by Nicky Fox
“It’s okay. I’m here. Everything is going to be okay. I’ve brought my friend, Ben, and he’s going to watch the house on the outside for us to make sure Max doesn’t get back in.”
“Where are you going? I don’t want you to leave me.” Those words on her lips soften my heart. I don’t know what to do. Ben and I had a plan. He was going to reveal himself by speaking with her so she would see that shifters exist and then I was going to hunt down that fucker. That is until he came to Scarlett’s house. I don’t want to leave her either. She’s vulnerable right now. Soon, the heat will overcome her and she’ll need release. If she abstains, she could become a wolf shifter. Hopefully, she won’t have a pull to be in his pack. He is alpha after all. They have a way of dominating over their females and making them do things they wouldn’t normally do. She’s still my mate whether he claimed her or not.
“I’ll stay if you really want me to.” Her brunette hair bounces as she nods. Kissing her on the crown of her head, I take her hands. “Did he touch you?” She knows what I’m implying. The shake of her head is the biggest relief of my life.
“He said he wanted to see if the heat had hit. Max was naked and seemed unhinged. And his face, it was smashed in. I grabbed the bat I have under my bed and he turned into a wolf and fled. This is all so confusing.” My heart hurts for her. She’s been thrust into this new world, and I’m the only one who can navigate her through this.
“I need to show you something. Please, don’t be scared okay? This is my friend Ben.” He comes from behind a large tree slowly with his head down. Scarlett’s hands grip mine like a vice. Her breath increases and she sinks into my side.
Ben sits down in the snow and waves. “Hi. Nice to meet you, Scarlett. Paul has spoken about you a lot.” Scarlett blinks as if she can’t trust her ears. She’s still for a moment.
Ben doesn’t shift or move. He does try to smile but it ends up looking like he’s showing his teeth which I make the slashing motion for him to quit. Taking the hint, Ben lies down in the snow and makes himself as flat as possible. Snow drifts onto his brown shaggy coat.
“See, he’s like a dog.” I try to make this all seem normal. I don’t think it’s working.
“Hey,” Ben comments. “I’m no freakin’ dog. I eat dogs for breakfast.” He glances at Scarlett. “Well, not really but I can kick a wolf’s ass.” A giggle bubbles up in her and she busts out laughing.
“Jeez, I can’t believe my eyes or ears but the bear actually talks. This is way over my head right now. Can he shift back to a human?” That’s good. She’s asking questions. It means it’s sinking in.
“No. He’s a cursed bear and can’t shift. I’m also somewhat cursed in that I can’t change into my bear.” Needing her to understand why I couldn’t reveal myself to her, I relay that information about myself. I’m damaged.
“Why can’t you shift into your bear?” It warms my heart that she’s concerned for me. Whether she knows it or not, she naturally gravitates toward me since I’m her mate.
“We’ll talk about that some other time. Let’s get inside and figure this out.” Taking her hand, I lead her inside. She waves to Ben on the way in. I smile and glance back at him. We both nod in agreement. He’s going to stay in the area and protect the confines of Scarlett’s house. I don’t like that Max stepped foot in her house. He could probably smell me all over this place. That thought gives me great satisfaction.
“Would you like some hot cocoa?” Scarlett heads to the stovetop to grab a kettle.
“That sounds great.” Food and drink always seem to make a situation a little better.
“This is all so strange,” she replies. “Are there other shifters besides you, Ben, and Max Wolf?” I bob my head up and down.
“I’m not really at liberty to out anyone else to you. It was difficult enough getting Ben to agree. When I told him you were my mate . . . well . . .” I trail off. Shit, I didn’t want her to know that yet. She was just getting used to the idea of shifters. Me and my mouth. I can’t seem to keep anything from her which is the way things should be.
“Mate? I’m your mate? What does that mean, Paul?” Scarlett stops her busy hands and awaits my answer. Damn it. Why did I have to open my big mouth? How do I even explain to a non-shifter what mates are?
“A mate is like a soul mate, destined to be. We’re a perfect match. Us shifters are granted one a lifetime. It’s even harder to find your mate. Some never do. Lucky for me, I found you when I was seventeen.” A frown forms on her face.
“But, you left me. You broke it off, said you didn’t want to be together anymore. I don’t understand.” The pain comes back to her features in her scrunched brow, her pouty lips, and her cast down eyes. She’s killing me here.
“I promised your grandmother I would break it off with you.”
“What?” She’s angry. “What does my grandmother have to do with this?” Scarlett crosses her arms across her chest.
“Somehow she knew that I was a shifter. She knew what you were to me. After speaking with me, she told me you were too young for a mate and to let you grow up. I promised her I would in the hope you’d return to me someday. I . . . I thought about you every day. I never stopped loving you, Red.” Her expression flips from anger to sadness and back again. I don’t know if I should’ve told her that. I want her to have the same loving memory of her nan that she did before. I know her grandmother was just trying to protect her, which is what I tell Scarlett.
“It seems everyone is always trying to protect me, yet I still get bitten by some asshole wolf.” She’s lashing out and I get that. Scarlett is angry, and she’s had to come to terms with a lot today. I wouldn’t have handled it as well as she is.
The kettle whistles. Scarlett bounds up and slams it on the burner that is not on. Leaning against the counter, she cries. I swoop her up in a flash and let her cry on my shoulder. Now she knows everything. It’s all out there on the table. She sniffles against my neck as I carry her bridal style back to her bedroom. Red needs some rest.
“It’s like everything I thought I knew . . . doesn’t exist. How would she know about shifters?” Her body trembles in my grasp. Laying her down on the bed, I brush back the hair from her face.
“She was your maternal grandmother, is that right?”
“Yes.” Wiping her nose, Scarlett sits up in her bed.
“Then, she would have a different last name. Her maiden name. What is it?”
“Loup.” I wait to see if she understands. It doesn’t surprise me that she doesn’t catch it. The word is in a different language.
“Loup is French for wolf. I’ve seen the shifter archives, which I’m positive Max has as well. A long time ago there was a line of wolf shifters in this area with that name. I’m sure your grandmother is a descendant. Sometimes if there are not enough shifters in the area, they can die out, meaning they don’t receive any shifter traits. It explains why Max Wolf is so set on you being his mate even though he knows you’re mine. He wants a heritage along with a mate.”
“So, you’re saying I have shifter in me?” Scarlett’s wide eyes gaze into mine.
“Yes. That would explain why the heat isn’t hitting you as hard as it would a normal human. That doesn’t mean that you can come out of this unscathed. If you don’t mate soon, you’ll become a wolf shifter or your health could decline from withdrawal of shifter DNA and you might possibly . . .” I can’t even say the words. She gets my implication.
For a moment it’s silent. Scarlett mulls over all that’s been discussed. I give her time. These last few weeks with her have been life-changing. I’m just sorry that it’s come down to this. I don’t want to pressure her into doing anything she isn’t ready for. I hate that a clock is ticking on this. This shouldn’t be rushed, it should come naturally. Max Wolf will pay for this. I will see his last breath and soon.
“You’re pouting over there. What are you thinking about?” A corner of her lip raises.
“You don’t want to know
.” I leave it at that. I’m sure she doesn’t even want to hear that wolf’s name right now.
“How long do you think I have?”
“It’s hard to say. I’ve never experienced this firsthand. All I know about this is from stories handed down. A few days, maybe less. The symptoms get worse as it progresses.”
“You want to claim me?” she asks under her eyelashes.
“Yes.” I don’t hesitate. This woman is my life. She holds my heart in her delicate hands.
“How do you know I’m your mate?” She seems more curious instead of frightened; I answer her question.
“Instinct. Shifters have heightened senses and we can trust our gut more than humans. I feel it in my core that you’re mine and I’m yours. I love you, Red.” I let that sink in a moment before I continue. “The moment I first saw you, I just knew. You were roaming around the woods, and for the longest time, I just watched you. You were so beautiful. I can still remember that yellow shirt you were wearing and jean shorts. I’d never seen a more breathtaking sight. Your hair was up in a ponytail with a white ribbon. You thought you lost it, but it dropped to the ground when I frightened you from behind a tree. I picked it up and have kept it always. It’s almost in tatters from the number of times I’ve felt it between my fingers to make sure you were truly real. You laughed this infectious laugh, and I was done.”
“Paul?” Lost in thought, I glimpse at Red. Tears fill her eyes. My hand cups her jaw.
“What’s wrong?”
“You do love me, don’t you?” Scarlett beams.
“With my soul, my heart, my life.” Red slowly leans in and kisses me. I take her lips with mine and gently probe her mouth with my tongue.
Chapter 16
Scarlett
Paul’s words tore through the wall I had built up. I’ve never heard a man talk about a woman like that. For the first time, I felt like he was being completely open with me. No secrets. He didn’t hold back. Paul wasn’t feeding me lines either. The fact that he remembered what I wore on the day we met made me swoon. He had me at “white ribbon.”
When he spoke of mates, I could feel in my gut everything he said was true. Because I was feeling the same things. Our love didn’t lessen over the years we were apart, it just matured.
I understand why he broke my heart all those years ago. At fifteen, I hadn’t even lived yet. It’s not like I could’ve stayed. It took some sorting through my feelings and listening to reason but I believe it was all for the best. I was supposed to come back and my nan knew that. I now know that’s why I inherited this house instead of my mother. She wanted me to come back for Paul. She knew we were meant to be together.
If I push aside my anger and sadness, I can see it clearly. For Paul to decide to do that so young must’ve been difficult. I don’t think I could’ve been that selfless. I’m still upset he didn’t tell me he was Junior. We had a history here. I might’ve rebuffed him a few times but we’re like magnets; we can’t stay away from each other. Every time he leaves he takes a piece of my heart with him. With Max breaking into my house, I wouldn’t put it past him to have his receptionist order that delivery of condoms. He’s sick. And he does have a small pecker. Which I don’t want to think about right now.
That’s why I forgive him for all the mistakes he’s made. I know he was trying to protect me. It’s all he’s ever done for me. He even told me to stay away from Max but I thought I could handle him. I had no idea what I was actually dealing with; shifters. There’s always been folklore and tales of men transforming into beasts but I thought they were fables, children’s stories. Paul has opened up a new world to me. And to find out my family used to be wolf shifters? I can’t even fathom that.
The way I see it, I have two choices. I can see where this heat/sickness goes. Whether it takes me back to my roots and makes me a wolf shifter, or I possibly die. Then, there’s my second option. I can choose Paul, my protector. My lumberjack. The man who will always come to my rescue. Who I can see having a family with, settling down with. The man who gave me a choice and is willing to stand by me whatever I choose. The man my nan obviously approves of.
His eyes stare into my soul and tell me everything I need to know about him. Paul loves me; he’ll do anything for me. My sweet lumberjack will even sacrifice his happiness to make sure I’m ready. His hand trails across my neck so delicately.
“Is this where he bit you?” Paul’s voice is soft.
“Yes.” My breathing has picked up, and I’m slightly feverish but my core aches the most right now. He kisses a trail up and down my neck. “Paul,” I moan.
“It’s okay. Whatever you want to do, Scarlett.” Cupping his jaw with my hands I move his lips back to mine.
“Kiss me, please,” I beg. Leaning back on my bed, Paul hovers over me, resting on his arms as his pelvis meets mine. We’re both still wearing clothes. If they stay on much longer, they might just burn off our bodies. I’m so hot for him.
“You’ve never been with anyone?” I ask him. He pushes off on his hands like a pushup and looks me in the eye.
“No.”
“Me neither. I’m still a virgin.”
“Honey.” Paul’s lips come back to me and we’re both insatiable. Our mouths mingle, tasting and caressing. He tastes like peppermint. I moan as our pelvises rock against each other. His shirt comes off because I pull it off. I need to see his chest and rub my fingers down his firm abs. I love his body.
“I’m burning for you,” I say and he moans.
“I know, Red. We don’t have to do anything you don’t want to.” Pulling my shirt off, I give him my answer. “Are you sure, honeypot?” I giggle, remembering Firn’s book. Now, it seems I’m living Firn’s book with my own bear who loves me. Nodding at him, Paul begins kissing down toward my breasts. “Damn. I love your nipples. They’re so pink and soft.” Paul licks around one until it peaks. He tortures me by blowing air across it.
“Oh.”
“You like that?” I moan, urging him on. He moves to the next breast and his hand cups the one he was paying so much attention to. His fingers play around with my nipple while his tongue does the same on the other.
I can’t keep still. My legs are wiggling and my pelvis is trying to find friction. We’re still wearing too many clothes. Moving my hand down his stomach, I push my hand inside his jeans. Paul jerks when I touch the head of his cock.
“Fuck.” His forehead rests on my chest. He mumbles, “I don’t know if I can have you touching me right now, Red. I’m pretty worked up.”
“Me too,” I reply. He pulls away and sits up. Paul regards me for a moment. His eyes trail down and I swear I feel it on my body. Then, he reaches for my pajama pants, pausing to ask if it’s okay. I help Paul to push them down. I’m not wearing any panties so now I’m completely bare in front of him.
“Damn. You’re so beautiful. We don’t have to . . . I could just lick your pussy.” I moan at his dirty mouth. Paul’s words make me bold. I bend at the knee and spread my legs for him. I would like for him to kiss me there. I’ve always wanted to know what that would feel like. Biting my lip, I watch for his move.
His hands slide to the apex of my thighs. He’s staring like it’s a marvel to behold. I blush as he dips his head down. Then, I feel the first tentative lick. I bite down on my finger to contain the lust that jolts through my entire body like lightning.
“Mmm,” my lumberjack moans. “Just like honey.” His tongue dives in my folds and my hands grip the blanket I’m lying on. My head jerks back and forth and my pelvis rises and falls. I have no control over my body. He has all the control. His tongue centers on my clit and continues to circle around it then it dips down inside my pussy as he fucks me with his tongue. I moan so loudly that I’m sure Paul’s friend Ben can hear me outside. Actually, a normal human being could hear me.
“Paul. Oh!” His tongue comes back to my clit and I’m done. Over the edge in an instant. He gives me no reprieve, he continues to suck on my clit. My hands g
rip onto his hair and I unabashedly grind against his face. I gasp for air as my orgasm finally weans. My body feels limp and there’s a slight mist of sweat all over me.
“I could do that all day every day, honey.” Paul wipes his mouth off with the back of his hand. I cover my face with my hands, embarrassed. I’m new to all of this and it’s somewhat overwhelming.
“Hey, why are you being so shy? Here.” He takes one of my hands and places it over his cock still encased in his jeans. “Does this feel like you should be embarrassed?”
“No,” I sigh. He leans down and kisses me. I can taste my release on his lips, and I’m turned on again. As we kiss, I slide my hands to his jeans and pop open the fly. He’s not wearing any boxers. Paul’s cock springs free. He’s enormous. I have no idea how he’s going to fit. I stroke him a few times, amazed at the feel of him in my hands. He moans deep against my lips.
“Red. Are you sure? Leaning his forehead against mine he stares into my eyes.
“Yes.” I stroke his cock again. He groans.
“I will have to bite you to claim you.” His massive body rises from mine. Removing his jeans, Paul strokes his cock a few times while staring at me naked on the bed.
“Like a vampire?” I laugh. Coming back to the bed, he positions himself between my thighs. His breathing is heavy as he stares at my pussy.
“I’ll bite you and then come inside you so you don’t become a shifter. You’ll be my mate then. You might notice some heightened senses though.” Paul winks. Rubbing his cock between my folds but not yet penetrating, he wets his cock in my release.
“You feel so good,” I moan.
“I didn’t want to do it like this, you know?” Paul’s hand grips my hip as he holds his cock at my entrance.
“What? In my bed, missionary?” I tease him by moving my pelvis. His cock is so firm and I throb for him. I want him inside me so bad I could scream. I don’t know if it’s the heat or my natural attraction to Paul. I feel like myself, I don’t feel drugged or sick. I want him.