Alpha

by Brenda Trim

  Again, she felt her body being dragged toward the edge of the cliff. Liv gasped, trying to catch her breath. She knew she didn’t have much time before she passed out from lack of oxygen. Then, all Kristi would have to do was shove her to her death. No way was Liv leaving this life without giving her all. Lawson believed in her. The entire pack wanted her to win. She belonged by Lawson’s side. That truth settled in every cell of her body, giving her strength.

  Liv felt the dagger in her palm and recalled what Lawson told her. Their paws were extremely sensitive. But she didn’t have the other blade to land the killing blow. She gurgled as blood filled the back of her throat. Suddenly, her life flashed before her eyes.

  Except, it wasn’t her past experiences. It was her future. She was standing with Lawson, and three children. Were those their children? Was this what awaited her? The five of them were so happy. She wanted that life more than anything, but it wouldn’t happen if she died before it came to fruition.

  Liv closed her eyes and reached deep, pulling every ounce of strength she could muster. She prayed for the power of his wolf as she raised both hands above her head and gripped the steel blade.

  When she opened her eyes, the first thing she noticed was her enhanced vision. She could decipher every object within a mile, including the large wolf looming above her. She also felt her heart struggling to pump blood through her veins. And, her sense of smell intensified. The fetid breath of Kristi’s wolf crashed against Liv’s face, and she gagged as she tried to force oxygen into her lungs.

  Rain pelted down as energy surged through her body. Liv sent all her strength to her hands then stabbed downward, striking the wolf between its eyes. She shoved the blade deeper until she felt the wolf’s skull crush.

  In the next breath, the animal collapsed on top of Liv’s body. Her chest heaved as she tried to determine if the wolf was dead. When the animal didn’t budge, she quickly shoved the wolf to the side and scrambled to her feet. Lifeless eyes stared at her, and Liv exhaled. The fight was over. She reached down and yanked the dagger from the wolf’s skull then kicked the large animal, sending it over the edge of the cliff. And then Liv collapsed to her knees as the adrenaline receded. She buried her face in her palms as the enormity of the situation settled. She had defeated Kristi and earned the title of Alpha female.

  Moments later, she felt strong arms pull her to her feet. She looked up to see Lawson, his smile wider than the skies above.

  “You fucking did it, Sunshine!” he roared and pulled her into his arms. He swung her in circles as he squeezed her to the point she thought she would pass out.

  Howls filled the air, but Liv ignored it all. She clung tight to Lawson and claimed his mouth, kissing him with everything she had. He set her on the ground and turned to face the pack. Clouds broke, and the moon shone down as if acknowledging their victories.

  Liv touched her neck, checking the wound, and was surprised it wasn’t a gaping hole. In fact, it was barely bleeding, and she wondered if the power of his wolf still ran through her veins. She’d never healed faster in her life.

  “On this day, under the full moon, I profess my intent to share my life force with Olivia Kimbro, if she’ll have my sorry ass,” Lawson declared and gave her a smirk that curled her toes.

  “Absolutely,” she beamed, and the crowd erupted into whoops and hollers of celebration.

  “Tonight is our sacred union, but we wish to plan a formal gathering, and everyone is invited,” Lawson announced as he wrapped an arm around her waist.

  “When?” Brenlee, Lawson’s youngest sister, yelled above the crowd.

  Lawson shrugged and glanced down at Liv. Without hesitation, she blurted, “Christmas Day.”

  Oh, hell, she thought. That was less than two weeks away.

  Liv didn’t care. She’d gotten a glimpse of the future with her shifter, and didn’t want to wait another second to begin her life with Lawson.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Lawson walked Liv to his truck, kissing her along the way. To say he was proud of her was an understatement.

  As he watched the battle between Liv and Kristi, he was awed by her courage and determination. He didn’t imagine too many humans would go up against a wolf, in a fight to the death, but his fearless female didn’t cower at the challenge.

  He recalled when she lost one of her daggers, and the panic he felt. Not because he didn’t think she could beat Kristi, but he worried her confidence would shatter under pressure. It didn’t surprise him when Liv stood her ground and discovered her own plan. A better idea, in fact.

  Lawson lifted her into the truck, careful of her injuries. “I can take you to the emergency room if you’d like,” he offered as he inspected her neck and arm. The burn on her forearm wasn’t severe, but he thought her neck may need medical attention, even though the bleeding had slowed. He wasn’t a doctor and thought she might need stitches.

  “I don’t want to explain this to a doctor, or the authorities. Can you treat me at Safe Haven?” she croaked.

  He could tell it hurt when she talked, and he grabbed some towels from a duffel bag in his back seat. He wrapped one around her neck. She reached up and placed her hands over the cotton, applying pressure.

  “I can treat you, but we’re not going to Safe Haven,” he confessed as he shut the door then dashed to the driver side.

  He hopped into the seat and flinched when his back brushed against the leather. His wounds were worse than he thought, and he acknowledged he needed to shift so he could recover quicker.

  “Where are we going?” Liv asked as she placed her daggers behind the seat. Lawson fished the other from the fire after she insisted she wanted to keep them.

  “You’ll see,” he replied and leaned over the console to kiss her again.

  “Well, look at you, Mr. Secretive,” she teased with a smile.

  “Liv, I can’t begin to tell you how incredibly proud I am of you,” he confessed as he drove away from the clearing. He glanced in his rearview mirror, thinking it would be fine by him if he never saw the cliff again.

  She moaned in response, and he looked over to see her head resting against the window. He imagined the stress from the past twenty-four hours was taking its toll. He reached over and rubbed her leg as Liv closed her eyes. She was fast asleep within a few minutes.

  He lifted a section of the towel to check on her injury. The bleeding had stopped thankfully. Knowing Liv’s life wasn’t in danger, Lawson kept driving toward their destination. He continued for three hours in silence and thought about everything he and Liv had survived as a couple. His captivity and escape, Bart’s disapproval of their relationship, Kristi’s attempt to tear them apart, Jensen’s attack on her and him, and now a battle that could’ve resulted in his or her death. They had overcome insurmountable odds and were stronger than ever.

  Lost in thought, the turn-off leading to their destination approached quicker than Lawson expected. The bumpy road jarred Liv, and she lifted her head and groaned. “How long was I asleep?” she said with a yawn.

  “About three hours. How are you feeling?” Lawson asked as he pulled up to the small cabin.

  “Oh, wow. I’m sorry I passed out. So much for riding gunshot. Honestly, I feel like I was attacked by a two-hundred-pound wolf,” she quipped as she sat upright. “Why are we at the Packards?”

  “You’ll see,” he answered and turned off the ignition. Lawson hopped out of the truck and ran to the passenger side and lifted Liv in his arms then carried her to the front door.

  “Lawson, you don’t have to treat me like an invalid,” she murmured as he opened the door.

  Her gasp made him smile as she gawked at the room. “Oh, my! Did you do all of this?” she asked as Lawson walked to the sofa and set her on the plush cushion. He reached down and removed her boots then massaged her feet.

  “Unfortunately, the credit goes to Annette. I told her my idea, and she promised she would handle everything,” he explained, and Liv shuddered, rubbing her ar
ms briskly.

  Lawson stood and walked to the fireplace then put a match to the stacked logs. The fire instantly sparked to life.

  “I’m going to grab our bags then I’ll see what I can do for your injuries,” he informed her before he rushed out the door to the truck. He grabbed the clothes he’d packed the night before and hurried back inside.

  He placed their things in the bedroom then grabbed the first aid kit. He spotted the champagne he requested and grabbed the bottle, along with two flutes, and continued to the living room.

  “Do you want to shower?” he asked as he sat beside her and popped the cork on the champagne bottle. He filled the crystal glasses and handed one to Liv.

  “No, I don’t think I have the energy right now. Um, when did you plan all of this?” Liv asked and her hand motioned to the décor.

  Dozens of candles cast a glow around the room, illuminating the various arrangements of fresh flowers. Soft music played in the background and Lawson clinked his glass against hers.

  “Last night,” he responded with a smirk.

  “And, what if I hadn’t defeated Kristi?” she inquired with a raised brow.

  “I’m sure Annette would’ve handled things for me, but I never doubted you, Sunshine. There was no way you were going to lose,” he muttered and leaned down and placed his mouth over hers, kissing her tentatively.

  He gently coaxed her lips apart for a taste. His tongue slid against hers as he explored her mouth. Lemony sugar exploded in his mouth. He wanted her beyond reason but didn’t want to hurt her. She’d been through enough and was in pain from her wounds.

  Lawson broke the kiss and looked toward the kitchen. “There’s plenty of food. Are you hungry?” he asked, needing a distraction.

  Liv gazed up at him and murmured, “I’m starving, but not for food. Tell me how it works…sharing your life force,” she inquired and took a sip of champagne.

  Lawson leaned back and threw his arm over the top of the sofa. “Well, like I said at the lake, it’s pretty basic. I’ve announced my intent to the pack, which isn’t a requirement, but the rest is an internal acceptance on my part then a gift of my blood,” he explained. The way Liv’s nose wrinkled when he mentioned blood was adorable.

  “It’s not that bad,” he added with a chuckle.

  “How much do I have to drink? And, how is it done? Do you fill a cup and I chug-a-lug, or what?” Liv asked, and her shoulders shuddered in obvious revulsion.

  “Hardly. I’ll bite my wrist, and you place your perfect lips on my skin and drink,” Lawson described, and her expression softened.

  “You know, I had a premonition, of sorts, when I thought I was going to die,” she admitted and started chewing on her bottom lip.

  “Must’ve been a doozy,” he replied and reached over, setting her lip free from the jaws of life.

  “You could say that,” Liv hedged and smiled.

  “The suspense is killing me,” he teased, but truthfully, he was dying to know what thoughts ran through her mind.

  He knew exactly what he thought when Kristi had her by the throat. If the wolf had killed Liv, he was prepared to toss it over the cliff, as well.

  “I saw us, together. And, we had three children,” she remarked, and her lip was sucked back into the meat grinder of her mouth. She was nervous about his feelings toward starting a family.

  “Well, I hope two of them were males,” he replied and gave her a wink.

  “Nope. Three girls,” Lawson countered and laughed.

  “Then you better add a couple more to that portrait because this shifter needs someone to carry on the Scott name,” he confessed and leaned over to kiss her again. “I look forward to the trying part the most,” he husked and trailed kisses along her jaw. “Now, where we were. Oh, yes. The blood thing. We can do this one of three ways. Before, during, or after sex,” he said as he nuzzled behind her ear, “but personally I vote for during. I promise you’ll enjoy it,” he whispered and nibbled on her lobe.

  He was glad to see she was healing at the rate of a shifter. His wolf had followed his command and latched onto Liv’s energy signature, giving her his strength and abilities. They were more than halfway joined already.

  Liv sighed and tilted her head for him to continue, but when he moved lower to kiss her neck, she stiffened and pulled away. He’d gotten too close to her injury.

  “You’re in pain,” he acknowledged, and she nodded. “You’ll feel much better after you’ve had my blood. From what I’ve been told, humans experience a rush of energy afterward,” he said as he pulled her against his body, needing her close.

  Liv snuggled against the hard line of Lawson’s body then muttered, “I like the sound of that.” Her hand slid inside his robe, and she played with the soft hairs on his chest.

  The idea of drinking his blood made her queasy, but she trusted him completely. Lawson would be with her every step of the way, and she couldn’t deny her curiosity about an increase in energy and strength.

  Right now, all she wanted was Lawson. In every way. Especially after his comments about children. She was ready to start trying right now. She tilted her head back and pressed her lips to his. Lawson was incredibly gentle and tender, mindful of her injuries. Almost too gentle, she thought and gave his lower lip a tug.

  Lawson took the glass from her hand and set both flutes on the coffee table then laid back on the sofa, pulling her with him. Liv settled beside him and hooked her leg across his hips as she continued her seduction. She mashed her lips against his, using more force this time. His lips parted, and her tongue took advantage, delving into his mouth. Her pain morphed to arousal and shot straight to her core as his hand roamed her backside.

  “I’m pretty sure we have on too many clothes,” she muttered against his mouth. “Well, at least one of us,” she amended when he opened his robe, revealing his nude body.

  “Easy to fix,” he whispered then gently tugged her sweater over her head before removing her bra. Her jeans, panties, and socks, along with his robe joined the heap of clothes on the floor. He grabbed the blanket tossed over the sofa and spread it across their bodies. “Better?” he asked with a smirk.

  “Perfect,” she replied and claimed his lips once again.

  The kiss quickly heated as their naked bodies rubbed against one another. Lawson’s hand grabbed her ass, pulling her against his hard length. Liv moaned and moved her hips, seeking more friction. His other hand palmed her breast and squeezed. Liv ground against his cock as he twisted and pulled her pert nipple.

  She sucked his tongue in her mouth and arched into his palm. Moisture pooled between her legs and her core clenched with aching need. “Can we do the blood thing?” she panted when his hand moved from her ass to her wet folds. He worked his fingers across her clit, and all rational thought left her mind. “Now,” she pleaded as she writhed against his hand. She wasn’t going to last long with the way he was torturing her body.

  Lawson broke the kiss, and his hand left her breast. He reached up, and Liv watched his canines elongate before he bit into his wrist. His gaze met hers, and she knew he was mentally declaring his desires, initiating the shared life force. She stared into gray pools of love, lust, and devotion. A flash deep in his orbs told her his wolf was with them, too.

  Lawson offered his wrist, and Liv glanced to the deep punctures in his flesh. Blood poured from the marks and dripped down his arm. Liv took a deep breath then placed her mouth on his wrist.

  The warm liquid coated her lips, and Liv licked his flesh. Lawson groaned as she lapped his blood. An unexpected rush of arousal blasted through her body and the next thing Liv knew, her mouth was sucking his wrist. Hard. She was lost to the sensation filling her body. With every tug, she felt closer to him and craved more. She never expected to feel such a deep connection after drinking his blood, but she could physically feel her body changing. Becoming one with his.

  “Liv,” he groaned. “Get on top of me, now. I can’t hold back, and I need to be inside you,�
� he panted and helped her straddle his hips.

  She continued to suck his wrist and impaled her core on his hard shaft. Lawson pushed deep inside as she worked her hips, moving up and down as his blood merged with every cell in her body. She’d never felt anything so incredibly erotic. Her body hummed with renewed energy and vitality as she rode his body with abandon.

  Lawson gripped her hips and held her in place as he pounded into her body. “Cum with me,” he demanded, and she felt his thumb press against her clit.

  Liv bucked against his hand as she sucked his blood. The harder she sucked, the deeper he thrust. When he tweaked her clit, she detonated. Liv screamed his name as stars exploded in her vision. Her entire body quivered as her orgasm exploded from her core to her toes. She felt Lawson’s hot seed shoot deep inside her womb.

  Liv collapsed on his chest, her heartbeat thumping in her veins. She could hear his heart, as well, and it pounded the same beat as hers. As she laid on his chest and listened to their hearts beat as one, she understood the meaning behind a shared life force. They were separate beings, but also one in the same. She couldn’t exist without him, and wouldn’t want to.

  And, for the first time in her life, Liv felt complete.

  Chapter Twenty

  Liv wrapped the last strand of lights around the base of the tree and stepped back to admire her work. The past ten days had flown by, and she barely had time to decorate for Christmas. In fact, she didn’t bring out a fraction of her boxes from the storage room. She would save them for next year, she thought and smiled.

  It was comforting to know there would be a next year for her and Lawson. And, many more now that she’d had his blood. Liv still couldn’t believe she ingested Lawson’s blood. More like she turned into a vampire, and tried to drain the man. It was beyond orgasmic, and Liv would be lying if she said she didn’t want to do it again.