Savage Heart

by J. E. Cluney

“We could train?” I suggested.

  I wanted to focus on something other than this whole shitshow with Declan.

  Mr Oxley said he’d let us know as soon as he heard anything about him.

  “Might as well,” Nate agreed.

  He’d become my sparring partner, being the best one to hone my kitsune abilities against.

  “I’m going to play my switch, you guys go ahead,” Wesley said as he reached for the said device on the desk. He’d left it here before we’d gone from our hunt, when I’d found him playing and decided to have my own fun with him.

  “We’ve got plans already for today,” Leon said as he thumped Damien on the shoulder, earning him a glare.

  “Like what?” I enquired.

  “Angel training outside. Too dangerous to do in the training room,” Leon grinned at me.

  That was his way of saying flying stuff and flinging angel orbs.

  Whatever.

  “I owe Dom some time, so I’m going to see if he’s up for some fun,” Tristan winked.

  “Guess it’s just you and me then,” Nate sighed as he gave me a charming half-smile.

  “Seems so.”

  I bounced backwards as Nate lashed out with his aura arm, intent to slash me open.

  I used my own aura arm to deflect his attack, grabbing a hold of his and flinging him to the floor.

  He snarled in his half-shifted form, his four tails whipping around as he got back to his feet.

  I’d learned he’d come from warrior lines as well, not as big as Dorian, but from Wrain lines.

  I lurched forward, clawing at him as he ducked and dodged my attacks.

  His left leg shot out, and I jumped over it just in time, rolling to the side and using a tail to knock his legs out from under him.

  He caught himself on all fours, pouncing at me with teeth bared.

  I bounded backwards, using my aura arms to fend him off.

  We continued this dance, exchanging blows and darting around the room.

  I landed a heavy kick to his chest, knocking him off-balance and seizing my chance.

  I leaped onto him, knocking him to the floor and pinning his arms down as our auras clashed.

  ‘Gotcha,’ I declared.

  ‘Guess you did, good job,’ Nate chuckled.

  I didn’t let up my grip as something prodded my inner thigh as I straddled him.

  ‘Seriously?’ I snorted.

  ‘Hey, being bested by my mate is a bit of a turn-on,’ he chuckled, the musical sound bouncing around inside my mind and making me quiver.

  Great, now my body was reacting instantly.

  ‘Is there a problem with that?’ He teased as he leaned up to lick my face affectionately.

  I gazed down at him, at the two vertical dots on his forehead; the mark of his lineage.

  ‘We’re meant to be sparring,’ I growled softly, but my tails were flicking around wildly now, one of them diving down to stroke Nate’s pink shaft jutting from his white fur.

  ‘Wait… do we knot too?’ I groaned as I forced my tails to listen and stop teasing him. One of them flicked up to touch my own arousal, and I quivered.

  Damn tails had a mind of their own sometimes.

  ‘Yep, sorry,’ Nate chuckled as his own tail snuck up and touched me.

  I shuddered again, drawing in a breath as it continued to tease me.

  ‘Don’t you stick that in me, I don’t want fur in my vag,’ I snapped playfully at his face, baring my teeth.

  His singsong laughter rippled through my mind, and I yelped softly as he rolled us over.

  ‘Are you horribly opposed to knotting?’ he asked as he nuzzled my face.

  ‘Not the biggest fan of it,’ I admitted. I hadn’t let Damien or Leon have half-shifted fun with me since our scrabble episode.

  ‘Kitsunes don’t knot for too long. And kitsunes knotting is quite fun, trust me,’ he purred into my mind.

  I growled softly at him, flicking my ears back.

  Fine, we could try it.

  Nate let out a happy chitter as he nuzzled me, and then he slid down my body, leaving me confused.

  ‘Tongues are longer in this state,’ he explained.

  It took me a moment to catch on, but when he began licking my arousal, I yipped softly.

  Fuck, why did that feel so good.

  He dragged his tongue over my furry little lady parts, and even dove it inside me a few times.

  I squirmed on the floor beneath him, my tails whipping around us.

  They dove down between his legs, teasing him and battling with his tails.

  Doing this with another kitsune sure was different, especially since our tails didn’t always obey.

  I relished the way he was using his tongue, my clawed hands playing with his ears as he worked away at me.

  I growled softly as I urged him to climb back up my body, and I rolled us over, diving down to inspect his canine erection.

  The pink length was impressive even in this state, and I dragged my longer tongue over it, loving how he twitched beneath me.

  I played with his soft, furry balls gently, continuing to lick and nuzzle him as he made soft sounds of enjoyment.

  My body burned with need now, screaming at me to have something inside of me, and I had to bat my tails away as they attempted to sate that need.

  No fur in there. I could only imagine how itchy that would get.

  Nate chittered out loud as his chuckles rang through my mind, and I ended up chittering as well as he rolled me back over.

  ‘On your stomach,’ he commanded, and I obeyed, my body throbbing desperately.

  Every nuzzle and touch from him was only intensifying the need.

  I wanted my mate, in mind, body, and soul.

  He pulled my ass end closer, my tails relaxing as they splayed to each side, allowing him access.

  I yipped and dug my claws into the flooring as he eased inside my wet folds.

  ‘You know, you taste amazing. All sweet and full of desire,’ he moaned into my mind.

  ‘And you feel amazing inside,’ I sent back, quivering as he thrust in slowly, burying himself in me.

  Fuck, he did feel amazing, and our auras were mingling together as we did this. For some reason, I was getting little ripples of pleasure just from our auras, which was mingling with the soft bliss from his thrusts.

  I moaned mentally, my body making a soft whine as he drew out before driving in deeply.

  His tails slid under my body, caressing me all over, one even playing with my unique little kitsune clit.

  To think I had that in this state too was still something I was getting used to.

  I whimpered as he began thrusting harder and faster, and I knew his kitsune urges to finish were taking over.

  Because I wanted that epic finish too.

  I ground back into him, my tails flicking around now as I yipped and barked, tossing my head back as our bodies rocked together.

  Feeling him inside me, stroking my walls, our minds connected and our auras together, was something I could never have thought I’d experience. The sensations and emotions it filled me with was beyond anything I could imagine.

  ‘Faster!’ I cried mentally.

  Nate’s claws dug into my hips as he drove in faster and harder, and I whimpered as I felt my climax building, my body tingling and jerking as it prepared for the bliss that was about to come.

  I let out an odd howl of pleasure as my orgasm ripped through me, my tails thrashing wildly as my whole body seized up.

  Pink and white danced before my eyes, and every nerve-ending was alight with energy and bliss as Nate finished, unable to hold off as my walls milked him.

  I felt the end of his length grow, locking him inside me, but I didn’t care as the pleasure washed over me in chaotic waves, making me jerk and whine.

  When the pink and white haze lifted, I was in the white expanse with Nate, our naked bodies entwined as we lay on a comfy cloud.

  I tried not to overthink the who
le cloud thing as I enjoyed the sheer bliss that filled me up completely.

  “Want to add to it?” Nate suggested, his husky voice making my chest tighten.

  I knew exactly what he meant, and I rolled over onto him, straddling him as he slipped inside me with ease.

  We were in human form now in our white expanse, but I knew our bodies were still in half-shifted states.

  I rode him wildly, digging my nails into his chest as he squeezed my boobs, allowing our kitsune sides to unleash havoc.

  We rolled, taking turns at being the one in charge, until Nate had me in missionary position, nipping and biting my neck as I arched and writhed beneath him.

  I clawed frantically at his back, the coil inside me drawing taunt as he continued pounding into me.

  “Fuck yes!” I screamed as the wall of energy slammed into me, bliss tearing my very being apart as Nate cried out with me.

  Our bodies convulsed as our eyes glowed pink, and my body was filled with complete pleasure, more powerful than anything else.

  It took charge of my body, burning through every vein and muscles, making me feel more alive than ever.

  I rode that high for what felt like forever, the euphoria and bliss continuously washing over me.

  There was nothing like sex in this odd void of our minds while our bodies were joined in the real world.

  By the time I floated down from that cloud, I was a panting mess on the floor, still in my half-shifted state as we lay on our sides, Nate spooning me.

  My body was completely spent and satisfied, and I chuckled softly in my mind.

  ‘So perfect,’ Nate murmured as he nuzzled my neck and pulled me tighter against his chest.

  Yes, having my mates was the greatest thing in life.

  I’d never felt such joy and happiness since being with them.

  They were all that mattered now, despite how much I’d tried to fight the bond.

  The past few weeks had proved how futile that had been, and now, I couldn’t imagine life without them.

  The epic sex was only an added bonus.

  ‘Liar. You live for sex,’ Nate chuckled into my mind.

  Fine. He wasn’t wrong. I did need it. It was an essential part of my being.

  But I doubted any of my guys would ever turn me down. They were always ready to sate my desire.

  I closed my eyes as I savored the moment, feeling utterly content and at home in Nate’s arms.

  Home.

  That’s what my mates were.

  They were my safe place. My home.

  Too bad this Warlock had returned.

  8

  Leon.

  I cut our outdoor sparring session short when Mr Oxley called to me telepathically.

  Damien was happy to go off and find something else to do as I headed inside, sensing Mr Oxley in the library.

  I entered, a pit settling in my stomach.

  Had he already heard news of Declan?

  “Sadly, no. Nothing new on that front. It still pains me to know he’s still somewhat alive. I’m ashamed to say I thought he was gone for good after Sav had slain him. I couldn’t sense his magic anymore,” Mr Oxley sighed as he gazed out the window overlooking the gardens.

  I pursed my lips at this. I could tell he was frustrated he hadn’t been able to tell Sav hadn’t really killed him.

  How could he though? We’d all thought he was gone.

  “I called you here for a different reason,” Mr Oxley said, drawing in a breath as he turned to face me. He leaned on his cane for support, and I still wondered why he even had it these days.

  “Helps harness my magic, make it less chaotic,” Mr Oxley stated. “Without an object to bind our magic, it can grow unruly and dangerous in times of distress,” he explained.

  Well, that made sense, especially since his sandy golden magic could swirl off him when he wanted it too.

  “I wanted to speak to you about something the Council has asked of me. They’ve been working with the kitsune children, trying to undo the work of Declan. The way he turned them into soldiers. The Council has spent the last number of weeks working with witches who specialize in psychology to undo the damage as best they can. Now, they need a home, a safe place that can be theirs, where they can learn and be children,” he said softly, his golden eyes filled with sadness for the children.

  I knew he would be concerned for them. Being raised as child soldiers was a surefire way to ruin any child’s chance at a normal life.

  I frowned as I took in what he was saying.

  Wait, did he mean…

  “The Council wants me to take them under my wing. They believe I’m most suited to protect them from other collectors. Which is true. This institute is heavily warded. That’s why I’m not worried about this supposed attack from Declan. Not even a Warlock can cross onto these grounds,” Mr Oxley said with absolute certainty.

  And I believed him.

  I had a feeling it had something to do with that golden orb in his room, and he nodded at me.

  “I’ll be moving them into the west wing. They’re still working with the adult kitsunes, but one female will be coming with them. Two of the children are hers, and she wishes to help give them a normal life,” Mr Oxley explained.

  “They tried to kill Sav, can we trust them?” I asked carefully. I didn’t want him to think I was questioning him, but I wasn’t too sure about this decision.

  “I’ll be checking their minds when they arrive, and I’ll send away any I think will be a problem. But they are just children, and they need a chance,” Mr Oxley said as he pushed his glasses up his nose.

  “Okay.” That was something then. I doubted Sav would be ecstatic though. She still felt bad for taking down the children back at the Collector’s.

  But Mr Oxley was right.

  They were children in need of a home and a chance at a normal life.

  I could relate to that.

  “I’d like you to inform the others. They’ll be arriving tonight,” Mr Oxley said.

  Tonight.

  That was awfully soon.

  “I only got the call today. I think they’re concerned with the news of Declan being alive still. They don’t want him to get his hands on them, and even though an attack has been declared on the institute, it is still the safest place for them. My magic warding this land is stronger than any other. Even a Warlock,” Mr Oxley said.

  I nodded, believing him.

  Especially if he was nine hundred years old, which Sav had shared with us.

  “I believe Sav may know the woman they’re sending. A Lucy Bronton,” he added.

  I scowled at this.

  Sav had told me about her. The woman who had been a pet to the Collector. Although Sav wasn’t sure if she was all that bad, especially since she seemed to fear for her when it came down to it.

  “I’ve learned Lucy is a widowed kitsune. All her mates were slaughtered by the last of the order, including her kitsune mate. The Council is doing its best to put an end to the order.

  Having all your destined mates murdered would break you, I’d imagine. So of course she chose the better option. Live a life of luxury over a life as a prisoner in a cage,” Mr Oxley said sadly. “She came from royal lines, not warrior lines, so I doubted she could fight all that much.”

  The same offer Sav could’ve had. But she was a fighter, right to the bone, and she never would’ve rolled over for them.

  I understood why Lucy would’ve chosen the life she did. It was the better of her only two options.

  “But she had two children,” I said, remembering what Mr Oxley had said.

  “She did indeed.” He nodded, watching me curiously.

  “How could she allow that monster to take her children and turn them into soldiers?” I growled.

  “What choice did she have?” Mr Oxley said gently.

  I gritted my teeth. Right. Even if she’d fought, it’d have been no use. Especially if she didn’t even know how to fight.

  And she�
��d had no mates to come to her rescue.

  That thought made a pang hit me in the chest, and I felt guilty.

  She was all alone, just trying to survive.

  Mr Oxley nodded sadly.

  “I’ll inform the others,” I said softly, and Mr Oxley smiled gently.

  “I’m sure they’ll understand. Now, I need to make preparations for them. They’ll need schoolwork, and someone who can manage them alongside Lucy and Dominic,” Mr Oxley mused quietly.

  I left him to sort that out as I headed back out into the hall.

  How would Sav feel about this anyway?

  Those children had tried to kill her. I doubted she’d have any warm feelings for them. But at the same time, even she’d said she felt bad for them. They were soldiers, raised to obey.

  I sighed as I paused in the hall.

  Was it safe to have them here? Could we trust them?

  Did we really need this at a time when Declan had made a threat on the institute. I know they were probably safest here despite the threat, but a Warlock shouldn’t be underestimated.

  Then again, I had no idea what the golden orb could really do. If it was an ancient artifact of dragons, passed on to him from his father, then it definitely had some serious magic. I’d felt it when I was in the room, making my angelic side react a little.

  Well, guess all I could do was inform the others and hope for the best.

  Especially since they’d be arriving tonight.

  I groaned inwardly at this.

  Children.

  I could handle them, but I doubted many of the others could.

  I continued on, reaching out with my mind to find where they all were.

  I snorted as I discovered Nate and Savage in a bit of predicament.

  ‘Shut up,’ Sav growled into my mind.

  ‘Wasn’t going to say anything,’ I sent back as I headed towards the training room.

  And she’d been so against knotting with us again.

  ‘He talked me into it,’ she grumbled.

  ‘Worth it,’ Nate stated happily.

  At least Tristan, Wes, and Damien seemed too preoccupied to listen in.

  I reached the training room door, and paused outside of it as a wave of relief hit me from Sav.

  I guess the knotting had just ended.

  ‘I was going to offer up a game of scrabble,’ I joked.