The Mating Frenzy

by Bonnie Vanak

  Several gasps ensued from the other Lupines gathered around their alpha. Ella blinked, uncertain what it meant. But judging from their reaction, it was serious.

  Adrian gave a slow nod. “Very well. Keep her away from the other males. She will prove quite tempting to them. I trust you, Kieran of the Winter Kingdom, to keep your word.”

  Nostrils flaring, he lifted his face to the wind. “Oh, Darcy? Darling, get ready for the chase. Here I come.”

  After shifting back into a wolf, he raced off toward the woods.

  Kieran sat beside her. He waited. Miserable and slightly scared, she willed herself to human form again.

  Nude, she sat next to him. Cool air brushed over her bare skin.

  “I don’t know why I’m like this,” she whispered, hugging her knees. “Everything is so confusing. None of this is real.”

  Kieran knelt next to her, pushing a hand through her hair, his touch reassuring and soothing. “That’s my practical Ella. Always questioning. It is real.”

  “But…”

  “You are no ordinary Lupine, sweetheart. You’re a werewolf of the Wyld, with powers you can only fathom. Yes, you can talk in wolf form.”

  Her voice cracked. “I feel so alone, so empty. There’s no one else like me? I don’t fit in. I feel so lost, so cut off from everything I know.”

  Nothing would ever be the same again. Her ordinary world had vanished, from the moment she’d seen Kieran standing naked on the grounds of the condominium complex. And yet Kieran seemed the only solid, strong anchor in this topsy-turvy whirlwind that was her life now.

  Her parents had insisted magick did not exist. She knew otherwise. They’d lied to her. Everything she’d known that had been her anchor in a rock steady world had shattered. But Kieran, with his courage and his fiercely protective nature, was her anchor now.

  His arms went around her, holding her close. “Then let me make it bearable for you. You are not lost, Ella-mine. I’m here with you, and I will not abandon you now. I understand what it feels like when everything changes and you’re facing a scary, unknown future.”

  Ella’s heart thumped harder at his warm, comforting touch. Reassuring, and firing all her senses. She wanted more. “How did you handle it, Kieran? Any advice?”

  He nuzzled her neck. “Trust yourself, Ella. Trust your instincts. Your wolf will help you. It is a struggle, maintaining a balance between the beast and the human. You will find that balance, learn control. When it feels as if the entire world has betrayed you and you can’t trust anyone, trust yourself. You are a strong, independent woman. You can do this.”

  His absolute confidence in her abilities buoyed her. Maybe this was the adventure and the invitation to a new life she’d needed. “I want to trust you, Kieran. You’re the only one I believe I can trust right now.”

  “You can,” he said softly. “I will not hurt you.”

  Ella felt as if she could. Kieran was a constant, her new anchor.

  “What now?”

  He smiled. “Shift again, and run with the moon. It is within you, sweetheart. I will run with you. Trust your wolf. She needs you as much as you need her.”

  They shifted, running across the dew-laden grass. Never had she felt so wild and free. Ella surrendered herself to the beast, letting her wolf’s senses take over. She felt wetness beneath her paws, inhaled the sharp scent of loamy earth and dank bark from the forest, the smell of fear from small creatures hiding in the woods, knowing the beasts ran wild.

  At the edge of the forest, Kieran stopped, panting.

  Ella turned her head, her wolf scenting the smell of musk and sex and mating.

  In a little clearing nearby, a couple was mating fast and furiously in Skin form. The man had the woman against a tree, bent over, and thrust deep into her. Her excited cries accompanied his deep grunts as he moved against her.

  The jaguar snarled and turned around.

  Then they sped off again, stopping as they saw Adrian confronting Darcy. Both in human form. Both naked. Adrian’s penis was quite erect, indicating what he wanted.

  The alpha crooked a finger at Darcy. “It’s time to give me what is mine, sweetheart.”

  “In your dreams, chum,” Darcy snapped. “We are not having sex.”

  “You would have no complaints. No reason to leave my bed. You’re mine, Darcy.”

  Adrian stalked toward Darcy. She snarled at him. “Back off. I’m not yours. Never will be. I’m not staying.”

  But the alpha looked smug. He snapped his fingers.

  The same butler who had greeted them at the door came forward, carrying a leather case Ella recognized as belonging to Darcy. Ella’s heart sank as Adrian removed a round ruby crystal the size of a softball from the bag. “You stole this, Darcy,” he said softly. “Punishment is mine to dispense as I please.”

  Panic touched Darcy’s expression. “I was merely borrowing it.”

  “Without permission.”

  Ella had to say something. This was her fault, and she would not allow Darcy to take the blame. “She took the crystal so we could find something, Adrian. I asked her to borrow it.”

  The alpha shook his head. “I would have aided her, but since she stole it, and made contact with the crystal with her skin, it’s useless. It gives visions to only the holder - myself. Now the magick is ruined because Darcy touched it.”

  Adrian replaced it and waved the butler away. “My punishment is you must live with me for two weeks after you complete your current assignment.”

  A gleam lit his eyes. “And you must do whatever I please.”

  Claws emerged from Darcy’s fingertips. “Try to force me and I’ll show you my claws. Or worse.”

  “I will not force you. But you know the consequences if you fail to live up to the bargain.” He narrowed his eyes at her. “I will hunt you down, I will find you and I will drag you back here and keep you naked and locked up in my bedroom for the entire two weeks.”

  Judging from the darkening of her eyes, Darcy looked intrigued by the idea. Then she scowled. “Fine. But I have a duty to Ella first. I’ll fulfill your damn rules, after Ella finds the crystal and revives her mother.”

  With that, Darcy shifted into a large bird and flew off. Adrian shook his head. “That woman, she slays me. But I will have no one else.”

  The alpha shifted into a wolf once more and raced off toward the woods.

  Leaving them alone. The scent of musky sex filled the air, along with the howls of mating wolves and the groans of pleasure of Lupines choosing to mate in human form. Ella’s groin tightened.

  Kieran was naked again. So was she. She had never felt this longing before.

  At first when she saw Kieran naked, Ella told herself she merely wanted to admire a perfect male body. And then she kept staring at him, the triangle of dark hair stretching from one brown nipple to the other, the ripple of muscles on his flat abdomen, and the line of hair marching down to his…

  Kieran turned her on, as if he’d yanked at the rusty tap of her desire and now it flooded out, wet and gushing, preparing her body for sex.

  All she could think about lately was sex.

  For all her adult years, she’d tempered her body’s natural drive. Discipline and focus. No longer.

  Ella had never wanted a man as badly as she wanted Kieran. The space between her legs felt empty and wet. Last night she’d dreamed of Kieran making love to her, his warm mouth covering every inch of her skin with kisses, and then he’d mounted her.

  It had not been gentle, nor sweet.

  It had been everything her sexually suppressed body had wanted all these adult years, since puberty had opened a floodgate of female hormones.

  She did not fear him.

  She feared her own desires. Because sex was one thing. She could have sex with him, but fall in love? With a man who could turn into a jaguar, a man who’d tipped her world upside down since his arrival?

  But she wanted Kieran, and the sharp longing stabbed her with erotic awareness.
Especially now, the way he stared at her as if he wanted to take her here and now. Cover her with his strong, muscled body, and thrust deep inside…

  Kieran trailed a finger down her cheek and she shivered with arousal. “I was assigned to protect you. I will not deny I want you as a woman.”

  “You can do with me what you wish,” she whispered. “I’m not in my fertile time and we don’t need protection.”

  Gaze dark, Kieran studied her. “My kind is aggressive when it comes to sex.” He drew in a deep breath. “I need sex and I’ve denied myself.”

  She liked his aggression. Ella could envision him in the bedroom, taking charge and fulfilling her wildest sexual fantasies.

  “I’m not afraid,” Ella told him. Her wolf had been triggered, turning her on as she scented Kieran’s raging need, his sexual aggression.

  “You should be.”

  His expression tightened as he looked down, rubbing his thumb along the seam of her lip. The gesture spoke of need, not affection. Couldn’t he hear the rapid pounding of her heart, sense the quickening of her blood? Some inexplicable force had drawn them together, the sexual chemistry scorching the air between them until every cell of her body sang with awareness.

  “I will control myself, Ella-mine, because I know you are innocent.”

  Staring at his mouth, she leaned up and parted her lips.

  He kissed her, his lips moving gently over hers, and then he increased the pressure. It felt wonderful, and she wrapped her arms around his neck, leaning into his strong body.

  When they broke apart, desire flared in his gaze, turning his eyes even darker. Ella wrapped her arms around herself, suddenly nervous about the wildness swimming within his gaze.

  “Don’t cover yourself. You are lovely.”

  She’d been called many things. No one had ever called her lovely before.

  He touched the corner of her mouth with his thumb. Kieran brought his thumb to his lips and licked it slowly, his intense gaze never leaving hers. Heat sizzled in the air. Her limbs felt loose and pliant, her nipples tight.

  She wanted to feel him naked against her skin, rub against her body. Her fingertips ached with the need, the yearning to touch him, explore muscle and sinew.

  The air grew heavy with expectance, charged with sexual awareness. Kieran stretched, and she watched his muscles flex with the movement.

  “Adrian has a hot tub into the ground. The weather is perfect for swimming,” he murmured. “Join me.”

  Taking her hand, he led her through the woods to a small brick patio overlooking the backyard. Water gushed over a rock structure Adrian had built next to the hot tub. Tiki torches blazed around the patio, casting shadows over the bubbling water.

  Kieran turned, facing her.

  Her startled gaze met his heated one. Ella glanced at the dark, curly hairs covering his sculpted chest, marching in a tempting line down his muscled abdomen.

  A warning rang through her mind. When they came together, he would be primitive and possessive. Images shot through her mind—the two of them naked, tangled together, their bodies sweat-slicked as they surrendered to the overpowering desire. Her gaze shot downward, past the ridge of muscle at his lean hips, down to his long, taut legs and then up to…

  Straining upwards from the dark hair at his groin, his thick penis was erect. Moisture gathered between her legs, her sex pulsing in natural response, her nipples tingling and hardening.

  The harsh sounds of his breath twined with the gurgling of the waterfall. Kieran approached the stone steps. Her hungry gaze riveted to the smooth muscles of his spectacular ass as he waded into the water.

  Kieran ducked beneath the water and turned over, his smoldering, predatory gaze riveted to hers. He tread water, watching her.

  “Come, Ella.”

  Ella’s heartbeat kicked as her breathing hitched. Her core pulsed in response to his naked body. She envisioned those strong hands holding her fast as his thick cock pushed deep inside her.

  He wanted her, and she wanted him equally. Her desire sparked to life, as fierce as her wolf.

  Their joining would be intense, passionate, and blazing. It had been so long since anyone had held her close…had bothered to show her any affection.

  But she reminded herself that they would not make love. It would be only sex.

  Hot, steamy, deep thrusting, clawing sex.

  Wading into the water, she sighed at the delicious warmth. Ella resisted the urge to cover her breasts, and watched Kieran, noting the predatory heat in his gaze, feral as his jaguar.She swam over to him in sure strokes and he caught her in his arms and kissed her. Ella opened her mouth beneath his as his tongue slid into her mouth, stealing away her breath. His kiss was demanding, and yet gentle. Then it became urgent, almost desperate.

  At last he pulled away, began to touch her.

  Symbolic and soothing, his actions roused her desire as he slid his hands over her arms, the slope of her neck. It was the jaguar claiming her through touch. Droplets clung to his thick hair, sparkled in his long, black lashes and the stubble on his face. Water cascaded down his strong, muscled neck, beaded in the black hair on his sculpted chest and slid lower.

  He looked sexy and intent, and it took her breath away. This jaguar would become her first lover.

  His heated gaze remained fixed to hers as he stroked her wet, glistening skin. Kieran brushed sweet, tender kisses alongside her jaw. His hands cupped the rounded curve of her hips, pulling her tight against him.

  “Turn around,” he said, his voice thick.

  Ella closed her eyes as he stood behind her, cupping her breasts and gently teasing the hardened nipples with gentle strokes of his thumbs. Massaging gently, he molded his body to hers, his erection rubbing against her bottom. Each languid stroke aroused her senses, chasing away every rational thought with sensual awareness.

  Taking the lobe of her ear between his teeth, he gently bit it.

  She moaned.

  “Good,” he murmured, flicking his fingers lazily over her nipples. “You have a deeply sensual nature.”

  His mouth went from her ear to her throat, nuzzling down to her bare collarbone. Then he moved in front and suckled her breasts, his tongue flicking over each crested peak, creating new, aching need inside her. Ella sagged against him, pushing her hot skin against his questing mouth.

  More. More.

  Sensation speared her, so fresh and tantalizing. She, who had never experienced passion, felt desire or the tender touch of strong, skilled hands.

  Kieran’s hands.

  He stroked a path down to her belly. He dipped a finger into her navel, then trailed his fingers down between her legs.

  He slid a finger between her slick folds as she gasped, her passage growing wet and ready for him. Then lifting her into his arms, he carried her over to the ledge and set her upon it.

  Kieran spread her legs apart. Suddenly shy, feeling the wanton sensuality replaced with apprehension, she resisted. “Someone will see us,” she whispered.

  A tender smile graced his handsome face. “They’re busy indulging their own desires. Open your legs. I promise, I’ll make it good for you.”

  She drew back. Kieran shook his head. “I will be gentle, Ella. Trust me in this.”

  Sincerity rang in his deep, husky voice. Ella parted her legs and watched as he lowered his head and put his mouth on her. Shock filled her, but she had no time for bashful protests. The rush of pleasure he delivered with the delicious roughness of his tongue left her speechless.

  A nearly unbearable ache filled her lower belly as he kissed and licked her. Water streamed down her body, mingling with her natural moisture. As she leaned back, moaning, Ella splayed her hands against the edge of the hot tub.

  Then he put a single finger inside her and she opened her legs wider, the intensity too intense to bear.

  “So very tight,” he murmured, blowing a breath against her feminine folds. “I can’t wait to make you mine.”

  Ella moaned as
he pumped his finger in and out of her slick passage, imitating what he’d soon do with his penis. She squeezed hard around him, feeling the incredible pressure build until she cried out and climaxed, feeling as if she were flying.

  And that she would never descend.

  Ella gulped down several breaths, aware of the pounding of her heart, the blood rushing through her veins. Cool air brushed against her overly-sensitive skin. She lifted her head and looked at Kieran, whose face was stamped with pure male satisfaction, even as he breathed heavily, as if he wanted more. He planted a tender kiss on her quivering thighs and helped her down.

  They climbed out of the hot tub and took towels from the rack to dry off. Ella glanced down at his very impressive erection. And then her gaze widened as she saw a protrusion on his penis. Curved and hooked, it looked intriguing.

  A sensual smile touched his mouth. “My barb. All jaguar shifters have them. It aids in fertilizing the female when she’s ovulating.”

  Ella drew her arms around his neck, feeling the power of his thick erection against her lower belly. “How?”

  “It massages her internal passage, finding the area of most pleasure and stimulates her into orgasm.” He nuzzled her neck with his lips. “Over and over, so when she climaxes, he climaxes as well and his seed shoots deeper inside her.”

  “Many orgasms?” She could barely think for the way he kept teasing her sensitive neck with his mouth, as his hand had caressed her clit.

  “Several. A true mating can take hours, until the couple is spent and exhausted.” His gaze gleamed again. “Do you want me, Ella? I am jaguar and we can only mate in human form. I need sex. I need to fuck. But I need you more.”

  “Yes,” she whispered. “I want you, Kieran. I’ve never felt this way before. I feel as if we don’t do this, I’ll die.”

  His dark gaze glittered. “Me too. You are mine and I have never wanted another woman, loved another woman, as much as I have loved you.”