Skin Walkers Conn Read online

  The view was one of Montana splendor. White, glittering plains spread out in every direction, disturbed only by what she assumed was the ranch house and a large barn. A herd of horses stood penned in a corral next to the barn and were utterly disinterested in her sudden re-birth into the world.

  Far in the distance, she could see snow topped peaks that rose majestically in the East and had her wondering if they’d crossed the Rockies.

  James set off at a brisk pace, wheeling her along the narrow sidewalks on a path that led through what she imagined was a lush garden area in the summer. They were approaching the ranch house. The long two-story structure reminded her of a lodge she’d once stayed at while visiting a hot springs. The siding was a white steel and the roof was a dark blue shingle that made the house match the glacial setting.

  As they drew closer she saw less and less until Conn was holding a door open and she was being ushered inside.

  The warmth of the house hit her at once and it, mingled with something cinnamon scented baking somewhere in the house, gave the house a cozy and welcoming feel.

  A large stair case that split and went two separate directions at a landing before leading higher was the first thing she noticed. The staircase sat just beyond the entry way that felt grandiose with its opulent marble floor.

  She was turned away from the stairs and led down a wide carpeted hall. James turned the wheel chair so that she was facing a closed door that slid open to reveal an elevator. They went up one floor and when the doors opened she didn’t speak as her eyes took in the splendor of the ranch house. It was magnificent, but she wasn’t sure it she felt that way because it actually was that grand or because after being confined to the infirmary for six weeks she’d think anywhere else was spectacular.

  Royal blue carpet led down a narrow corridor with doors on either side. The walls were a pristine white and the hall smelled of fresh flowers although she couldn’t see any.

  Halfway down the hall, Conn stopped ahead of them and pushed open a door before James drove her inside the room. Opulent was the first word that came to mind.

  A huge four-poster bed sat against one wall. The posts were a thick ornately carved cherry that had white sheer valances drapped from one post to the next so that the bed had a canopy effect.

  An empty hearth sat in the wall at the foot of the bed and several doors dotted the walls. Several tables were spaced along the walls throughout the room and each held a vase of fresh multi-colored roses.

  Conn pointed at a door that was nestled in the wall next to her bed, “My room is there.”

  Aries’ felt her belly flutter and nodded once.

  “Thank you James.” Conn’s tone was dismissing.

  “Sure thing XO.” James gently squeezed Aries’ shoulder before he walked to the door. “Glad you’re finally up and about Aries.”

  She didn’t get a chance to respond before Conn was lifting her from the wheel chair and placing her on the bed. She struggled in his hold.

  “No!”

  He froze, half bent over the large bed.

  “I’m not getting back in bed Conn. I’ve been lying on my ass for the past six weeks and I’m done!

  He placed her on the bed anyway and when she tried to squirm to the other side he climbed on after her and pulled her into the cradle of his body. “Well I need a nap, and like it or not, you are taking one with me.”

  At first she was tempted to pull out of his arms, but she missed his touch too much. She turned to frown at him over her shoulder, “You’re not just going to leave like you always do?”

  “No. You need rest and the only way I can ensure that you get it is by lying here with you.”

  Even to her own ears it sounded like a shallow excuse to be with her, but she didn’t care, she’d take what she could get. Smiling to herself she fought the urge to tell him she wasn’t in the least bit tired.

  There was a knock at the door and Conn released her to sit up, “Enter.”

  James entered pushing a small tea cart. He strolled it to Conn then exited the room without a word.

  “How about a snack?”

  Aries sat up and eyed the tray. It held a plate of still steaming cinnamon rolls and a pot of what she assumed was coffee or tea.

  She scooted her body so her back rested against the stack of pillows piled at the headboard before accepting the small plate with a divine smelling roll. She pulled a cinnamon covered chunk of bread free and swiped it through the cream cheese icing on top of the roll before popping the bite into her mouth. It melted like brown sugar and was honestly the best thing she’d eaten in months.

  She finished half the roll before Conn turned and handed her a cup of simmering tea. She tested it with her lips before taking down a healthy swallow.

  Once she finished her cinnamon roll and cup of tea, Conn took the dishes from her lap and placed them on the cart.

  “Now, where were we?” He climbed on the bed and Aries scooted down until she was flat on her back.

  Secretly, she hoped Conn would pull her close again and when he did, she turned her head to hide her smile.

  She exhaled and stretched languidly before curling into his side. She was content to just rest in his arms…more than content. For the first time in more months than she could count she was actually happy.

  With his nose buried in her hair, Conn drew in a deep breath then stilled. “You’re different”, he pulled back to eye her intently before he inhaled again and his eyes narrowed to thin slits. “The pain is gone.”

  He shoved up from the bed to stare down at her accusatorily, his hands curled into tight fists at his side and sharp pinpoints of anger exploded in the dark depths of his eyes as he nearly shook with rage. “When did you shift?”

  Chapter 30

  Aries was stunned. She’d been so busy trying to figure out why Conn had suddenly changed his tune that she’d completely forgotten about the faint scent of pain that used to emit from her. Dr. Arkinson had presumed it was caused by Aries’ inability to shift, and apparently her presumption had been correct.

  Her mouth fell open as she considered formulating a lie, in the end she knew better. It was time he found out. Honestly, it shouldn’t be that big of a deal. “I-I…” she licked her lips and sat up trying to word it properly in hopes of providing some semblance of damage control. “It was when I was taken.”

  She saw the muscles in Conn’s arms and chest bunch. His chest rose and fell rapidly as his breathing quickened to sharp pants of fury. “You shifted with Remy McCabe?” His words were a harsh snarl and it appeared he was holding himself back from lashing out.

  She tried to sound flippant. “It’s not that big of a deal Conn, I…” she didn’t get to finish.

  He lunged and snarled at her with his nose practically touching hers. His arms slammed into the headboard on either side of her head. “What else did you do with Remy?”

  She knew what he was implying and indignation sparked to life. “Stop it Conn!” She knew the tremble in her voice belied the anger she was trying to exude. “You know it wasn’t like that.”

  His eyes slid down her body then back up, “No, I don’t! I have no idea what you did with him for the night you were alone with him. Apparently you let him teach you some new tricks.”

  Aries tried to get up, but Conn dropped his hands to firmly grip her shoulders. He wasn’t rough, but kept her from getting up off the bed.

  “I’m not listening to this. You have no right to…”

  “Wrong! He had no right to touch what was mine. And I can’t believe you let him!”

  “I didn’t let him do anything,” she practically shrieked. “Nothing happened!”

  “So tell me my angel when you shifted you clearly had to shift back at some point.” His eyes again dropped and this time stayed focused on her breasts, “And for your first time were you able to re-generate clothing?”

  She felt herself blush from head to toe as she blinked back angry tears. He knew she wouldn’t have had t
hat ability on her first shift. No Walker would have.

  “I didn’t think so!” He released her arms and she fell back against the bed. “I retract my vow to you.” He turned to scowl at her over his shoulder, “When I see Remy McCabe he’s dead.” Conn stomped halfway to the door when he suddenly stopped and his body went rigid.

  Aries sawed in ragged breathes as she glared angrily at his back. When he turned to frown at her she gasped and recoiled against the headboard at the fury she saw on his face. His eyes were completely black and his face was screwed tight in rage with his lips pulled back to reveal sharp canines that had elongated as he partially shifted. His hands were curled into claws at his sides as long sharp nails extended.

  He was back hovering over her so quickly that she didn’t even see him move. Fear spiked within her. She knew he’d never hurt her, but she’d never seen him this angry before either. For the first time since she’d met him she was actually terrified of him.

  “Is that it?” His tone was deep, his voice sounding different as he spat the harsh words.

  “W-what are you talking about?” Aries hunched her shoulders and sunk lower on the bed hoping to put some space between herself and her en-raged mate.

  “Is that why you didn’t want me to hurt your precious Remy? Because you’d fucked him and enjoyed yourself and hoped to keep us both?”

  She couldn’t control the wave of anguish that crashed over her at his accusation. It felt like a dagger in the heart, but it quickly gave way to anger. She didn’t bother trying control her own rage. Before she could re-think it, she reached up and slapped Conn hard.

  He recoiled as if in shock and Aries took advantage of the opportunity. She dropped her feet to the floor and shoved his hand away when he reached for her. “Fuck you!” Her voice trembled with emotion and it angered her further. “Get out!”

  Conn’s anger was gone. His partial shift receded and he took a step toward her but she backed up against the wall.

  “Don’t! Get out Conn!” she pointed at the door. “You don’t get to talk to me like that.” She inched along the wall, a slight hobble listing her gait as her finger’s caught on the door frame that he’d said led to his adjoining room. She didn’t care, she’d go anywhere just to be away from him.

  “Aries, I…”

  “I mean it,” hot tears fell and she brushed at them angrily. “Get out of here right now!”

  “I lost my temper. Can we just talk about this?”

  Aries clicked open the door and backed into his bedroom. “I don’t want to talk to you. I don’t even want to look at you. Get out!” She slammed the door and locked it before she limped hurriedly across his room heading straight for what she could see was his bathroom. She was relieved that he didn’t kick his own door in to get to her.

  Inside his bathroom she closed and locked the door then stepped into the shower stall before closing the glass door as well. She wanted as many barriers between herself and Conn as she could have even knowing none of them could really keep him out.

  Her leg was still weak from non-use and she winced from the ache in her thigh as she lowered herself to the shower floor. She let her tears fall and didn’t even try to stop them.

  She startled when Conn’s voice spoke to her from the other side of the door. She hadn’t heard him kick in the door that joined his room to hers, so she knew he’d entered through the other door that led from the hallway.

  “Aries, I want in.” His voice was a low growl.

  “Well guess what? Life isn’t about what the great Commander Drago wants! Fuck off Conn.” She sniffed before turning to shout at the door, “Leave me alone!”

  “Let me in! You’re my angel and you…”

  “I am NOT your angel. I’m nothing to you,” she reached up and jerked hard on the halo around her neck, but it didn’t budge, “and I want this fucking thing off!” She heard him growl on the other side of the door.

  “If you don’t unlock the door, I’m kicking the fucking thing in!”

  “I swear to God if you don’t leave me alone I’ll never speak to you again Conn! I mean it!”

  “Damn it Aries, I’m sorry! I was out of line.”

  “Go away!”

  She heard a reluctant groan then there was a thump on the bathroom door before she heard heavy boots stomping away. A loud door slamming let her know that he’d left his room.

  Aries’ fingers frantically searched the halo for some form of clasp or release but found none. She sighed and let her head fall back against the shower stall before she lifted both hands and wiped at her tear-soaked face. What an ass! I can’t believe he said that to me. She was more hurt than angry, but was trying desperately to convince herself the opposite was true. “God I hate him!” She sighed and chastised, No you don’t. You love him and that’s why you’re so hurt! She didn’t want to admit it. She took several calming breaths and after long minutes past she tried to get up. “Shit!” She was stuck. Her legs weren’t yet strong enough to push her weight up and there wasn’t anything over her head to help pull her weight off the floor.

  More miserable tears fell and she laughed through them. On the walk over, Conn had explained that the two of them had been assigned to the East wing of the estate while the rest of his men resided in the West wing, and Tyce was reportedly gone on business, which meant she was stuck until Conn came to find her. “Fuck!” She let her head fall forward on her bent knees and rested her head there thinking about Conn and the accusation he’d made. Between her long day of physical therapy and the emotional roller coaster she’d just ridden it wasn’t long before her eyes closed and she drifted off to sleep.

  Chapter 31

  Aries woke when she felt a swaying motion. Her eyes snapped open and she frowned up at Conn who strode determinedly with her cradled in his arms.

  “Put me down, I don’t want to see you.” Her anger had burned itself out, but she was still hurt from his words.

  He didn’t look at her, “Tough!”

  He took a wide step and Aries looked down to see him step over a chunk of wood. She looked up and realized he’d broken down the door to get to her.

  “I didn’t hear you kick it in.”

  A corner of his mouth ticked before he flattened his lips into a grim line. “I crushed pain killers and put ‘em in your tea. You slept deeply.”

  Her mouth fell open, “You what?”

  He gently placed her on the bed, “You needed rest and I know you haven’t been taking them regularly anymore. I’ll never lie to you Aries.”

  She crossed her arms over her chest and pulled her knees tighter. “Well, I’ve never lied to you either, contrary to your low opinion of me.”

  He sat on the edge of her bed by her hip but faced the window. “I’m sorry. I overreacted.”

  She curled in a tight ball and faced away from him, “Go away Conn.”

  He chuckled, “This is my room.”

  Aries straightened out and tried to get up but Conn spun and grabbed her, pinning her to the bed. “Don’t be angry with me beautiful.”

  She struggled under his hold, but stopped when she’d only succeeded in hiking her hospital gown up to flash bare thigh, white satin panties, and flat belly. “Don’t call me that!”

  “Why? It’s true. You always have been and always will be the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”

  She glared up at him, “You don’t get to insult me in the worst way imaginable then try to flatter me into forgiveness. I’m not that shallow.”

  Conn sighed and the smile left his lips. “I shouldn’t have accused you of sleeping with Remy. It’s just…” He let his words die off.

  “Just what?” If he wasn’t going to let her go then she’d gladly argue with him. After all she had the truth on her side.

  “It hurt.”

  She swallowed hard, not expecting the admission.

  “I’m not all man Aries, I’m part beast too. Walkers are very territorial, very possessive. Just the thought of Remy even touc
hing you…” He gnashed his teeth together, turning to face the window again.

  “Nothing happened. I didn’t sleep with Remy. He didn’t even touch me intimately. He barely touched me at all.”

  “Shifting is very intimate the first time. It requires great trust and patience and when you shift back and you’re naked,” he clamped his mouth shut and dropped his head so it hung between his hands.

  She heard the pain in his voice and realized he truly had been hurt by her actions. Surely he can’t think I did it just to hurt him. “I’m sorry I didn’t wait for you. I wanted my first time to be with you Conn. But Remy demanded that I shift and I was afraid he’d hurt me. I didn’t know him, I didn’t know if he was dangerous.” Her voice grew quieter, “I certainly didn’t think it would actually work.”

  He turned, his nearly black eyes locked on hers, “I gotta tell ya, none of this is boding well for your precious Remy.”

  Aries looked away, “Don’t call him that. He’s not my anything. I didn’t want to go with him, he forced me.”

  Conn turned to face her and placed a hand across her body to hold his weight as he leaned over her. “Aries, I need to know the truth. Did he force you to do anything else?”

  She shook her head, “No Conn. I told you nothing happened.”

  Snorting Conn dropped his head, “Let me guess he wasn’t interested.” His tone was mocking.

  Aries shrugged, “I’m sure he was, but I wasn’t.”

  His eyes lifted to search hers. “You’re probably not aware of this, but Remy is an infamous ladies man. Every Walker woman I know would eagerly share a night in his bed.”

  Lifting her chin, she eyed him evenly. “Not every Walker woman.”

  Conn looked doubtful.

  “There’s only one Walker I’m interested in sharing a bed with.” She felt herself blush as he stared at her clearly expecting her to divulge that Walker’s name.

  She looked away. “Look, I’m not putting myself out there for someone who’s not interested.” She shifted on the bed and lifted a hand to the halo at her throat, “As a matter of fact I wasn’t kidding about you taking this back. It’s clearly not meant for me.”