Taken

by Gwendolyn Casey

  I cry out as Donovan’s thrusts become faster and harder. My pussy lighting up with the force of his cock.

  I feel mud dig under my fingernails as I grip into the dirt, trying to find purchase as I’m jolted forward with every ardent thrust.

  “You are mine, Mackenzie. There is no where you will go that I won’t find you.” I groan at his words, knowing he is right. My insides are on fire with what he is doing to me. “Your body is mine and I will breed you as often as I like. Maybe I’ll just keep you knocked up from now on.”

  His words make my muscles spasm suddenly, taking me by surprise. I pant as I begin to beg for more. “Please, Donovan.”

  But Donovan slows his thrusts and his hands slide to the front of my body. One cups my belly while the other moves to my breast. Donovan leans down so his lips are at my ear. “I can hardly wait, Mackenzie. Your body will ripen as my seed grows.” He tweaks my nipple making me gasp and I shove my pussy back at him, his gravelly voice making me want to swoon. All I can think is that I need him deeper, as deep as possible.

  “Tell me, Mackenzie,” he commands, keeping his thrusts slow and shallow. “Tell me you want this child.”

  “Yes, of course, I want it.” While the news came as a surprise, I know I want this baby.

  “Good. Do you want more children?”

  “Yes.” I cry out.

  “How many do you want?” He yanks my hair back, exposing the claiming mark to his gaze.

  I answer honestly. “As many as you’ll give me.”

  He growls. “Good girl.” Only then does he finally begin to fuck me deep again. His big hands on my hips, pulling me roughly on to his thick cock. I practically weep with joy as he pounds into me.

  “I’m going to come, Mackenzie. Where do you want it?”

  “Inside,” I whimper.

  He grips my shoulder with one hand and leaves the other on my hip. He pulls me back against him, practically lifting me off the ground to hold my cunt flush with his body, making me take every inch of his dick. It hurts, but when I feel his warm come coat my insides, my pussy clenches and I come around him, milking him of every drop.

  Donovan’s hold lessens, but he doesn’t release me. Instead he lays us both on our sides, hugging me to his chest while he is still balls deep inside me.

  “Jesus, Mackenzie. I would warn you not to run from me ever again but, I’ve never come so hard in my life,” he utters into my hair.

  I giggle. He groans at the feeling and I gasp at his cock twitches inside me.

  We lay in silent bliss for a few minutes, just cuddling in the dirt like real animals. Then Donovan leans up on an elbow and looks down at me. “Mackenzie. I’m sorry for what I’ve done.”

  I try to look away because I’m not sure I’m ready to talk about this. But Donovan doesn’t let me. He holds my chin in place as he looks down at me. “I stole you in the night and now I am forcing you to be with me. I know it’s wrong.” He stares into my eyes and I can see a small sadness. “But I don’t regret it. I can’t. The claiming and the baby. I need you too much to let you go.”

  I cup his hand in mine and close my eyes. He is crazy and I should be running for my life. But I am sick of fighting him and myself. I know that I want to stay with him. All the excuses that I made about school and needing my own life seem so silly when faced with this kind of passion.

  I open my eyes and I feel a tear escape down my cheek. “I know. I want you, too. I gave myself to you in that cave not knowing what it would become, but I don’t regret it either.”

  He looks to my stomach for a second before returning to my face. “And the baby?” he asks softly.

  “Of course, I want the baby.” I smile. “You were right that I was craving it.”

  He groans and kisses me. I push him away. “But next time there needs to be a discussion,” I say with a smile. “Things I think or say during sex shouldn’t count. So, don’t think you can always fuck me into getting your way.”

  He smiles back and then kisses me again. It is deep and sweet.

  “Wait here,” he tells me, as he stands up.

  He jumps away from me, suddenly the wolf. A few seconds later, he is walking back as a human. He has his jeans on, but he hands his shirt to me. I slip it on, the scent enveloping me.

  He picks me up and carries me back to the cabin. I nuzzle into his neck. I’m not sure if it is the wolf or the baby making me love Donovan’s scent, but he smells so good that I can’t even explain it. But I suppose the baby is too small to start with symptoms yet.

  “Donovan,” I say.

  “Hmm.”

  “We’ll have to talk to someone at the pack about the baby. I don’t think What to Expect When You’re Expecting covers werewolves.”

  I feel his lips turn into a smile against my forehead. “Okay,” he answers.

  I am almost asleep in his arms when Donovan suddenly stops walking, his arms and hands tightening around me.

  I lift my head and look around. “What is it?”

  He sniffs the air. “Marcus.” Donovan turns around swiftly and I see a man approaching us. He has long dark hair with streaks of gray that is tied back in a queue. He is a little shorter than Donovan and he has a round, friendly face.

  Donovan’s chest rumbles and Marcus suddenly stops, bowing his head. “I mean no harm to your mate, Alpha. I’m here to deliver a message.”

  “Fine. What is the message?” Donovan replies, clearly suspicious.

  Marcus lifts his head and looks at me. “Young lady, it is nice to meet you. My name is Marcus.” He gives me a small smile. “I am one of the doctors for our pack and on the elder council. You’ll find that not all of us are as rude or as brash as your mate.”

  Donovan simply grunts.

  “Hi, I’m Mackenzie.” I say with a polite nod.

  With the introductions over, Marcus turns his eyes back to Donovan. “The council would like to see you to discuss the circumstances of your mating.”

  I could see Donovan clench his jaw before he responds, “Fine.”

  “Also, I’m afraid there was a police report filed by her friends that needs to be addressed,” Marcus mentions.

  “Oh, no, “I say. I forgot to call them after I spoke to my parents. I look at Donovan. “Should we go to the police station?”

  “There is no need to do anything tonight. I told the sheriff you would come to town tomorrow. No need to make two trips,” he responds with a smile, but I can tell he truly does not want Donovan to go to town tonight.

  “Okay,” I utter.

  Marcus looks at Donovan again. “How is ten o’clock for the meeting, Alpha?”

  “Fine.”

  “Enjoy your evening.” Marcus gives another small smile before turning around and heading back the way he came.

  Donovan starts walking toward the cabin again.

  “Why doesn’t he want us to go to town tonight?”

  Donovan is silent for so long that I wonder if he heard the question. “He probably believes that I am a danger to the civilians that are wandering around with the festival,” he says reluctantly.

  “Why would he think that?”

  “There are five men on the elder council. They serve as leaders of our community. Marcus and Emmitt are both council members. Another one of the members is named Charles. He hates me,” he mutters, gritting his teeth.

  “Why?”

  “I killed his son,” he answers quietly.

  I take a moment to absorb this. I know Donovan is powerful enough to kill someone. In fact, not so long ago I thought he killed Brandon. But now that he has confirmed it, I feel a little strange.

  “How?” I ask.

  “I started showing signs of being Alpha when I was sixteen. It was a surprise to the pack, seeing how I am a bastard. None of the current Alpha’s children showed the trait. And his grandchildren did not have it either. So, when he died, there was a choosing. It’s kind of like a tournament to see who comes out on top. The final round was between me a
nd David, Charles’s son.”

  “So, this fight was,” I pause looking for the right word. “Sanctioned by the pack?”

  “Yes. But once an opponent yields, the fight is over. No one is supposed to die,” Donovan says. “But David kept attacking. His father kept yelling at him to keep going, saying he couldn’t let a half-breed control the pack. I put him down twice, but he kept coming. The third time I simply let the beast loose.”

  I can see the darkness clouding his eyes even though he is looking straight ahead. “You had to defend yourself,” I argue, trying to comfort him.

  But he doesn’t respond.

  “What happened after that?” I ask softly.

  “No one really wants me as Alpha, but the pack can’t be without one. I do my duty and try to protect them but I keep my distance. I don’t try to be anyone’s friend.”

  I don’t ask any more questions. It is obvious that this Charles guy has poisoned the pack against Donovan so that he has no choice but to isolate himself.

  I can see how Donovan could be scary to others. He is a handsome man, but even his face shows a fierceness that you will only see in wild animals. His entire being exudes strength that can be intimidating. Even his power over me is frightening.

  “How are you able to get inside my head?” The question was out of my mouth before I could stop it. This power he has over my mind and my body is unsettling.

  “It is a symptom of the mating. We can communicate as wolves, but as humans we can send each other images. We can also share each other’s strength when necessary.”

  “We? So, I can send them to you, too?”

  “It will take some practice but yes.”

  That made me feel better. It was a power we shared rather than a power he had over me. “What about changing my form?” I ask, referring to a few minutes ago.

  “I wasn’t controlling your mind. I was letting my wolf speak to yours. She was the one who changed your form. Once I told her that there was a pup she understood the need to change back.”

  “Wait. So, instead of you controlling my mind I have a wolf inside of me calling the shots?” I yell.

  “Calm down. In time, you will learn to communicate with her. I was born a werewolf so I’ve always known he was there. But for humans, it can be more difficult because you’ve never had to seek out another in your own mind.”

  I rest my head against his shoulder. I was still confused, but I know I felt another entity inside me. I especially felt it this last time we made love, like there is a new part of me that reaches out to him.

  I let out a heavy sigh. It’s obvious that I have a lot to learn still.

  And to make matters more complicated, we still have another issue waiting at home.

  Chapter Nine

  When we get back to the cabin, I see Brandon on the ground where Donovan knocked him out. I feel horrible that he has been lying there this whole time.

  “Before we wake him, I think I should get dressed,” I comment, looking at us both.

  Donovan quickly grabs my purse and bag from the car and we go inside to change. Once I’m fully clothed in jeans and a t-shirt, I go to Brandon’s side, but a thought stops me from waking him.

  I look at Donovan who is standing right next to me. “You should probably go inside while I wake him up. He will feel less threatened if you are not here.”

  Donovan shakes his head. “It’s not safe.”

  “It will only take a minute and he would never hurt me,” I tell him.

  I can see a tic in his jaw, but he finally nods. “I will stand out of sight, but I won’t leave you alone with him,” he says with a huff. He walks toward a large tree on the left side of the house and disappears behind it.

  I touch Brandon’s shoulder and gently squeeze. “Brandon.”

  After a few seconds, Brandon finally opens his eyes.

  “Hi,” I say.

  He leans up onto his elbow and groans at the effort. “You should probably sit up slowly,” I mention.

  Brandon rubs his jaw where Donovan hit him. His left eye is swelling, too.

  “Where is he?” he asks.

  “I told Donovan to give us some time to talk.” I take his hand and help him stand. I brush the leaves and dirt off him before stepping back.

  “Brandon. I really appreciate you coming out here but … I’ve decided to stay.”

  Brandon flinches. “With him?” he says, his brows drawing together as he points at the house.

  “Yes.”

  Brandon grabs my upper arms and I quickly look to Donovan’s tree to make sure he stays back.

  “What the hell, Mackenzie?” Brandon snarls. “Have you lost your mind? Some freak steals you in the middle the night and you want to stay with him?”

  “It’s not like that,” I respond.

  Brandon is quiet for a few moments and then he lets go of my arms to take my hands. “I thought we had something.” His face is still angry, but I can see the disappointment as well.

  “I know … I know,” I mutter, squeezing his fingers. “Listen, you are nice and good-looking, but I just didn’t feel like we were anything more than friends. In fact, I never felt anything more than friendship with any man until I met Donovan.” I look down, realizing how true that statement is. I never felt anything emotionally or sexually toward a man for so long. Donovan is the first.

  Suddenly, I don’t feel so crazy. I am meant for him, and him for me. Why else would he appear in my dreams?

  I look up at Brandon, his face forlorn and angry. I feel terrible, but all I can do is shrug. “I’m sorry, Brandon. I want Donovan.”

  Brandon drops my hands like they burn him. “Fuck you, Mackenzie.”

  He storms toward the car and Donovan comes out from behind the tree with murder in his eyes. I put a hand on Donovan’s chest to stop him as Brandon gets into the driver’s seat.

  “Don’t. He is hurting. Just let him go,” I whisper.

  After Brandon drives away, Donovan looks down at me. “Are you sure about him? I guarantee that they’ll never find a body.”

  I glare at him, but his lips break into a smirk. My arms snake around his waist and he immediately wraps me in his strong arms, bringing my head to his chest. I can hear his heartbeat, strong and steady, making me feel safe and loved.

  “You need to eat,” he says after a while.

  “I’m not very hungry,” I respond, leaning away.

  He turns us toward the house and we start walking to the stairs. “Too bad. The baby needs sustenance, especially if he is the next Alpha.”

  I scoff. “What if it is a girl?”

  He smirks again. “God help her mate because he is going to have one hell of a time getting to her through me.”

  I shrug. “Or he could just claim her and impregnate her all in the same day they meet.”

  Donovan stops walking and I look up at him. His jaw is clenched tight and he is glaring down at me. I giggle. “Funny how things change when you become a parent,” I comment as I pull him up the stairs.

  Chapter Ten

  I wake up alone in Donovan’s bed for the third time that day. I look around, wondering where he could be now. I think about going back to sleep but I know I won’t feel safe until he is back. I put on a tank and some yoga pants. I find Donovan downstairs in nothing but a pair of jean, staring out the front windows. He is perfectly still with his arms crossed over his chest and his stance wide.

  I come up behind him about to ask what he is doing when I see the lights. There are headlights shining at the house from three different vehicles. The beams are skewed where people stand in front of them. There are eight men from what I can tell.

  “Donovan,” I whisper. “Who are they?”

  “The elder council and some of Charles’s more ardent supporters,” he says, his tone low and dangerous.

  “I thought the meeting was tomorrow.” I put a hand on his arm and look up at him. I can see the anger simmering beneath the surface.

  “Clearly it
couldn’t wait.” He moves toward the door. “You stay in here and lock the door behind me.”

  “No, I wan—”.

  “The baby,” he whispers. I simply nod and lock the door once he goes through it.

  I lift the window a tiny bit so I can hear the conversation. Five men start to approach the house when they see Donovan come out.

  “Gentlemen,” Donovan greets them as he makes his way down the steps.

  They all incline their head to their Alpha except one. He is standing in front of the other four as if he is the leader. This must be Charles. Donovan stops at the foot of the stairs.

  “I thought we were meeting tomorrow,” he states as he takes his stance. Now that the group is closer, I can see that Emmitt and Marcus are in the small group.

  “Tomorrow’s meeting was meant to address your wrongdoings, Donovan. But we want to make sure the girl you have taken is all right. We want to see her,” Charles says loudly.

  “Very well, why doesn’t Emmitt go into the house and see her? She is waiting just beyond the door.”

  “I think we all should see her. Why don’t you have her come out?” Charles demands.

  They just want to make sure I’m okay and I want them gone before they decide to push Donovan any further.

  Before I could think about it too much, I unlock the door and step on to the porch.

  “Here I am,” I say and make my way down the stairs to Donovan. He does not look happy when he glances back at me. I put a hand on Donovan’s bicep to keep him calm. “I’m perfectly fine.”

  “See, Charles. We told you that he would not hurt her,” Emmitt says. “Let’s finish this in the morning.”

  Marcus and the other man nod their agreements, but Charles continues to stare at me. He is tall like all the other werewolves I’ve met and his face is handsome with a full head of dark brown hair, a straight nose and high cheekbones that have aged gracefully. But I can see the arrogance in his gaze and he stands like an aristocrat with a stick up his ass.