away.
He slammed his eyes closed, refusing to watch as the creatures sank their sharp teeth into his tender flesh. “Please,” he continued to beg. “I swear I won’t tell a soul.” Tears began to trickle down his face as Demetri carried him.
His eyes flew open when the older man laid him on something soft. He was back in the bedroom. The balcony doors were still wide open, and the fire was still crackling, but there were no wolves in the room.