by Eva Gordon
Gaby regarded him. The shimmering shadow of the wolf appeared and his facial hair appeared thicker than it had before she slept. “Wait. You don’t plan on driving all night do you?”
“We need to drive until morning, switch cars and then find an area where we can literally hide from werewolf trackers.”
“Surely, they’ve lost your scent by now. If they were really stalking us.”
“I’m not saying my memory is back, but I sense I’ve chased down illusive werewolves before.”
“How?”
“Go back to my last spot. Gather evidence at the helicopter crash. From there, search for who might have found me.”
“Sounds like an intelligence operation with satellite equipment and sophisticated surveillance.” She shrugged. “I ought to know.”
“Glad we have nefarious shadow groups in common.”
“I still think we should stop in a secluded place. Even sheepdogs need sleep.”
“Not if they are protecting sheep,” he snorted.
“Hey, I do have skills.”
“Okay, where shall we stop?”
Gaby looked at her smart phone. When they purchased it, Kane compelled the tech guy to give them the plan with satellite access. “We can stop in Redding or farther up and enter Mt. Shasta Trinity Forest.”
“We need to stay away from forests. They’ll search all national parks.”
“Okay, we’ll stop in the city then.”
“We’ll see how I feel.”
“I’m sure we can compel someone there to sell us a car.”
“About that. Every time, I compel a person, my wolf makes it clear it’s forbidden.”
“It sounds like you are awakening your real self.”
“You’re right. Little snippets of right and wrong are becoming clearer.”
Gaby gazed at him. His wolf shadow even more pronounced. “You don’t need to shift soon, do you?”
“Nah. I can hold out for another day or two. It appears hot sex staves the need.”
“Yeah, right.” She laughed. “In that case, I’m happy to help.”
“I’m serious. After sex, my wolf goes back to his den.”
“Well then, we should get a crate for your wolf.”
“Only if we both fit.”
“How about I find a hotel?”
He chuckled. “I forgot we are still on our honeymoon. Find a bed and breakfast.”
“I’m happy you are so romantic. Is that your wolf or man side?”
“Both. Then again my wolf will do whatever it takes to please his mate.”
Gaby sighed. Fear of capture took a back burner to finding a room. She scrolled through various hotels. “Sorry, it looks like all the nice places are booked.”
“No problem.”
They drove until midnight and then pulled over at hotel just west of Redding and checked in. At this point, anything would do. While she waited for him to get a room, she stepped into the lobby and poured some hot chocolate.
She overheard him. “We’ll take the suite then.” A few minutes later, Kane found her. “We are on the top floor.”
She wiped hot chocolate from her upper lip. “Cool, let’s get our bags.”
“I’ll get them. Meet me by the elevator.” She scanned the area. No one but the hotel attendant was around. Were they safe? The United States was big and trying to find their whereabouts, whether werewolves or werewolf hunters, would not be easy. If she’d known her mother’s bracelet had a tracking chip, she might have escaped long ago. Although, she no longer regretted her past mistake. At least now, she’d met the love of her life. She skipped high speed dating to high speed mating. Kane walked in with the huge wheeled suitcase and her laptop slung over his shoulder. The suitcase fit their clothes and the briefcase of cash. He smiled. “Come on.” They entered the elevator and she pressed ten.
The silent hallway broke into a barking frenzy. From behind closed doors, owners shouted at dogs to calm down. Soon, they’d come out to see if there was a fire in the building. “They smell you.”
He used the card key to open the door. “Can you do something, hon?”
“No problem.” Before Gabby entered their room, she closed her eyes and immediately the dogs stopped barking. She shut the door. “Next time, we won’t book a pet friendly hotel.”
Kane whirled around and suddenly picked her up. “I forgot.”
“What?”
“I need to carry you over the threshold.”
“You already did, yesterday.”
“How about I carry you to bed then?”
“Hold on wolf. Let’s freshen up first.”
He narrowed his eyes. “Okay, but together.”
Gaby laughed as he walked over to the bathroom area. “Ooh, big tub.”
Kane set her down. “I’ll be right back.” He turned. “Be naked when I do.”
She smirked. “You, too.” She undressed and then turned on the shower.
He returned. Naked. Aroused. “Our first shower together.”
Together, they stepped in. As the spray of hot water rained on her, he lifted her and captured her mouth with hungry urgency. She wrapped her legs around his waist. His body pressed against her, hard chest against soft breasts and needy nipples. She melted with lust.
He slowly released her. “Shall we wash each other?”
“How about you reach the washcloth?”
He lifted a brow and gave her a wolfish smile. “You know wolves prefer licking their mates clean.”
Gaby shivered. “Who goes first?”
“I do.” He kneeled before her, gripped her bottom and drew her in. She gasped as he gently kissed her warm mound. Kisses turned into probing explorations of her tender flesh. On the verge of complete ecstasy, she gripped his head and thrashed. “Oh, my god. Yesss.” She convulsed around him and gasped in completion.
Kane enjoyed pleasing his wife. After she collapsed from her explosive climaxes, he made sure she didn’t fall and began washing her. He pumped soap out of a bottle onto the washcloth and squeezed it over her satin smooth skin. As he washed her breasts, her nipples appeared to have doubled in size. He licked and bit each and she arched. He took great care not to hurt her with his extended canines, which probably felt like daggers, over her sensitive nipples. So delicious. He wanted her now, but better in bed. Where he could tenderly bite Gaby’s tempting pulse and taste her blood. “How about shampoo?”
She smiled and trailed a finger down his abs. “First, I need to clean my mate.”
He handed her the washcloth and spread his legs, his erection throbbing. He hissed as she caressed the underside of his hardness. He wondered if she would switch from cloth to tongue, but unfortunately, he wouldn’t find out today. He grabbed the washcloth from her hand and turned off the water. “I can’t wait.”
Kane picked her up, marched to the bed and lay her down on her back. Besides her hot moist body, the pulse in her throat was an ancient drum calling forth the predator. The scent of her sweet blood tempted him with a hunger like no other. The wolf wanted her now. What is happening to me? He kissed her and then eased into her. Slowly. Sex would satisfy him and release him from the demand for her blood. She accepted each thrust. He focused on her lush lips, but his wolf commanded him, Bite her and complete the mating bond. She’ll think I’m a vampire. His wolf snarled. Seal the bond. Her blood’s sweet aroma filled the air, her pulse sang to him and her pleasurable breaths encouraged him to taste her. He tenderly bit her earlobe. “Gaby, I must stop.”
“No don’t.”
“I want…no…I want to savor your blood.”
Her eyes widened and her pulse quickened, exciting him even more. “What do you mean?”
“To complete the mating bond, I need to bite you and drink a sample of your blood.” He shook his head. “I think I better shift instead.”
She gripped his face with her hands and met his eyes. “This bond is like a wolf marriage.”
He chuckled. “You might say that. In
fact, I am not going on reason or memory but my wolf’s instinct to mark you as his. Forever.”
“Oh?”
He held back his hungry wolf and sighed. “I know. Too weird for a human.”
“No. It’s not. Bite me.”
“Are you sure?”
She tilted her head, exposing her soft throat. “I want you forever.”
Kane growled and gently bit her. She flinched, but relaxed with a satisfying moan. Careful not to kill, only suck.
As he drank her blood, she shuddered. “Oh, yes…”
He couldn’t believe it, his bite rather than hurting made her climax. No longer able to hold on, he imbibed her blood and with several powerful thrusts abandoned himself to the best release he’d ever experienced. Together, they rode the waves of their mutual pleasure. He licked the spot of blood from her neck and drew her in.
She sighed and draped her leg over his. “I’m too tired to finish showering.” She yawned. “I feel so…sleepy.”
“Gaby?” Worried he’d drained her, he noticed her small wound had healed and her pulse steady in relaxed sleep. He fingered her tussled hair off her face and kissed her forehead. He too joined her in sleep. Yet, something was different as he rested in the twilight state. He dreamt, but this time, Gaby joined him in his dreams.
Chapter 13
Gaby glanced around the landscape. She wore a long white gown and a red cloak that looked straight out of the Middle Ages. A pristine forest surrounded her. No birds or insects sang. No roads or signs of humans. Yet, up on the mountain stood a castle. The one Kane described in a dream. Odd. Could she have entered his dream? A howl broke the silence. The call echoed. Distant. Alone. She recognized him. Her mate.
She cupped her hands over her mouth and called, “Kane!” The howling ceased.
A shadowy gray body flashed through the trees. A wolf, her wolf, approached. He trotted toward her. Big magnificent, confident, fearless.
He shifted to human form. Kane, naked and glorious. He smiled. “I thought I lost you.”
Gaby blinked. Within seconds of shifting, he wore a black uniform of sorts. The front shoulder of the coat displayed the same stylized wolf graphic tattoo on his arm. Tall black boots gave him even greater height. “Where are we?”
He took her in his arms and tenderly kissed her forehead. “Home.”
“Which is where, exactly?”
He furrowed his brow and scanned the area. “The forest looks and smells familiar. Yet, I can’t remember.”
“I think I’m in your dream or are you in mine?”
He took her hand in his and met her eyes. “The blood bond. We are dreaming together.”
“Seriously?”
Kane chuckled. “My wolf informed me when you shared your blood, our souls connected in the spirit land.”
“Since I’m in your territory, why don’t you give me the grand tour?”
“This feels like home, but I don’t know where to begin the tour.”
“Maybe here we can find out who you are.”
He frowned. “I know who I am, your husband and mate.”
Part of her liked the idea of him calling her that, yet, she, being human, preferred wife. Actually, girlfriend would have been fine. Had the rushed Las Vegas wedding been too much too soon? His primal conviction convinced her they were meant for each other. She could not imagine being with another man. Gaby smiled. “Yes, werewolf and wolf charmer, let no man put asunder.”
He laughed. “If said man or wolf wants to live.”
“We might be talking about your pack family, so be nice.”
He drew her in and kissed her with the passion she’d grown so used to. The kind in epic romance novels.
“Prince Steele.” A woman’s voice interrupted their kiss.
They turned toward a tall attractive dark-haired woman with silvery streaks running through her long hair. She was perhaps late twenties or early thirties.
“Lunara, this is my mate, Gaby.”
“With all due respect, my prince, she is your wife by human law, not ours.”
“Says you.”
“No, my prince, I believe you feel Gaby is your soul mate, but what we believe or not doesn’t matter.” She furrowed her brow. “Perchance, through some cosmic accident she is. What matters is only King Conan can authorize your union.”
Gaby curtsied. Not sure why, but then felt awkward. Maybe the titles bantered around did it. “Does Prince Steele already have a mate?”
“No. But he was promised.”
“Oh?” So much for the Las Vegas wedding.
Kane paced. “If I was promised, obviously, that promise is broken.”
“You are required to attain your king’s permission. Or your pack leader, Rylee.”
He blinked as if in recognition. “Is Rylee a white wolf?”
“Yes,” said Lunara. “The head of Team Greywolf, the special forces part of the Lycan Intelligence Agency.”
“You have to be kidding me,” said Gaby. “A werewolf version of the CIA?”
Lunara turned to her. “Steele is an important alpha commander.”
He shook his head. “Then why don’t I remember specifics?”
“Not important. What is important is bringing you home. Only then can I better guide you back to us.”
“If I bring Gaby, promise her safety.”
Lunara lowered her head. “I can’t. Gaby is a wolf-segen, an enemy of our kind.”
“Based on an archaic law.”
“You must understand how their sight nearly wiped out our kind. The law dictates we kill them without question.”
Kane held her tight. “No one will harm my mate.”
Three armed men led by a beautiful raven-haired woman walked out of the forest. She ordered the men. “Shoot the human bitch.”
Lunara turned. “Leave, princess. I am close to reaching him.”
“King Conan commands the wolf-segen’s death.”
Kane shielded Gaby with his body. “Then you need to kill me.”
Lunara stepped between them, blocking the raised rifles.
Kane growled, “Let’s get the hell out of here.”
Gaby ran with him. Shots fired and she wondered if Lunara had been hit. She stumbled and her back felt wet. Warm. Blood.
“Gaby. No.” Kane knelt and held her tight. “Don’t move, my love.”
Kane sat ramrod straight in bed and so did Gaby. He wrapped her in his embrace, scanning for wounds. None. He inhaled the scent of her hair. Listened to her pulse. Unharmed. Safe. Fucking nightmare. Daylight streamed through the curtains as they stared at each other. Perspiration dotted her brow. “You were with me.” His heart still raced. “Did we experience the same nightmare?”
“Yes.”
He released her. “How much detail?”
“I saw Lunara and the others.” Gaby swallowed. “Your intended mate ordered her men to kill me. I was shot in the back.”
He drew her in and hugged her. Rubbing her back as she shuddered. “I have no intended mate. It was a nightmare, nothing more.”
Gaby broke away from his embrace and sighed. “I don’t normally remember my dreams, but this time I do.” She stared at him. “And how can we have had the same dream?”
“The blood bond.”
“Huh?”
“Once I marked you as mine, our bond allowed shared dreaming.”
“Oh, another mate thing?”
“My wolf claims this only happens to wolf mates.”
“Last I looked, I’m human. Either your wolf is wrong or we are the exception to the rule.”
Kane laughed. “I like to think we are making our own rules.”
Gaby shook her head. “Or maybe our shared dream was because I’m a wolf charmer.”
He glanced at the clock, nine ten a.m. They needed to move. “We’re leaving.”
“You think they are still stalking us?”
He narrowed his gaze at the door. “My gut says the wolf shaman is honing in on our location
during dreams.”
“How do we avoid that?”
“I plan to will myself to awaken as soon as she appears.” He stood, walked to the window and looked down at the parking lot.
Gaby got up from the bed and joined him. “We better start by getting a new car with California license plates.”
“My thought exactly.” He smiled. “Get us breakfast while I shower.”
“On it.”
He grinned. “Unless, you want to join me.”
“Tempted, but I better find a car dealership.”
“All right then.” He turned on the water. Cold to temper his arousal. Now would be a good time to go wolf. Despite the noise of the shower, he listened to Gaby talk to a car salesman. Then as he finished and toweled off, he stepped out to the delicious aroma of breakfast.
“Got you extra helpings of bacon and sausage.” She sat at a desk with her laptop opened.
“So I smell.”
She closed the laptop and poured two cups of coffee, and then sat to eat French toast and scrambled eggs. “I checked the news. No mug shots of us.”
Kane joined her. “At least from the public. My kind and Avery’s group obviously prefer to hunt us without civilian intervention.” He frowned. “I’ve been thinking.”
She stopped her fork mid-flight. “Yes?”
“We may never be able to stop running. At least from my kind.”
“How about we find an island an ocean away?”
“Why not?” As much as he liked the idea of some tropical paradise with Gaby, he sensed, this team of operatives led by the white wolf alpha, Rylee would never give up. Mention of the team brought back snippets of flights to foreign countries, deadly missions, and sophisticated surveillance equipment. Assassins. The directive to kill wolf-segens might take precedence over finding a rogue werewolf. He flinched as a sudden headache developed.
“Kane, are you all right?”
He rubbed his temples. “Every time I get a flash of memory, my head feels like exploding.”
She went to the mini bar and took out a bottle of water. “Drink.”
He smiled. “Yes, ma’am.” He twisted the lid off and drank to the last drop.
“Better?”
He glanced at his plate. “Should be after I devour my breakfast and several cups of coffee.”