Rebecca and Zaire (Manchester Pack Book 1)

by Christina Escue

  “Keep that up and this will be over before it begins,” he mutters, then rises and turns. He lays me on the bed, and covers my body with his.

  His lips land on mine as his hands start exploring my body. His fingers are calloused, and rough against my skin, and with every touch, the heat building inside me grows. When he reaches the edge of the sweats I’m wearing, he rips through the material like its tissue paper. His strength and power should frighten me, but they both fuel the fire threatening to engulf me.

  He breaks the kiss, and trails his lips down my neck. His lips trace the contours of my shoulder, then trail further to my breast. When he latches his mouth on one and gently nips my nipple, my hips rise off the bed and press into his erection.

  “Zaire,” I breath out as his mouth leaves my breast and leaves a trail of hot kisses down my stomach. When is tongue dips into my navel, I cry out and he nips my belly before moving lower.

  “Beautiful,” he whispers, then kisses the inside of my thigh.

  “Zaire,” I whimper as his breath heats my skin.

  “I seem to be more controlled than I thought I could be,” he whispers then slides his hand up my leg.

  “Zaire,” I cry out as his fingers brush against my core. No one has ever touched me like he is. His fingertip brushes against me again and my body tenses. The sensations I’m experiencing are new to me.

  When he slips a finger inside me, I cry out. His fingers are large, but I know they aren’t nearly as big as what’s straining the zipper of his jeans.

  He strokes in and out of me for a moment, then lowers his head and licks into my folds. When his tongue flicks across my clit, I cry out and my body bucks off the bed.

  “Zaire,” I cry as he strokes inside of me. His name seems to be the only word I know as his finger and tongue drive me to an edge I’ve never been on.

  “Yes, Rebecca,” he breaths out then latches his mouth on me. He nips and sucks until the tension builds again. Before I explode for a second time, he slides another finger inside me.

  His fingers stretch me, and I know he’s preparing me for what’s next.

  As the orgasm hits, I hear a rumble in his chest, and I know his wolf is wanting out to play.

  Pulling away from me, Zaire sheds his clothes, then covers my body with his.

  “Tell me to stop, and I will,” he tells me, and closes his eyes. I can hear the strain in his voice.

  I know he will stop, but at what cost to him?

  Deciding in an instant, I whisper a soft “no,” and he growls softly.

  I know it’s going to hurt, but being with Zaire will be worth whatever discomfort I may feel.

  Chapter Ten

  Zaire

  I strain for control as I line the head of my cock up with her entrance. My wolf wants to plunge deep and mark her as ours, but I know that would hurt her, and going slow will hurt bad enough.

  “Zaire,” she breaths as I slide just the tip of my cock inside her. She’s so tight, and I am so scared I’m going to hurt her. “I want this.”

  I open my eyes, and the look in hers tells me exactly what she wants.

  Restraining myself, I push into her, and feel the evidence of her innocence.

  “I’m sorry,” I say, then latch my lips on hers as I push through and make her mine.

  I hold myself off her a little as I feel her adjusting to me. She’s so tight, her walls grip me like a fist, and I find myself not wanting to fight my wolf any longer.

  When her tiny hips lift off the bed, my control snaps, and I give in to my need for her. Sliding out, then plunging back in, I let go of my restraint and enjoy the feel of her surrounding me.

  “Rebecca,” I breath as I cup her ass and raise her hips off the bed. I slide deep, then withdraw and slide deep again.

  “God, Zaire,” she cries out as I feel her come apart around me. Her orgasm rips through me, and the thin thread I’m holding on to snaps. When I slide out then back in again, I feel my balls tighten, and I let go.

  My orgasm rips through me, and I shout her name as I spill inside her.

  Collapsing beside her, I gather her in my arms and hold her against my chest as shudders rock her body.

  “I’m sorry,” I tell her and stroke down her back. “I’m not sorry for what happened. I’m sorry you felt even a moment of discomfort.”

  “I’m okay,” she mutters against my chest, as she traces her finger across the tattoo on my peck.

  “I know I hurt you,” I say and pull her closer. Her scent surrounds me, and my cock jumps back to life, but there’s no way in hell I’m taking her again this soon.

  “A little,” she admits, and I shift so I can look at her. “Don’t. I have zero regrets. I am happier than I have been in ten years.”

  “It won’t hurt next time,” I assure her then brush my lips over hers in a gentle kiss.

  “You want there to be a next time?”

  “More than I want my next breath,” I answer, but pull away a little. “Just not this soon. I will not risk hurting you.”

  “I’m fine,” she says but I shake my head.

  “No,” I respond and kiss the tip of her pert nose. “Rebecca, I will not risk hurting you.”

  “Okay,” she responds and tries to pull away, but I don’t let her.

  “Don’t pull away from me,” I say, my voice harsher than I mean for it to be. She tenses in my arms and I mentally kick myself. “I will never do anything to put you at risk, and making love again this soon will hurt you.”

  “Okay,” she says, but I can tell something is bothering her.

  “Come. I will get you some more clothes, and finish cooking dinner. We can talk while we eat,” I say then kiss her forehead and roll out of bed. When I reach my hand down to help her up, I see her blood on my sheets, and my wolf growls.

  Following my gaze, she sees the blood and gasps. When she looks up at me, I see the horror in her face, and I gather her in my arms.

  “It’s natural to bleed your first time,” I whisper against her neck then kiss it softly. “The sheets are washable.”

  “I am…” she starts, but I press my lips to hers to silence her.

  “No,” I say gently. “Now, come. I will help you clean up, then get you something to wear.”

  She nods, and I gently tug her from the bed and pull her to the dresser. I pull out another t-shirt, and a pair of boxers I never wear.

  “Those were my only sweats,” I explain at her questioning look and point to the tattered remains of the pants I shredded earlier. “So, this will have to do until we can get you some things tomorrow.”

  “These are fine,” she responds and looks at the boxers.

  I nod, and tug her from the bedroom and into the bathroom. I wet a rag and gently clean her before dropping a soft kiss on her stomach, and stepping back a little.

  She goes to slip on the shirt, but I snag her hand and hold it away from her delicious body. When she blushes, my wolf growls softly, and I hear her wolf answer his call.

  “Our wolves recognize each other,” I whisper and step closer to her.

  “Yes,” she tells me, and reaches out her hand to touch my tattoo again. When her soft fingers trace it, I shudder.

  “You unravel me,” I whisper and grab her hand. “Put that shirt on, then come into the kitchen. I want to be able to see you while I finish cooking.”

  I leave her, and walk back into my bedroom. The scent of our mating fills the air and I smile as I pull a fresh pair of jeans from my dresser and slip them on, leaving the button undone, then walk from the bedroom.

  I walk back into the kitchen and straight to the stove. Thankfully, I had already taken the bacon from the pan before she’d walked in earlier, because everything else was ruined.

  Her scent had hit me harder than a Mack truck when she’d walked in after her shower, and I nearly lost it and took her there on the counter. I need to get a better grip on my wolf, but he seems calmer now that we’ve completed the first step in mating.


  Mine, he whispers in my head and I grin.

  She’s ours, I remind him, and he growls softly. Growl all you want, but you have to share her with me.

  He growls again and I chuckle.

  “What’s so funny?” She asks as she walks into the kitchen.

  “My wolf,” I answer and turn to look at her. My shirt brushes her knees, and the sleeves reach past her elbows, and the sight of her in it makes my cock jump and my wolf pant.

  “Mine thinks I’m the funny one,” she tells me, and I raise an eyebrow at her. “I’ll tell you about it later. What’s for dinner?”

  “Bacon omelets,” I answer and turn back to the stove. “I don’t usually have dinner here, so all I have is breakfast food and sandwich fixings in the cabin. While we’re out tomorrow, I will pick up some things for us to have here.”

  “Do you usually eat with your parents?”

  “Or another pack member,” I answer. “As an unmated male, I am always invited this place or that.”

  I hear a soft growl from her, and I grin. Her wolf does not like my words.

  “And just who invites you?” She asks from directly behind me, and I turn to face her.

  Her eyes are turbulent, and I can’t stop the grin on my face from turning into a full smile.

  “No one who matters as much as you,” I tell her and bend to kiss the tip of her nose. “And no one I will be seeing again.”

  The rumble in her chest lets me know her wolf is pleased with my words.

  “Okay,” she says softly and takes a step back. “Don’t burn dinner again.”

  Her words cause me to chuckle as I turn back to the stove.

  I hear her walk to the table as I finish cooking, and images of perching her on top of it and feasting on her flash through my head. My cock jumps again, and I shake my head. I will not take her again right now, no matter how much I want to.

  I focus on cooking, and try to shut my wolf down for a while. He’s strong, but I’m stronger.

  We will hurt her if we take her again, I tell him, and he groans. I feel the same way, but we have to keep her safe.

  He finally relents, and I’m able to get myself under control before I place the omelets on plates and carry them to the table where she’s sitting.

  “Thank you,” she says softly and looks up at me through her lashes.

  “Anything for you,” I tell her and know I mean it. My wolf and I are in agreement on one thing. Rebecca is ours, and we will do anything necessary to keep her safe and by our side. “What would you like to drink? I have milk, orange juice, water, beer, and sweet tea.”

  “Water is fine,” she answers, and I walk to the fridge.

  I grab two bottles of water, and walk back to the table. After I sit one in front of her, I sit in the chair beside her, and start eating.

  “I hit maturity on the eve of my eighteenth birthday, which was in July. I always knew the path my father wanted me to take, and until my wolf came into herself, I never fought against it. I was the submissive, meek little wolf I’d been since my mom was killed. On my birthday, my father set his plan into motion, and I agreed, but with the stipulation I could attend college away from the estate for a year. Zaire, until I left my father’s pack, I was engaged to be married to the pack beta’s son.”

  “What?” I nearly roar, and she flinches. Taking a deep breath, I try to calm my wolf, so she can finish. “I’m sorry. Please, don’t feel like you have to tell me anything.”

  “I left the ring my father bought for him to give me on my desk with a note to my father,” she tells me, and reaches out to touch my arm.

  “Did you have feelings for him?” I ask.

  “Yes,” she answers, and I sigh. “Loathing, animosity, hostility, resentment- you get it.”

  “So, you disliked him,” I say and sigh again.

  “Dislike is putting it mildly,” she tells me. “I detested being around him. I wouldn’t let him touch me. Not even innocently. I’m sure he’s a good man, and I know he’s a good wolf, but the thought of being with him made my stomach churn, and my wolf have murderous thoughts.”

  “I’m glad,” I say and reach out to stroke a finger down her nose. “Because you’re mine.”

  “Yes,” she breathes then sighs. “My father will come looking for me.”

  “And I will protect you,” I tell her and cup her cheek. “You are mine, Rebecca. Our wolves know it, our humans know it, and my pack knows it.”

  “Zaire, we need to complete the mating ritual,” she says and my wolf pants again.

  “Yes,” I respond as I tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “And we will.”

  “Being bound to another should frighten me,” she says and my wolf whimpers. “But being bound to you excites me. I know I’m young and inexperienced, but I will do my best to be a good mate to you.”

  “I wasn’t ready to find my mate when I found you,” I tell her honestly. “I still view myself as young, and I was enjoying my life as it was. Then I smelled you. Nate and I were tracking Asher when your scent hit me. It nearly knocked me off my feet, and I had to shift in order to keep my wolf from running to you and claiming you on the spot. When we were bringing you back to the pack, I held you on my lap and ran my fingers through your fur.”

  “My wolf knew who you were from the first moment you touched her,” she tells me, and I smile at her.

  “She calmed at my touch while you were injured,” I tell her, and she smiles.

  “Now your touch does other things to her,” she mutters, and I growl softly. “And your wolf seems to have the same reaction.”

  “Oh, he definitely has a reaction to you,” I tell her then take a bite of my omelet to keep from taking a bite of her.

  “Zaire,” she says softly, and I look at her. “I’m scared my father will hurt you, or try taking me from you.”

  “I will kill him first,” I snarl, and she jumps. “I will not let him take you from us.”

  “And I will not go with him willingly,” she tells me and touches my cheek. “Let’s finish eating, then we will finish talking.”

  “Yes,” I agree and lean into her hand. “There are things I need to tell you, too.”

  “One thing that can’t wait though,” she says and leans closer to me. “I know we only met today, but I am falling in love with you, Zaire, and it’s not just because my wolf is.”

  Her words hit me harder than her scent did, and I have to take a moment to process what she said.

  “I’m falling in love with you, too,” I tell her and my wolf howls in my head. He’s ready to complete the mating, and so am I.

  Chapter Eleven

  Rebecca

  “Good,” I say and lean back into my chair.

  Before he can say anything, his phone rings and he frowns.

  “No one ever calls me,” he mutters and rises from the chair. He’s only gone for a second, but when he enters the room again, he has a frown on his face and his phone pressed to his ear.

  “Mom, slow down and tell me what happened,” he says and pulls the phone from his ear. He switches it to speaker and lays it on the table between us.

  “Your father received a call a little while ago,” she says, and Zaire frowns. “From the alpha of the Douglas Falls pack out in West Virginia.”

  “Shit,” he nearly snarls and pulls me out of my chair and into his lap.

  “So, you know who that is?” Raelynn asks, and I press my face into Zaire’s chest.

  “He’s Rebecca’s father,” Zaire answers as his arms tighten around me.

  “He wants her back,” she says and Zaire growls.

  “Well, he can’t have me,” I speak up and my wolf howls her agreement in my head. “I am not going to be controlled by him any longer.”

  “He says if we don’t return you within forty-eight hours, he will come here and take you,” Raelynn tells us.

  “He can try,” Zaire snarls, and Raelynn gasps. “Rebecca is mine, and I will not be letting her go.”

&nb
sp; “Then you must complete the mating ritual,” she says, and I hear Zaire’s wolf growl in his chest.

  “Rebecca and I were just about to discuss that,” he tells her, and she gasps again. “But we will not be doing it tonight. We will wait until tomorrow night, under the full moon.”

  “That gives me time to get things ready,” Raelynn says and Zaire smiles.

  “Mom, we don’t need all the pomp and circumstance.”

  “Oh, but I do,” she gushes, and I grin. “And the native spirits do.”

  “What is she talking about?” I ask, raising my head from Zaire’s chest so I can look into his eyes.

  “Oh, Rebecca doesn’t know of our heritage?” Raelynn asks, and I frown.

  “No, but that’s something else we were going to talk about tonight,” he answers as he runs his hand down my braid. “We will see you in the morning, mom. Tell dad not to worry too much.”

  “He’s worried about the pups in the pack,” she responds, and I gasp a little.

  “They will be protected,” Zaire assures her. “We will make sure they’re somewhere safe before the alpha arrives.”

  “I will let him know,” Raelynn tells us. “I am happy for you, son. Your dad and I were beginning to believe you’d never be ready to settle down.”

  “I’m not that old, mom,” he replies with a chuckle and I realize I’m not entirely sure how old he is. As he finishes the conversation with his mom, I think back over everything they’ve told me today, and I frown a little. Not once was Zaire’s age mentioned, but from the time frames they talked about, I’m pretty sure he’s around twenty-three.

  “Rebecca?” His voice pulls me from my thoughts and back to him.

  “Hmm?” I ask, not having heard what he said.

  “I asked if you’re finished eating,” he says, and I nod. “What has you so lost in thought?”

  “I was trying to figure out how old you are,” I answer and move to slide off his lap.

  “I’m twenty-three,” he answers, and I smile.

  “That’s what I determined based off the time frames from everything I’ve been told,” I respond, and he tilts his head at me. “I also knew you were past the age to take over as alpha.”