by Riley Cross
Impulsively I take a step back, my back meeting the cool metal body of the truck. Talk about stuck between a rock and a hard place.
Magic radiates from Dominic, pulsing around him like a lover. My jaw locks as all my muscles go into high alert. For the first time. I see the strength my mate holds back behind a carefree smile. The powerful warlock standing before me.
In my heart, I know Dominic would never do anything to harm me, but with the twisted look on his face and the alarm screaming through the bond. I feel a sliver of fear run down my spine.
“D-Dominic?” I’m not proud of the stutter in my voice. And I swore only he would see this weak side of me. Only my mate.
Dominic’s mouth slams down on my own. Shocking me. This kiss was something else.
It was dark. Possessive. Primitive.
His tongue thrusts past my lips without invitation, plundering my mouth like it held the secrets of the universe.
He was dominating me, owning me.
Breathing heavily, he leans his forehead against mine, growling. “You belong to me. I’ll kill anyone who thinks they can take you from me.” What the ever-living fuck? When his voice goes all rough like this, it does all kinds of wicked things to my insides.
“Dominic? What’s the matter?” I don’t understand, I thought he would want to leave me.
Keeping my body pressed between his solid form and the vehicle at my back, his fingers fly across my jeans, unsnapping them, the sound of the zipper filling the air.
Pushing his way into my underwear, two fingers spear me, ripping a moan from my lips. God, I’m soaking for him after only a kiss.
My claws curl into his shoulders, digging into his skin as he withdraws his digits before sinking them back into my heat.
“Fuck. Your so wet, mate.” He groans, “if this is because of him, I will fucking bury him.” Dominic growls before taking my mouth savagely again, swallowing my cries.
Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit.
Dominic removes his hand completely from my panties when he feels my insides tighten at my coming climax. Denying me.
I beg him not to stop touching me and almost cry as the pleasure fades back into the background.
Without realizing I had shut them, I open my eyes to watch as Dominic rips away my jeans, leaving me standing bare before him.
His pants are already open, his cock standing at attention.
“Dominic, the guys will see us.” I moan, trying to sound reasonable but honestly, I couldn’t give a shit if we had an audience. All I could think about was having my mate buried inside me where he belongs. It feels like a lifetime since we last mated, even though it was just this morning, when he took me in the shower.
“Good. Let them fucking see how I own this body. How only I get to bring you this kind of pleasure.” Lifting me around the waist, I instinctively wrap my legs around him, the head of his cock prodding my entrance. “You are mine.” He growls, surging forward, filling me in a single thrust.
“Yesss.” I hiss at the slight pain that’s quickly covered by the pleasure pulsing through my body.
Using the car to help hold me up, Dominic grabs me from behind the knees, my limbs fall from his waist as he opens my legs wider. Giving him more room to move. His thrusts turn hard, brutal, animalistic. And I fucking love it.
“Scream, baby.” He orders, sucking my neck. My claiming bite. And scream I do. Dominic doesn’t just bring me to the edge, he thrusts me over it. I scream and moan his name as pleasure rolls over me. Turning me boneless in his arms.
“Mine. Mine. Mine.” He chants with each jerk into my heat. I feel as his cock gets impossibly bigger, signaling how close his own climax is. His mouth fuses to mine when he groans, his cock pulsing and spilling inside me. Marking me with his scent.
Jealousy.
That dark emotion, I couldn’t name. My mate is jealous.
I don’t know how long we stand like this. Locked together against my truck. I have no words and I don’t know how to deal with the situation. Why the heck is Dominic jealous?
“I won’t give you up, Kitten.” Dominic’s voice was hoarse. And it pulls on something deep within me.
“We are yours.” My animal growls, eyes glowing.
“I saw the look in your eyes when you saw him. I hate that look.” He tells the she-wolf. “I’m not letting Dorian take you from me.”
A rumble moves through my chest as my wolf chuffs at her mate.
“We are yours.” She repeats, retreating, returning control to me.
“You’re jealous of Dorian?” How ridiculous.
Dominic nods, sullenly.
That’s what all this was about? He wanted to make sure the others knew I was taken?
“I wanted to kill him. Wipe away any competition to your heart. But I felt that killing him would upset you.” He confesses.
I smile, unable to help myself. He really sounds like a shifter now.
“Well, thank God you didn’t kill him. Because you are right. His death would have made me very sad.”
There is so much about wolf packs he doesn’t know. No wonder he’s reacting so strongly. He doesn’t know the kinds of bonds our animal’s form.
He truly doesn’t understand how precious mates are. That there is nothing in heaven or hell that can undo the bond we’ve created.
I suppose that is partly my fault. I should have explained it to him better. “You don’t need to feel jealous, my Alpha. We are yours, just as you are ours.” I murmur, slipping my lips over his in a long, lazy kiss.
I feel him hardening inside me at my attention and I can’t help but grin. Stamina of a shifter.
As he takes me over the edge again against the truck without losing his stride. I make a promise to us both that I will make more of an effort to explain things to him. I hate the feelings swirling in my chest. Feelings that shouldn’t be there. The doubt Dominic has over his claim to me. I’ll wipe it all away and show him just what it means to be mates.
CHAPTER Seventeen
To hold her heart.
What the hell was that? I don’t even know what came over me. My blood boiled when I witnessed the look my mate and Dorian shared. All I could think about was dragging her to the floor and filling her as Dorian watched her body accept mine. But the thought of his eyes on her naked form twisted my gut tighter. I needed to get her away from the male before I killed him for looking at her in such an intimate way.
She was mine and fuck anyone who thought they could take her from me. I’d bury them all. I’d let the darkness inside of me out and wipe them all from the face of the planet.
By the time I’d dragged us both outside there was nothing I could do. Every instinct, every cell of my body demanded her surrender. Demanded I take her with the others close by and show them just who owned her, body and soul.
It wasn’t making love. It wasn’t even fucking. It was pure animal instinct. Rutting. I took her like an animal outside; I held her open so there was no way her body couldn’t accept all of me. I’d never come so hard in my bloody life. And Rae.
She didn’t complain once about the way I had treated her. Her body accepted everything I gave. By the time I could get a coherent thought out, I felt calmer, but I couldn’t bring myself to release my hold. I kept myself buried deep in her heat. Relishing the feel of her walls gripping me.
The second time I took her, I was calmer. Able to be gentler. Able to love her the way she should be loved.
God knows how much time passed, till I able to pull away from her body. Keeping her shielded from the others with my body. She dressed quickly on shaky legs. While I tucked myself back into my jeans.
Without fighting me, she let me lead her around to the passenger side of the truck, and buckle her in. I couldn’t even look her in the eyes. I was such a bastard.
After I climbed into the driver’s side, I accepted the keys Rae held out for me and drove us home in silence.
We’ve been home for a good hour and I still haven’t man
ned up and spoken to her. Or even make sure she’s okay with what we did. Such a bastard.
Necking back my third helping of scotch, I breathe as it burns a trail down my throat.
“Dominic.” A small feminine voice that has the power to bring me to my knees, comes from the doorway to the spare room where I’ve been hiding.
Sighing into the glass, I place it down and turn to face the music. My mate is standing by the door, with a look of concern on her beautiful face. I can feel her apprehension in our bond. I hate that it even exists.
That I put that doubt there.
Opening my arms, “come to me, Kitten.” I murmur.
My usually strong and powerful mate looks so small and delicate right now. Vulnerable.
“Are you still angry?” She whispers.
Angry isn’t the word I’d use. I hate myself right now. I’m really no good for you. “I’m not angry.” I lie, wanting her in my arms so badly.
“Dom, I have unrestricted access to how you’re feeling.-” She motions to her chest, the same place I feel her energy, she also feels mine. “Please don’t lie to me.”
I motion for her to come to me again.
This time, she doesn’t hesitate. Climbing onto my lap, I wrap my arms around her, instantly feeling better. Her warmth surrounds me, grounding me. God, she really is out of my league.
“We need to talk.” She mutters, not moving from where she huddles against my chest.
I go tense at her words. It was never a good sign for a woman to say those words.
My arms tighten around her, unwilling to let her go, no matter how this conversation goes.
“This is all my fault.” She continues, her fingers trace a pattern on my shirt. “I haven’t properly explained any of this to you.”
Frowning, I look down at her. “What are you talking about?” Shit. Is this where she tells me about her true feelings for Dorian? Fuck me, when did I become the jealous, possessive type? I never cared about who my ex-lovers had slept with. Since Rae.
“I know you must have questions about what happened in the cabin.”
Damn straight I do, but I’m scared of your answers.
“Ask me anything and I’ll tell you the truth. I need to explain the ways of the pack to you. I should have done it before we mated but I wasn’t thinking straight.” Baby if you tell me bonding with me was a mistake, you’ll be the death of me.
“How long have you had feelings for Dorian?” The question leaves my mouth before I can even register it as a thought.
My mate stills in my arms, stopping her pattern.
This is it. Shit. Why’d I have to ask? Even if she has feelings for the other wolf. I know I won’t be able to walk away from her. I’ll take any scraps of attention she’ll give me.
Staring up at me, she has… Amusement? Written on her gorgeous face. The sparkle in those ocean depths of hers has me speechless.
“I knew it.” She says, the corner of her mouth curling slightly.
“What?” I frown.
“I knew you were jealous of him.”
At her mention of the other male, I growl, sparking something more in those eyes. Desire?
“Dorian is my Beta. Nothing more.” She tells me, softly. “I could never think of him in the same way I think of you. We are mates. Created for each other.”
“I saw you. Both of you. There was something there.” I snap, my jealousy getting the better of me.
Her smile drops a little at my hard words.
“He’s my Beta.” She repeats in a way of explanation.
“Yeah, you’ve said that already.”
“We have a connection. But it’s not sexual. In any way, shape or form. I don’t know how to explain it in a way that you’ll understand.” She frowns.
“Can he feel you as I do?” Because if so, he’s a dead man.
She shakes her head, and I release the breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.
“I don’t really feel him at all. It’s our animals that can sense each other. It’s how it is within packs. Similar to how Maddison can pick up on everyone’s emotions. We have these connections to help us keep the pack healthy. As my Beta Dorian has to know what my animals mental state is like. And I his. That is why everything inside of me is screaming that he is innocent. I cannot pick up any malicious intent from him or his animal nor is there any darkness in him. I chose him as my Beta for a reason. I trust him, my wolf trusts him, and I need to get him out of that hole.”
I stay quiet for a long time, rolling her words around in my head until they make sense.
“I’m sorry.” I concede.
“But I cannot handle the thought of anyone else touching you or taking you from me. I don’t want to share you with the world. I accept that you’re Alpha of this pack and in your nature, you have to be there for all of them. But I want the rest of you to myself. And when I saw that look on your face as you gazed at another man, I lost control. I saw you slipping from me and it drove me crazy.”
“There has to be a limit for your jealousy.” She smiles, trailing her fingers gently over my growing stubble. “Baby, when it comes to you. There is no limit.” Leaning down, I cover her mouth with mine and drink from her. Giving us both what we need. She turns into jelly in my arms, and a deep satisfaction settles in my chest.
Bing. Bing.
Someone really has shitty timing. Rae pulls away from my hold first, a soft smile on her lips.
“Do what you need to do, Dom. I want to bounce some ideas off the guys.” I’d prefer doing some bouncing with you. An amused look lights up her eyes. “You said that out loud, mate.” While some people may get embarrassed by a brain leak, I waggle my brows suggestively. When red stains her cheeks and the intrigued feeling whirls in my chest, it takes all of my self-control to not pounce at the female.
Bing. Bing.
“Go. Before we have a repeat of our mating.” I groan, trying not to picture Rae spread out over my bed like a buffet. Instead, choosing to reach for my phone.
“So bossy.”
“Baby, you have no idea.”
Watching her leave the room, did she just wiggle her ass at me? Minx.
Once she rounds the corner and is out of sight, I unlock my cell and check on whoever is trying to get my attention.
Greyson: I want an update.
Greyson: Come over to my packhouse, I’ll be sending you the address shortly.
Fuck. I’d been so wrapped up in Rachael, I’d completely forgotten about this jackass.
Glancing at the door, my mate exited through moments ago, I go over my options.
Looking at my palm, I frown as I remember the echo of pain I had felt when Rae had bitten me. What are the odds?
“Venba.” I whisper, running two fingers over where the seal should be.
Nothing. The scarring doesn’t appear. Frowning, I repeat the spell, just to be sure. But the results are the same. Whatever magic the bond is formed with, is powerful enough to annul Warlock contracts. “Huh. No wonder the others kept this so close to the chest.” I mutter out loud.
Mating with shifters wasn’t exactly sanctioned. Not that I would have let that stop me from having Rae.
If I message him that the deal is off, he could turn up here and rat me out to Rae and her brothers. Not the desired outcome. Coward. Left with only one option, I reply to the Alpha’s messages.
Me: I’ll be there soon.
Now, how the hell do you sneak out of a house full of wolves?
I catch my reflection in the bedroom window. God, what a rookie move. She’s going to kick my ass if she finds out about the real reason, I came back to Stonehart. About the deal I made with Greyson.
I can’t let that happen. I’ll need a story for when I get back, so nobody suspects anything.
Determination straightens my shoulders as I unlatch the lock and push the window open wide.
Here goes nothing.
Thankfully, I still had the keys from the drive home from that Cabin dungeo
n Rae has in the woods. So, driving the hour to Greyson’s pack house wasn’t a problem. Putting the truck into park, I spot the hulking Alpha waiting for me by the door with a slightly smaller but still overly bulky male next to him.
Who the fuck is that? Wait. I’ve seen him somewhere before.
Wracking my brains for the answer, I get out the truck, leaving the keys in the ignition in case I need a fast get away. Pulling tightly on my magic, I hold it at the ready around my body. Taking on a relaxed manner. Why some may prefer to throw their strength around, I was more the catch’ em by surprise type. No need to give the game away if this doesn’t go to plan.
“Ah, Ripper. We finally meet.” Greyson greets me with a smile full of teeth. Giving me the little red riding hood feel.
“Greyson.” I nod, casually. Locking eyes with the still silent male, “and you?”
“This is my Beta, Enzo.”
Enzo doesn’t even attempt a friendly greeting. Animosity drips from him. Interesting. “He always so friendly?” I ask, motioning to the Beta, who bares his teeth.
“Well, that isn’t a handsome sight.” I drawl, unimpressed.
Enzo tries to take a threatening step forward, only to be stopped by his Alpha’s meaty hand landing on his shoulder.
“Enough. Let’s go inside. It’s time to talk business.”
“Thought you’d never ask.” Keeping my pace leisurely, I follow the Alpha into the house, Enzo comes up my back. Practically breathing down my neck. What is this guy’s problem?