Temptations and memories

A few weeks before the Battle of Siege

- Why did you bring me to the dance?

Because casual sex no longer pleased him. He was going crazy with the fantasies that the girl awoke in him. It was witchcraft. Not even Mayra ...Richard Morgan smiles.

- I brought you .. - Rick decided to choose the truth. He needed to know her reaction. - I wanted to be alone with you. It would be quite difficult to do that with a little boy.

The woman shuddered at his words. The mouth was close to her. That would be a problem. Will would complain. She wanted him to kiss her. His gaze seemed to have direct communication with her entire body, from the waist down.

-I'm sorry for the problems ...

Richard sighed for a few moments and turned the woman around again. The view was incredible. An angel definitely. His angel would not let her go. They were silent for a few moments. Faith knew she would regret it, but she needed to ask. It would be an immediate regret.

Didn't that affect him? Because that was unfair. Its proximity made it possible to elect the certainty of running for miles. Hesitantly, she pursed her lips.

"Are you going to tell me something?" - he was surprised. It was very easy to talk to her.

- Just promise.

He frowned.

- Why didn't you tell my father? I could have warned Willian that ...

That she was onboard Gaia?

Rick shook his head. That had been his intention for the first two days. Only something had changed. To warn Will meant the girl's return to Scarlet. There was a promised groom. The memory of Kaios pissed him off. It was a simple, spontaneous, and savage reaction on his part. Since confronting Kaios kissing Faith against his will. He could scream in frustration.

Let Kaios's damn miserable animal test its unfortunate paws ...

"Hell, I had lived with Faith without ever experiencing any of this. Only everything changed that night."

In the beginning, he would leave when reached the castle battlements. From a distance, the couple's gesture seemed casual. Kaios was her fiance. The situation changed when Richard heard his requests for the man to stop. His heart was beating wildly. The girl was scared. The unhappy man forced the girl to accept his kisses, despite his unsuccessful attempt to escape. Something inside Richard had awakened at that moment as if he were sleeping and lurking.

This infuriated him more than it should. The extent of his anger was surprising. He didn't know how to respond.

"Ah, angel. You don't even know what I would do. In fact, I can't even imagine. I don't want you around Kaios. I don't like to know that Willian has accepted that damned marriage commitment for you. I changed my mind. I want you for me. Just mine."

It had to be your inner wolf. He was claiming his rights, marking territory, and warning his rival to stay away. The way she snuggled into his arms, seeking protection and took him by surprise. was not prepared for this. His blood was frozen. That was absurd. Had Kaios become a rival? he didn't know-how. Faith had grown up with them. For years, she was the unbearable, thin and irritating girl who defied him, played with him, destroyed his favorite weapons, and made him suffer in hell with stubbornness. Only she knew how to be a charming child with everyone. He was the exception. Morgan, Jacke, Michael, and Faith formed a united group, prone to dangerous adventures, with the girl in the lead. What had changed? Now, she was a woman. And pretty.

The privateers would comment without a doubt. Will was expected to organize a wedding for his daughter. He knew this by refusing to lead the wolves, leaving the burden to Morgan. Naturally, everyone expected him to be Faith's suitor. Rays! He just wanted command of the Navy. Nothing else was important. There was just the detail that Faith had left destruction in her life like a hurricane. Her eyebrows came together over his eyes.

-Are you worried about going back to Scarlet? - he managed to ask

Richard's mind was very distant when Gaia Negra passed through the Strait of Lazarim, near Chabone. The memories from which he never allowed himself to emerge came in an incessant flow ...

-This can only be a joke! - Faith complained in horror. - You can not be serious. Her eyes were wide with pure surprise. - Do you really want me to go out wearing this?

Richard nodded and just smiled against the wall.

His smile grew on his handsome face when he leaned in with a simple shrug. In the distance, he could hear the cheerful music that was beginning to play. It was the beginning of the anniversary celebrations of the foundation of Chabone. An undoubtedly perfect occasion.

Faith looked again at the profusion of tissues with a dry throat in disbelief. Ah, an unfortunate game of darts. Questions and answers? The winner would choose ... Morgan had warned her under Michael's laughter. He tried desperately to cling to the rage when her fingers touched the fine lace with reverence. She was sure would be naked wearing these clothes. She hated corsets. She never wore them even in Scarlet when she was forced to wear dresses. In general, she preferred the simpler ones.

Good God, how could anyone breathe with a corset? It was not without reason that women passed out. Richard Morgan! was starting to hate that man. Rays. He had purposely defied her, knowing that she would not refuse the provocation.

-Captain Richard!

-You lost in the darts game, little one. - he explained amused. He spoke for the third time.

Faith sighed in frustration. The petticoats ... "were you going to put the petticoats on first and then put on the dress?" Ah, sir! Thin silk stockings had once been martyrdom. She used to choose cotton. Resigned, she put her arms on the sleeves of her dress and furiously pulled on her clothes. Hells! The fabric barely covered the shoulders. And as for the cleavage ... Mercy. Never before had worn a dress so bold and insinuating. Willian, despite everything and everything, meant the threats to prevent her from sailing and marriage, he always delayed his plans with indulgence.

She looked at the delicate satin slippers with a low moan, looking at her usual clothes.

Where did that man imagine she could carry a pistol or knife? It was already a feat to be able to breathe in so many clothes. They slowed their movements. She remembered the promising night. It was just a card game. Luck was smiling.

She made a small fortune and the other angry players started to complain. So, Richard ... Faith closed her eyes. Only once for a change. Why had she accepted the unfortunate challenge? It was enough to say no. It couldn't be that difficult.

- I'm not leaving here using this. she protested again. was beginning to feel despair. God! Of all the embarrassing things she had ever done in her life ... It wasn't fair. How did he expect her to be able to board Gaia if her father's orders were for her daughter to remain in the castle?

The idea of ​​masquerading as a cabin had been harmless. It worked with Kassuim! It had to be bad luck. I want to die !, She thought in agony

Why did everything have to bother?

The hair was loose. She also never used them that way. generally preferred to tie them in a braid. was nervous. desperately wanted a mirror. And it was impossible. It would be really embarrassing for a boy to enter one of the rooms and leave a woman. Faith sighed. It was obvious that they were going to realize, that they were going to find out.

-Are you dressed? Richard pressed, hiding his anxiety.

Ah, the fascination with women was a curse. He felt like an awkward little boy. Still, he smiled again.

- You better be dressed because I'm going in.

Faith's nervousness overcame all common sense. Was he coming in? How could he get in? And see her dressed like that? could cry easily. Damn challenge. her legs were shaking. And I was not capable of that. She certainly preferred a battle. It would be so much easier.

Kassuim was lucky not to be forced to wear those clothes.

- Come on, my angel. Are you dressed or not? This is not a battle, little one. It's just a dance. Richard sighed.

A dance? Let's go! Just a dance? Rays!

She cursed in her mind remembering the ball she had watched in horror. The girl did not know how to dance, was also beginning to regret not having heard his father. was going to trip over the unfortunate sneakers. It looked like she was barefoot. As for the dress ... The corset had been terrible torture. How did that annoying man expect her to close so many buttons on her own? Everyone was looking at her. They would begin to comment. She would be a joke as long as she was alive. Volunteer daughter of Blackwill wearing women's clothes! Everyone would know it was her.

Faith looked again at her own clothes. Richard had not overlooked a single detail in that martyrdom. The fine, soft silk, the delicate lace ... Never before had she worn such delicate or provocative clothes. That captain intended to embarrass her in front of the entire crew. Or maybe he cared about her, a treacherous little voice whispered in her ears. He figured it would please her. Every woman liked to get gifts. All of this should cost a fortune. The captain spared no expense.

- Faith ... - the voice went low.

She swallowed. Ashamed. She was going to look clumsy in those clothes. Did it really matter what he thought?" I'm really going to cry."

Oh no!

-No ... I'm not leaving here. - The words came stumbling.

She heard the door open and closed the eyes awkwardly. She wore nothing. didn't know what to do with my hands. was going to have a massive apoplectic attack and die. He wouldn't like that. She would never know how to behave like those charming women who paraded around him trying to get his attention. If heard some amusing comment, could easily pick up the pistol and aim at a certain captain. After all, there were no comments. The heavy silence after a few moments made her gather her courage and risk a shy look. With all the arrogance in this situation.

-I ... Are you ... - Richard had difficulty speaking.

The words were stuck in the throat. It was the magnificent sight of an angel in front of him. Her loose black hair cascaded down her back. The white dress highlighted the feminine curves, outlining the thin waist, the neckline showed well-made and bold breasts.

He stopped in amazement. And without reaction. Very nervous, trying to remember that Faith was the daughter of the Navy commander and was under his protection. It was her responsibility to keep an eye on the girl.

Only she was the same stubborn and willful girl who had always liked to make her life hell since she was a child. Since when did she become a woman and he didn't notice? It was his duty to protect her. Only suddenly did he find himself at the top of the list of setbacks for this task. It was just a dance ... She looked at him, tense biting her lip. His black eyes were mesmerized. They burned when he admired her more boldly than convention allowed. His nervousness increased. What if he didn't like it? Faith stopped, intrigued by the thought when she realized that the opinion was important to her. Ah, Willian would really expel you from the Navy.

-So? - ​​she sighed.

Richard had no words in front of Faith, thoughtful.

"So? Hell! I'm still a damn wolf. Do you want me to howl here among these people? Curse! If Morgan keeps the decision to abandon the wolves, you can make me the alpha of the pack. I'm in trouble!"

The man blinked in amazement.

Faith swallowed, mortified. He didn't like it. That alone could explain the embarrassing look. A shiver ran down her spine. The inexperienced young woman inside her revolted, begging mercy on her knees for her to be quiet. She looked at him seriously. Her legs were shaking so badly she could fall.

She liked him, realized that as she struggled to keep her facial expression neutral. It was the end of it, but he had admitted it. The man was attractive, confident, and made her breathing quicken whenever he was close. She urgently needed to leave the moon world and return to Chabone's reality. She was only eighteen. It was the first time that she wore such a dress. had never been kissed before. Her female hormones without any explanation had awakened.

-Um Lenin! -

the whisper was low. His voice was husky and sensual.

She stopped, puzzled.

"Don't look at that man's mouth!"

Mentally Faith blamed herself. Failure would be much worse if she was to be carried away by absurd fantasies ...

-Stayed. Beautiful. - Richard guaranteed perplexed. After all, Faith let herself be caught in the deep, disturbing look.

She was sure she was drowning me.

-Liar!

Rick approached her slowly and took her very cold hand, forcing it to spin, taking care of the silk straps and the round skirt of the dress, ignoring her irritation. The woman was nervous. With the dress. With sneakers. He was sure he had two square feet and he tormented himself so he wouldn't trip. The corset was choked. Richard Morgan spun it? His eyes flashed.

-Why ... Why are you doing this to me? He asked in a low voice.

Why? Why did you take so long to tell Will that Faith was with him? Rick wondered, surprised by this.

"You should be in Mayra's bed having fun."

Only his heated body was burning with burning desire. It was Faith's vision that excited him. It was his defiant and willful manner that instigated him. Rick chose not to explain to Morgan that he had politely refused his lover's charms before handing her over to his brother. He spent most of the morning with the lady buying that dress. A surprise that Lili accompanied when she started. That jewel ... Richard seemed fascinated by the tone of the amethyst. It had the same tone as her eyes.

Ah, it was hell. Sex was never a problem. He liked casual sex. didn't want commitment or responsibilities. Mayra fulfilled all her wishes. Until Faith decides to board hidden in Gaia. He hissed, still admiring the woman.

-Frankly, my angel, what do you think we are doing?

What was he doing? He didn't use to be interested in a specific woman for more than a week. Only since Faith fell into his cabin, everything seemed to have changed. What was Mayra going to say about that? It had been a month since the sight of that girl haunted him. She was a mystery of contradictions.

She had lived in the Navy all her life, used to weapons and to command her own destiny. Only the way she blushed left her with suggestive ideas. Richard found himself thinking, very tempted when she bit her lip, indecisive. Like that moment.

"Stop looking, man. The smallmouth with delicate lips was the temptation to tempt."

She opened her eyes wide. It was a ball gown. The foundation party! He didn't intend to go to the ball! Tears of anger and frustration rolled down her face.

-Oh, come on. - Rick looked surprised. Sometimes, Faith could be so frustrating. - Why are you crying?

She sniffed. Once again, your inner girl protested loudly.

"Keep your mouth shut, Faith Macklister. This is an order!"

-I'm furious with you!

-Angel, you look beautiful. - Rick joked, fixing scorching looks.

- What? His penetrating gaze had the ability to melt away all of her anger.

He was a controller. He liked to give orders like Morgan. It irritated. She knew how to deal with her childhood friend. In general, he could not stand his frustrated looks and ended up doing his will. Beautiful?

Perhaps the captain has had vision problems. She was thin, clumsy, and ashamed. Is tall. .

-It's all right! Faith took a deep breath. She really wanted to look beautiful in his eyes. - I'm wearing a dress. I can't close it. Look at those sneakers. - she spoke without realizing that, when she lifted the hem of her skirt, she offered a view of the ankles in the thin stockings. - It's a fatal trap. I'll probably stumble and fall. I'll break a foot like that.

He nodded, watching her delicate feet. Those feet in thin silk stockings were undoubtedly tempting. He imagined the satisfaction of stroking them and taking off their socks ...

- Captain Richard! - this time she met his gaze. There was a twinge of arrogant smugness in his glassy face when he crossed his arms. The square would be full. Several couples. Richard Morgan was not going to be able to get her out of there. He frowned without getting angry. To control. He knew how to control the people around him and he liked that.

really wanted to control Faith. He wanted the girl to need him and trust him. Where did these ideas come from? "If you were to draw a sword or fight with me, I wouldn't lose heart, Miss Macklister." Just the simple idea of ​​dancing ... "He shook his head in disbelief. Faith swallowed again.

To dance? Sir! She didn't know how to dance.

-I don't know how to dance. -There was a panic in her. Stripping over my own feet. It would be her undoing.

Rick smiled confidently, maintaining eye contact. This intimidated her. The girl was very receptive to her closeness. That pleased him. More than I should.-Angel, I will not let anything hurt you. Nobody will recognize it. I will not leave your side. It's a promise.

- Captain ...

- Come on, my angel. My name is Richard. You can call me Rick.

That was what the brothers called him. Why the hell did you say that?

- Rick? -His name seemed seductive magic on his lips.

Richard imagined the girl whispering his name at the moment ...

- Come on, it won't be that bad. he joked, turning to help her close the dress.

It was a guarantee of a few moments for him to control himself. Hearing her call him by his name was sensual and provocative. The party in Chabone had been held in the town square. Perhaps the only place with enough space to accommodate so many people, food and drink stand. She looked at him in horror.

-I can not do this! - She spoke softly, looking at the dance floor in the distance.

Richard took her hand with satisfaction as he led her slowly into the cold night. Two couples were slowly turning a waltz. Others approached. The girl looked at the young couples and the stunning girls in beautiful dresses. He stopped reluctantly. It was a real panic.

-No ... You are not serious.

He smiled.

- I'm always serious. Something to escape? - frowned with amusement.

She blinked.

-I ... I ... - Faith didn't believe in that humiliation. - I don't even know how to dance.

Her stomach churned. Satisfaction grew confidently in her chest. A malicious smile appeared. It was really a problem. It was ... it was your inner wolf. That girl was everything he needed in the pack to become an alpha: polite, decisive, sweet, and willful. Well, not all the qualities he appreciated. Stubbornness. His basic wolf instincts shone in neon, marking territory.

-Ah, I know - he smiled again.

Where was the independent lady now? Let's find out if Miss Macklister is as brave as she looks. It's time to start. In the next instant, he took the girl to the dance floor. Her way. Promising.

"Ah, my angel, I could have invited you to the dance. I just want more. I will end this nervousness much sooner than you think."

Would she have accepted the invitation? In fact, Richard imagined her wearing a dress for days. He smiled smugly. Slowly, his open hands went around her slim waist. Faith tried to protest a little when she felt the man lift her as if nothing weighed and put his feet under hers. She held him as if she were drowning.

In the next few moments, he turned with her across the floor, slowly first, noting that little by little the woman began to relax. The tension was making the muscles stiff. Skin against skin. A a hesitant hand slid down his arm, radiating the sensation of an electric shock. Richard was surprised.

- You are treating me like a child, Captain.

His comment made him serious.

"Ah, my angel. You can be sure that I know you are not a child. You are driving me crazy."

Smiling, Richard made her spin in his arms. He was intimidating her. It was perfect. He sighed when he saw her bite her lip. It was exciting.

"I really wanted to taste that mouth. In fact, my angel, I wanted you in my bed. Yes, I want this woman. It's a curse. I really want to hear you sigh my name with pleasure."

Richard sighed. This was not going to happen. She was Blackwill's daughter. He would not break his own rules. Just casual sex. No involvement. Only his throat was dry again. She nervously buried her teeth in her bottom lip. Hell, why did he have to be so seductive?

- You can be sure that I know you're not a child. - Guaranteed surprised. Every time she smiled, her body churned in a whirlwind of hormones.

"Were you flirting with the girl?"

-Captain ...

- We decided that you would call me Rick, my angel. - he joked.

He was shocked by the pleasure of having that girl in his arms for a simple dance. He looked at the graceful dress, the delicate and feminine bearing that showed the slim waist and the magnificently perfect breasts. She was gaping. It was a cost not to kiss her. Not yet. He held her close to his chest as much as the dance allowed, making her shiver.

-Rick ...

- That. - He sighed with pleasure. Her name was definitely moving on those inviting lips. He was forgetting control. - You can be sure that I do not see her as a child. No longer.

Faith took a deep breath, doubting she was starting to relax. And maybe even like it. Melee. He held her in his arms and aroused disturbing emotions. I was discovering sensations that I didn't even know. Even the belly muscles she didn't know, she never noticed. It was an engaging song. It was his arms around you. His scent. In fact, it worked much faster than wine. When the second song started, she risked the first steps herself.

She hadn't noticed until Richard gave her a devastating smile. She looked at the man confused. "Did I say you look magnificent tonight?"

"Is that all you knew how to say? Calm down, Rick. This girl is not one of your lovers. What a curse. She turns me on like no other before."

Everything about her was different. The girl challenged him and looked at him. He was fumbling with the fantasies that the mind was beginning to suggest. The body certainly liked it very much.

-----

Muir Castle

Six months after the Siege Battle

Morgan swore at the edge of patience. He chased hunters like a bastard.

Green eyes. Naturally, he had not explained to his brother that the missing little beauty was a witch with bright green eyes. It had to be a head injury or maybe a blow. The memory did not help. Increasingly, the unreal and ethereal image seemed distant to his discontent. No hunter would waste those eyes.

Certainty tormented him on lonely nights. She was alive. Naturally, she was alive. He told himself that he would know if something had happened to her. It was like a link that fed him in moments of loneliness and despair. His expression on his face was clearly irritated by convention. Except that an audience sighed relieved by the apparent peace that reigned in the center of the great hall while Kaios spoke with force.

- Our vulnerability to humans ... We must not expose our existence to these people ... Morgan heard little. His gaze was focused on James.

"Incredible speech, isn't it?" He muttered under his breath so that only James could hear him with the screams of the court.

- It wasn't us ...

-Who started the fight? Ah, but they managed to continue. Morgan sighed, feeling hypocritical about appearances before the people.

There was just one thing: the weeks became months of searching. He was ready for further diplomatic negotiations. After all, the girl was one of them. He was the commander of the White Order troops.

- There is a young woman ... - His voice revealed anxiety.

James heard it stunned. After all, the extraordinary hatred that shone in the bold and reserved eyes was not limited to the dead of the past. He couldn't just remember!

-I'm looking for a girl from your people. Green eyes and red hair. -Morgan sighed. He was doing everything Michael should have done and he didn't. He wouldn't make the same mistake. - The girl ... is missing. You will find that I am not as tolerant as Michael on the subject. Not if you want me to continue to lead your men to stop the advancement of the Black Order. Cassandra.

James shook his head in bewilderment. Maybe, just maybe that man was a suitor for his crown.

Was that animal looking for your daughter? All of his most loyal soldiers searched the region to no avail. What better tracker than a man ... in love?

James felt his insides revolt at the thought that an animal aroused affection in his only daughter. Only at that moment did something unite him with the enemy. He was perhaps your best ally to find a fugitive. Fate proved to be irony.

-Yes. Naturally looking for. - the answer was very cautious and low in a whisper. - And why are you looking for her?

Was it the power that the pack's alpha hoped to gain for his wolves by having a mestizo by his side?

He needed to be careful. Morgan stared at him through clenched teeth, with a low growl forming like thunder in his chest.

-The girl is a witch. - the explanation seemed to say it all. - It would be advisable to keep these unhappy hunters under control. I hope for the good of all that the girl does not enjoy the accommodation of any dungeons in this place.

James' indignation could not be greater.

Did that irrational animal believe he was able to keep his daughter locked up? Slowly, perception hit him. He didn't know then. He was unaware of the fact that Cassandra was his heir. If there was a man who could find her, he was finally in front of him, looking with a murderous look.

Suddenly, he found himself trying to remember the spell cast. That wolf with his death would be the new governor of the Coven. He would be the leader of the White Order and he didn't even know it. First of all, he needed to test his worth and character. He knew that his enemy was among them because of the woman. Because of her, he had turned his back on his own people.

A spell. An old spell.

"If he proves he is worthy enough to have you by his side as a companion, his memory will be restored. Those you have lived with in the past few days will not remember you. You will be forgotten by all of them. If this man is as valuable as he imagines, he should not be concerned.

After all, doesn't love overcome obstacles? I think that's what they told me once. He will betray you. You will find comfort in another woman's arms without worrying about the feeling that something is missing. You will be just a vague image in your dreams without him knowing about your real existence. This will be your destruction and ruin."

It was really surprising. It was something James would never have expected. The spell gradually lost its effects. He was frankly surprised. The curse was slowly breaking. Admired, he looked at his subjects, forcing a smile as the alpha's hand tightened more tightly than necessary in a discreet alert. He saw nothing when he let his puzzled mind wander. He wanted his daughter back. What price would you be able to pay? Nothing seemed suddenly impossible. The silence was complete. Absolute in the face of stunning looks. For the first time, the borders housed wolves. A small pack led by a determined alpha.

"My lord ..." Philip Morgan's words made Richard curse himself as he left the room.

Even so, he followed, ignoring the people around him, and moved forward determinedly to stop the magnet, holding his injured arm tightly.

-I have nothing to discuss with you yet! Morgan thundered like an animal ready to attack.

- Damn it, Phil. Richard closed his mouth tight, hiding the guilt.

It was a girl. Everything was the girl's fault. After the brother had discovered who had given the mestizo to the mercenaries, Scarlet was no longer a home for Philip Morgan.

-You need to hear from me! I know I made mistakes ...

Morgan looked at his older brother with obvious contempt.

- You deserve to suffer for Faith's death. The voice was hard and dry. The sarcasm laugh sounded loud. - I take advantage of your dominions, lord. There's a pack to look after.

Richard sighed, unsure of how to appeal. Morgan was never tolerant.

-Our people...?

-Our people ... - Philip Morgan let the spite come out poisonous. - My wife was delivered to our enemies and her people did not hesitate even knowing that she was the female of an alpha. Do what you want from now on. At least I know that among sorcerers I must be careful. I know where to expect a betrayal.