Bound by Destiny (Blue Star Shifters Book 1)

by Allyson Young

  She couldn’t imagine such a thing. Jett was obviously respected and in charge. And he held to important things, like destiny and claiming… She pursed her lips, still a little shocked that she was coming to accept his assertion of his will without consulting her in the slightest.

  They arrived home shortly before one o’clock and were greeted with the smell of something with cheese. River sniffed and looked at Jett.

  “I put a pan of food in the oven and set the timer before we left. Some kind of pasta thing.”

  “You are a good cook.”

  Her graceful mate shifted awkwardly. “I didn’t prepare the meal.”

  “You have a ton of things in your fridge and freezer. Do you have a housekeeper?”

  “No. The single females I…” He made a rueful face before arching a brow.

  Understanding crashed over her. She hadn’t given his immediate past any thought. As a single wolf, especially an alpha, he would never have lacked for female attention. Her wolf snarled, but she leashed her. Jealousy over something she had no control over was for losers. “What? They rewarded you with … food?”

  Jett’s blue eyes widened and then narrowed. He made a big show out of checking his watch. “Upstairs. In our bed. Naked. Move.”

  Moisture pooled between her legs and her nipples tingled before tightening into hard points as her heat flared. With a composure that belied her inner need, she sauntered toward the stairs, the weight of his stare palpable on her backside. She’d poked the wolf—on purpose—and damned if she wasn’t looking forward to the consequences.

  Gaining their bedroom, she removed her clothes swiftly but carefully, hanging the jacket and matching skirt with deliberation. Her brain was more in control, the mindless desire buffered, not that she didn’t need. She needed Jett. She wanted him, and dropping her underwear on the floor, she slipped into their bed, naked as ordered.

  “Turned the oven off, sweetheart. But we’re on a timetable. My sister will be here shortly. And Tahl.” Jett paced through the doorway, his jacket dangling from one long finger, working his shirt buttons open with the other.

  River’s gaze snagged on the sun-kissed flesh being revealed. She’d seen him wearing far less, exactly nothing, but her heart thundered and her lower belly hollowed as he tormented her with a slow and deliberate exposure. Casually, she let the sheet slither down the slope of one breast and was rewarded with a quirked brow and a sensuous smile.

  “I’ve unleashed a monster.” Jett lost his shirt and wrenched open his slacks in almost the same movement, his silk boxers tented and damp from his huge erection. That garment fell to the floor and he was on the bed in one long step, his eyes glowing wolf-like with golden flecks amongst the blue.

  She impulsively placed both hands on his broad chest, the planes of muscle shifting beneath her touch and shoved him backward to sprawl alongside her. Raking her gaze over him, she focused her stare on his cock. She reached a hand to grasp him gently, sliding her palm upward until she could work her thumb over the broad head.

  He drew in a quick breath and she quickly looked at his face. It was a mask of desire, his handsome features nearly lupine, and she squeezed harder. The strength of him, an iron rod beneath such soft, supple skin was a marvel, and she leaned forward to trace the pulsing vein on the underside with her tongue.

  “Damn it, River.” Jett arched into her hand and his cock pulsed beneath her mouth.

  Others were due to arrive shortly, she knew it, but he was the Alpha and once in a while they could wait on him. Couldn’t they? She explored the heated flesh with her fingers and her tongue, dancing little flicks around the underside of the shaft where it met the mushroom-like head. Jett groaned and when she sucked the corona into her mouth, he said something quite incoherent.

  Feeling very much in control, she licked and sucked with abandon, taking a bit more of him with every bob of her head until he hit the back of her throat. She gagged and swallowed, a spurt of salty liquid easing the way. His big hands fit around the sides of her head, grasping her hair, and tugged her up.

  “Enough, sweetheart. Or I’ll come down your throat.”

  Letting him slide free over the curl of her tongue, she blinked languidly at him. “That’s okay.”

  “It won’t do anything for your heat.”

  That was likely true. Her wolf liked his taste and his size but was craving him in a different manner. “Another time.”

  “Fuck, yes. And you’ll tell me who taught you how to give head like that.”

  He flipped her to her back and loomed, his shoulders bulging with muscle as he braced himself on his hands, his eyes wild with … jealousy?

  She wanted that cock inside of her, a molten ache firing between her legs, but a giggle welled up and escaped. He narrowed his stare and she laughed again. “All those romance novels paid off then.”

  His lips twitched in the next moment. “I’ll check out your reading material, sweetheart. There’s likely other things you can … practice.”

  She couldn’t think of one as he pushed inside her on a long, slow glide, opening her to accommodate his girth. Without the frenzy of the other times, she felt the exquisite stretch and drag against sensitive tissues and the fit of him against the mouth of her womb. Almost too big, he filled her to the brim. Lifting her legs she wrapped them around his narrow hips and drew him closer. As his wide chest lowered to press against her breasts, she clasped her hands at the back of his neck.

  Their connection felt intimate and certain, and River reveled in that moment.

  “Gotta move,” Jett muttered, against her temple, and his cock shuttled backward before advancing.

  With faster and longer strokes, he fucked her, except it felt a lot more than fucking, and she responded to meet him thrust for thrust. Arching her pelvis into him, his arms wrapped her up tight as he drove her higher. A prickle of energy bloomed high in her channel as his cock swelled impossibly larger and she exploded around him.

  “You’re squeezing me so hard. So good.” He shuddered in her arms and made a guttural sound of deep pleasure.

  River set her mouth in the hollow above his collar bone and let her wolf loose to fix her teeth there. Jett tensed and then cursed, his cock tangibly jerking deep inside of her. She licked the tiny wound clean and pressed a kiss on the site. “You’re okay,” she whispered.

  Collapsing to one side of her, Jett raised up on one elbow and stared into her eyes. “More than okay, River. Never more okay.”

  Wanting his kiss, she parted her lips and he obliged, fitting his mouth to hers in a languorous taste. The sound of a doorbell, followed by a sharp rapping interrupted the magic, and River wondered how long Desiree had been waiting.

  On a chuckle, Jett pulled away—and out of her—and reached for his boxers. She managed to keep from reaching for him to prolong the connection. “Go clean up, sweetheart. The rest of the afternoon isn’t going to be at all … pleasurable.”

  She took another minute to surreptitiously watch him yank on a pair of jeans and a blue t-shirt. His fingers patted her mark and his mouth softened. Her heart melted. She was in deep.

  ****

  Desiree was involved in a discussion with Jett when River made it downstairs, once again wearing jeans and a t-shirt. Her hair was damp, but she hadn’t wanted to take any more time to dry it. The other she-wolf wore jeans as well, but tightly fitted to display her long legs and tight, curved butt. The button-down shirt, tucked into the jeans, should have looked casual, but snug as it was, it showcased Desi’s other assets.

  “Sorry I disturbed you.” Desiree’s tone indicated she was anything but.

  “It’s fine.” Jett gave her a narrow look, and she smiled. “Actually, your timing sucked.”

  “Oh. Uh, I didn’t mean—” The young woman shed some of her confidence and didn’t appear quite so distant.

  “I told Jett the reasons for my antipathy in helping out the females held by the rogues.”

  Tilting her head, and casting a gl
ance at Jett, his sister said, “I guess I made it clear how I felt when you backed up.”

  “You did.” River wondered how much to share. “You already know how I feel about single males.”

  A narrow line appeared between Desi’s feathered brows. “Right.”

  “I thought I had sufficient motive to avoid them, Desiree. Because I believed … that someone I knew very well had been taken advantage of.”

  “Like those she-wolves the rogues held?” Desi leaned forward on her chair, beautiful face drawn into worried lines.

  “Not to that extent,” River admitted. “But it … marked me and I was afraid I’d be all wrong for those women.”

  “Oh, River. I get it. I’m sorry. I judged you, and after I enjoyed meeting you so much. I’ll help out and I know Mom will, too. You don’t have to worry.”

  Taking a seat next to her sister-in-law, she shook her head. “Jett explained some things to me. Someday I’ll tell you, once I figure out how I could have been so thick.”

  “You weren’t thick, sweetheart. You lacked information and you carried some memories that warped your understanding.” Jett came to stand beside her and set a possessive hand on her shoulder.

  “Regardless, I’ll meet with those women. But if you’ll have my back I’d appreciate it.”

  Desiree looked in between them and nodded. “For sure. We should probably get over there pretty quick. We can talk on the way.”

  Jett checked his watch. “Give it a couple of minutes.”

  “Why?”

  River wanted to do something to distract the young woman and extricate Jett from what was going to be a bad time but felt it wasn’t her place. She went with her gut and left him to it.

  “There’s something you need to know.”

  “What? What’s going on?”

  “That’s my cue.” Tahl strode in from the direction of the foyer. “I let myself in, Jett. I didn’t want to disturb you and River.”

  “You have the code and I don’t?” Desiree had repositioned herself in the chair, offering a full view of her voluptuous body, as she teased Tahl. “I suppose as Jett’s lieutenant you’re entitled.”

  Fascinated, River watched as the flirtation played out, except Tahl wasn’t looking at Desi with anything other than brotherly tolerance. Couldn’t the young woman see that? Would you have noticed the difference before you had a hot alpha on your tail? Or was she wrong? Was Tahl's reaction rehearsed?

  “I’ve come to say goodbye.”

  Desi stiffened, all “come hither” looks vanishing. “Goodbye? Are you going on vacation? In the middle of this rogue issue? Or are you convinced we’re stable?”

  Tahl glanced at Jett, who lifted a shoulder. “We routed them, and the leader is on the run. But it’s not a vacation. Jett’s given me permission to leave the pack and head over to Ashton Leaf’s territory. I expect to stay.”

  If it had been her, every thought would have been written on her face, but Desiree was obviously made of sterner stuff. Shock muted her lovely features, and her eyes widened, but then she pulled herself together. “Who is she?”

  Tahl didn’t prevaricate. “Peyton. Peyton Leaf.”

  “The Alpha’s granddaughter. Right. She… I remember her.” A wide smile graced Desiree’s perfect lips. “Then I suppose there’s nothing to say but congratulations!”

  “We aren’t there yet,” Tahl protested.

  “I hope you get what you need, regardless.” Desi rose gracefully to her feet. “It was great you came by when I was here to say your goodbyes. River and I have a sad task ahead, so if you’ll excuse us?”

  River didn’t know Tahl at all, but nonplussed might be the best way to explain his reaction. He opened his mouth, and then shut it, before shoving a hand through his thick blond hair. “Right. Sure. I’ll let you go then while I finalize a few things with Jett.”

  Desiree didn’t look at her brother. She slipped her arm through River’s. “I imagine Kris is escorting us?”

  “He is.” Jett came to kiss River and she felt Desi stiffen. It was difficult to truly experience the power and pleasure of his lips on hers when her sister-in-law was obviously hurting. “Kris and another male will look to your safety. I’ll see you both later.”

  Desi didn’t respond, and River stepped back. “I’ll do my best,” she promised.

  “All you can do.”

  He trailed a hand down her back as she and the young shifter moved toward the doorway, and her spine rippled. He trusted her—and Desi—with the meeting ahead of them, and she would definitely do her best, though wished he was coming along.

  In respect for Desi’s feelings, she lifted a hand to Tahl.

  Chapter Eight

  A tall form leaned negligently against a dark SUV parked in the drive. At the sight of them, he straightened and opened the back door. “Kris, and you must be River.” It wasn’t her imagination that he scanned her from head to toe, and Desi put a finger up.

  “River, this is Kris. He’s on Jett’s council, and looks like he’s in charge of getting us safely from here to there.”

  Kris squared his shoulders and kept his gaze on River’s face. “Nice to meet you.”

  “Likewise.” She didn’t mean it but resolved to reserve judgment until she got to know him better. Besides, she was worried about Desiree and didn’t know how they were going to talk with the men in the car.

  Another male stepped around the vehicle to nod at them.

  “I’m Austin, and you’re the Alpha’s mate?” He offered his hand and River took it cautiously, relieved when he shook briefly and turned to smile admiringly at Desi. “Kris and I will take you to … our destination.”

  “Hi.” She waited for her sister-in-law to get in first.

  Desiree eased past him, with a flutter of her lashes, but even River could tell her heart wasn’t in it. “It’s okay, Austin. We don’t need the address and we know what’s waiting for us.”

  “That’s good then. I was there this morning, but I don’t think they’re keen on having males around. But they say they’re settling in, and they know you’re coming. At least that someone’s coming from the Alpha.”

  Settling into the SUV, River risked a glance at Desi who appeared entranced with the passing scenery as Kris powered away. She gently laid a hand on the other woman’s arm and her head whipped around to face her. Desiree’s face was set in calm lines, but her eyes reflected the torment within. She blinked, and the pain vanished.

  Arching a brow, Desi said, “We’ll soon be there.”

  Lowering her voice, River replied, “Are you—”

  “Not now.” River heard, not ever. Okay then. She had zero experience with the heartbreak of others and hoped Desi’s mother did. As if by mutual accord, the rest of the drive continued in silence until they drew up in front of a large, two-story house with a beautifully landscaped yard.

  “Nine bedrooms and about half as many baths. It’s the biggest place we could find other than a dormitory at the University in the city. This is more private and easily defended. We call it the Sanctuary.” Austin stepped out and pulled open the back door.

  “Defended?” River climbed out and Desi followed. They stood together, staring at the house. There was no sign of life.

  “We don’t know enough about these women. Jett wants them safe and protected until they move on or stay. You’ll figure out if they need counseling or whatever. Anything else. But there’s a chance they might be more … connected to a rogue than we know.”

  Her knees weakened. These female shifters had likely been brutalized—mistreated at best—and one or more might have been claimed. Could that be a good thing or… There was a whole lot more to deal with than even the resettlement issues, and she supposed she would learn as she went.

  “No time like the present,” Desi mumbled and motioned River ahead with a flick of her hand.

  She rang the bell and tried out a few greetings in her head. The males took a position on the porch out of sight, their fac
es grim. At length, a tall, red-haired she-wolf cautiously opened the door.

  “I’m River Fortuna. The Alpha’s mate. This is his sister, Desiree.” She didn’t know Desi’s last name and faltered.

  “Desiree Bolton. May we come in?”

  “Of course. I’m Moira.” She didn’t volunteer her last name and River made a mental note to determine who all these women were, in order to track down their packs. Although perhaps they didn’t wish for anyone to know… They walked behind Moira down a long hallway and entered a great room that probably looked out over the forest—if the drapes weren’t closed tightly.

  Over a dozen women gathered inside. A television flickered in the corner, and some of them held books on their laps, but the rest simply sat. Without exception, all of them were pale and gaunt. River’s heart dropped to her feet. She knew if she looked closer, she’d see the residual marks of injuries, and she really didn’t want to look in their eyes.

  “Is everyone here?”

  “A few are upstairs and won’t come out of their rooms.”

  “Okay. I have some things I’d like to say here first, and I’ll go up and talk with the others individually?” Moira seemed to be in charge, although she looked fatigued and shaken.

  Nodding, the redhead pointed to an empty chair. River took it and Desiree sank down at her feet. Introducing them, she tried to make eye contact with everyone and asked their names. Too many to remember. Sandra, Louise, Tina, Bettina, Christine, Barbra, the list went on, all delivered in similar listless tones.

  “I’ll ask Moira to make a list of everyone, but for now, we’ll leave it at first names.”

  “We lost our packs.” Tina, she thought it was, made the comment.

  “Who said?”

  “The Regent. He told us they wouldn’t want us back.”

  “We’ll see. I’m not inclined to take a rogue’s word.”

  “We’re rogue.”

  “You’re not unless you chose to leave.”