by Riley Cross
How had I never known what she was?
Shit! Is Rae the Alpha Greyson hired me to deliver to him?
I really need to get back to the house. Spending any more time here would only increase the risk of getting caught. But shit. I do not like how that asshole had been leering over my kitten one bit.
Kitten? God, have I really been calling her that all these years. Not knowing just how close to the mark I had been. How had she been able to stand me calling her that? She’s a damned wolf, for Christ's sake.
Turning away from the scene, I sneak through the woods, back towards the house I’d practically grown up in. Consumed by thoughts. I almost miss the dash of brown running past me.
Stopping in my tracks, I check the surroundings to make sure the wind is still dead around me, muting my scent. Feeling sure I hadn't been caught, I quicken my pace.
Another dash of brown. This time to my left.
Spinning quickly. I lose it just as quickly as I spot it.
“Shit.”
A forest full of werewolves was not the place I wanted to be.
Frustration has me running my hands through my hair.
When I turn back into the direction of Rae’s house, a wolf the colour of decadence is sitting a few yards in front. Blocking the way.
Unable to look away, I stare at the magnificent animal.
But it’s the animal's eyes that keep my attention the longest. Bright golden eyes that flash crystal blue with hints on green when the wolf spots me staring at her. Rae’s eyes.
“Hey Beautiful.” I call, certain that Rae can hear me.
At the sound of my voice, the wolf creeps towards me, hesitantly.
“That's it.” I whisper, encouragingly. Not wanting to unsettle my she-wolf.
Slowly reaching out my hand, when she is within touching distance, giving the animal a chance to scent me. Wanting to make it clear to her that I’m not a threat.
But before I can sink my fingers into her soft looking fur, a howl rings out. The sound causes the she-wolf to leap away, breaking her out of the sense of security she had been in. Giving me one last lingering look, the she-wolf bolts back into the trees towards the pack howls.
“Well, I’ll be damned.”
Finally, back at the house, I help myself to Cams secret stash of whiskey. Settling myself in the spare room. Downing the golden liquid doesn't help ease my nerves.
What the hell was I supposed to do now?
I’m sharing a house with a she-wolf. One, I’ve been in love with since I was a teen, for Christ's sake.
The thing spinning me out was the fact I’ve been surrounded by wolves my entire life and never knew.
Fuck, if Rae’s a wolf there is a remarkably high possibility that her brothers are to. How had that slipped my notice?
Greyson. The way he watched Rae as she bared herself to the crowd was still sitting wrong with me. Bastard was lucky I didn’t burn his sight away. Curses were not spells to be taken lightly, most of them had a blow back onto the caster, but I would have made the exception.
Laying back and closing my eyes. At some point sleep takes over, filling my mind with visions of the brunette wolf.
Chapter Four
Secrets Out
Oh God. Oh God. Oh God.
Panicking like no man's business, I rush back to the clearing. Finding my clothes neatly folded in the back seat of my car. I pull them on as quickly as possible. Once I’ve got my bare ass covered, I type out a quick message to Cam asking him to take Ben home. Assuring him, I would explain my sudden absence later.
Dominic? Why the hell was he in the woods in the middle of the damn night?
My silly wolf was overjoyed at the turn of the night's events.
The animal did not understand her human counterparts’ panic or share my building anxiety.
Stupid animal. I growl inwardly at the wolf's aloofness.
We need to find out how much he saw.
The more the better. Her she-wolf purrs.
What? No! If we have any luck, he will just assume we were a wild wolf. I insist. We shouldn't go home tonight. I could pretend that the date went well, and we went back to his place. I’m sure Madison wouldn't mind me crashing on her couch.
No! My wolf suddenly barks. Not liking my plan to deceive Dominic one bit.
Then what the fuck am I supposed to do! I snarl at the animal.
The wolf's response was to lower down onto her front legs and raise her back ones. Waving her tail happily. Horny bitch. I groan. Getting into the car, I drive back towards the house to face the music.
Driving down the dirt road leading to the house. I worry my bottom lip when I see Dominic had left on the porch light.
“Shit.”
Making my way towards the house. Dodging the squeaky floorboard which I now regret not fixing it when I had the chance.
Putting my ear against the door, I use my wolf's excellent hearing to locate where Dominic is inside the house.
I can hear the almost peaceful breathing coming from the far back of the house. He must be asleep. Letting out a breath I hadn't realised I was holding, I sneak into the house. Tip toeing my way towards the master bedroom, scared I will wake up my unconscious guest.
Clicking the door closed, relief sweeps through my body. Surely if a human thought they saw a werewolf, they wouldn't go home and sleep in said wolf's house, right? He must have assumed he saw a wild wolf.
"Thank god." Dropping onto my bed, too exhausted to change into some night wear. Sleep tugging hard on my mind as the surge of adrenaline seeps out of my pores.
Captured in a deep sleep, I can feel the pull of something powerful in my mind. An alluring scent surrounding me, calling to the woman and the wolf.
Walking barefoot through the forest, wearing nothing but a white silk nightdress. My hair lays loose against my back, baring my neck to the presence I can sense watching me from the shadows. Strangely, I don't feel afraid or threatened by the stranger.
I want him to look at me.
I feel the burn of his eyes traveling down my curves as he takes in my exposed state. I keep my back to him as I sense him prowling towards me. I share my wolf's excitement at his advance. Stopping when his hands cup me by the waist from behind. Swallowing moans when I feel his warm breath on my skin.
Relaxing into his hold, I let myself drown in his scent. It reminds me of warm brandy, leather and spice. My wolf is ravenous for it. Demanding, I take more of his scent into my lungs. Tattooing it into my memory.
I want to turn to see his face and to fall more deeply under his spell. But my fantasy man holds me still.
Unwilling to let me move on my own terms. His hands make their way up my toned stomach.
Whimpering desperately as he fills them with my aching breasts. My nipples pucker against the silken fabric as he pinches them, teasingly.
Mewling, I try to move his hands down to where my body needs them the most. Quickly, I find my hands bound behind my back by an invisible force. I knew I liked sex to be rough due to my animal nature, but I wasn’t expecting my excitement to rise further by being bound. I can feel the desire dripping down my thighs. I beg and plead for the stranger to touch me where my body needs him most. To ease the ache he is creating so easily. Feeling his smile as he presses his lips against my exposed neck.
The slight contact has me turning into a panting, desperate mess. Craning my neck, giving him as much access as my current position will allow.
“Bite me.” I beg. Shocking myself.
His fingers stop teasing my sensitive nipples, causing a groan to escape my throat. “Say that again.” He orders in a voice filled with desire and want.
“Bite me.” I repeat. Not understanding why this sudden need is so important. Only that I want it. I need his teeth to sink deep into my skin, to mark me as his. And then to fuck me on the forest’s floor.
My wolf strongly agrees.
My whole body turns tense at the feel of his teeth lightly scoring my nec
k. Breath catches in my throat when his fingers pull up the nightgown I’m wearing. Exposing my core to the elements.
I feel like I could combust at any moment.
“Please.” I push, hating how slow he was moving.
The tips of his fingers glide between my swollen lips. My desire drenching him. He pulls another moan from me when his teeth press into where my neck meets my shoulder.
Please, please, please. I chant mentally. Unable to control my thoughts or my body's reaction to the strangers' attention.
My legs quiver as he sinks a single finger into my aching core. Pumping in and out a few times before adding another. He scissors them, stretching me. Preparing me. Panting, my head falls back against his hard chest. My hands ache from where he has them between our bodies.
“Come for me, Kitten.” He whispers hoarsely, biting my neck, hard.
The pending orgasm pulls me from the grips of sleep.
Panting hard, with slick covering my thighs. Acting on instinct. My body screaming for release. Pushing my fingers through the mess between my legs. I strum my clit.
Once. Twice.
Then my body goes off like a firework. My back bows as I come. Remembering at the last minute about the guest down the hall. I turn my face into the pillow to muffle my cries.
Bloody hell.
I can't even remember the last time I’d had a sex dream. Especially one like that.
Thank god, Dominic isn't a wolf. No doubt this side of the house smelled like sex. I'd be mortified if he knew what I had just been doing.
Pulling myself from the comforts of the bed. I head to the door. Pulling it open a little, I concentrate. Trying to locate where Dominic is. If the sound of the coffee maker is anything to go by, he must be in the kitchen.
Darting down the hall. I escape into the bathroom. Not really wanting anyone to catch me, when I look like I’ve been dragged through a hedge backwards.
After making quick use of the shower, I pull my wet hair into a braid. Wrapping myself up in a towel. Pulling open the bathroom door, I come face to face with Cam.
“Morning.” He grumbles, still half asleep.
“Morning.” I respond, moving out of the way of the door to let my brother use the bathroom.
After getting dressed in a simple pair of leggings and an oversized hoodie. I head downstairs where I can hear Dominic talking to Cam. The troublemaker.
“Good morning,” I greet. Making a beeline for the coffee machine.
“Why are you in such a good mood?” Cam asks with mischief in his eyes. Not willing to fall into the obvious trap, I shrug, sipping my coffee.
“Good morning, Rae.” Dominic greets with a raise of his mug.
“Sleep well?”
Stopping the smile, I can feel trying to break free, I simply nod.
The knowing look in Cam’s eyes is enough for me to flip him the bird. Causing a bark of laughter to escape him.
“Did I miss something?” Dominic asks, confused by Cam’s random outburst.
“No.” I growl, keeping an eye on my brother.
Lifting his hands in surrender, Cam heads out of the kitchen.
Sighing in relief, I nurse my coffee. Trying to think of what to say to Dominic about the night before. Maybe I shouldn’t acknowledge it.
“Oh, one more thing before I forget.” Cam calls from the other room. “Remember the rules about bringing guys back for a rough and tumble in the sheets, Rae. The entire house smells like sex!”
Dominic’s face turns hard, at the same time as mine turns a deep red. Thanks to my brother's words.
“There was no guy!” I bark quickly, releasing a little too late to what I’d just admitted. Cam’s laughter heading out the door was enough for me to know I had fallen into his trap.
Balls.
Eyes darting to Dominic, his anger quickly forgotten.
Desire and amusement now lighting his eyes.
Well, this was all going swimmingly. In the space of a day he has turned my wolf against me, made me jealous by flirting with Cally, seen me as a wolf and now knows I had been touching myself while he was in the other room.
That’s it!
There is no way Dominic is staying here. The risk of exposure was too high, along with the risk of me losing my sanity. And my panties. This man is my walking fantasy and total kryptonite.
The way he advances on me makes me feel like the rabbit instead of the wolf. I have my whole body on lockdown. Refusing to back down or show him how weak he makes me feel.
“How was your night?” I ask in a casual tone. Trying my luck at distracting him. And getting me out of an awkward situation.
Dominic’s perfect mouth turns into a smirk as he plants himself right in my personal space.
“Not nearly as interesting as my morning is becoming.” He admits.
My body ignites instantly at his closeness. My wolf yips happily at being back in his presence.
Stupid animal.
Taking my cup, Dominic places it onto the counter behind us. With an involuntary breath, his scent fills my nose.
My dream lovers’ scent can’t hold a candle to Dominic’s. His is stronger, captivating. His calls to something deep inside of me.
Just like when we were younger.
“Tell me about your evening.”
I try my best to rein in the raging hormones now pumping through my body. Determined not to jump my childhood crush in the kitchen. Where either of my brothers or even other pack members could walk in at any given moment.
“It was okay.” I answer lamely. Not trusting myself with more complex words.
A side of Dominic’s mouth lifts in a sexy half smile.
“And your morning?” He whispers, desire lacing his voice in a way designed to pull me under.
Swallowing. Hard. I stare into his eyes. Trying to remember why acting on my baser instincts and urges would be a bad thing. A very, very bad thing.
Dominic seems determined to stay in my personal space. Refusing me even an inch. Standing close enough to affect me without touching me. Asshole.
“Well Rae?” He hints, a knowing look on his face. Almost like he’s daring me to admit that I had been touching myself.
“Stop looking at me like that.” My words come out breathy and I have to mentally slap myself.
“Like what?” His voice teasing, as his eyes dilate.
“Like I’m some sort of tasty snack made specially for you.”
The interest lighting up his face has my tongue darting out, wetting my rapidly drying lips. Wetting them and teasing him in the same action. My chest was rising and falling in quick succession as my need is amplified by his closeness.
Fuck. What was this man doing to me?
Taking his sweet time, Dominic leans down, enjoying my reaction. My body jolts involuntary as his tongue slips out, teasing my ear as he whispers. “Were you thinking of me when you made yourself come?”
Bloody hell. I have to hold back a moan at the sound of the dirty words leaving his mouth.
The scent of Dominic’s desire wraps around me. Holding me captive, shredding me of my resistance.
Fuck it.
In a move that shocks us both, I clasp the back of his neck, pulling him down to me. Slamming my mouth against his sexy as fuck lips, I feast on him. Drowning myself in his taste.
Dominic’s hard body flush against mine. His tongue snakes out, licking at my lips. On a silent moan, I grant him entrance to my mouth. Our tongues duel one another as our teeth nip.
Need coils low in my belly as Dominic pushes his hard erection against my stomach. Withering against his shaft for some much-needed relief, I almost cry when his hands grip my hips, stilling my movements.
“Behave.” He orders against my mouth.
Clamping my hands onto the counter behind us. I do my best to stay upright as Dominic’s mouth moves to my neck, nipping the sensitive skin where the mating mark would normally go.
My wolf growls at the dominant move. Giving h
im her silent support. Wanting him to bite and mark us as his.
Wait his?
Ripping my mouth from his, shocked by my wolfs reaction. Hightailing it to the other side of the kitchen, needing to put some distance between us, and getting some much-needed Dominic free air into my lungs.
Stunned, Dominic turns slowly to face me, lust darkening eyes. My skin flushes pink as I touch my lips with the tips of my fingers. Feeling the tingle left by this kiss.
Opening my mouth, fully intending to tell him we shouldn't have done that. That kissing him was a mistake, only to snap it shut. The intense look in his hazel gaze turning me mute.
Shit. Fuck. Shit.
Watching Dominic prowl towards me is enough to have me back pedalling.
Nearly bumping into Cam as he makes his way into the kitchen. “Jesus, Rae. Where’s the fire?”
Thankful for his interruption, I dash out of the kitchen and away from the male who has the power to tempt my wolf.
Back in my room, I quickly make myself presentable. Not waiting time, or wanting Dom to corner me again, I rush out the front door as fast as possible, needing to put a hella lotta space between me and Dominic.