The Wolf's Bride (Shifters Unleashed Book 1)

by Natalie Aejaz

  He took a few steps, walking away; but before she could breathe a sigh of relief, he turned back to her, eyes flickering between blue and amber. What now? “If you do get through to him, would you remind him about his Council duties? He’s landing the beasts in deep shit because of his fucked up love life—right when they need him.”

  “I’ll try my best. I promise.” Rex had important responsibilities and she would do whatever she could to support him because, damn it, his kind had done nothing to warrant being feared, or hunted.

  Tyr stepped back. “And for the record, I had no intention of hurting you. I was only trying to scare you off.”

  It was one hell of a bonus knowing Rex’s own brother was not hankering after a taste of her blood. As he walked away, she turned to her mate, emotion twisting her insides as she took in the sight of him; eyes closed, tired and unshaven.

  I found you.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  * * *

  ALL I EVER WANTED was a normal life, Rex.

  It was tempting to answer when Leanne called this morning, so he smashed his mobile. No phone calls, no fucking temptation. What would he say to her? His very nature disgusted her, and he was an idiot for hoping she might one day consider being his mate.

  Rex had not shifted for three days and needed to get out of his clothes and release his wolf, obtain temporary relief. Going for lengthy periods without shifting had better get easier, because this was pure fucking hell. He pulled off his tee shirt and flung it on the blanket, inhaling deep. Even now it was as if she was close by, his senses hankering after her; practically able to touch her skin, hear that musical laugh. The smells and sounds of the forest had done little to soothe him, but isolation was more bearable than being among people who did not understand what he was going through. Unable to face an empty bed after the first two nights, he now went to his apartment only to clean up, sleeping in the forest under the trees, between blankets to ward off the cold.

  His wolf was desperate for their mate and the need to be near Leanne, love and protect her, was killing him. Lost to rage and pain, he was a useless mess. Damn, even attempts to show up at work had done more damage than good, with him losing it at every chance he got. After witnessing him push a burly six foot plus staff member to the verge of tears, Tyr ordered him to piss off and stay away from the office until he got his act together. While at it, he stayed away from GCB meetings too, because in this fucked-up condition, all it would take was a beast mentioning an attack on humans and he would tear the fucker to shreds.

  God, her rejection hurt.

  Tyr was well pissed with his attitude and had just left a bit ago after having a go at him. The Special Response Team had authorized a mission to rescue the captured beast, to be led by the shifter’s sister, and wanted him on board. Fuck what his brother or the rest of the beasts thought, it would be downright stupid to be involved in such an important project when he could not even think straight. He needed a break from his responsibilities to get his shit together and would then figure out how—or if—to continue working with the organization. No more decision-making, because it now always came down to one question: how might it affect Leanne? Time to return to a role where he merely followed instructions? Probably. No thinking meant no shit decisions. And if GCB gave him a few bones to break, so much the better, because the rage boiling in his veins needed to go somewhere.

  His fingers were on the waistband of his jeans when he heard her voice. “Rex?”

  What the fuck? He blinked. And blinked again. “Leanne?” It really was her, illuminated by the light of the moon. How the hell did she find him? She was tired and even looked a little depressed, despite her smile. Anxiety tore through him, reaching deep inside. “Are you all right?”

  “I should ask you that.” She sounded pissed. “Look at the state of you. Have you been eating properly? And your eyes …you’re bloody exhausted!”

  He had felt crazed since that night when his wolf scared the hell out of her. “Why are you here?” Making this even more difficult? After going on about how they had no damn future together?

  “I came looking for you, genius.” Her affronted expression would have made him smile if his heart had not been in so much goddamn pain for the last few days. She wore his jacket—and despite everything, seeing her in it calmed his wolf. But he needed to keep the hell away from her, ignore the urge to kiss away that stubborn furrow from her brow. “I remembered the forest from the last time we were here,” she said, a flush highlighting her cheeks.

  Heat shot through him at the memory, and he clenched his hands, in case he reached out for her. He should have walked away then, instead of staying like an idiot. And now he thought of nothing but her. Hell, it was as if he wanted nothing but her. “Why are you here?”

  “For you.” There was something in those brown shining eyes, something deep ... but he was not going there. Not anymore. “I had to see you.”

  “For what? A goodbye fuck?” Her eyes widened in shock. The harsh words had hurt her, and no matter how pissed he was, he hated himself for making her feel like that. “Leanne, you should go. Coming to see me was a crap idea.” Especially when he was in this agitated state, his wolf fighting for release.

  She remained where she was. “Why haven’t you been answering my calls? Do you know how worried I’ve been?” He snarled at her. That should send her scuttling … But she did not even flinch.

  “Why were you calling, anyway? It’s over between us. Remember?”

  She came closer. “Is it?”

  It would never be over. Not from his side. “Yes. So why don’t you run back to your cozy little life?”

  “I don’t want a cozy little life, not anymore.” She held his gaze, and he sensed her sudden resolve. “I want you, Rex.”

  What was this? A sick human game? “Don’t mess with me.”

  “I’m not.” She came even closer, placing her palms on his chest. “I need to be with you, but not like before.” Her parted lips trembled, begging to be taken. “I want to be your mate.” He struggled to calm his heart, which instantly sped up at her words. “As long as I won’t have to turn into a wolf or anything.” She stilled. “Shit. I hadn’t even considered that. I don’t, do I?”

  “No.” It was possible for a shifter to have a human mate, as Xia’s parents had proven. If Leanne ever wanted to become a wolf, he could change her, but he would never ask it of her. Because he loved her, just as she was. I can’t think like this. Even allowing himself to consider this was stupidity, because if she rejected him again, it would be the end of him. “You can’t be mine, not when you despise what I am.”

  “How could you even think that?” Her eyes opened wide. “I could never despise what you are.” She hesitated. “Okay, so seeing a wolf flashing over you was a big shock … but come on, you should have warned me …”

  “I didn’t know it would happen.” The number of times he had cursed himself after, for entering her apartment that evening. “But this is what I am, and how could you ever be all right with it?”

  “Because I love you.”

  He looked away, too afraid to believe her when he was already so fucked up. “Don’t say that, Leanne …”

  “I do love you,” she insisted.

  Her beautiful brown eyes gazed up into his, intense. He believed her, but he quelled the spark of hope that lit inside him at her words. Even if she loved him, was it enough? “You don’t know what’s going on. Beasts are preparing to fight, just in case—”

  She swallowed. Damn it, he hated that flash of fear on her face, but she needed to know. “I’m aware of what I’m getting myself into. It’s my decision.”

  “We can’t be together.” But when she moved closer, he could not remember why. As her lips pressed against his, the last of his resolve melted. “Leanne, we can’t—”

  Unable to hold back, he kissed her, his mate’s pull too strong to resist. Was this really happening, or had he gone mad, as some beasts did after losing their mates?
But as he ran his hands over her soft body, he knew she was real, just like her feelings. Leanne loved him. He wrapped her silken hair around his fingers, kissing her deeply as he placed his other hand against her back, bringing those luscious curves even closer. “Rex, believe me. I fucking love you.” Her words sent him over the edge, his claws shooting out, and there was that familiar pain in his mouth. When he pushed her away, she stared at him in confusion.

  “I can’t, not now.” He clenched his hands into tight fists, claws digging into his skin as he willed himself to stay away. Her timing truly was crap. He could not force back his shift if he got close to her right now. “I need time.”

  He was not making the same fucking mistake again.

  REX TURNED HIS BACK TO HER, muscles straining. Was he trying to keep control? When his claws sharpened so suddenly against her skin, Leanne knew he might start shifting but was not afraid, because this was his nature. And anything that was part of Rex’s nature could not hurt her.

  She wanted him, as he was.

  He tensed when she leaned against his bare back, placing her arms around his waist and resting her palms on that muscled stomach. “Leanne …” he whispered.

  She kissed his back, trailing her tongue between the shoulder blades, unwilling to let go. “I want you, Rex.”

  “I couldn’t stop myself, not today.” He trembled under her tongue. “You don’t understand. I haven’t shifted for days, and now you’re suddenly here, telling me you love me …”

  “No need to stop yourself, not anymore.” His abs tightened as she ran her hands over them. “I love you. And that includes everything about you.”

  “But when you saw me like that, you couldn’t cope.” He made an attempt to move away, obviously half-hearted; but she held him, tight. “I can’t bear to see you afraid of me again.”

  “You won’t.” She moaned softly as she slipped her fingers inside the waistline of his jeans, relishing his shiver. “Trust me.”

  His muscles grew larger under her arms until she was forced to release her hold on him. When he faced her, his eyes burned. He groaned as he drew her closer, kissing her, needy and desperate. As spasms of pleasure went through her, he separated his lips from hers to ask, “Are you sure?”

  “Yes.” Her voice a breathless whisper.

  He pulled her dress over her head in one go, his sudden strength surprising her. As he kissed her, he moved his hand behind her and used his claws to slice through the strap of her bra, before doing the same to her panties. She was naked in front of him, that burning gaze raking over her, lingering on her breasts and between her legs. He stepped back to pull off his jeans, and she drew a sharp breath. Her Rex in this form? Magnificent under the moonlight. He had grown by at least a foot and towered over her, his body larger and muscles even more defined. The shadow of his beast came and went, but underneath those glimpses, he was her Rex. She pressed her breasts against his bare chest, wanting him to lose control, needing to feel him inside her again. “Leanne,” he moaned against her ear, his voice deep and guttural. “You are mine. Only mine.”

  “Yes. And you?” She wanted to hear him say it.

  “Always yours.” He lay her on the blanket, resting above her on all fours, his breath coming and going fast and the glow bright in his eyes; before lowering so he was leaning on his elbow, staring into her face. His mouth claimed hers again, tongues intertwining as desire swept through her, the rush overwhelming. She whimpered in protest when his lips broke contact, moving down to her neck, lingering at its base before exploring her breasts. His tongue flicked across one nipple and then the other as his fingers moved between her legs, pushing inside her until she was soaking wet. She pressed against him, unable to wait. They were going to be together … be mates.

  “Turn over,” he growled.

  She did as he told her, keen to be close to him again, now the damn confusion and uncertainty was gone. He tugged at her ass and raised her so she was on all fours, moving his knees between hers to spread her. She ached for him, so badly. “Please, Rex.” His tongue flicked against her sex and the short hairs of his beard teased her sensitive spot, sending heat to every inch of her. As he licked her swollen clit, spasms overwhelmed her, and she shifted her hips even higher.

  “You’re so fucking perfect,” he groaned, his breath hot against her core. She shivered as his hand traveled over her ass, between her thighs, his fingers thrusting into her as he suckled her clit. By the time he pulled his fingers out of her, she was shaking with need.

  “Rex,” she whimpered. “Please …” Twisting her hair around his fist, he held her in place; and when he rested the tip of his cock against her entrance, she leaned back, unable to wait any longer. He released a loud moan and tugged at her hair as he pushed into her hard and fast, filling her, making her scream out in ecstasy. “Rex!” He withdrew and pressed in again, easing even further inside her. “More, please.” They were bathed in moonlight as he moved in and out of her, the knowledge they both loved each other—were mates—driving her wild. He shifted his hand from her hip, trailing it over her stomach and down to pleasure her clit. As he thrust deep with long, fast strokes, it was obvious how much he had controlled himself before. This was like nothing she had experienced with him. Beastly groans accompanied each frenzied movement, his hunger for her overwhelming; shattering her.

  “I love you, Leanne.” His voice was strangled as he pushed hard with one last thrust.

  She cried out, coming around his cock as he released inside her.

  Holding her trembling body close to his, he eased her between the blankets, lying next to her and pulling her against his warm body. Eventually, their breathing returned to normal. Unbelievably content, she rested her head on his chest, the sound of his heartbeat nearly sending her to sleep.

  “Are you okay?” he whispered in her ear. “I didn’t hurt you?”

  She opened her eyes to smile at him, the concern on his brow faded away. “No. That was bloody amazing.”

  He pushed a strand of hair back from her face. “You’ve no idea of how relieved I am to hear you say that.”

  “So that’s as far as it goes? With your wolf?”

  “Beyond that I can control it.”

  “Only if you shift regularly?”

  He hesitated. “Yes.” Sensing his discomfort with the caveat, she moved closer, to reassure him she would not be frightened away again. “But no matter what, I’ll hold back my wolf when with you. I’ll even learn to handle my fangs and claws if that’s what you want.”

  “I love the fangs and claws. And your wolf too … as long as you can control it.” Heat gathered in her core at the thought of the pleasure he had just given her. “In fact, I’m going to insist you let your beast out regularly.”

  “You mean that? You’re not just saying it?”

  “Of course I mean it.” His lips curled up in a smile, a glint in his eyes. She had a feeling things were going to get pretty wild between them. “But promise not to change into a fully fledged wolf around me.” Some day she may be able to handle seeing him fully shifted, but one step at a time. And time was something they had plenty of now. That thought sent warmth right through to her toes, making them curl in contentment.

  He chuckled. “The fully fledged wolf won’t dare emerge without my permission. Promise.” She moved to her back, and he shifted his weight to his elbow. “I love you, Leanne.”

  “I love you, too.” He had no idea how much.

  “I want you to be my mate.” He looked down at her, eyes glowing. “Not just my mate, but my bride. My family.” Her breath caught in her throat. His bride? The thought sent anticipation to every inch of her. She no longer needed that stupid big day, a fancy dress, or to impress anyone—because with Rex all that made no difference. What mattered was that they be together. He held her hand, fingers intertwined. “I know it’s soon, but I already know. I want to be with you always.” He swallowed. “What about you?” Hope flickered across his face, making those strong featu
res vulnerable. “Could you see yourself marrying me?”

  What did it matter whether she had been with him weeks or years? Only one thing made her hesitate. “What about our families? And friends?” She obviously could never tell hers he was a shifter—God, imagine mum’s reaction!—but his would smell her out in an instant. As it was, his brother was not exactly enamored with her kind.

  “We’ll figure something out.”

  “You know I want to be with you,” she said. “And of course I want to marry you, more than anything.”

  He kissed her deep, almost making her forget what else she needed to say. “But?”

  “Let’s give it some time,” she said. Although not too long, because she shared his need to be together and declare it. “Before meeting each other’s families? And friends? To be honest, I don’t know if I’m up to meeting a pack of wolves yet.”

  A smile tugged at his lips. “Take all the time you want. When you’re ready, we’ll tackle our friends and families. Together.” She could not look away from his fiery, beautiful eyes, radiant with elation. “I just can’t fucking believe I don’t have a ring for the occasion.”

  “Don’t worry about it,” she grinned. “I have it on good authority that rings are overrated.” Right now he could put a bloody key ring on her finger and she would not care.

  “You’re going to get a ring. The most sparkly one I can find.” His voice was firm, making her smile. “I intend to spoil the hell out of you, and that’s one matter you’ll have no say in.”

  She believed him and could not wait for them to start their new life together. His eyes suddenly flickered, something simmering underneath his obvious contentment. Was this how it was for mates? Being able to sense even the slightest change in the other’s emotions? “What’s wrong?”

  His soft expression turned serious. Yep, something was definitely up. “It won’t be easy. Things are getting tense out there between the shifters and humans, and I have responsibilities to the Council—which I’m still figuring out.”