Fated for Her Wolves - Tara West Page 0,13

she sped up when she saw how closely the wolves were. They were so close to enacting their plan. She couldn’t let them discover their lab.

Chapter Four

TATIANA LOOKED OVER Constantine’s shoulder when they pulled into the driveway. She recognized the Lupescu farm that belonged to the brothers’ parents and grandparents. She worried about her parents, who had followed the demon’s car after they reached town.

“When do you think they’ll be back?” she asked.

“Don’t worry,” Andrei said, unbuckling his seatbelt. “They’re only finding out where she lives. They won’t do anything yet.”

She certainly hoped not. At least, not without backup. She’d heard the story of the hell Cousin Annie had gone through when she’d confronted a demon, a succubus who’d tried to steal her body. Ever since it had happened two summers ago, it was all anyone in her tribe talked about. Was this woman a demon? Best case scenario was that she was a witch who practiced black magic, but a churning in her gut told her this creature was far worse.

She remembered Natasha comparing her to a girl she’d met in Texas, but Eilea had banished that succubus to hell.

Her car door swung open, and she gaped at Constantine as snow fluttered onto his broad shoulders.

After Dejan scooted out, Constantine held down a hand. “Don’t say anything to our stepmom about Natasha.”

She placed her hand in his. “Why?”

“Because she’s pregnant,” Dimitri grumbled and slammed his door.

He stomped up the stairs without a backward glance. She heaved a sigh. It wasn’t like he didn’t have a reason to be angry with her.

Filled with nervous tension, she let Constantine help her out of the car, though she was perfectly capable of doing it herself, even though her knees suddenly felt weak.

“We don’t want to worry her.” Constantine’s smile was strained. “I’m sure our fathers will tell her what happened when they get back.”

Snow crunched under their boots as they walked up the porch steps toward their grandparents, who were lined up behind the railing.

“Welcome, Tatiana!” Bunica held out her arms in sweet welcome. She looked just as Tatiana remembered, with twin silver braids and bright blue eyes.

Painfully aware of Dimitri storming into the house and slamming the door behind him, Tatiana let the elderly wolves hug and kiss her. A few of them even pinched her cheeks. She tried to show her appreciation, but her worry over Dimitri overshadowed everything. She feared he now hated her for putting them off for so long. Or maybe, even though he’d told her it wasn’t her fault, deep down he resented her part in his mother’s death, and that resentment was finally festering like an old boil.

“Where are the others?” Bunica asked.

“They took a scenic route,” Constantine said, looking away.

She gave him a pointed look but said no more and ushered them into the house.

“A winter storm is coming.” She tucked Tatiana’s hand in the crook of her arm, leading her inside.

Her mouth instantly watered at the smell of warm butter and cinnamon. Mmm, fresh baked cookies. Their house smelled exactly like a grandparents’ house should smell. Tatiana suspected she’d be making frequent trips here after she bonded with her mates.

Dr. Eilea Lupescu was sitting in the front room on a floral sofa, her feet propped up on her gamma mate, Marius’s, lap, resting her hands on her swollen stomach. A baby slept in a playpen beside them.

“Tatiana!” Dr. Lupescu struggled to sit up, rolling her eyes as Marius put a pillow behind her back.

Walking with Tatiana into the front parlor, Bunica held tightly to her hand, shooing away her grandsons with a hiss. “Give the girl some space.”

Dejan gave Tatiana a long look before following Andrei into the kitchen. Dimitri and Constantine went outside to get her luggage. She refused to watch the door for their return, not wishing to see Dimitri crushing her flowers.

After they were gone, Tatiana heaved a breath, not realizing she’d been holding it. Though she couldn’t deny her craving to be around the brothers, their presence was also suffocating.

“I’m going to help with refreshments,” Bunica said, kissing Tatiana on the cheek before going into the kitchen.

Tatiana bent over Eilea, giving her a hug and sitting in the opposite chair. “Dr. Lupescu,” she said, feeling awkward as Dejan and Andrei kept stealing glances at her from the kitchen. They reminded her of her mother’s little dogs, watching from the other room while they ate dinner. After Dimitri and Constantine returned with the luggage, she caught Dimitri staring at her,