The Alpha (The Pack Book 3)

by Kristin Coley

  “Light-Weight,” I enunciated clearly and barely repressed a squeal when he swatted my ass.

  “Do you know who you’re talking to?” He rumbled, walking me to the door as I clung to his broad frame.

  “The big, bad wolf who can’t hold his liquor,” I taunted, completely unafraid of him and he knew it. He leaned in and nipped the sensitive skin of my neck and I gasped.

  “Your mate,” he maintained, sending a thrill through me. “I will be whatever you need me to be for the rest of our lives. Friend, lover, protector – ”

  “Designated driver,” I interrupted and his chest rumbled as he laughed.

  “Designated driver,” he agreed, unbothered by my teasing. “I’ve learned my lesson when it comes to drinking with your father. But I also know this, I want you by my side for as long as we live. I want to wake up with you, fight with you, laugh with you, and have pups with you.”

  He stopped moving and I realized we were standing outside a motel room door. I let go of his shoulders, placing my hands on his cheeks where rough stubble tickled my palms. “Yes,” I said seriously, “So long as you also promise to ravish me as long as we both shall live.”

  “Oh, that’s a promise,” he agreed, his eyes gleaming as he pressed a hard kiss to my lips, pulling back long before I was ready. The door behind me opened and I held on to Dom, afraid I was about to go backwards, until I realized he’d opened the door. “Now, on to the ravishing.”

  I squeaked as he tossed me onto the bed, kicking the door shut with his foot. His shirt landed next to me a second later and then he was poised above me, his muscled chest filling my field of vision.

  I ate the sight of his chest hungrily, the dips and hard planes begging me to run my fingers over them. Golden skin gleamed in the dim light that managed to bypass the heavy curtains. I reached for him, unable to resist when I had a sudden thought.

  “Are you sure?” I asked, my fingers hovering above the heavy pectoral muscle where I’d left my own mark.

  He kept himself braced above me, his head lowering as he looked at me. “Isn’t that my line?”

  “Probably…usually?” I gave a halfhearted shrug. “Not the point. I know I’m sure. I had the opportunity to keep going, leave this life behind, but I came back. I know you’re what I want.”

  “And somehow, you think I’m not equally sure?” He asked as he settled his weight on one arm and reached for the light switch on the bedside lamp. He flicked the light on, illuminating the room, and the first thing I saw were my clothes hanging in the closet.

  “What?” I sat up, almost clocking him in the chin, his insanely fast reflexes saving us both. “When? How?”

  “It’s a little presumptuous, I admit,” he confessed, settling himself against the headboard as I explored the room, our room, I corrected myself, seeing his clothes back behind mine. “I want us to be together and I know staying in the same apartment as your dad would be awkward.”

  “You think?” I tossed over my shoulder, checking the little kitchenette and seeing my favorite foods stocked. I stuck my head in the bathroom and saw my shampoo on the counter. “You thought of everything.”

  “I can’t take all the credit. Anna assisted, and Trent. Your father too.”

  I padded back to him, lifting my eyebrows at his mention of my dad. “You are a miracle worker.”

  “Monster wasn’t too happy with me, at least until he realized he got your room with you gone. Then he happily dumped your stuff out the window.” Dom grimaced. “I think I got all the dirt off.”

  “You did this when I was sleeping,” I stated, knowing it was the only time he could have. He nodded sheepishly. “So, you think we’re going to live happily ever after in a motel room?” I was perfectly okay with the idea if it meant I got to curl up next to him every night, but I also wanted to know if he had anything else up his sleeve.

  “No,” he denied immediately, shaking his head. “No. This is a short term lease,” he added adamantly. “A temporary spot until we find something we both want.”

  “What about your house?” I questioned, crawling across the bed towards him.

  His face took on a cagey expression and I chuckled, “What did you do? Give your house to your sister?”

  “Maybe?”

  I busted out laughing, settling my legs on either side of him as I straddled him. “I would expect nothing less from you,” I told him, my hands running over his chest as I leaned down to press my lips against his mark.

  “Who is seducing who here?” He questioned, his hands spanning my waist, his fingers slipping under my shirt to stroke the skin.

  “I thought it was mutual,” I murmured, my lips drifting across his chest. There was something seductive about knowing we were in our own space, knowing we’d both committed ourselves to one another, and wanted the same thing. “That was the whole point of moving my stuff in here, wasn’t it? To seduce me with how well you know me?”

  “Actually, it’s an unexpected bonus,” he mumbled, his breath catching as I swirled my tongue around the mark on his chest. “You’re killing me.”

  I wiggled my hips, hearing his soft groan as I settled myself more firmly against the hard ridge pressing into my mound. “I can tell,” I said cockily, leaning back and feeling his hands tighten around my waist, his fingers biting into my hips. “I feel a little overdressed.”

  “I can fix that,” he growled, his hands sliding up my sides, pushing my shirt up higher and higher, and I lifted my arms, tilting my head back as the shirt came up and over my head. Dom paused, keeping my arms trapped as he leaned in and pressed his mouth against my breastbone. My nipples tightened and my pussy clenched at the soft press of his lips.

  My breath hitched as I licked my lips, “Now, who’s torturing who?”

  “It’s mutual,” he assured me, rocking his hips up and causing me to pant as I felt liquid pool between my legs. “I can smell you,” he murmured, placing light kisses along the edge of my breast and I squirmed, needing him to do more. My arms wiggled above my head, but it was fruitless as his tongue dipped lower, licking dangerously close to my nipple.

  “Dom,” I said breathlessly, my voice pleading.

  “Hmmm?” He made the wordless sound, vibrating across my skin as his warm breath coasted over my breast. His fingers dipped below my waistband, stroking over the soft skin and making me whimper at the feathery strokes.

  “I want to touch you,” I said, taking initiative as I rolled my hips against him and his hands tightened, stilling me.

  He only wore loose drawstring pants and I was still in my pajamas, the shirt gone, leaving us separated by only a couple layers of thin cotton.

  I pressed against him, aching to rub my breasts against his hard chest and he allowed it, his hands slipping under my shorts as he cupped my ass, rocking my hips in a way that pressed that hard ass ridge in the perfect position. I gave up getting my arms out of the sleeves, too distracted by the pleasure building between my legs. I dropped my arms around his head, letting him guide the motion of my hips as I panted.

  “That’s it,” he whispered, his head burying itself against my neck. “I can feel you through the bond,” his words reminded me of that link and I brushed against it, surprised to feel his pleasure and his need for me. “You’re so wet, I can feel you through my pants,” he groaned, his lips brushing the sensitive mark on my neck and I cried out. “You like that?” His tongue darted out, licking and swirling around the mark, building the pleasure to the breaking point. “That’s it, come for me so I can ride you.”

  My pussy clenched, pleasure rushing through me at his words and his hands ripped my shorts, rolling me underneath him as he shoved his pants down. He reached for the nightstand, his hand grasping something and then shoving it in my hands. “Roll it on me,” he commanded, helping me open the package and guiding my hands to his cock. I stared at it in awe, my fingers tracing the shape as I smoothed the condom over him. “I’m not going to last long,” he warned, bending one of my leg
s up as he settled between my thighs, his cock bobbing gently against my pussy and making me clench at the thought of him inside of me.

  “How does the mating work?” I asked frantically, feeling him poised at my entrance. “Do I need to say something?” The words felt ridiculous as I strained upwards, wanting to feel him slide between my folds, my body liquid and swollen.

  “Just feel me, open yourself to the bond,” he muttered between clenched teeth, his control barely hanging on as the tip of him found my entrance. “Together, we’ll feel when it’s complete.”

  I nodded, letting my hands stroke over him, my heart hammering as he pushed forward, entering me inch by inch, and stretching me until I squirmed. He stopped and I shook my head, “Its fine.” He grasped my hip, lifting me slightly, as he eased further in and I gasped at the fullness.

  “The bond,” he whispered and I opened my mind to him, feeling the link lock into place as I felt his pleasure, amplifying my own. He started moving again, thrusting in and out, and adjusting the motion when he felt my pleasure spike through the bond. Pressure built, my body reaching as I felt our bond stretch, and I didn’t need to work to keep it open as the pleasure we felt became one and I cried out, hearing his shout reverberate inside my head and around me as the wave of pleasure crested over us.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Jess

  I wriggled, a heavy weight pressing against me as my eyes slowly opened. I pushed at the weight, belatedly realizing it was an arm when it tightened around me. I was being spooned, this time by a man instead of a dog. The night before crystallized in my mind and I immediately searched for our mental link, finding it instantly, the bond stronger than I’d ever felt it. It was like an open connection to his mind and I knew it would work both ways.

  I felt the moment he woke up, the happiness he felt at having me in his arms, and I snuggled further into his chest.

  “Any regrets?” He asked, a flicker of concern drifting to me through our link.

  “I should be asking you,” I teased. “You have no idea what you’ve gotten yourself into.”

  “I can feel your contentment,” he murmured drowsily, his arm settling between my breasts. “I had no idea how much stronger the bond would be.”

  Her mom’s gone. The thought blasted through my head, the voice distinctly belonging to Trent, and my head reared back, smacking Dom’s chin and we both groaned at the impact.

  What do you mean, gone? I snarled, upset that my cozy moment was gone, my happiness once again disrupted by my mother.

  Jess? Trent asked warily.

  Who else? I snapped, pushing myself up as my hand rubbed the back of my head. I better be the only female in this Pack. I sounded jealous even to myself and hastily added, Forget I said that.

  Is that Jess? Another voice entered my head and using the method of elimination I answered, Hey, Liam.

  Jess can shift? Liam asked excitedly, and I paused rubbing my head, glancing back at Dom.

  “No,” Dom answered quickly, the single word echoing as he said it out loud and over the Pack bond. She can’t shift, we are fully mated and it has some unexpected side effects.

  Cool, Liam replied enthusiastically. Sorry about your mom though.

  My heart stuttered for a second, his words sounding so final and Dom wrapped his hand around my wrist as tears sprang to my eyes.

  Trent, explain what you mean by gone, he commanded.

  She flew the coop, slipped the noose, escaped, he said exasperatedly, and I had the distinct impression he was popping a sucker in his mouth.

  Do you have a sucker in your mouth? I demanded to know and after a long pause I received a sulky No.

  Did you take it out of your mouth before you answered?

  This is gonna get old quick, Trent fumed at the same time I said, This is so weird.

  Alright, enough. Trent, you and Liam do a search, see if you can find out where she went. I’m only concerned that she doesn’t make another attempt on Jess, Dom ordered.

  Umm, Liam interjected, and I had the impression of a drooping tail.

  What? Dom snapped, irritation shooting through our bond.

  I’m at Leah’s house. I was keeping an eye out because she said she spotted a wolf wandering around outside.

  Dom pinched the bridge of his nose while I watched in amusement, enjoying the peek inside of a Pack’s inner workings.

  “It’s not funny,” he said aloud, making sure he didn’t broadcast it over the Pack bond.

  “It kind of is from where I’m sitting,” I replied, careful to keep my words verbal and not project them mentally. “This is hard,” I muttered under my breath and Dom stroked the inside of my wrist.

  “It gets easier.”

  Can you determine if it was a Hanley? Dom asked Liam and he didn’t reply. Liam?

  I think it was a Navarre wolf, he finally said reluctantly. Not sure which one though.

  Let me take a whiff, he ordered and I arched my eyebrow, wondering what the hell, and Trent snorted in amusement, making me realize I’d broadcast that thought.

  Shit, this is hard, I grumbled, grimacing as I felt their amusement increase. I did it again, didn’t I?

  Yeah, Trent answered, unapologetically laughing at me as he sucked on his lollipop.

  Trent, go do a perimeter scan, Dom ordered, Let me know anything you find on her Mom.

  Another feeling came through the Pack bond, a snippet of what felt like a memory, as I saw trees and a yard.

  Trent snorted, correctly identifying the shifter before Dom could speak. Our young Alpha has been sniffing around Leah, he crowed, sounding a little too happy about the fact.

  Caleb? Liam questioned in confusion and Dom confirmed.

  Yes, that’s definitely Caleb, he replied and a coil of tension wound through our bond. What is he doing? The thought was more an impression than anything and I realized the others hadn’t heard him.

  He had a thing for Leah, I answered, crossing my fingers I’d sent the thought only to him.

  Dom harrumphed, giving the distinct impression he wasn’t happy. He’s got enough on his plate at the moment, he grumbled to me and a quick smile lifted my lips.

  “Some would say the same about you,” I replied, deciding it was easier for the moment to speak aloud and not chance broadcasting what I was thinking to the Pack.

  Do you want me to meet up with Trent? Liam questioned, drawing our attention back to the fact that both guys were still waiting on Dom’s decision.

  I’ve got it covered, Trent answered, giving Liam an out as he said, if you need him elsewhere. We all felt Liam’s need to stay near Leah, and I started to understand why he’d protected her so instinctively when Dylan had run out of the woods. There was a strong pull for him to keep her safe and it was no doubt the reason he stood in the cold, wet rain watching her house.

  Fine, Liam stay with Leah, Trent, report back when you find something. Dom sighed, his hand running through his dark hair as he set that golden gaze on me.

  “Not the way I’d imagined waking up to you on our first morning as a mated pair,” he grumbled and I leaned forward to kiss him, ignoring potential bad breath in favor of distraction.

  After a lingering kiss that lead to wandering hands, I pulled back breathlessly. “Better?”

  He tugged my arm, causing me to fall back on the bed, my breasts giving a little bounce, and he tweaked them, grinning when he felt the sharp pleasure shoot through me. “Better is when I’m sliding into that wet pussy,” he growled and I spread my legs open.

  “What are you waiting for then?” I asked playfully and his mouth sealed across mine, his leg widening my thighs as he prodded my entrance. I moaned when he slide inside, my body deliciously sore, and my pleasure heightened as I felt his need come across the bond. It wasn’t long before we were both climaxing, our desire feeding each other until there was nothing else.

  “Now that,” he gasped, “Is how I want to wake up.” He rolled off, pulling me along until I sprawled across hi
m.

  “Greedy, Alpha male expectations,” I teased, my voice almost a purr in anticipation of the idea as I buried my nose into his neck.

  “Needy, eager Alpha mate,” he retorted, his hand slapping my ass before gently rubbing the spot. “I need to get up and shower,” he said, not moving and I moaned at the thought, causing the hand cupped over my ass to tighten, and it wasn’t the only thing, I noticed. “You make noises like that and we’re not going anywhere,” he informed me and I lifted my head.

  “That’s not incentive to make me stop,” I educated him, letting out a breathy moan as I said, “Oh, Dom, please tell me what a bad girl I’ve been.”

  Please don’t, Trent answered and I shrieked, rolling off Dom and yanking the sheet up to my chin.

  Holy shit! Trent, forget everything you might have heard, I demanded, mortification flaming my cheeks.

  Trust me, I have, he answered dryly. I’m happy to say, so far that’s all I’ve had to hear, but, Dom, you might want to teach her how to control what she broadcasts.

  I glanced over at Dom and he had his hand to his mouth and I was suddenly afraid he was angry with Trent for overhearing my teasing. When his shoulders started to shake, and tears rolled down his face, I slapped his shoulder, jumping out of the bed with the sheet wrapped around me toga style. You bastard, I cried not caring if I broadcast it to the world, as he shook with laughter. For that, I get the shower first and I promise there won’t be any hot water when I’m done.

  Trent stayed suspiciously silent as did Liam and I had the feeling they were laughing as well as I stomped to the shower, embarrassment fueling me.

  When I stepped out of the shower, Dom lounged in the doorway, a low slung pair of pants barely keeping him decent.

  “Don’t think standing there like a damn underwear model is going to make me forget,” I warned with a sniff, going to the mirror to work the tangles out of my hair. He set a coffee mug on the counter, a piping hot cinnamon roll following it, and some of my angry embarrassment started to fade. When he took the brush from my hand and started to pull it gently through my hair, I forgot what I’d been miffed about.