by Dakota Brown
The deputy nodded. "Smart, if a bit of a rough drive."
I nodded.
"Well, be careful. We'll be in touch with Mr. Cassidy. He has my card if you think of anything, or something else suspicious happens."
I frowned. "What do you think happened?"
"It's too soon to tell."
He shook my hand and then Ed and Allan's before heading back to Doc and Nikolai. They spoke for a few minutes and the deputy got in his car and drove off. The firefighters had finished as well, and one spoke with Doc for a minute before they also got in their trucks and drove away.
Once we were alone, I went over to Doc and slid my hand into his. He sighed. I wrapped my arms around him and held him tight. After a moment he returned my hug, but without his usual strength. Nikolai put his arms around both of us.
"We should get some rest," I said. "You're exhausted. We're all exhausted."
He nodded, still holding me. "I guess we should head back into town and see if we can find a hotel." I could tell the idea of driving anywhere didn't thrill him.
"What about crashing in my grove? It's comfortable and safe, and I bet I can adjust the temperature for us."
Doc's shoulders sagged and he nodded. "That sounds fantastic." He glanced around us, and then his gaze landed on his truck.
"I will ward your truck," Nikolai said with a pat on Doc's shoulder and headed over to the silver diesel.
Nikolai gathered his magic and it tugged at me. Mine rose to the surface in response and he glanced over his shoulder at me before gesturing for me to join him.
Doc gave me another squeeze before releasing me, so I went over to the mage.
"It is good practice. Blend your magic with mine, and I will guide you through process."
Warmth filled me as I blended my lavender motes with his dark blue ones. As with other times when I had used magic around Nikolai, my awareness of him increased until I wanted to be pressed up against him, needing to touch him, as much as I needed to feel the magic flowing through me.
This time, Nikolai stepped closer until his chest was pressed against my back. He kissed my hair before turning his attention back to the truck and our magic.
"You are much stronger now," Nikolai said as he guided me. We wove the energy into complicated patterns. A few months ago, this would have exhausted me, but now exhilaration washed through me.
"The demon changed a lot of things."
"She did," he agreed. "Now, lay energy over truck."
We dropped our net of energy over the truck and it snapped into place.
"We will feel it if anyone disturbs truck. Grove is close, and they won't undo this before we can react." Nikolai wrapped his arms around me and held me tightly. I rested my cheek against his shoulder and took a deep breath, reveling in our physical and magical connection.
"Doc's exhausted, let's go." Nikolai released me from his hug, taking my hand and pulling me back toward the others. Allan had his arm around Doc's waist and Ed stood close to them.
"There is some good news," Ed grinned. "They didn't touch the boat."
Nikolai glanced over at the old jon boat and nodded. "Seems unharmed."
Doc laughed. "That would have been easier to deal with."
"Small things," Ed argued.
"True." Doc patted his shoulder and we all headed toward my grove.
My feet were dragging wearily by the time I made it the short distance to the circle of trees I had created the first time Doc helped me access my magic on purpose. I could close it up completely and I thought it might actually take a nuke to damage it. The pine trees welcomed me back and my shoulders unknotted when I stepped inside. Here, I was safe. We were safe.
Once everyone was inside, I sealed up the entrance. As if anticipating my needs, the temperature rose to something I considered comfortable and the moss—certainly not native to Colorado and a variety probably found only in my grove—cushioned my footfalls as I headed toward the center of the small space. There was enough room for all of us to lay down, but not a whole lot more.
I pulled on Doc's hand and he let me guide him to the ground. He wrapped his arms around me and his breathing slowed as he fell asleep almost instantly. Nikolai curled up on the other side of Doc, his arms around the vampire. Ed curled up around me and Allan pressed up against Nikolai.
Though it wasn't quite the homecoming I had hoped for, we were safe, warm, and together.
Chapter 2
Sofia
Waking up surrounded by my pack, feeling safe and warm, was the best feeling ever. Doc tightened his arms around me and buried his face in my neck.
"You okay?"
"Better now," he mumbled against my neck, sending shivers down my spine.
He clearly wasn't in the mood to start anything, though. Ed remained pressed up against my back and his hands tightened around my stomach. Nikolai reached for me over Doc, pulling us together and Allan's hand found my arm. I sensed contentment from everyone through the pack bond.
Doc hooked a leg over my thigh, as if he could pull me closer, and nuzzled my neck. Maybe he was changing his mind? My pulse sped up from my post sleep languor to something a bit closer to awake and alert.
He rolled me onto my back, hips pressing me into the soft moss-covered ground, resting on his elbows and looking me in the eyes, gaze hungry, not for blood, but for me. I shivered at the intensity in his gaze, forgetting about the others for a moment as I reached up and disintegrated his hair tie. Doc's long, black hair cascaded down, draping on either side of my face, and tickling my cheeks. I grinned.
He smiled back.
My magic stirred as Nikolai did something, then a blast of cool air chilled me.
Doc and I broke our gaze to see Nikolai had used my magic to open the grove and he, Ed, and Allan grabbed coats and shoes from where we discarded them last night and slipped out, leaving us alone.
Sighing, Doc shifted his weight as if he were going to move, but Nikolai sealed up the grove with us still inside.
Doc turned his attention back to me, eyebrows raised.
"I think that's the 'we deserve some alone time' signal." My lips turned up in a sly smile.
"I've had more time alone with you than any of the others recently." He clearly wasn't objecting though, as he stayed where he was, resting on his forearms now, as he brushed some of my short bob out of my face.
"I'd hardly call it alone. Everyone's had a hard time, but you've had to deal with other people more than the rest of us. The only time we were even kind of alone was on the drive to my parents' house." I grinned. I didn't want to remind him about the cabin, but that was also his, and he would have to deal with all of that, too.
"Well, what would you like to do now that the rest of the pack has locked us in here together." His eyes twinkled.
"Mmmm...quiet meditation?"
He cocked one eyebrow.
Laughing, I threaded my fingers through his hair before cupping the back of his neck and pulling him down until his lips met mine. He pressed into me, tongue exploring my mouth. He didn't pull away when I ran my tongue over his fangs, and I smiled while I kissed him. Clearly, he was a lot more comfortable with us seeing his vampire side now. I probably had Nikolai to thank for that.
"You're smiling," he said lips brushing against mine while he spoke.
"Mmmm." He didn't give me time for a proper answer before he kissed me again, driving other thoughts from my mind.
After a few moments, he leaned back, letting me catch my breath.
"Sofia," he whispered.
"Yes?"
"You don't happen to know Nikolai's cleaning spell, do you?"
I raised an eyebrow, confused as to his line of questioning, but I thought for a moment. I had seen him cast it at least once, though my memories of that time were cloudy. However, yes...I did know how. "I do. Why?"
"Because," he grinned mischievously, "we don't have a shower."
My smile matched his. "Oh, were you thinking of getting messy?"
"Hmmm, might be fun," I purred.
"Might be?" He mock growled.
"Well," I teased him, shrugging, though his growl sent my heart racing and I squirmed against him. "I mean, I don't know it will be fun. I suspect it will, but..."
"I guess I'll just have to prove it to you." He nibbled along my jaw before gently nipping at my neck.
Groaning, I dug my nails into his shoulders. "I think I'd like that."
He chuckled. "You're wearing too many clothes."
"Guess you'd better do something about it."
"I intend to," he replied, voice low.
My stomach tightened and my heart raced as my body reacted to the desire in his voice. I freed one of my legs from underneath him and curled it up over his back. He rumbled deep in his throat and kissed his way down my neck to my collarbone, trailing hot fire down my skin and igniting my nerves.
He gripped my shoulders, and gently rolled us over until I was on top. I went to work on the buttons of his flannel shirt, until he hooked his fingers under the hem of my T-shirt and pulled it up, dragging his fingers along my sides as he did and sending shivers up and down my spine.
"If your heart beats any faster, I might have to worry about you," he said as I leaned forward so he could pull my shirt off.
"I'll be fine. You haven't managed to damage me yet."
He held my hips with his hands and sat up. I wrapped my legs around him. He pressed his lips to mine, devouring my lips while he slid his hands up my back until he could unhook my bra. Once that was off, he let me go back to work on his shirt. I slipped each button open slowly, teasing him, leaning forward when I was done and trailing kisses up his neck while I pushed the shirt off his shoulders.
Doc pulled me close and I traced one of the long scars on his back.
"Still wearing too much," he murmured and shifted around until he could lay me down on the mossy ground. He leaned forward, kissing me between my breasts, then going lower, leaving a line of fire down my stomach.
"So are you," I gasped out.
He smiled against my stomach, before finding the button on my jeans and teasing it open.
I panted, trying not to squirm in anticipation as he worked the zipper down and pulled my jeans off my hips. He pulled my underwear off with them, scooting back until they cleared my feet and he tossed them away.
Doc leaned forward, strong hands back on my hips as he kissed my stomach again. Usually the guys checked in with me a lot to make sure I was okay with everything, but he trusted me to tell him if I wanted him to stop, because he worked his way back down without meeting my eyes. I felt an urgency in him, as if he was desperate for this connection. I felt the same. The last few months had been terrible, and all I wanted right now was to be closer to my pack.
I opened my legs for him, and he kissed my folds hesitantly. Moaning encouragement, I titled my hips, giving him better access. That was what he needed. He licked at my nub, teasing it until I was thrusting against him, gasping, hands clenching the mossy ground.
He slid one hand along my body until he could slip a finger inside of me. I arched up, crying out and pushing against him, wanting more, wanting him inside me. Before I could tell him what I wanted, he pushed another finger inside of me, sucking on my clit, and working at me with his fingers until pressure built and I was begging for release.
"Doc," I cried out his name as my hips bucked and my climax overwhelmed me. Doc held my hips for a moment, staying between my legs while I trembled in reaction. Then, once I had calmed a little, he crawled up my body until he was pressed against me as I gasped for breath.
"Having fun yet?" He pressed his lips to my neck and I turned so I could kiss him, not caring that I could taste myself on his lips.
We explored each other's mouths for a while before I nodded. "But I want more."
"More fun?"
"For both of us," I said and hesitated. I didn't think he would object, but it would only be my second time. I wasn't hung up on that so much as I just felt a little awkward asking.
Doc noticed my hesitation and leaned back so he could look at me. "Whatever you want, Sofia, is fine with me," he said, voice soft. "Whatever you don't want is also fine with me."
I took a deep breath and nodded before answering. "I want you, inside me. Please."
It was Doc's turn to hesitate. "Are you sure?"
"Yeah, I am. You don't have to worry about getting me pregnant, either."
He tilted his head, though I wasn't sure that had actually crossed his mind.
"I have an IUD, also there is a spell for that." I winked.
Doc nodded. "I would like that very much, then. You'll have to forgive me, I don't have a great deal of experience." He glanced away as if embarrassed.
"Yeah, me, neither." I blushed and glanced away for a moment. "But that's okay. We can learn together. Or, you know, we can all take lessons from Nikolai."
Doc did blush this time.
"You two are completely adorable."
His blush deepened.
I grinned. "Pants, off. Now," I commanded. "I have no idea what time it is, but I'm sure we don't have all day."
"We have as much time as we need," Doc replied, but he did as I instructed.
I trailed my eyes down Doc's lean body, breath catching at how perfect he was, before holding out my hand and inviting him to come back to me. He complied, pushing me back onto the ground and devouring my lips with his. He slid his hand between my damp legs. I groaned into his mouth as he rubbed until I was gasping and shaking, already sensitive and soaked from before.
"Please?" I begged.
Doc didn't reply, just pressed himself against my opening, then meeting my eyes with his.
I nodded and he carefully pushed into me. Moaning as he filled me, I tilted my legs out further and pressed into him.
"Okay?" His voice shook.
"So good," I replied, hooking one leg over his back.
His hair draped around us as he pulled out slowly, teasing me. He smiled when I groaned in frustration.
"Nice and slow, right?" he whispered.
"Don't you dare," I growled.
He chuckled and pushed back into me, faster this time, but still not fast enough. I pulled him to me but instead of kissing him, I bit down on his neck, knowing that would get him to stop teasing me.
I was right, he shuddered and thrust harder until he was panting and I could feel my next climax building.
"Not sure I can hold out much longer," he groaned. His muscled trembled under my hands.
"Me, either," I managed to get out between gasps.
He pressed his fangs to my neck as he thrust into me. I tilted my chin, hopefully making it clear I wanted him to bite me, reduced to whimpers as I begged for release. He sank his teeth into my neck and my body responded. I cried out as waves of pleasure coursed through me. Doc groaned, trembling against me, holding me close as we both shook.
We lay there, limbs tangled together for a while, before he slowly slid out of me. We both shivered, still sensitive, and he collapsed next to me, arms tight around me, pulling me so I lay cradled with my head on his chest.
It took a while before we were both breathing normally again. I didn't want to move, didn't want to give up the little bit of peace we had created for ourselves.
Finally, I glanced up at Doc. He was studying me, a faint smile on his lips, eyes shining with contentment. He brushed some of my hair out of my face.
"Good?"
"So good, but clearly we both need to practice a lot more. All the time." I winked at him and he laughed in reply.
"Sounds fine to me."
"Hey, Doc?" My thoughts strayed to the other guys.
"Yeah?"
"Ed and Allan, have they ever..."
"I don't think so. Be gentle with them." He smiled. "But, you don't need to be gentle with Nikolai. He likes it a little rough."
I
let my eyebrows rise and Doc shrugged. "Thought you might want to know."
It was my turn to blush a little. "Noted."
He kissed the top of my head. "Perhaps we should rejoin the rest of the pack. It probably is late."
I sighed. "I want to join them, I just don't want to leave here. It's safe here."
Doc squeezed me tight before relaxing his grip. "I feel the same way."
"All right." I groaned, and sat up, just a touch sore all over, but so worth it. Gathering my magic, I cast Nikolai's cleaning spell over myself, Doc, and our clothing. My skin tingled and he grunted as the magic washed over us. Then we got dressed and prepared to head back into the world.
Chapter 3
Sofia
The sun was high in the sky, and I was comfortable without pulling on my jacket, when we finally left my grove. If my new senses weren't telling me we were in for a heck of a snowstorm sometime soon, I would have thought we would enjoy some nice weather for a while.
I didn't see Ed or Allan, but Nikolai was sitting cross-legged on the pickup's tailgate.
He turned when he sensed us, eyes shining happily.
"You look much more relaxed." He nodded. "Good. I made us a yurt. Well, mostly." His expression fell for a moment. "Still need canvas and rope."
He hopped off the tailgate and came over to us, putting one arm around Doc's waist and one around mine, before he led us back into the trees. "I would not normally put it in trees, but we can heat it without fire, and unlikely to be fire this time of year in woods. We will need furnishings, but it is comfortable. Spent many winters in yurts."
Nikolai led us to small clearing in the woods right next to where the cabin had stood. He had cleared the space in the middle, probably with magic, and somehow built a circular lattice frame of pine branches.
"Used trees already here. Many were willing to shed a few branches, asked with magic. Made the task much easier when the wood is willing. The land likes you and Ed and Allan."