by Tl Reeve
Caden placed the bag on the island before coming up behind her and gripping her hips. A soft growl built in his throat. “Don’t move.” Danielle tensed momentarily before relaxing in his hold. The scent of her arousal wrapped around him, blanketing him while he soaked in the heat of her body. Caden rubbed his groin against the cleft of her ass and took a shuddering breath. “Where are the boys?”
She peered over her shoulder. “A-asleep.” She licked her lips. “Caden, what’s wrong?”
“Absolutely nothing,” he said. “I need my mate is all.” He pushed his hands under her shirt. The warm softness of her skin was like balm for his tattered emotions as he skimmed his fingertips along her flesh, anchoring him to reality.
“Here?” Her gasp of pleasure when he palmed her breasts urged him on.
“Yes. Right here.” Caden took a step back, pulling her with him. He then positioned them, so she leaned against the island. “But you have to promise not to make any noise. Can’t have you waking the boys while I’m knotting you.”
“Is this...” She closed her eyes and bit her bottom lip when he teased her nipple into a taut point. “Is this because of earlier?”
“Earlier?” Fear gripped him. Had she found out? Had he not blocked her out?
“I think we’re more alike than different, Caden.”
Shit, he didn’t need her acceptance right now. “Later, mate. I promise.” He skimmed the hem of her pants. “Things are out of whack. I just need a little grounding.”
“Always.” Her hands went to his forearms. The heartfelt accepting energy she pushed into him spread through his body, soothing away some of the guilt and hate.
Caden couldn’t wait any longer. He pushed her yoga pants down over her hips, exposing her skin to his gaze. She wore a pair of boy-shorts that cupped her ass perfectly. A damp spot formed, showing him proof of her need. He groaned and knelt behind her, inhaling her tantalizing aroma. “God, I don’t know what I’d do if I ever lost you.”
“I’m not going anywhere.”
Yeah, maybe. He nipped the inside of her thigh. “Do you ache for me?” He slipped her panties down.
“Yes.” She moaned. “Caden, what’s wrong?”
“Not now, mate. Stay with me.” Caden nuzzled her sex then placed a kiss against her clit. They didn’t have time for him to settle in and take his fill of her pussy, but later he would. If she still wanted him.
His dick ached as he stood. Denying himself exactly what he wanted only served to make everything else hurt more. His heart. His stomach. His mind. Everything. He warred with himself. How did he explain any of it? No. He wouldn’t allow his past to taint his future. Caden pulled his zipper down and groaned. The tightness in his balls eased. He took a deep, steadying breath then grabbed the bag.
“Remember when I told you I wanted this ass.” He pressed his thumb to the puckered entrance he’d teased so many times.
She gasped, arching to him. “Yes.”
“Good.” He fit his tip to her entrance and pushed forward, not stopping until he was fully seated within her pussy. “I’m going to get your ass all nice and lubed then shove my dick inside.” He sounded like a perverted asshole, but it also gave him a sense of control he was missing. “It’s going to feel so good, pumpkin. I promise. Do you trust me?”
“I do,” she whimpered. “Please move. Feels...feels so good.”
His thrusts were measured, enough to give them the pleasure they deserved but nothing to put them on edge. No, he wanted this to last. He wanted her out of her mind blissed. Crazed for him. Begging him to finish it. To make her come so hard she passed out in his arms. She rippled around him, and he grunted. Damn, she was tempting.
After grabbing the bottle of lube he bought, he squeezed a liberal amount on his fingers and began to prep her rear. He teased her with the tip of his finger, giving her a bit at a time, until she took him to the second knuckle. She went to her tip-toes and sucked in a breath. The connection she’d built between them opened, and he could feel everything she did. She was getting off on what he did to her.
The idea only excited him more. His thrusts became more urgent. He wrapped his arm around her middle while he let go and allowed the bliss between them to grow. He groaned her name, burying his face against her spine. The sensations were overwhelming, too intimate for a wolf like him, yet he soaked it up. He drank it down, needing the affection she’d given so freely. When he was sure he wouldn’t hurt her, he pulled out then squeezed a liberal amount of lube on his dick and rubbed it along his length.
“Stay with me, Dani.” He pressed against her puckered entrance, willing the muscles to allow him access.
She sucked in a breath and shuddered. “Caden.” The nervous edge to her voice tore across his senses.
“I’ve got you. Relax.” He found her distended clit and manipulated it.
“Oh.” She moaned, lifting her ass a bit.
It was exactly what he needed. He slipped inside her, the band of muscles holding him out loosened, and he surged forward. He went light-headed. The heat of her ass seared his cock while he waited for her to adjust to him filling her. She rippled and squeezed him, the sensations were amazing and hurt like fuck. His balls were heavy, and his knot throbbed, needing the relief he’d achieve when he locked inside her.
“Fuck,” he snarled. “I knew it. You are mine. Every inch of you was made for me.” He pressed kisses to her back while he continued to play with her clit. She tensed in his arms. “Do it, pumpkin. Come for me.”
She shook in his arms. Her muscles clamped down on him. The low whine that passed her lips accompanied the rhythmic pull of her release. “Too much.” Her hand fisted next to her head.
“Not enough,” he grunted. He pulled back and filled her again. The last vestiges of her release continued to constrict the muscles of her rear as he shoved back into her. Each thrust was calculated, meant to give the maximum amount of pleasure for both of them. He clung to her, allowing her to feel his need. His love.
She reached between them and palmed his balls. She squeezed and rolled the stiff globes between her fingers, adding to the thrill crashing through his body. She played with him, finding every sensitive spot, amping up the need building within his body. His hips stuttered. He squeezed his eyes shut, trying to grasp his tattered control. But, he realized too late, they were beyond the ability to control anything. He released the beast within him, allowing the wolf to help bring both of them pleasure. His thrusts grew erratic. His heart pounded like a wild herd of horses. The tendrils of his pleasure spread from his lower belly, tingling along his flesh. It took root in his spine, signaling his impending release.
Shit. He pulled back slightly and watched as his dick appeared then disappeared within her snug heat. He muttered a curse as his knot began to thicken. “Stay with me, Dani.”
A soft cry passed her lips as she dug her fingernails into his thigh. The pain only heightened the experience. He pushed deep and, like the animal he’d always been, humped her like a wolf in heat. He yelped as the first powerful waves of his release jerked his body. Then he latched onto the mark at her neck, claiming her once more for all to see. She trembled in his arms, following him over the edge. The situation left him in awe. He didn’t have any other way to describe what it felt like. She hadn’t rejected him. She welcomed him into her body without question. Without being grossed out by his predilection. Oh sure, he figured she’d have several questions, but he’d answer all of them. Then he would tell her about his past, because, like she said, they were a lot more alike than not.
“Are you okay?” he whispered against the shell of her ear.
“All I wanted was a bottle of water out of the fridge.”
He laughed. Even though it caused him to pulse and jerk within her, he laughed. Both of them groaned. However, the ability to release the pent-up turmoil wriggling through him felt amazing. He wrapped his arms around her and sighed. “I love you, Dani. I am so fucking sorry. So fucking sorry.”
“Hey,” she murmured. “You don’t get to fuck me like that then apologize.”
“Are you really okay?”
She nodded. “I’m great. A little shocked. But, I’m good.” She turned her face to him. “Caden...I...” She glanced down, then back up to him. “I love you too. No matter what caused this, it’s not going to change. You can tell me anything. Let me in so I can help you.”
“I know. I plan on telling you everything as soon as the knot goes down. My past has no business interrupting our mating.” What should have been the best moment of his life, hearing her say those three words, had been tainted slightly with the idea of exposing his old wounds and hoping she’d still feel the same. Sure, she might say it now, but when she heard the extent, she might change her mind.
“Hey,” she said, perking up. “Did you know your brother knots Keeley every single time?”
What. The. Fuck. How was that even possible? As far as he knew wolves only did it around the full moon. “Uh...”
“Apparently, Mrs. Martin explained it to her, something to do with folklore. Alpha wolves and them needing to get their mates pregnant.”
Caden chuckled. “I wasn’t aware of Kal’s abilities. I’m almost sure he doesn’t want others aware of his special talents.”
Dani giggled, jostling the knot. “Oh...”
“Fuck,” he growled.
“Please promise me you won’t tell him I mentioned it, or Keeley told me,” his sweet mate pleaded.
“I honestly don’t think Kal and I’ll ever have a conversation regarding his junk.” Caden smirked into her hair, knowing full well he’d wait for the perfect time to lay that tasty nugget of information out to his twin. “I’m going to pull out now, baby. It shouldn’t hurt, but if it does, let me know and I’ll stop.”
Danielle nodded.
Caden’s gaze dropped to where they were joined, watching in rapt awe as he pulled himself out of her slightly reddened rear. In all his life, he’d never felt such pleasure in another woman’s body. Danielle was it for him. Christ, he should get down on his hands and knees, and thank the gods for giving him such a loving, forgiving mate. Instead, he pulled out, watching his cum trickle out of the rosette of her ass.
“Caden...” The fresh scent of her arousal washed over him, like a balm to his soul. She accepted him, all of him.
Even though he had just taken her and climaxed hard, desire still clawed at his insides. He wanted her again. But first, they had to talk. He couldn’t let another day go by without telling her who and what he was. After, if she allowed him inside her body again, he would never take advantage, never look at it other than what it was, a gift of her love.
Caden scooped her into his arms, then carried her up the stairs. Caden strolled into their room, gently placing his mate on the bed. “Don’t move. I’ll be right back.”
He returned to their bedroom and took a moment to admire the relaxed pose of his mate on their bed. She lay there open and inviting, giving him a perfect glimpse of the place he thought heaven resided between her sweet thighs.
“I can feel your eyes on me.” Danielle met his gaze.
“It’s an amazing view. One I don’t want to miss.” He pushed off the doorframe and strode towards her.
“You could join me.” She held her hand out to him. “If you want.”
“Roll to your belly,” he commanded. “I need to clean you up. We need to talk and then we’ll go from there.”
Danielle rolled, spreading herself wide to give him complete access to her body. Once again Caden was overwhelmed with the trust she placed in him. He focused on the task at hand, taking pleasure in caring for her and removing the remains of lube and his seed from her body. Who’d have thought caring for his mate would give him such a sense of peace. He relished the new experience and took pleasure from it.
All too quickly he was done. Danielle rolled to her side, snuggling close to him. Caden wrapped his arms around her, holding her to him, breathing in the mix of sage, cactus blossoms, and Danielle.
“Whatever it is, Caden,” —Danielle placed her palm over his racing heart— “you can tell me. We’ll deal with it, together, and move on.”
He tucked Danielle into the crook of his arm and began to tell her what had happened almost thirty years ago without hesitation. She was as quiet as a mouse. He hated the way his voice had been devoid of emotion. How it seemed like some story someone else lived. Oh how it would have been easier if it had been.
“You were raped,” she mumbled.
Caden sighed. “It was during the full moon, and I came, Dani. Multiple times.”
“Your point?”
“Men can’t be raped,” he stated.
Dani shifted to her elbow, glaring at him with fire in her blue eyes. She poked him in the chest with her finger. “Bullshit, she took advantage. You were fifteen, going through the pull of the full moon. She forced you, Caden—took something you wouldn’t have willingly given her during any other time. That alone is the definition of rape.”
“We each see this differently.”
“Obviously.” Dani sat up. “You’re not ever going to heal from this, Caden, if you don’t accept what happened to you. Have you ever told anyone what happened?”
“Mr. Martin, I suspected knew something had happened that night,” Caden admitted, as he ran his fingers through his hair. “He never asked, and I never shared.”
“Caden, did you tell Kalkin?” Dani pressed.
He nodded, knowing he’d still had more to tell her and the part his overprotective twin played in it. “Everett too…”
“Everett?” Danielle frowned. “Didn’t you tell me he was a traitor and is now Quincy’s Beta?”
Caden exhaled loudly. “Apparently, things I knew to be true, aren’t. It’s all just a fucking façade. I can’t be trusted, and I’ve proven that time and time again. You shouldn’t place your faith in me either. I mean, fuck, Dani, my own brother, my twin, my Alpha, doesn’t trust me, why the hell should you? Look at the hell I’ve put you and our sons through the last year.”
“Caden. Stop. None of what you’re saying is true,” Dani said.
Caden ignored her and continued. “It is true though. Don’t you see? Everything I touch shrivels up and dies. It’s nothing less than I deserve for my sins.”
“You’re not making sense, and Kalkin doesn’t feel that way,” Dani assured him.
“He does, though, and has for a long fucking time.”
“Caden, I don’t know what you’re talking about. What happened?”
“I can’t be trusted. My brother realized it the night I told him of the assault, and Kal hammered it home today when I learned Everett is my brother’s snitch within Quincy. Always there, always covering my ass and cleaning up after me. You’d think after forty-five, almost forty-six years, he’d be tired of and ban me from the pack. I’m not sure why he hasn’t.”
“He loves you. Just like I do.” Danielle captured his face between her hands, forcing Caden to look her in the eyes. Caden knew when he revealed the entire truth to her, he’d lose her and his sons. Pain lanced through his heart. “Did you ask him why he didn’t tell you? I’m sure he has a reason. He always does. Kalkin feels deeper than he lets on. Don’t let the icy, asshole exterior fool you. This last year, it hurt him, Caden, watching you sink deeper and deeper into self-destruction. He fought for you. Kalkin Raferty wouldn’t do that for someone he didn’t love or trust, and you know this.”
“There were repercussions to the assault, Dani.” He felt as if he was on a cliff, ready to take a step off and plummet to his death.
“Aren’t there always, Caden? Thirty years later, you’re still beating yourself up for something which isn’t even your fault. You’re a deputy of the law, Caden. You’re trained to know it’s not the victim’s fault. Yet, you’ve held this in, letting it fester and skew your view of the world. It’s time to come out of the dark, mate. Come to the light, where I wait for you with our sons.”
&nb
sp; “Dani—”
“Simon tried to rape me, several times,” Danielle confessed. “What if he succeeded, Caden? Would you have turned your back on me?”
Caden stiffened at the pain and fear he detected in her voice. The thought of the terror Simon had inflicted on his delicate mate made him want to kill the man again. “Fuck, no, I would have loved you no matter what, pumpkin.”
“Why though?” Danielle buried her face in his chest.
Caden suspected she already knew the answer, but he still said it out loud. “It wouldn’t have been your fault, baby. You can’t control the actions of others, baby. Simon and Hazel were deranged, intent on using violence to break your mind and spirit so they could control you.”
Dani nodded. “What about Emmitt?”
Caden jerked back. He looked down at her and slowly began to connect the dots. “What does he have to do with anything?”
“Everything,” she said. “Do you think less of him? Could he have prevented or stopped what happened to him?”
“He was young, innocent.”
“Some food for thought, Caden. Emmitt is no different than you. Except you’re alive and Emmitt’s a missing person’s report, assumed murdered at the hands of his rapist or Raymond Quincy. The only thing remaining of Emmitt’s existences on this earth is sound asleep in the other room. Safe and secure. Did you know her?”
Caden could’ve played dumb and asked Danielle who she meant. It would have delayed the inevitable. “Yes.”
“Who was she, Caden? You can trust me,” she murmured.
“I know, pumpkin. It was Marjorie.” He couldn’t look at her. Not yet. He didn’t trust himself not to break down or worse, see the hate in her eyes.
“Mac’s mate—er, whatever?” She scrunched up her face. “Royce’s mother?”
He nodded. He’d have to finish it now. “There was a baby.”
Danielle tilted her head, and Caden swore he could actually see her thinking. “Royce?”
“No.” He sighed. “A little girl.”