The Call of Her Wolf (Paranormal Shifter Romance) (Whiskey Springs Pack Book 1)

by Stella Night

  “Celia, close it up,” he called over his shoulder.

  ***

  “Josh, this is amazing.” Ella’s favorite lilies were placed in the center of a small dining table. Two chairs, draped in white, sat before the table. Silver cloches covered two plates but could not hold in the tempting aroma of quail. Quail! Now she understood the reason for all of Celia’s questions the past week.

  When he dropped the first kiss on her shoulder, she was ready to forget dinner altogether. But the argument she had overheard between him and Liza caused her to hesitate. Even so, she knew she wanted him, knew she was falling in love with him.

  The thought made her head spin and her heart beat faster.

  Josh pulled her chair out and then gently slid it back under her as she sat. She took a bite of the quail and decided she had died and gone to heaven. It was cooked and seasoned perfectly. She closed her eyes and savored every juicy bit. When she opened them, she met Josh’s dark brown gaze. He smiled and took her other hand.

  “What?” she asked.

  “I’m just enjoying watching you enjoy something.” His smile crinkled the outer edges of his eyes and deepened his dimples. He lifted his glass and waited for her to lift hers. “To new beginnings and to us,” he said, touching his glass to hers.

  She sipped and watched him set his glass down. “Is there an us?” She took another bite, chewing it slowly.

  “I would like for there to be. Wouldn’t you?” Josh wasn’t eating, just toying with his glass.

  Ella tilted her head as she regarded him. “I think I would but I worry about the stress it might cause in your life.” She sipped, choosing her words carefully. “I would not want to be the cause of anything unpleasant for anyone.”

  Josh narrowed his eyes and looked around the room as he took a long drink of his wine. Turning back to her, his smile was tight as he said, “Don’t worry about Liza. She’s jealous and she’s trying to stir some things up.” His gaze softened and became intent. “Ella, I care deeply for you. I would like to think you feel the same way.”

  Putting her fork down, she leaned toward him. “Josh, I really, really l…like you. I haven’t felt this way in such a long time. It scares me but it excites me. If you think you can continue to take things slowly, then yes - I feel the same way.”

  Josh stood and pulled her slowly to her feet. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her. “How hungry are you?”

  Ella giggled and asked, “For what exactly?”

  He bent and scooped her into his arms.

  “Josh! Put me down - you’ll hurt yourself,” she squealed.

  “Nonsense.”

  Chapter 12

  Josh carried her as if she weighed nothing. When he reached the door at the end of the hall, he kicked it open. He strode across the room and placed Ella in the middle of an enormous bed. The only light came from the hallway, shadowing everything. He bent and removed her shoes. Then he crawled up the bed to lay beside her.

  Shyness overwhelmed Ella, causing her breath to catch in her throat.

  He leaned over and kissed her tenderly, his fingers fumbling with the buttons on her blouse. She was sure he could hear her fluttering heartbeat as he worked his way down the garment. When he had unbuttoned the last one, he slid the soft fabric off her shoulders. He skimmed his hand across her collar bone.

  A gusty sigh left her lips as bared her throat to him. Pleasure burned low in her belly as skimmed down her breast, finally resting his hand on her hip bone. His fingers moved restlessly over the skin there.

  Ella fought to control her breathing, sinking into the sensations his fingers and his mouth were creating. He kissed her, gently at first. Then his hands were in her hair as the kiss deepened, their tongues dancing around each other. The muscles of his shoulders flexed under her hands as she held on to him.

  His kiss gentled again as he traced her jawline with one finger. His mouth left hers and his teeth nipped gently, following the path he was blazing with that one fingertip. Ella could feel herself shaking, felt her nipples tighten, felt the dampness between her legs. Josh lifted his head, took a deep breath.

  “Relax, my love.”

  Her heart caught in her throat. She stilled, not sure she had heard him correctly. My love?

  Then he ran his tongue across her collar bone then lightly nipped it again. Stopping, he leaned in to plant a quick kiss on her mouth before he moved to the foot of the bed and stood. Ella heard the whisper of fabric as he slid his pants off. She forgot how to breathe.

  Josh crawled up the bed and knelt beside her. He ran his hands up her thighs and hips to the button on her slacks. He unbuttoned them and slid them down her legs. She fought the urge to cover her body with her arms, even though she knew he couldn’t see her.

  She gasped as he kissed his way down her legs. He pulled the pants off and dropped them on the floor. Ella could swear Josh’s eyes were glowing from where he sat at the foot of the bed.

  “You’re beautiful, Ella.”

  This time her arms did move up in an attempt to cover her belly. He bent and caught her wrists quickly as he knelt on the bed once more. Gently laying them at her sides, he moved his hands to skim up her legs, following the path they blazed with soft kisses.

  When he reached the junction of her thighs, he cupped her mound. The movement had her arching with a sharp intake of breath. She shuddered and whispered his name. His hands moved up her belly. His mouth followed.

  Ella grabbed his head, her fingers sliding through his soft hair as Josh sucked a nipple through the lace of her bra. The combination of the fabric and the suction nearly drove her mad. She writhed on the bed and whispered his name again. Josh lifted his head and dropped a kiss on her breast then moved up to lay beside her.

  Running his fingers through her curls, Josh said “I love your hair, your curves. You are so beautiful, Ella.” When she sat up to reach for him, intent on wrapping her hands around his cock, he kissed her lips before he added “This night is all about you, sweetheart.”

  Ella had never felt to adored, so treasured. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him, sliding her tongue between his lips. The kissed deepened, their tongues dueling sweetly. Her body thrummed. She bit his lower lip lightly. Josh’s moan was like a soft growl in the darkness.

  Reaching behind her, he found the clasp on her bra and released it. The cool air puckered her nipples even more, making them supersensitive. Ella moaned his name.

  He blazed a trail of kisses across the tops of her breasts, then he pulled a pebbled crest into his mouth, sucking and pulling. She moaned as he moved to the other breast. Ella clutched the back of his head, holding him there while he tormented her in the most delicious way possible. She felt a pulsing ache deep in her core.

  Josh kissed his way to her navel. He probed with his tongue while his hands teased her nipples. He dropped his head lower and grabbed the top of her panties in his teeth and pulled them down. When he stopped, he placed a kiss at the junction of her thighs, probing with his tongue, finding the treasure hidden there. Ella gasped and arched. He reached up to cup her breast again, rubbing his thumb back and forth over the nipple until it was so erect it was almost painful. He stopped just long enough to finish sliding her panties down her legs.

  He growled and dropped to his knees at the foot of the bed, kissing his way up one leg. When he reached her center, she dropped her thighs, opening herself to him.

  Nudging her thighs wider with his shoulders, Josh slowly slid his finger into her as his tongue touched her clit. She bucked reflexively, another moan slipping through her lips.

  Josh hummed against her, the sound vibrating through her center. Her breath quickened. She could feel his erection pushing against her leg. He slowly pulled his finger out as he sucked on her clit, still humming softly.

  He stopped to run his tongue up and down her slit, finally resting on the sensitive bundle of nerves only to run the tip of his tongue around it.

  Ella writhed and moan
ed, her fingers tangled in his hair as she held his head there. He slid his finger into her again and she lifted her hips. He began moving his finger in and out, keeping time with what his tongue was doing.

  Josh increased the speed and pressure of his tongue. As her hips bucked again, he slid a second finger into her.

  Ella could feel the pressure building. Her panting reached a fever pitch. He sucked hard. She screamed as the first waves of her orgasm overtook her. She could already feel another building, but Josh pulled away.

  She lay on the bed, shaking, as Josh slid off the bed. She watched his shadowed form bend as he pulled his boxer briefs off. The muted glow from the hallway highlighted the muscles of his arms and his chest, gilding the cut of his muscles. He took on an unearthly appearance in the golden light.

  Returning to the bed, Josh eased down between her thighs. She felt him push between her nether lips, taking his time, as he carefully slid into her. She felt incredibly full. She could feel her second orgasm build again as he began slowly dancing inside her.

  Josh moved his mouth to her neck, placing tiny sucking kisses here and there, nipping with his teeth. She let her head fall back, baring her throat to his onslaught.

  Ella ran her hands up and down his muscled back, reaching down to grab his ass as her pleasure built.

  He cupped her breast, then took the nipple between thumb and forefinger, rolling. Ella gasped, whispering his name, begging for more. She gave in to the sensations that were building deep inside.

  Josh moved his head down, his mouth taking the place of his fingers. As he sucked greedily, he increased the speed of his thrusts. Ella met him stroke for stroke when her orgasm began to crest. She flew apart again, his name on her lips.

  Josh arched, groaning. She felt his release as it pumped deep inside her. His thrusts slowed as his peak waned. She was still throbbing around him. Instead of immediately rolling off her, he stayed where he was, raining kisses on her face and neck.

  “Ella, Ella. Never leave me.” he whispered.

  Tears prickled at the back of her eyes. She closed them as one slipped down her cheek. Josh bent to kiss the tear away and pushed damp curls off her face. Her nuzzled her neck, then placed a tender kiss on her lips. She opened her eyes, wishing she could see him more clearly.

  He gently rolled off her, taking her with him so she could lay in the crook of his arm. He pulled the blanket over them then he dropped a kiss on the top of her head. Ella’s arms and legs felt like jelly. She laid her head on his chest and listened as his heartbeat slowed, knowing hers was doing the same. The last thought before she drifted off to sleep was that she felt safe again.

  Chapter 13

  Morning sun streaked through the room, meaning they had both gotten a late start. Josh rolled over, pulling Ella into his arms. He kissed her eyes gently, then kissed the corners of her mouth until she smiled and stretched, rubbing against him. He felt himself stiffen in response and pulled her back against him. He reached around her to cup her breast and toy with her hardening nipples. She sighed and turned to face him.

  “Good morning, beautiful.” He tangled his fingers in her curls, holding her head captive while he plundered her mouth for a few moments. He breathed deeply, holding her scent.

  His wolf yipped excitedly, happy at bonding with his mate.

  “Good morning,” she sighed.

  Looking into her beautiful blue eyes, he couldn’t believe his luck. She felt so right in his arms, in his bed, in his life. Hopefully he would be able to ease her into that life. He planned to explain everything to her tonight after the pack meeting. He pushed the wolf back down, determined to keep it under control.

  “What would you like for breakfast?”

  As her phone chimed, Ella rolled away. She pushed her curls out of her face as she reached into her bag. Josh heard her gasp as she read the message.

  “Um, nothing. I’ve got to go, Josh.”

  “Was that Celia?” he asked.

  Ella paused for a fraction of a second before she answered. “Um, yeah. She’s just wondering where I am.”

  He could see the fine tremors that rippled her skin. Why is she lying? He sat up, and reached for her. Taking her hand, he pulled her back down to the bed. “I happen to know your boss and I’m pretty sure he won’t mind if you’re a little late.” He kissed the tip of her nose.

  She pushed up again and reached for her blouse, pulling it on. “Well, it’s not fair to Celia.”

  “Ella, just have a shower here and I’ll fix breakfast. I promise, you’ll be downstairs in no time.” Pulling her gently down onto the bed, he tilted her chin up until she met his eyes. “There’s no rush, really.”

  She bit her lip, then sighed. Giving him a tight smile, she said “Okay. As long as I’m not too late.”

  “I will, but first I have something else in mind.”

  Rolling away, Ella said “That sounds wonderful, but I really don’t think we have time today.”

  She picked up the rest of her clothes and headed for the bathroom before he could grab her again, leaving him wondering what was going on. He fell back on the bed as she started the shower.

  His wolf whined in confusion. “Down, boy. It’ll be okay.”

  ***

  Hearing voices downstairs, he realized Ella’s decision not to spend more time in bed was probably a good one. He opened to the bathroom door to tell her he was going downstairs and to take her time. Pulling his jeans and a t-shirt on, Josh made his way down to the kitchen to start breakfast.

  He turned down the hall toward one of the guest rooms. Knocking on the door, he popped his head in, surprised to see his sister there with Rick Gerald. Rick flew off the bed where he had been sitting next to Celia.

  “Oh, hey big brother.”

  “Josh. Good morning, sir.” Rick was shuffling his feet nervously, hands in his pockets. Josh suppressed a smile.

  Josh cocked an eyebrow at Celia, noting her flushed cheeks and swollen lips. Then he turned to the younger man.

  “I know I’m older than you, Rick, but I swear if you don’t stop calling me ‘sir’ every time I see you, I may have to kick your butt.” Josh grinned and said, “Please, call me Josh.”

  Then Josh turned to his sister. “And what are you doing here and not in the store? Ella said you texted her wondering where she was.”

  “Oh, please. Pot meet kettle.” She winked. Standing, she poked him in the side. “I knew Rick needed to stop here before going back home. He texted me last night to let me know.” She swung her hips back and forth, her eyes twinkling. “And I figured you might want him out before, you know, Ella came down. But I haven’t been in the store yet and I haven’t texted anyone this morning.”

  Josh felt his stomach drop.

  Pulling his sister into a hug, he rested his chin on the top of her head. “Good thing you’re smart, sis. Otherwise, I might have to get rid of you.” He held her for a moment, nuzzling her hair, strengthening their sibling bond. Then he kissed the top of her head and pushed her out the door before him. “Finish getting dressed and come down for breakfast, Rick.”

  Josh tugged Celia out of room. In the hallway, he took Celia by the shoulders and stared into her face.

  “Are you fooling around with Rick?”

  She pulled away from him and crossed her arms over her chest. “You know, I’m twenty-one. And last time I checked, that makes me an adult in Texas and pretty much everywhere else.”

  “Celia, you’re the sister of the alpha. You need to listen to your wolf.”

  “How can we be sure my wolf will ever speak up? It hasn’t yet.” Celia’s eyes shone with tears. “I mean, I can’t even shift.”

  Josh pulled his sister into another hug and whispered “I understand. But you can’t be leading him on if you’re not serious about him.”

  Celia wiped her eyes and pushed away from him.

  “Tell me this, big brother. Is it serious with you and Ella? Has your wolf spoken?” Arching an eyebrow, she whirled a
way from him and stomped down the stairs.

  Josh ran his hand through his hair as he watched her go.

  He knew what he wanted, knew what his wolf wanted. But would Ella want the same thing?

  Chapter 14

  What was going on with her?

  Josh could not shake his belief that something was wrong with Ella. The shadows under her eyes clearly indicated she wasn’t sleeping well. Her skin was so pale that it was almost translucent. Why the lie? Was it him? Was it her job? No, it couldn’t be the job. Watching her as she worked in the store, things seemed fine. Maybe he had done something wrong.

  When she said she wanted a relationship, he actually believed her. She told him she cared about him. He believed that, too. He didn’t think there was a problem in the bed. But was the sex a mistake? Too soon? Not soon enough?

  She left shortly after a cup of coffee and a bit of breakfast, saying she had to run home to change. Then she had come back to the store. But now she wouldn’t even look at him, and she answered all his questions with as few words as possible.

  “Hey big brother, why so glum?”

  Josh hadn’t noticed Celia approaching. Shaking his head, he looked down into her hazel eyes. They were full of concern. She shouldn’t have to worry about him, not when it was his job to worry about her. Putting his arm across her shoulders, he gave her a quick hug.

  “I’m not glum, C. Just a bit tired.”

  She giggled and prodded him in the side. “I guess dinner last night was a big success then. Ella’s exhausted, too.”

  He cast a quick eye toward Ella, then turned his attention back to his sister. “What’s up?”

  “Did you forget what day it is?” Celia was bouncing on her toes, eyes sparkling.

  Josh groaned and wiped his hand down his face. “Monthly pack meeting. My turn to host.”

  “Yep. And provide refreshments before the run. And introduce Ella to the rest of the pack. And the pack coming in from Boerne. I already asked her to help out and she said she would. And the food has already been delivered. It’s all in the fridge just waiting. Rick will bring some drinks over from the Hungry Boar. Did you know his mother offered to cater?”