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"It was only a matter of time," she said, not wanting him to be right, yet wanting him.
Gabriel smiled at her tenderly. "No. I think that you've just proved that you'll have me."
He reached for her and kissed her again, his claws tracing lines down her back, and her legs turned to liquid, and this time it wasn't from the change.
"Why me?" she asked, holding on to him.
"Because you cared," he whispered. "You cared so much for your people, it broke your heart to see the pack in ruins. You cared so much for your mother, you risked your life for hers. You cared enough to save someone who wanted you dead. And because you walk like a queen. And just because of the beautiful curve of your neck."
Gabriel pulled off his shirt. He tossed it behind him. "Come out with me beneath the stars," he said.
If she left with him now, her world would be changed forever. She would be bound by duty for life, like her father.
Like my father, she thought, then realized, This is what I owe him. This is how I make it up to him.
"Don't wag your tail yet, wolfman," she said to cover her fear and desire. "You've bitten off more bunny than you can chew."
She followed him to the window, the blood singing in her veins.
[end]
>She pulled her robe closed and slouched to the window, as erect as her spine would allow. Sure enough Willem, Gregory, and Ulf swarmed onto the roof. Finn dropped from the branches of the oak with a soft thud. Behind them heat lightning flashed in the purple sky, drowning the stars. As usual, the guys were naked and half changed. "It's the latest style," Willem had said when she'd complained. "All the best people are wearing it." Once more she silently thanked the unknown landscaper who had planted trees that sheltered the roof from both sun and prying eyes.
"We've got another one for you," Willem. said.
Vivian snorted. They were going through everyone's music collections looking for werewolf songs. To inspire her, Finn said, although she suspected it was for his own amusement. Last night they had sung "Moon over Bourbon Street" by someone called Sting. Their singing was hideous. The night before, while they were performing "Werewolves of London," Esmé had threatened to turn the hose on them, if she could only stop laughing.
Esmé was much too happy nowadays, since Tomas had moved in with them. Vivian had tried to spoil it by pointing out how he had run when the police came calling. Esmé had just giggled. "He's a lover, not a fighter," she said. My mother should be worried about me, not drooling over a boyfriend, Vivian thought, forgetting the number of times Esmé had come tapping at her bedroom door only to be shunned.
Gregory announced this evenings selection, "No One Lives Forever," by Oingo Boingo. Vivian rolled her golden eyes and hoped that whoever had donated the CD had been forced to listen to them practice. She turned her back on them, but her rejection didn't make them hesitate.
Even Ulf joined in these serenades, although he talked even less than usual nowadays. Gabriel had taken him in, according to Gregory, who had looked envious as he told her.
"Yeah, calls him little brother," Finn had mocked, but Vivian had seen a rare, fleeting smile on Ulf's face.
"Ass kisser," Gregory had accused affectionately, spitting at Ulf.
Everyone was happy except her.
"Come on, Vivie," Willem called through the window, startling her. "Come for a run in the woods." She hadn't even realized that the song was over.
"No," she answered without turning to face him. "And you wouldn't stay out after curfew if you were smart." She heard his sigh.
The boys left the roof quietly.
Downstairs the front door slammed and Esmé's laughter floated up from below. After a brief pause, Vivian heard the cadence of Esmé's steps up the stairs and then the predictable knock at her bedroom door.
"Vivian, honey?" Esmé's voice was tentative. "Haven't you been downstairs today?"
Vivian didn't answer. She felt mean, but she didn't want to talk.
"Vivian!" Esmé's voice was sharp. "Stop being a jerk. So what if you're stuck. Deal with it."
"That's easy for you to say," Vivian shot back.
"Oh, baby." Esmé sounded contrite. "We'll soon be up in Vermont. It'll be better there. You'll be able to get more fresh air."
"Instead of being 'the secret in the upstairs room,' you mean?"
