by C. D. Gorri
His hand dipped down further into her jeans. Fred grabbed a fistful of his dark hair and groaned as he inserted two large fingers inside her throbbing heat. With a third finger, he found the place where she ached the most and applied just the right amount of pressure.
“Yes, oh, yes,” she moaned into his mouth, loving the smoky taste of his kiss.
With fast, even strokes he played her body as if she was an instrument and he its master. No one had ever come close to being as attuned to her every desire as this man, this stranger, who was like something out of one of those telenovelas her great-aunt used to watch. She let go of all her inhibitions and gave herself over to the pleasure of his touch. She kissed him hard, clinging to his lips to stop herself from screaming out as he rocked her into the sweetest orgasm she’d experienced.
“Oh God, oh damn, oh damn, Callius,” she growled his name as he continued to stroke and kiss and soothe.
“Es meus,” he growled and slid his hand out of her damp panties.
His golden gaze locked with her as he licked each of his fingers. One. At. A. Time. It was almost enough to make her cum again.
“What does that mean?” she asked as she tried to regain some semblance of control over her trembling body.
“It means you are mine.”
“Yours, huh?”
“Yes. My mate. For life.”
“Wow, I mean, really, that was great, amazing even. I mean, mind-blowing, but it was really just a kiss.”
“Just a kiss? I still taste your woman’s honey on my tongue, and I can’t tell you how much I want to indulge in it for the rest of the evening.”
“I’d like that too, but-”
“No buts. Let us leave here now, I’ve already marked you, love, our bond is made.”
“What bond? What mark?” Inside her heart she knew exactly what he was talking about. Her hand flew to the place on her neck where she’d felt his searing kiss just minutes ago.
Fred ran over to the small mirror on the wall of the employee locker room. She turned her head and lifted her hand. When she saw the raised puncture marks, her face fell. He bit her! Like actually bit her!
“You did say ‘yes’, my love. I’ve given you the most precious gift I have to give, the diamond rose,” Callius talked to her reflection in the mirror, but all Fred could see was the bite mark on her neck.
It wasn’t two little holes, like a vampire bite or anything like that. This was a full-on bite. It looked a little rounded, wait? What was happening?!
“What is going on?”
As Fred looked in the mirror, the mark began to grow. It turned and swirled. First a bright angry looking red, then a glowing, ethereal white, until finally, it stopped moving. The remaining pattern was an intricate bluish-gold. Like a very detailed tattoo of a, what was it? A rose. It was a rose.
“It is there on your neck and here, in this stone. The diamond rose. It is my heart, my soul, my pledge to you, my most prized possession, it is my oath to our bond, and it is yours,” he removed a ring from his leather pants. Those things had pockets?
Fred gasped. She was in serious danger of going into sensory overload! First, the amazing connection, then the mind-blowing orgasm, now she was marked! She didn’t know if she could process everything that had happened in the last half-hour.
One thing for sure, that ring was the most gorgeous thing she had ever seen. Layers of gold molded into the shape of a blooming rose with dozens of small blue diamonds surrounding one larger center stone.
She looked from the mirror to the ring and back again. The small mark on her neck resembled the pattern identically. Beautiful. The diamond rose pulsated on her neck in time with the one in her hand. The two of them magically linked. Both pulling her towards the man standing right behind her.
Fred wanted nothing more than to take it and put it on. But it was too soon. Logic warred with instinct and she felt the niggling sensation of doubt creep in. Could she trust her heart again so soon after her latest disaster?
“My sweet Winifred, we sealed our bond with a kiss. How did you put it, a Valentine’s Day gift from the Fates, remember?”
“Yes, but I was joking!”
“We often reveal truths in jests. You are my mate and I am yours.”
“I don’t even know you!”
“I am Callius Falk and I swear this day that I will forever treasure you and protect you with my life’s blood.”
“This is not funny, okay?”
“This is no joke. You are my heart’s desire. The diamond rose is yours alone.”
“But I-” Fred started.
“Hey Fred! Someone’s here for you!” Jordan yelled from the front bar.
“One sec,” Fred almost made it out of his embrace, but Callius stepped in front of her barring her exit. His stance was protective and where she normally would have been annoyed a such macho tactics, she was kind of flattered. Hmm, never had a protector before. She watched him inhale. So much like a Wolf, yet different. He was majestic in his battle stance, almost regal. What was he?
“More Werewolves. An Alpha Werewolf.”
CHAPTER 6
“Okay. Let’s start from the beginning, shall we? Seff, back off. Let’s go with formal introductions first, yes? Alright then, I’m Rafe Maccon, Alpha of the Macconwood Pack, my territory includes most of the continent of North America. This is Maccon City, my hometown and base of operations. You seem to know what we are and now you know my name, so, you are?”
Rafe Maccon sat at a table in a dark room at the back of The Thirsty Dog. Some place where they wouldn’t be disturbed. With him were Seff, his Beta, and Randall, his Third and another of his Wolf Guard. These were the highest-ranking Wolves in Fred’s Pack.
The Macconwood Pack was well known and highly respected in the supernatural community. She had little dealings with the Alpha and his Wolf Guard, but as promised, they came when she called. Tears threatened to roll down her cheeks as she realized the implication. She had a home. She had family. As long as she had Pack.
“Thank you, for the introduction, I take it Winifred contacted you when I made her acquaintance earlier this evening. Do not fret, I am pleased that she acted so wisely, and even more pleased to see you answer her call. Many a Pack that I’ve witnessed fail over the centuries did so because they lacked that which I see you have in abundance, loyalty and mutual respect.”
“Thank you for the compliment, but you didn’t answer my question.”
“Ah, yes, I am Callius Falk. I shall speak plainly. It is my desire to settle in this place with my Clan. We are four brothers, by birth and in arms, and we have waited a very long time and come a very long way to live in peace and freedom.”
“I see. So, you have all left your former Clan?”
“Yes. We have completed our servitude under Chief Blackthorne,” Callius answered the questions asked.
Fred could tell that he was being free with his answers, meaning he was speaking openly, and he was not accustomed to it. She wondered what he was hiding. More than that, she wondered if she didn’t grossly violate his privacy by calling her Pack here. But what was she to do?
“Why were you in servitude and for how long exactly, if I may inquire?” Rafe leaned forward, his Wolf Guard flanked him on both sides.
He was a good Alpha. He personally welcomed Fred to the Pack when she made the decision to stay. It was not something other Alphas did. The fact that he cut a striking figure was another boon in his favor. Nearly as tall and even wider than Callius. He was impressive. His black hair and ice blue eyes were legendary traits of the Maccon’s.
Like many of the Pack, Fred was glad he had finally settled down and got married. She whole-heartedly approved his choice. Charley Maccon was amazing. She was an advocate for Pack families. Like Rafe’s own sister, Cat, who with her husband, Tate, opened a new youth center in town that was quite the success.
Fred volunteered there at least once a month. It was what made her want to get a degree in counseling.
Troubled young Werewolves needed all the help they could get. The loss of her own brother taught her that.
Callius’ deep voice interrupted her wandering thoughts. Did she just hear that? He had been bound in servitude? To whom? For what? She was startled at his admission and at once wanted to destroy the person responsible. Possessive much?
“My brothers and I were bound for five-hundred years to serve at Castle Blackthorne,” he stated matter-of-factly.
“That is a long time for a, what are you exactly?” Rafe asked the question without subtlety.
“Ha, ha! It seems I have forgotten to mention that. I must be the first of my kind that you’ve seen hereabouts for quite some time,” Callius turned his golden eyes to Fred and smiled, a heart-stopping grin that made her melt.
He returned his attention to Rafe. Not a minute too soon. She didn’t want to make a fool out of herself in front of her Alpha by drooling all over the damned place. He seemed to be enjoying the mystery and grinned wickedly.
“Will no one hazard a guess?” he laughed and stood up from his char, “I am a Dragon.”
Silence followed Callius’ revelation. Thirty long seconds of it before anyone spoke. The Wolves in the room looked at each other. Disbelief marring their features.
“A what?”
“A what?” Fred echoed her Alpha.
“A Dragon.”
“No way! How is it possible?” Seff, Rafe’s second, spoke up only to get a look from his Alpha. Rafe nodded for Callius to continue.
“This room is not big enough for me to fully transform, but shall I show you a little?”
“Yes, please do,” ever the diplomat Rafe smiled and lifted a hand in invitation.
Fred’s heart thudded in her chest. Her eyes grew large as she watched Callius remove his shirt and stand in the center of the room. Her eyes were riveted to a spot above his heart where a familiar looking rose was branded. Everyone seemed to hold their breath. Everything inside of her told her he was for real, but a Dragon? They only existed in fairytales. Didn’t they?
Yeah, right, Winifred, just like Werewolves.
Callius stood and waited while Seff, closed the door. He nodded his approval. They would need complete and total privacy for this.
He was pleased his mate seemed to accept his statement as truth. He sensed her wonder and wanted to beat his chest with pride. It was a primitive feeling, but he relished it. His diamond rose was a treasure indeed.
It would be difficult for the others to believe him. Dragons were an exclusive bunch. Choosing to step back from both the normal and supernatural worlds for ages at a time. The fact that no Dragon Clan had ever settled in the New World before now probably added to their doubt.
There’s no time like the present, he thought, and turned his attention back to the task at hand. Transforming was a natural thing for Shifters, but it had been a long time since he half-changed.
He called upon his inner beast and felt his perception of the world suddenly intensify. Callius growled as he felt the air around him shimmer with familiar magic. Light and shadow played across his features.
The searing pain that was the half-change was gone but not quickly enough. He felt his mate’s nerves heighten. He knew she could read his feelings and tried to shield her from the struggle between dragon and man. Soon, it will be over soon, love.
And it was. Within seconds. Callius faced the stunned room with even sharper vision than he had before. He zeroed in his mate. Every fiber of his being demanded he claim her and finish their bonding. It took more control than he thought he had to remain still.
The taste of her lingered on his lips and on his tongue. Honey and fire, the memory of his mate’s kiss while in his half-change with all his heightened Dragon senses threatened his sanity. But it was not the time or place for him to stake his claim.
Instead, he focused on what his audience saw. Long, black horns protruded from either side of his head. They spiraled towards the heavens, close to three feet in length. They were as sharp as they looked.
He swished his long, black tail back and forth across the hardwood floor. It was over six-feet long, heavily muscled, and lined with razor sharp spikes along the back. A low rumble reverberated from his chest. It took him a moment to stifle the sound.
Though he was in control of his beast, his Dragon objected to the small space and the scent of strange Werewolves in the room. Especially so close to his mate. His instinct was to destroy every male near her, to rip their flesh from their bones and roast them over with his own flames. His golden eyes glowed brilliantly in the dark room. Es meus.
Gleaming black and gold scales covered much of his torso, arms, legs, and face in a pattern much like the armor of a medieval knight. His teeth were longer and sharper too, though hidden behind his lips. His fingernails grew thicker and longer as well. Much like talons, obsidian in color and deadly in battle. Every inch of him was weaponized. The perfect warrior. As had been his role for centuries.
He felt an increase in energy flow through his semi-changed body. Power and strength coursed through his veins. Fight. Defend. Challenge. Claim. The voice of his Dragon pulsed through him, but Callius remained vigilant an in charge.
He flexed his enormous wings in the small room. They grew out of his spine and were an inky black color on the back. The inner membrane; however, was lined with veins of brilliant gold. Like living marble.
The Wolves in the room were drawn to them as he knew they would be. Okay. So, he was preening a bit, but he couldn’t help it. The sound of his mate’s increased heartbeat was tantalizing.
He caught her gaze and puffed a stream of white smoke out of his nostrils. He would not risk breathing fire in such a small space, but he could not resist a little show. For his mate.
The way her silver-gray eyes widened with amazement left Callius satisfied that he had made a favorable impression. The Wolves would see strength and know he was more than capable of defending their Packmate. But he had no wish to threaten them and kept himself calm.
He was a FireDragon. Feared and coveted throughout the ages. Loyal and honest. He’d been without a home for too long. But no longer. He found his diamond rose and he meant to stay. Callius felt Winifred’s eyes on him and read the amazement in them.
Just you wait, my love.
He was menacingly beautiful. Unlike anything Winifred had ever seen. Power, energy, and raw, primal magic seemed too radiate from him.
Her heart began to pound. The room they stood in felt cramped. She felt exposed in front of their audience. Werewolves were good at reading emotions and she might as well be wearing a sign.
She wanted him. The strange, beautiful creature that stood before her. An intense attraction began in the pit of her stomach and spread throughout her body. She felt as if she was being pulled toward him, like they were connected somehow by some invisible rope or thread. She was hungry for him. Her heart thudded in her chest as her hands itched to trace his shimmering scales and exposed skin. She stepped forward without thinking. Callius seemed to watch her with curious eyes as she moved towards him.
Oblivious to their audience he turned and faced her. The heated look in his eyes melted whatever hurt had caused her to lock her heart in ice these last few months. Nothing mattered in that moment, just him.
The old building creaked aloud as the cold February wind blew outside. The sound stopped her in her tracks. What was she doing? Was she nuts? She looked over at the other Werewolves and noted a few raised eyebrows. She felt her blush and wanted to kick herself. Anger and embarrassment threatened to overcome her.
Callius flexed his wings. The movement was subtle, but it drew her Packmates’ eyes away from her. Was that his intention? She knew it was, he must have sensed her anxiety. She inhaled and almost swooned when she caught his scent. Cinnamon and Applewood.
“Mmmm,” she meant to do that in her head, but the sound escaped her lips.
Rafe cleared his throat, his ice-blue eyes were wide as he took in the semi-
changed Dragon. His Wolf Guard seemed too stunned to speak. They just stared. Fred couldn’t blame them.
He looked like a warrior out of a fairytale. She wondered how impressive he’d be as his full Dragon! Would he breathe fire? Could he fly with those wings?
“Yes, to both your questions, love. I can in fact fly right now. And breathing fire is my specialty.”
Fred licked her lips. She had excellent hearing as a Werewolf, but she couldn’t read minds. His Dragon senses must be extremely heightened in that state. Maybe Dragons were telepathic? As soon as she thought it, he turned his head towards her and his golden eyes glowed.
“Yes. I can sometimes see into the minds of others. More so with you, love,” he narrowed his eyes and tilted his head, listening, “I can hear your Wolf, Winifred. I can hear all of your Wolves. They seem trapped in a way my Dragon and I cannot comprehend?”
“Yes. It is our curse,” Rafe spoke up, His voice tinged with sadness, “We remain separated from our Wolf-selves until the night of the full moon, but that is our concern. And we have someone working on that.”
Callius tilted his head. Fred heard the guarded answer from Rafe and was sure he had picked up on it too. She stilled, her nerves getting the best of her.
“I assure you, Alpha, that I am your friend, you have nothing to fear from me or mine,” Callius’ voice was even deeper in his semi-changed state.
He was obviously the stronger here and now, but he did not exert his strength in any way. He was respectful. And gentle. As if he knew how much it meant to her to have her Alpha and her Pack so close.
It only illuminated his strength to see him so humble in front of her Pack. He demanded nothing. He did not press his advantage in any way. For that alone, Fred’s heart melted in his favor just a tad more. Damn, that was so hot!
I can see your Wolf, my love, she is beautiful as you are now. Pure white fur with eyes as gray as a winter morning before a storm. She waits for you.