Autumn Moon

Chapter Five

Corisa started at the sound of the gruff voice behind her and bristled at the way Alec greeted him. The man growled and Alec flashed his perfectly straight teeth. Corisa slowly turned to find a handsome man, not much older than she, but carrying the same distinct features as Alec. The same thick locks and piercing eyes she was growing accustomed to, but with a more sinister darkness behind them.

"Simply admiring the view, brother," the strange man answered, melting Corisa with his gaze. He made her feel like her secrets were all out in the open. The reason for her transplant to a colder climate and what she was searching for laid bare.

She felt herself begin to shake before a warm arm was around her waist and strong fingers dug into her hip. Alec pulled her into his side tightly as a toothy grin found its way onto the stranger's face.

"I suggest you go back to whatever hole you dug yourself out of before I put you back there, myself," Alec ground out between clenched teeth. The anger rolling off him seeming more palpable as the stranger drug his eyes down Corisa's shivering form and back to meet her eyes.

"He's awful possessive of you, now, isn't he?" The stranger drug his tongue across his plump bottom lip. An action Corisa didn't miss, the stranger noticed. So, he did it again, hoping that it would make her squirm and his brother even more angry. He wasn't disappointed. She shivered as Alec's eyes turned black.

Alec pushed Corisa behind him and glared at his brother. "Mind your own fucking business, Owen. How did you even know where I was?"

Owen put his hands in his jeans pockets and leaned toward Alec. "I'm a tracker, Alec. How the hell did you think I found you," Owen whispered.

Alec reached out and fisted Owen's jacket and jerked him forward until their noses were almost touching. "I suggest you get out of my territory, quickly, before I tear you apart." Alec spoke quickly and quietly, remembering the frightened girl standing behind him.

"How can I leave when you have that delectable little morsel standing behind you?" Owen inhaled deeply. "She smells absolutely delicious. Every male within twenty miles can sniff her out. Haven't you noticed all of the new wolves that have moved to your territory?" Owen inhaled a second time, stealing a glance at Corisa before looking back at his brother.

Alec pushed his brother away and watched him stumble a little before quickly regaining his balance. "Don't you think I know that?" He ran his hand through his hair and glanced at Corisa. Seeing the fright in her rigid muscles and wide eyes, he looked back at Owen. "This is neither the time or the place. Meet me at the house in a couple of hours. We'll talk there."

"What? Afraid to talk in front of the girl?" He gave Corisa a wink. "Oh! She doesn't know, does she." Owen chuckled, shaking his head.

"Know what?" Corisa finally found her voice and stepped out from behind Alec to face Owen with uncertainty clear in her eyes.

"Shut the fuck up, Owen." Alec shot a glare at Owen to keep quiet. "As I said, now is not the time."

Owen clicked his tongue. "Oh, Alec." He glanced, again, at Corisa. "Better tell her soon. Or I may have to intervene." He cocked an eyebrow and winked at Corisa a second time. "See you later, pretty girl."

Corisa watched Owen turn and walk away. Her mouth still agape and her mind still full of questions. "Alec?" He turned and brought his emerald orbs to rest on her face. "Who was that and what is he talking about?"

Alec drove his gaze to the floor as he stepped closer to her, taking her hand into his. "My brother, Owen. As for what he's talking about...that's another conversation for another time."