Shifter’s Coven Alpha

by Marteeka Karland

  “I think he’s in his bedroom. Simon was with him.” She didn’t know what to tell Sasha. Was Wade OK? Gennive had no idea if he was. He hadn’t been, exactly, and she was still unable to reach him mentally. With him still blocking her, Gennive took it as a good sign. Neither of them said anything for a moment, and Gennive thought Sasha had gone back to sleep.

  “Can we get back in the bed? It’s cold here.” Sasha’s sleepy voice wrapped around Gennive’s heart and squeezed. This little girl trusted Gennive to protect her. Sasha accepted her without question.

  “You can go back if you want to, sweetheart. I’ll probably stay here.” Gennive found she really liked the closeness she and Sasha shared, but she wasn’t sure it was appropriate.

  “But Daddy always snuggles me,” she whined sweetly. “I don’t think I can sleep if you don’t snuggle me. I’ll be awake all night.” It was a highly practiced line, Gennive thought, but that didn’t make it any less endearing.

  Gennive couldn’t help but smile and hug the child tightly once before sitting up. “OK. Let’s go to the bathroom before we get back in bed. Is that OK?”

  “Yeah. Daddy says you should always pee before you go to sleep.”

  “Your daddy’s a smart man.”

  “He’s leader of the pack. Of course he’s smart!” Sasha flounced to the bathroom, never missing a step in the dark and making absolutely no noise. Gennive followed her, feeling her way through the large room until Sasha turned on the bathroom light.

  She was beginning to realize just how different Sasha and Wade were. It was highly probable that Simon was part of this too. Exactly what “this” was, Gennive could only guess. Given Sasha’s unique gifts, Gennive figured they were all shifters of some sort. Were they all lions? Somehow, she didn’t think so. Especially Simon. She couldn’t put her finger on it, but the two men just felt different from Sasha.

  Once both of them were snugly cuddled together, Sasha let out a contented sigh and promptly fell asleep. Gennive was grateful the child went back to sleep so quickly. She needed to think.

  Come to me, Gennive.

  The whispered command from Wade was laced heavily with suggestion, and Gennive almost got up before she could stop herself. She was so in over her head!

  No, Wade. Not tonight. I need to think.

  You have no idea what you’ve stepped in the middle of, Gennive. I can help you.

  From my perspective, you’re the main problem. I don’t know what to make of you. The only reason I’m still here is because I promised to take care of Sasha.

  I’m betting I’ve got at least a little to do with it, too. Wade’s voice, carried through her mind, was too intimate. Especially after the very vivid dream earlier. How long has it been since you’ve communicated this way with another living being?

  Damned man. He had a point, but Gennive refused to take that bait. I’m leaving in the morning, Wade. Even if you’re not completely healed, I’m betting Simon can look after Sasha better than I can.

  He could, probably, if he weren’t on the hunt.

  You’re not making any sense, Wade. Well, maybe you’re making sense to yourself but I have no idea who or what you are... I know you’re something… different… but I have no idea what.

  Come to me. I’ll explain everything.

  No. I’m going home.

  Gennive felt his sigh more than heard it. She was finding it less and less difficult to pick up on his emotions and thoughts. She wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or not. It felt too damned intimate.

  We don’t think my accident was an accident, Gennive. Someone is trying to kill me and Simon is going to find out who. In the meantime, I’d really appreciate it if you could stay here and look after Sasha. She really likes you, and you’re the only one I can trust other than Simon at the moment.

  That’s totally ridiculous! You have no idea who I am, Wade! Why would you trust a perfect stranger to care for your daughter? What if I were the one trying to kill you? How do you know I’m not?

  Wade’s laughter caressed her mind and sent her stomach fluttering. He had such a sexy laugh, so full of naughty promises Gennive groaned aloud.

  Sweet Gennive, I’ve been in your mind the same way you’ve been in mine. Only I’m a lot better at it than you are. I’d never invade your privacy, but I relived the wreck through your eyes. I felt your emotions and heard your thoughts. You’re a good person, Gennive. You’re not the one trying to kill me. I know that with every fiber of my being. Now, come to me.

  This time, there was no compulsion other than the sinfulness of his voice. That fact alone made her decide to comply with his command. She sighed and carefully extricated herself from Sasha’s embrace. She tucked the covers around the child before tiptoeing from the room. Gennive left the door open and made her way down the short hallway to Wade’s room. Before she could knock, the door opened and there he stood.

  Her breath caught. Wade Monroe was pure sin. Had the devil come to Earth, he’d probably look like this man before her. He stood there, bare-chested, the dancing firelight the only illumination. Black hair glistened with red and orange highlights. His body was big and muscled, and Gennive felt small next to him. She hadn’t noticed how large he was before, but it was all she could concentrate on now. He was perfection. It was all she could do not to reach out and trace the beautiful curve of one arm with her fingertips. He was her every naughty fantasy in the flesh and if given the chance, Gennive knew she’d live out every one of them. With him. One glance from those exotically blue eyes and her knees went weak and moisture leaked from between her legs.

  “Before you enter, we need to get something straight, Gennive.”

  She had to blink several times before she could process his words. “You called me to you. Remember?”

  Wade shook his head slightly as if trying to clear it. “Yes. But I won’t take advantage of your generosity anymore.”

  “I don’t understand.” Gennive had no illusions about what would happen once she entered his rooms. She wanted him and, unless the thoughts and emotions he was spilling over to her were extremely misleading, he wanted her too. She had a very vivid image of him covering her with that magnificent, big body and plunging into her over and over. She’d wrap her legs around him and never let him go…

  “I’ve imposed on your time by insisting you stay with Sasha. I don’t intend to take anything else from you unless you give it to me freely.”

  It was Gennive’s turn to try and clear her mind. How did he get under her skin like this? Gennive had had her share of lovers in the past, but none of them had affected her like this. He was a stranger. She knew nothing about him except he hid part of himself from everyone the same as she did. Perhaps it was that common link that compelled her. Perhaps it was his raw sensuality. Maybe she just had been too long without sex and needed to scratch an itch. That was certainly possible, but Gennive doubted it. There was something about this man she simply couldn’t resist.

  “I stayed because Sasha needed me, Wade. I don’t consider that an imposition. She was scared to death. If I was able to calm her, it was worth any amount of time.”

  “What I want from you now is much more than simply your time, Gennive. I want everything. I want you.”

  Gennive blinked several times and stepped back once. “I -- I don’t understand.”

  “I intend to claim you for my own. You may not be of my pack or even one of the witch covens, but you’re mine. I can feel it in every part of my being. Once you give me your body -- and you will give me your body -- I don’t intend to let you go.”

  Chapter Four

  Wade knew he’d shocked her. She was also excited beyond belief. It was definitely encouraging. His wolf nature had made up its mind, and there was no turning back. She might not be ready yet, but Wade knew he could convince her they called to each other.

  Feeling that call now, Wade wondered how he could have ever let himself be fooled into thinking a match with Vivian would settle this part of his
wolf nature. The hard truth was, he’d let her bully him into it. It was so against his nature, he’d kept it a secret from even Simon. If anyone found out how completely she’d forced him into their “engagement,” he’d lose leadership of the pack.

  Gennive looked at him now, and it struck him how different the two women were. Vivian’s eyes were so full of secrets and dark magic. Gennive’s were full only of wonder and excitement. Even if Wade hadn’t been able to catch emotions and spill-over thoughts from Gennive, her eyes gave her away. She held no secrets, no ulterior motive, only desire and longing.

  He could also see her reluctance. Like any smart woman, the thought of “forever” with a stranger was a bit daunting.

  “Good,” he praised. “You’re not taking me lightly.” He stepped aside then and motioned her inside.

  “But you said --”

  “Hush, sweetheart,” Wade cut her off with a whisper. “As long as you accept I mean exactly what I said, there can be no misunderstanding. You’re not ready. I felt it in your mind. I would still like the pleasure of your presence.”

  Gennive hesitated, wary of him. Wade couldn’t help but smile. She probably had a right to be. The longer he was with her, the more he knew he had to have her. Truth be known, Wade wasn’t above seducing her. He just wanted to make sure she knew what she was getting herself into.

  “You’re not going to pounce on me or anything, are you?”

  Wade couldn’t help his chuckle. “No promises, my Gennive, but I’ll not do anything you don’t want me to.”

  “OK, but you can’t count reading my mind. I have to actually say it.”

  “I’ve found the secret places in the mind often speak the truth when the individual won’t.”

  “You’ll get no argument from me there,” she mumbled, “but I want your promise. You won’t do anything unless I actually say it’s what I want. I’m not going to tie myself to a man in a society I don’t understand simply because I think he’s a sexy hunk I’d like to screw into next week.”

  Wade blinked several times before chuckling softly. He would have laughed out loud had he not been afraid he’d wake Sasha. “I’ll do my best to use that bit of information to my advantage, but I swear I won’t screw you into next week unless you ask me to.”

  “Fair enough.”

  Just like that, Gennive lost all her hesitation and stepped into his suite. He guided her to the sofa in front of the fireplace. Wade shook his head. She had no idea what he was capable of, though she knew more than he’d ever shown anyone else. She’d seen him at his most vulnerable and didn’t think less of him for it.

  “Why would I think badly of you for being hurt?” Gennive’s face showed genuine puzzlement.

  Wade wasn’t used to other people slipping inside his mind. Normally, he’d just block her, but he didn’t want to. She didn’t make any attempt to keep him out of her head. It seemed like the right thing to do, but there was more to it than that. He wanted her to know everything about him. Needed her to be comfortable touching his mind when she wanted. It might put him in a weaker position, but Gennive wasn’t the kind of woman to use it maliciously. She was the only truly guileless person -- other than Sasha -- he’d ever met. It was part of what drew him to her. “I’m leader of my pack, Gennive. Being weak isn’t allowed, no matter the circumstances.”

  She shrugged. “I didn’t think you were ever weak. I don’t know how you managed to make it out of that hospital on your own power, but I knew I couldn’t carry you. I would have tried though.” She raised her chin up a notch as if she thought her lack of physical strength might turn him against her.

  “I know you would have. I was able to haul my sorry hide out of there because of you, Gennive. You couldn’t do it on your own, but you were willing to try. For a stranger. You gave me the strength I needed.”

  Her eyes were wide, fathomless pools as she looked at him. Wade could feel her awe and what she considered an insane need to wrap her arms around him and hold him close.

  “What do you want from me, Wade?” Her voice was thick with emotion. “I don’t know you, but I know more about you than anyone I’ve ever known. Even my mother. I’ve been in your mind. I know the kind of person you are. I can feel your need for secrets, yet you let me in whenever I want. For a man with secrets, you sure do give away a lot.”

  “Simon feels much the same way, but I refuse to keep anything from you.”

  “Come on, Wade. I know you’ve been in my mind as much as I’ve been in yours, but neither of us knows the other that well. My own mother had secrets she never let me in on. I find it hard to believe you’d not hold something back.”

  Wade frowned, looking in her thoughts for memories of her mother. From the information he gleaned, her mother was a powerful telepath but afraid of her abilities. She had been mortified to find out she had passed on her curse to her daughter and had taught Gennive to repress her gifts. Which she had. Until tonight. “You know what it feels like to encounter a block, yes?”

  “Of course. I found your blocks earlier.”

  “And have you found any since I woke?”

  She hesitated. “No, but I’m not very good at this. I’m not saying I think you are hiding anything, I’m just saying everyone has secrets.”

  “You’re absolutely right, and I’m sure if you looked hard enough, you’d find I have plenty. Just not from you.”

  She was breathing hard, like she’d run a race. Wade knew it was a combination of extreme attraction and mental overload. She’d had all she could take for one night, yet she didn’t want to leave him.

  Perfect.

  Wade took her hand in his and turned it over to kiss her palm. “You’re tired.”

  Gennive sighed and wilted visibly. “Yes. It’s been an eventful day. I think I broke my brain a while back.”

  “Kiss me, Gennive.” His whispered command brought an instant blush to her cheeks and sparked a flame deep inside her Wade wanted to fan.

  “Is that allowed?”

  He grinned. “Absolutely. Now, kiss me.”

  She knew he hadn’t answered her question, but, again, Wade felt that complete trust in her heart as she leaned forward and pressed her lips against his.

  It was a simple, closed mouthed kiss. At first. Gennive’s lips molded lightly to his. Wade gave her a moment before he retreated, only to lick the seam of her lips and slip his tongue inside her mouth.

  Gennive gasped, then moaned and opened for him, tentatively touching his tongue with hers. Wade was content to let her explore their kiss and take what she wanted. He wanted her familiar with his touch, with him. He wanted Gennive to crave him as he was beginning to crave her.

  When her mind grasped at his, needing an anchor, he opened himself up to her. His lust and deep-seated need for her poured through her link. Gennive whimpered and grasped his shoulder. She was remembering her earlier statement about wanting to screw him into next week and wasn’t sure she wanted this to stop, no matter what happened in the morning.

  Only if you ask me, Gennive. Tell me what you want, sweetheart.

  His lips teased and promised. It wasn’t so much a kiss as a claiming. Gennive knew she was in over her head, and this torrid kiss only confirmed it. Two more minutes, and she wouldn’t merely ask him to take her, she’d probably take what she wanted from him.

  Her stomach fluttered, making her pussy clench with need. There was a void inside her she’d never noticed before. Not until this extraordinary man had touched her had she found out what she’d been missing all her life.

  It wasn’t merely the sexual need. Wade seemed to promise much, much more. With their mind-to-mind communication, he’d opened a link few people were capable of sharing and touched something inside her no one else had ever been able to. She knew she’d always know what he was feeling.

  Even now, he wanted to share her body, but he had a deep-seated need to wrap himself around her heart first. Once he’d done that, he would never let her go. Gennive knew he didn’t full
y understand his need and had no expectations she felt the same attraction and all-consuming need for him, but he was determined to explore these feelings and see if he could make her feel the same way.

  Gennive fed from his hunger. She loved the wild, tangy taste of him. His breath smelled like the beginnings of a summer storm and tasted like rain. The effect was like a thunderclap to her senses and she was soon lost in the torrent of sensations he created within them both.

  Over and over he sucked and licked at her lips, kissing her with a fevered intensity without overpowering her. Gennive found herself kissing him with just as much hunger and enthusiasm. She matched his lust and, in that moment, she could easily see herself kissing him and exploring his body happily for the rest of her life. She doubted very much that she’d ever tire of the feel of his mouth on hers.

  What would it feel like to have him kiss the rest of her body?

  Wade groaned and pulled his head away from hers only to bury his face at the juncture of her shoulder and neck. Gennive clung to him as if he were her only lifeline in a turbulent sea. Her whole body tingled with sensation, and Wade was the cause of every bit of it.

  “I love the way you smell, Gennive.” Her ears rang and blood rushed through her head, but she still caught his throaty whisper. “It’s like a forest after the first snowfall…”

  Wade seemed to be mumbling to himself, but his words sent a thrill shooting through her core. Her pussy clenched, and she couldn’t have stopped her moan if she’d tried.

  “Oh, yes, Gennive,” he whispered. “I can give you such pleasure as would make the gods blush. Tell me what you want. Tell me you want me.”

  His hands roamed her body lightly. He didn’t grope like most men she’d been with had. Instead, he touched her as if she were precious to him. He molded her curves, brushed her nipple with a thumb. All the while, he trailed kisses along the side of her neck, her cheek, her temple. Feather light kisses all over her face sparked shivers. Chill bumps erupted over her skin, and her nipples puckered to impossibly hard peaks.