Claiming a Beta Coyote

by Serenity Snow

  “We’re mates,” Kyra murmured.

  “Do you—I mean, maybe not.”

  Kyra put a hand on Claudia’s stomach. “It’s okay, Claudia,” she said. “You don’t have to tiptoe around it.”

  “You don’t have to pretend you want to talk about this either,” Claudia said. “I know you can’t wait to leave.”

  Kyra sat up and turned on the mattress to look at her. “I didn’t say that.”

  Claudia sat up, too. “So, you’d stay here in this small town and do what?”

  “I don’t know.” Kyra shrugged.

  Claudia couldn’t tell what Kyra was thinking and it set the animal on edge. She climbed out of bed feeling out of control and suddenly angry.

  Angry with herself and with Kyra for waking her animal up and introducing her to the heat and excitement of finding its mate.

  “I’m going to go get my bag from the truck, so I can change,” Claudia said and turned to go. Kyra didn’t stop her, but she wasn’t surprised.

  She retrieved her bag to find the two men talking by the truck. “Any reason you aren’t doing your fucking jobs?” she demanded.

  “We’re just talking about the guy Del spotted around here earlier,” Mono said, nonplussed by her hard tone.

  “I think someone’s been watching the place. No one’s made a move. Could be they’re waiting for you to leave,” Delgado said.

  “That’ll be soon,” she retorted. “I want you to stay behind.”

  “You want me to take your girl to the den?” Delgado asked curiously. “She’ll be safer there.”

  She shook her head. “I’ll let you know.”

  Claudia took her bag back inside and found Kyra standing at her dresser devoid of pants and the button-down she’d been wearing was open, revealing caramel skin and plump breasts ensconced in a black lace bra.

  She looked away, desire snaking through her. “What are you doing?”

  “Changing,” Kyra said. “I can’t go out in sweatpants.”

  “Where are you going?” she asked carefully.

  “Cordelia invited me over.”

  “Cordelia’s not going to be home, according to Sam, so where are you really going?” Claudia demanded.

  “To Mystic. I want to be there in case things get out of hand at or on the way to your meeting.” There was a hint of anger in Kyra’s voice.

  “Forbes won’t attack me on the way, and I won’t be alone inside,” she told her gently.

  Kyra cared?

  “I want to be there for you,” Kyra told her softly. “Let me?”

  Claudia frowned and tossed her bag on the chair across from the bed. “I don’t want you to think you owe me anything because of what’s happening.”

  “I don’t,” Kyra told her. “I just don’t want you to get hurt.” Kyra closed the distance between them. “I’ve never been here before. I never look back when it’s time to leave because I’ve never met anyone who’s made me want to stay.”

  “But I do?” Claudia asked breathlessly.

  “Yes,” she whispered and reached out to glide her hand up Claudia’s arm.

  Sparks of heat shot up Claudia’s spine and Claudia growled, the coyote becoming even more attracted to Kyra with each moment they spent together.

  She might be setting herself up for a world of heartbreak, but how could she fight this?

  Claudia cupped Kyra’s cheek as she brought her head down to kiss her softly, and Kyra’s lips parted beneath hers. Claudia groaned as their tongues dueled. She moved in closer, pressing Kyra against the wall next to the chair as she ran her hands along Kyra’s sides.

  Her skin was soft, and her fingers were a whisper over her nape, her nails lightly scraped. Claudia pressed her growing erection against Kyra’s thigh and Kyra skimmed her hand down Claudia’s body and tugged at the buckle of her belt.

  Claudia let her work it free before unbuttoning her pants. Kyra pushed her fingers past the band of her panties and curled her finger around Claudia’s cock and brushed the tip with her thumb.

  Claudia hissed, her breath rushing. “Oh,” she breathed roughly. “Kyra.”

  “Am I doing it right?”

  Claudia chuckled throatily. “Fuck, yeah, but—” She broke off as Kyra tightened her grip.

  “Should I stop? I know you want to be in control, but just relax and let me make you crazy for a minute,” she said.

  Claudia gripped Kyra’s hip as Kyra glided her hand down her shaft, pumped and glided it back up again. Her palm moved over the head sending a whip of pleasure through Claudia.

  Claudia claimed her mouth reveling in the delight Kyra was giving her with such ease. She soaked it up, wanting more. Then Kyra’s hand was pumping, moving deftly, dipping to cup her balls as the kiss became hotter, a mating of mouths.

  She released the clasp of Kyra’s bra and ended the kiss to draw her tongue over a hard nipple. The dark berry was a sweet enticement. Claudia sucked hard, and Kyra gasped as she teased Claudia’s dick.

  “Kyra,” Claudia pulled her hand away and met Kyra’s smoldering gaze.

  “Let me finish,” Kyra urged in a seductive tone.

  Claudia lifted her against the wall and tugged the leg of Kyra’s panties aside before gripping her cock in one hand and guiding it to Kyra’s entrance. She slid into the moist heat and growled.

  “You are so fucking tight,” she whispered. “And so damn wet for me.”

  “You make me crazy.” Kyra dipped her head to steal a kiss.

  “And you’re in heat,” she said, though not in accusation. Claudia was certain the chemistry was a two-way street.

  “But that has nothing to do with how much I want you,” she said roughly. “I know you want me, too.”

  “Too much,” Claudia admitted. “Too damned much to stop right now.”

  “Good, because I swear if you stop, I’m going to cry.”

  Claudia let out an amused snort and filled her completely. She didn’t want to stop and didn’t know if she could even make herself at this point.

  Kyra squeezed tight around her, and Claudia hissed as pleasure snaked through her.

  “Kyra,” she rasped. Then she moved inside her, the tight clasp holding her snugly. And Kyra leaned her head against the wall as she clung to Claudia’s shoulders and moved with her, rocking down on her.

  She leaned in to trace kisses along Kyra’s throat and bit her lightly before bending her knees to drive into her.

  “Oh, God!” Kyra cried, her nails digging into Claudia’s shoulders.

  Claudia thrust into her again and again, wanting to take it slow, but time and hunger prevented her drawing it out.

  Damp skin slapped against damp skin, harsh breaths were a symphony in the quiet. Claudia pressed Kyra harder against the wall and took her with abandon, the animal growling in approval.

  Kyra’s slight movements were encouragement that had her passion spiraling out of control. Then, Kyra was coming around her, her cream a warm shower that pushed Claudia over the edge.

  She came, a tight leash on the animal as it struggled to get free. Claudia locked her teeth in Kyra’s shoulder to keep from growling. She could feel her cock swelling as the knot began to form.

  “Not yet,” Kyra begged and claimed another kiss.

  If she didn’t stop it now … her cock swelled a little more. She would be beyond the point of no return if … Kyra’s kiss stole her thoughts.

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  “Uh-ah!” Kyra cried. “Claudia.”

  Kyra’s eyes were suddenly liquid copper as they fixed on her. The heat and passion inside her were a beacon the woman couldn’t fight any more than the coyote wanted to.

  “Kyra, I have to now,” Claudia said frantically.

  It was already too late. Her cock slipped deeper into Kyra’s body, Kyra gasped, trembling as she threw her head back against the wall.

  Claudia growled, the coyote’s gaze locking on the vulnerable throat, and she lowered her head to sink her teeth into it. Kyr
a moaned, and Claudia felt her coming again.

  Claudia held her for a long moment and then moved to the chair as she waited for the lock to ease. Kyra curled against her, kissing the side of her neck. She had no idea what she’d just done, and Claudia knew Kyra would be pissed.

  “Claudia, you leave me breathless and wanting more.”

  “Kyra, you’re incredible, too.” Why wasn’t Kyra saying anything about the obvious?

  “We’ve got to get some condoms or control,” Kyra said. “Maybe a little bit of both.” She laughed lightly, but Claudia heard the recrimination in her tone and felt it clear to her soul.

  “You’re not kidding,” she said nervously. Claudia was ninety percent certain she couldn’t get Kyra pregnant, but the doctor hadn’t known for sure. He’d said time would tell.

  “Do we have time for dinner?” Kyra asked. “I’m starving.”

  Claudia checked her watch. “Probably.”

  “If you’d just used your fingers, I don’t think I would have come that hard a second time,” Kyra said. “Not that I don’t want you to next time.”

  Claudia laughed, though not completely in relief. Kyra was avoiding the issue they’d have to discuss sometime soon. “So, there’s going to be a next time?”

  “I hope so.” Kyra kissed her jaw and the lock eased completely. Then, Kyra slipped from her lap. “I’ll have your back tonight, okay?”

  “Is that what you want to do? Come—maybe walk onto a battlefield?”

  “No, but you’re going to be right in the middle of it, and I’m not letting you go alone,” she said firmly. “Besides, now is the time to make a stand or at least show them you won’t take their crap lying down.”

  ****

  They changed, and Kyra noticed the bite mark on her neck when she was washing up. She smiled and ran her fingers over it. Damned alpha snow coyotes did like to bite, didn’t they?

  Hers—hers?

  Yeah, Claudia was hers. She’d known that could happen the first time they had sex. There had been a connection between them from the first dance. After sex though, they had connected on a soul-deep level that had left her confused and frightened. Kyra hadn’t wanted to be tied, and she’d thought the feeling would go away.

  But it hadn’t and there was no going back to the life she’d lived before, where her wants and needs were all that were to be considered.

  She left Claudia in the bedroom to go get dinner on the table. When Claudia joined her, she was clad in jeans and a button-down looking as sexy as ever. Her hair was still damp, and a bit messed, giving her a seductive butch appearance that Kyra loved.

  “What’s funny?”

  Kyra looked up from the table, the smile that had suddenly come to her face still there. “Nothing. I was just thinking how hot you are.”

  Claudia’s lips tugged up, amusement twinkling in her eyes. “Maybe my looks might keep you around a little longer.”

  “Let’s don’t talk about that,” Kyra said softly. She didn’t know what she was going to do about this, but she couldn’t ignore it for long. She just needed time to work it out in her head.

  Claudia shrugged. “I don’t expect you to change your mind about leaving, Kyra,” she said evenly. “Just don’t leave without saying goodbye.”

  “No.” Kyra shook her head, feeling a tug at her heart. “No.”

  Claudia nodded. “Enough said then.” She moved to the table. “Tea?”

  “You want alcohol before your meeting?”

  “I want the jackasses behind this to just move on,” she said tightly. “I can’t understand how we missed this change of climate.”

  “Were you even looking for this to become a drug smuggler’s paradise?” Kyra asked curiously as she put a hand on her chair.

  “No.” Claudia frowned. “I just—I don’t think any of us expected it. Now, I could go down in history as being the mayor who allowed two cartels to ruin our sleepy little town.”

  Kyra said as her hand moved of its own volition going to caress Claudia’s arm. “This was set in motion by the Russos years ago. Now, they’ll do whatever it takes to finish what they started. All you can do is minimize the damage.”

  Claudia studied her. “How much do you really know about them?”

  “Not enough,” Kyra admitted, seeing something in her eyes that gave her pause. “Why do you ask?”

  “Just wondering how many siblings does he have that will descend on this town if we manage to get rid of him and his brother and son.”

  “There are two cousins, but they’re interested in Miami and Vegas. The family business expanded greatly some years ago when Sal Russo was killed. I mean, the others went in different directions and don’t have much to do with Jeno’s enterprise.”

  “That’s good,” Claudia said and pulled her chair out for her.

  Kyra gave her a smile and sat down. “Thanks, but why the questions?”

  “I want to know as much as I can. We’ve already started researching them. Sam has the same ideas I do about the hydra and its heads.”

  Kyra nodded. Claudia must have found out about Salino. “I know what you mean,” she said. “You’ll have to hit him hard and taking out his brother and son will be hard hits.”

  “Strong reprisals,” Claudia said. “Sam and I discussed that, too. We think we might be able to handle that if one of us focuses on him exclusively.”

  “If you could infiltrate his organization somehow, you might have a chance of getting to him sooner. Or just setting up someplace and blowing his and his right-hand man’s heads off from the roof of a building.”

  “What’s your specialty?” Claudia asked, picking up the shiny fork resting on her paper napkin.

  Kyra looked down at her plate and studied the food she’d put on it before taking a bite as she contemplated the question.

  “Infiltrations?”

  “I was initially trained in information and infiltrations. Stealing information was pretty easy, especially since I used my looks and drugs to knock guys on their asses or hypnosis to alter their memories.”

  “Hypno-specialist?” Claudia asked.

  “It takes more work on a strong-willed man than a man who’s loaded,” she said. “I was attacked when I was nineteen by three guys and I had to have plastic surgery.”

  “They raped you?”

  “They tried. I can never understand why men think rape is an effective form of punishment and torture of a woman.” She thought back to that night. The events of it had changed her and for a long time it hadn’t been for the best. “If I had been human, I’d be dead.”

  “Being a shifter and having the abilities you have saved you.”

  “Yeah. I had to kill like—it was the second, third and fourth worst kills I’d ever perpetrated. I was terrified and I just shut down. The animal took over and savaged those men so brutally, the place was a bloody freaking mess.”

  Kyra wiped her mouth and took a drink of her tea.

  “I had nightmares for days afterward,” Kyra admitted softly as she stared into her glass. “When I came to and saw what I’d done I was horrified. I got the information and got out.”

  “You were too young to be doing a job like that. Why would those men who raised you allow it?”

  “It was all they knew. They were military men like my father had been. Navy Seals. Raising a girl wasn’t something that came easy for them.”

  “Being treated like a cadet in military school had to be hard for you.”

  “They did and do love me, Claudia,” she said with a faint smile. “They learned, but it was never the same as having my mother. They couldn’t teach me the things that a woman could.”

  “How to be okay with your emotions.”

  “I learned that the hard way,” Kyra told her. “Therapy. The attack.”

  “Why did you go back to work for them?” Claudia asked. “Why did they let you?”

  “They were tough men,” she said and thinned her lips. “They gave me the option, but I could t
ell they wouldn’t think of me quite the same if I quit after a tough mission.”

  “Kyra,” she said sympathetically and reached out to touch Kyra’s arm. “You should have quit.”

  Kyra shook her head. “It was all I knew by then. I’d been doing small things since I was eleven. I had nowhere else to go.”

  “Surely you have enough money to leave.”

  Kyra frowned. She’d had dreams of opening a small occult shop someplace or a karate studio, but she’d never given them serious consideration for the near future.

  She shrugged. “Maybe down the line.”

  “How about now?” Claudia asked. “This can be home.”

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  “You shouldn’t go to that meeting with Summerfield alone,” Lena said to her brother. “I’ll go with you.” Lena rose from her perch, the desk in the spare bedroom.

  “I can handle a simple meeting, Lena,” he muttered. “You just stay and wait for Astor. I’m sure he’ll need his hand held after tonight.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “He has planned to vote Blacklaw and Mayer from the Coalition,” Carpenter told her. “He’ll have the vote, but he expects them both to resist.”

  “Does it matter if they do?” she asked with a frown.

  “Not in the long run, but I think we needed them on that Coalition with Russo’s son hanging around. And after the trial getting put on hold because the A.D.A.’s been targeted, Carlo could well take over before we get this thing off the ground.”

  “We’ll be fine. Just stick to our plans,” Lena assured him. “What happened with Forbes last night?”

  “Nothing. Russo issued one last warning for us to clear out,” he said. “Or they’ll take us out.”

  “Astor will provide the backup we need,” she assured him. “The fact he has the Coalition under his control will ensure we get that land, not Russo.”

  “We should bring Mayer into this. She has a pack we can use.”

  “Jenner’s pack is bigger, and he’s gearing up to move against Blacklaw for us.” She shrugged. “He thinks she and Summerfield got him in the crosshairs of the FBI as well as killed members of his personal pack and the pack’s last alpha.”