by C. D. Gorri
“Daniel,” she moaned his name and he loved it. Loved the sounds she made as she lifted her body up only to slam back down against him.
The sounds of their lovemaking filled the room. Their combined scent, a sweet and heady musk permeated the air. It was fucking perfect. At least he thought so. His Bear agreed.
Daniel growled and groaned as Lacey rode him. He flexed his hips to meet her downward thrusts. marveling in each sensation she caused within him. Pleasure, love, bliss, permanence, ecstasy, possession, fulfillment. Every stroke along his cock was like a pull straight down to his balls, begging for his release.
Her cream scented the air, covered his shaft, making the passage so fucking good and slick he never wanted her to stop. He wrapped his muscled arms around her, pressing her against his chest as she ground herself down, riding his dick like a fucking champion. Lacey. Mine.
“You’re killing me,” he said and loved the smile she flashed at him.
Breasts bouncing, hair floating wildly behind her, she was a fucking vision. And she felt so damn good! Her inner walls sheathed him like a fucking glove. She was made for me, his Bear growled. He loved seeing her like this. Loved feeling every breath and twitch of her body.
Bold and sexy as hell, his mate scratched her nails down his chest. She licked and sucked at his neck, marking him with her scent. Hell, she even bit him, which had his Bear roaring.
“Daniel!” She moaned his name as her channel started to squeeze. Her movements grew jerky, her body arched. Daniel growled in response as he felt her pleasure start to take over.
“Lacey! Fuck, baby, that’s it. Want you so damn bad. Need to make you mine,” his voice deepened with his Bear.
“Yes,” she answered. Her pussy quivered, moisture pooling around his cock. Fuck, yes. She liked his words, liked what he was saying. That was a good sign.
“No, look at me, baby. I need you to understand. I want you to be mine. I’m asking you for forever,” he growled the words, unable to keep the Bear at bay.
Lacey’s eyes flashed. She pumped herself harder onto his cock, her pussy stroking every one of his nerve endings. Lighting him up like a match to gasoline.
“Yes, oh yes,” she replied.
“You have to mean it. I can’t undo it once it is done, baby.”
“Yes. Daniel, I want to be yours, please. I need you to make me yours.”
“Fuck,” he moaned as she ground herself down on him, “Yes?”
“Yes. My answer is yes,” she grabbed his face and nodded.
Her eyes were wide with pleasure and something else. Something warm and inviting. Could it be? His heart thudded. Maybe. He wanted to ask but didn’t want to. Not yet. That could come later. He needed to make her his first.
“Do you know what you’re saying? What you’re agreeing to?”
“You want to claim me, bite me, give me your mark. Yes, Daniel. I am saying yes.”
At that moment the Bear took over. Standing up with his dick still throbbing inside his mate, Daniel moved carefully, flipping Lacey over the side of the couch onto her knees. She was still hovering on the brink of her orgasm and he meant to give her one she’d never forget. Fuck yes.
His. She was all his. Daniel loosed a long slow growl. He was going to brand every fucking inch of her with his scent. Her sexy as sin hourglass frame called to him, ass pushed out, begging him to fill her, and he did. In one hard thrust, he was balls deep inside her. His Bear roared, anxious to finally be claiming this woman as his own.
Her slick pussy gripped him, made to fit him like a fucking glove. He stroked her walls, loving the feel of her. She moaned his name, still riding the wave of pleasure from her near orgasm. Daniel was determined to make her see the fucking heavens this time!
“Come for me, baby, then I’ll make you mine,” he growled into her ear, caging her from behind as he thrust deeper and deeper into her wet heat.
He felt his teeth lengthen in his mouth, his Bear ready to strike, to claim his woman. Mine. Forever. She moaned in response. Breaths increased. Heart pumping. Almost, but not quite ready.
Daniel grunted as he reached between them and found her nub. He flicked her clit, rubbed and pinched the tiny nub. He reveled in the sounds of her responding moans, took pride in the shiver of her flesh as he loved her good and hard. Sex with his mate was unlike anything he’d ever felt.
Her inner walls tightened, squeezing his thick shaft with unbelievable intensity. Fuck yes. She was feeling the first waves of passion, and he was right there with her. Every step of the way. He wasn’t gonna stop until it was a full-on explosion for the both of them.
The Bear wanted to dominate her, to show her he was capable of taking care of her in every way. Especially this way. The man wanted to be gentle. It was a toss-up who won, but his mate sure as hell wasn’t complaining. Thank fuck for that.
“Daniel,” she moaned as her sex clamped down hard. He almost lost it then.
The sounds of their skin slapping together, their moans and breaths, all of it, was a symphony to his ears. Deep, deep, deep. He stroked her inside. Not stopping as she called out his name over and over again, her orgasm taking hold.
Moving her hair off to one shoulder, Daniel shuddered as he viewed the beautiful patch of skin that would bear his mark. Mine. Forever.
He told himself over and over again that she was a normal, he had to remain in control, to not hurt her. Never hurt, his Bear answered his worries.
Then it was all he could do to keep his head on straight. Lacey leaned her head all the way to the side, bearing herself for him as she pushed her sweet ass back hard against his cock. Fuck. Mine, his Bear roared. Daniel struggled for control. His gums ached and claws stretched through his fingers. Mine.
“Daniel, make me yours,” she moaned.
“Mine,” he growled and bent his head.
His canines sliced through her ivory flesh like a hot knife slices through butter. The second her blood filled his mouth, his seed exploded into her channel.
A white-hot explosion of ecstasy raced through his blood as he filled and tasted his mate. Her sweet as honey blood flowed down his throat as he laid claim to his fated one. Mine, the Bear roared.
He suckled her neck, drinking her down and marking her perfect skin. He licked the wounds closed, still growling with his Bear at his possession of her. Her pussy gripped him one last time, determined to take every last drop of cum into her womb. As it should be. Yes. Mine. Mate.
Their passion rose so fucking high he thought he’d die from it in those moments. Never like that before. The fiery bliss of their completion washed over him in waves as passion slowed to mutual satisfaction. She was so fucking perfect. His mate.
Beast sated, he turned her and pulled her into his embrace, allowing the warm glow of the matebond to settle over them both.
“Mine,” he growled.
Chapter 10
Lacey snuggled closer to Daniel in the huge bed of his cabin by Lake Ursa. She couldn’t believe what had happened over the last twelve hours.
They made love. Multiple times. Sigh. Then, Daniel bit her. Well, he claimed her. Lacey smiled as the warm tendrils of their matebond flowed over her. Protectiveness, affection, desire, caring, tenderness, and strength pulsed between them.
What of love? She knew the answer for her. Felt it in her heart. She loved the man. Could only have ever given herself like that in love. He hadn’t said anything about love, but he must care for her. Yes. She knew he did.
It was like she could feel him, inside her. The strength of his Bear was somehow connected to her. She didn’t know much about it, only what she’d learned in one of her chats with Clary about Shifters and mating.
The older woman was careful to tell her about biting and marking one’s mate. She’d told her their legends of fated mates. Such beautiful stories of men and women destined by the universe to be together forever.
Like a fairytale. If only she was that to Daniel. But she wasn’t going to complain. She’d s
ettle for him choosing her. It was enough. Would have to be. After all, she’d wanted him since she’d first seen him at The Thirsty Dog last year with her cousin. Oh my God, she hadn’t even thought of Margot since she’d been here. She supposed she’d have to visit her aunt and uncle and cousins at some point. Crap.
Was it silly for her to be making plans? No, right? I mean he marked me. We’re a couple now. Still, doubts butted in on her peace of mind and Lacey frowned thoughtfully. He made no mention about living together or anything. And she didn’t want pity. Crap.
A buzzing noise sounded to the left and she moved, careful not to jostle Daniel. The man was sleeping. Like a Bear. She snorted at her lame joke and stood up, looking for the source of the noise.
Underneath their discarded pile of clothes, Lacey found her new cell phone. Shit. There was a new message from an unknown number. Shivers racked her body as she read the venomous words. The same threats and promised violence were right there in the text. Tim.
Daniel must have had his number blocked, but that wouldn’t stop him. She could’ve told Daniel that if he’d asked. She closed her eyes and counted to ten before reading what he’d sent.
“Hello Slut, Did you enjoy fucking yogi last night? To think I could have had you first, but don’t worry, I’ll fuck his claim right off of you, whore. You have ten minutes to come out and meet me or I’m coming in.”
Lacey stifled her gasp. He was there. Tim was there! No. He had to be bluffing. This was Bear territory. The phone buzzed again.
“Your Bear should think about shades if he’s going to fuck you in the living room. I’m gonna rip his fucking bite mark right off your skin, clean you up real good, you fucking slut. Don’t try waking him. I’ll see you. I’ve got a gun aimed right at his big head. Eight minutes now. Then I am shooting first and coming in for you. Guns and claws blazing.”
Oh God, no. Lacey wanted to scream. She wanted to run to Daniel to wake him up. The tiny red dot that marked his forehead stopped her.
Tim was insane. There was no question there. But he was also an expert marksman. She recalled him showing her pictures of his various awards one time or other. He’d always been a braggard. Shit. She should have seen this coming. Should have told Daniel how relentless and crazy Tim was. It was too late now.
She might not be a Bear or a Wolf, but she could protect her man. She would give herself up for Daniel’s safety. It was the only choice she had. Yes, I would happily die for him. She fought against tears at this damn twist of fate. It was so unfair that she should finally have a chance at love, only to lose it so soon.
She looked down as her cell started to buzz again and realized she had yet to move. Damn. She would kill for another minute with him. Wiping her eyes, she read the hated text.
“Tick tock, Esme. You coming or do I kill him?”
Decision made, she grabbed her things and moved to the living room. She pulled on her pants and Daniel’s sweatshirt. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she breathed in his scent from the soft, faded material.
No. She wanted to yell, to scream, to rage against Tim and his fucking mania. But she couldn’t allow him to hurt Daniel. She simply would not permit that.
Because I love him. More than my own life. Her heart swelled with the knowledge. Last night had been the most intensely pleasurable night of her life, but it had been so much more than sex. She’d felt as if their souls had joined.
The inexplicable bond that they’d created had made her feel like she had a home for the first time in all her life. Lacey bit back the sob that threatened to rack her body. Oh Daniel. I’m sorry I never said it to you, but I hope you know it in your heart, I love you.
She opened the front door as quietly as she could and went to meet her fate. Sadness gave way to anger as she spied the monster that threatened her and all she held dear. The man responsible for taking away her one shot at true happiness.
“Well, at least you can follow orders, slut,” Tim sneered in her direction. His rifle still aimed at the large window that looked right into Daniel’s bedroom. That is so not happening.
Ignoring the swirling snowflakes and the otherwise pristine beauty of the woods and lake surrounding them, Lacey focused on the madman who was holding her lover hostage. She needed to get that gun pointed away from Daniel.
“I’m here Tim. Isn’t this what you wanted?” She pointed at herself and raised her eyebrows.
“Shut up, slut. You’ll talk when I tell you to,” the face she once thought pleasant turned to her with an animalistic snarl.
“Why did you call me out if you’re not even going to look at your prize?”
“You fucking whore! You were perfect! MINE! Beautiful and untouched! Now you’re just another slut!”
“I hate to break it to you, but I was never yours,” she answered firmly. She hoped to make him focus on her, to give Daniel time to wake up. To get out of the line of fire.
“Shut up! Fucking cock tease! Your fucking Bear can’t give you what I can! You’ll be begging for me in the end!”
“I’m here now, Tim. Why don’t you put the gun down and show me what I’m missing?” She taunted.
He turned then, a large, feral smile on his face. He was alone. Surprising really, since he never went anywhere alone.
“Afraid I’ll kill lover boy? I don’t need a gun for that,” he growled deep and long.
Lacey flinched as her mind flashed back to the other night. God, was it just a few days ago? His claws popped out one at a time, his face lengthened, taking on the shape of his Wolf more and more with each passing second. Her eyes went wide. Distract him, her brain screamed at her.
“Where are your friends, Tim?” She thought if she could ask questions, maybe he’d retain his human form.
“Those pussies wouldn’t go against the Alpha, but I’m stronger.”
“Yeah, you’re strong. So strong, Tim. Let’s just go, leave here and you can do what you want,” she needed him to leave here. To make sure Daniel was safe.
“Not until I kill the Bear. I’m stronger than him, Esme.”
“No! You said you’d leave him alone if I came out,” she cried out.
“You need to be punished, Esme. You’ll see him die, but first,” he roared and lunged for her, grabbing her hair in his fist.
A furious bellow sounded from behind her and Lacey turned to see Daniel in his Bear form charging through the snow to where they were standing. Tim snarled and threw her to the ground. He lunged for his rifle, but she sat up and grabbed him around the legs.
Daniel bellowed again, still running towards the struggling couple. Lacey screamed as Tim kicked her off his legs. She stood up just as he raised the barrel at her Bear.
With a loud yell, Lacey threw herself into Tim’s side, hoping he would drop the weapon. But she wasn’t strong enough. He still managed to get off a shot. The sound of Daniel’s furious roar made her sink to her knees.
He was hurt. No! She tried to lunge for Tim, but he knocked her back, preparing to aim for her mate once more. Daniel was still thirty feet away. Too far to make it in time.
Lacey reached on the floor for something, anything to help her. Her fist closed over a rock and she brought it up, hurling the stone at Tim’s head. It was getting harder to breathe, but she fought for air. Watching as the Wolf Shifter turned on her, snarling as he struggled to keep his shape.
“You little bitch!” he shouted and swung his fist at her, catching her on the temple.
Lacey fell back against the snow-covered ground. The sky was so pretty. A clear blue. Like Daniel’s eyes. Her heart squeezed. She wished she’d had the chance to tell him that she loved him and that she’d have given anything to be his fated mate.
Still, she was grateful for the time they had. He was such a wonderful lover. And he’d definitely wanted her. She was sure of that.
Tim raised his rifle and aimed it at her. At least he wasn’t aiming it at Daniel anymore. The movement was all the distraction her Bear needed. She watched throu
gh heavy lidded eyes as with an earth-shattering roar, the golden-headed Black Bear closed his huge jaws over Tim’s wrist.
A sound blasted to her left and Lacey felt a heavy thud as she fought to stave off the darkness as long as she could. But there was nothing she could do about it. Resigned, she closed her eyes to the sound of Daniel’s bear growling and Tim wailing in pain. At least Daniel would be okay. The darkness took her after that.
Lacey moaned as she woke. Her head throbbed in time with whatever was making that horrible banging noise. She tried to sit up, but a heavy hand pushed her gently back down against the bed. She struggled against the blanket, frightened for a minute before she blinked and opened her eyes.
“Easy, now. Sit up slowly, baby,” Daniel spoke softly, brushing her hair back and helping her to sit up.
“What’s that noise?”
“Oh, my dad and my brothers are, uh, cleaning up the mess outside.”
“Mess?” She asked, eyes going wide when she realized what he meant.
Daniel smiled softly and placed a pillow behind her head and dropped a soft kiss on her lips. Lacey sighed and felt herself tremble as she looked up at him.
Tears welled in her eyes as she brought her hands up to cup his handsome face. She wasn’t bothered by the thought of whatever violence had occurred after she’d blacked out. He’d protected her after she failed to protect him.
“Daniel, I’m so sorry-”
“Shh, baby,” he ground his teeth and closed his eyes.
His thick blonde eyebrows furrowing as he kissed her palm. He sucked in a deep breath as his lips touched her skin. Lacey felt her smile wobble as she spied the white bandage across his shoulder. It was visible in the gray tank top he wore.
“Daniel, you got hurt?” Her voice sounded hoarse to her ears and he immediately handed her a glass of water.
“Here, sweetheart, drink this,” he whispered as the cool liquid slid down her throat.
She sighed in relief as the water soothed and refreshed her. He handed her two ibuprofen tablets and she took those as well. Grateful for his care.