by Katie Reus
In jeans, knee-high black boots and a fitted black jacket, they were wearing pretty much the same thing. Except Natalia was wearing a pretty red and gold scarf Aldric had bought for her from QVC. She had a not-so-secret obsession with the shopping network and he’d surprised her last week.
“What’s going on?” she asked.
“There’s a vampire at the main house.” Gloria slid her arm through Natalia’s. “And I want to see him.”
“A vampire… Oh, right, Niko. Why do you want to see him?”
It was pretty rare for a vampire to be at the ranch, but he’d needed to talk to Jayce about something. To do that, he’d had to ask Connor for permission to be on the ranch. Jayce could have met the male in town or somewhere else, but they’d been doing enough work together lately that Niko needed to speak with Connor and be accepted onto pack land. Because this was Connor’s territory, period. While Jayce might technically not consider Connor his Alpha, anyone who came into this territory needed to clear it with the pack leader first.
“Not all of us get to go off on adventures.” Gloria’s voice was teasing. “I’ve never seen one up close and you know him, so you’re taking me. I just want one peek, that’s all.”
Her sister was a beta and liked staying close to the ranch, to her pack. Natalia would have just gone to the main house if she’d wanted to see a vampire but she understood her sister was wired differently. It was part of her submissive nature.
“He’s really nice. Not like other vampires I’ve met.”
Gloria snorted. “Haven’t most vampires you’ve met tried to kill you?”
“Good point. So…have you finished your Christmas shopping yet?”
Her sister shot her a sideways glance as they reached the front porch of Ana and Connor’s home. “Christmas isn’t until next month, you freak. And I swear to God if you tell me you’re already done…”
“Then I won’t tell you.” Natalia did her shopping all year and was usually done by October. It made her sisters crazy.
“What did you get me?”
“I’m not telling,” she said as the door opened and Leila, a seventeen-year-old shifter and enforcer-in-training, stepped out.
She grinned when she saw them. “Holy shit you guys, that vamp is hot!”
“He can hear you,” Natalia murmured.
“I know.” She was gone in a blur of motion, her long black hair flying behind her as she headed in the direction of her home.
“I don’t remember being that insanely hormonal at her age.”
Natalia snorted. “No kidding. I think she partially does it to mess with Jayce.” The young shifter was having fun making him crazy.
Gloria blinked, took a step back to look at her.
Panic threaded through her veins. “What’s wrong?”
“You said ‘mess with’ instead of ‘fuck with.’ What have you done with my sister? Have the pod people finally taken over?”
“Shut up. Vivian told me I had a potty mouth,” she grumbled.
Gloria laughed as they stepped inside. “That sounds like her.”
Natalia immediately scented Aldric, even before she heard that deep, sexy voice that made her completely crazy in the best way possible.
Seconds later they stepped into the entryway to find Connor leaning against the fireplace while Aldric and Niko sat on opposite couches. Natalia was about to introduce her sister to Niko when the male abruptly stood, staring at Gloria as if she was the best Christmas present he’d ever seen. His normally dark eyes started to glow a faint amber.
Okay, then. Natalia looked at her sister, surprised to find her staring at the male with blatant interest.
She cleared her throat at the sharp burst of lust that could have been emanating from either one of them. Or maybe both. “Gloria, this is Niko. Niko, Gloria.”
Neither glanced at her but Niko strode forward and actually fucking bowed. Like some sort of old-school courtier, he took one of her hands, half-bowed and kissed it.
Natalia forced herself not to laugh as she went to sit in Aldric’s lap. Seriously, what the hell was going on? She raised her eyebrows at Aldric who looked just as perplexed as her. Well that was good—at least that Niko didn’t make a habit of doing…whatever it was he was doing.
Leaning close to Aldric’s ear, she whispered low enough that only he could hear. “Is it just me, or is this a little weird that neither of them are talking?”
He let out a short laugh.
Connor cleared his throat, clearly ready to say something, when a little jaguar raced into the room, followed by a larger wolf.
Whatever was going on between Gloria and Niko, the spell seemed to be broken. Sort of. Her sister’s cheeks were all flushed as she pulled her hand back.
Vivian meowed loudly, butting Niko’s leg with her head.
Connor moved across the room lightning fast, picking the cub up in a protective gesture she understood. “She’s never smelled a vampire before.”
Whether Connor trusted the vamp or not wouldn’t matter with a cub in the room. As Alpha, it was in his nature to protect the little ones. It was actually a shifter thing in general. And Niko was still fairly unknown to Connor, regardless of how much Jayce or she and Aldric trusted him.
Niko laughed. “Is she challenging me?”
“No, she wants you to pet her head.” Connor’s voice was wry. He held a wiggling Vivian in his arms. “This is Vivian, my daughter.” There was a dark edge to his words, the indication clear. Make one wrong move and death would be swift and brutal.
Niko nodded, understanding. “I can leave now, if you’d prefer.”
Connor looked at the male for a long moment, then set Vivian down, showing a huge amount of trust to this vampire. Though if the male even thought about making a wrong move, he’d be dead before he could act on it. She had that much faith in her Alpha’s strength, knew how brutal he could be to his enemies.
Vivian started trying to climb Niko’s leg, not using her claws as she batted at him. He bent down to pick her up but Lucas growled, watching Niko like a predator watched prey.
Natalia snorted. “He’s actually challenging you.” No doubt about that.
“Lucas, enough.” Connor didn’t raise his voice, didn’t have to.
The cub stopped growling but stood close to Niko as he picked up Vivian and sat back on the couch. He looked out of place, the way he held her a bit awkward. To Natalia’s surprise, Gloria scooped up Lucas and sat inches from Niko. She beamed at the male and started talking about the cubs. Her beta sister was acting out of character but it was clear to see why.
“It’s like I’ve walked into the fucking Twilight Zone,” she murmured to Aldric, who was also watching the show in fascination.
Vivian’s head snapped toward Natalia and she let out a tiny roar.
Ah, hell. “Damn it, I’ll put a dollar in the swear jar.”
Vivian growled.
Crap, she’d said damn too. “Two dollars.”
The little she-cat nodded then pounced from Niko’s lap and sauntered out of the room as if she owned the place, her little tail swaying, Lucas not far behind her.
“She’s a little extortionist,” Natalia muttered.
Aldric snickered, his grip on her tightening. She loved the possessive way he held her. “Technically, she’s not, since—”
“That’s enough out of you.” She nipped his jaw lightly, ready to get the heck out of there. She wanted alone time with Aldric in the worst way. Which gave her an idea… She turned to Niko, grinned. “Gloria’s been telling me about this new restaurant in town she wants to try out.”
Aaaaannnnd that was all the hint he needed.
The ancient vampire practically fell all over himself as he turned to her sister, asking if she’d like to go to dinner with him after he spoke to Jayce.
“Let’s get out of here,” she whispered to Aldric. She was done being patient and tonight was a full moon. They were bonding. Period.
“I’ll catch up w
ith you.” His low voice wrapped around her, making her body flare to life. “Gotta talk to Connor about something.”
Though disappointment slid through her, she nodded and headed out. Gloria and Niko stood too, leaving the house together as if no one else existed.
“What the fuck?” Connor stared after the two of them. “I’ve never seen anything like that.”
“Swear jar, dude.” Natalia gave Aldric one last kiss before following after the others. Instead of going in their direction, she headed back to her house.
She wasn’t sure how long Aldric would be but by the time he got to their place she was going to make sure the waiting came to an end.
Chapter 23
Aldric stalked across the pack’s property, energy pulsing through him in hard waves. He’d wanted nothing more than to toss Natalia over his shoulder like a fucking caveman and find the nearest quiet spot and fully claim her.
It was a full moon tonight and he was finally going to mark his mate, to bond with the female he loved more than anything. Life without her wasn’t worth anything. The past month he’d finally courted her the way he should have all those months ago instead of acting like a fucking coward.
They were both ready now.
Still, he’d had to talk to Connor first, to let the male know that he had Aldric’s full allegiance. That if he was called upon for anything, this was his pack now. His own brother didn’t consider Connor his Alpha, but that was just the way the male was wired. Enforcers were a different breed. While it chafed Aldric a little to have an Alpha, the reward was worth it. A pack to call his own. And, more than that, it would make Natalia happy.
That was all he wanted. She was all he wanted. Now and forever. There was no doubt in his mind that she would leave her pack if he asked, but he could never do that. Her sisters and cousins lived here, she was happy here. And…he was happy too. A strange concept for someone who’d been a loner for so damn long. She made him want to put down roots.
He returned greetings to a few of the pack as he hurried to get to Natalia, but he didn’t pause. When her house came into view he broke into a jog, instinct screaming at him to move faster, faster.
The moon urged him on, demanding he take his female. Nothing would get in their way or interrupt them. He’d called Gloria to let her know that he needed the house tonight and she’d been only too willing to stay out later with Niko.
It took all his restraint not to bust the door down like a maniac when he reached it. His skin felt too tight for his body, as if he could climb right out of it. The door was unlocked, no surprise. But once he was inside, he turned the deadbolt.
It snicked into place, the sound heavy in his ears. He was finally alone with his mate. He paused at a sound, realized water was running upstairs.
A deep-seated fear that he’d fuck this up simmered inside him, but he shoved it back down. He pushed aside all the voices that wanted to tell him he wasn’t good enough for her, that he’d fail her. That once he admitted total and utter happiness, the universe would take her away from him.
She’d made him see differently. His female could take care of herself. And fuck it, a life without her simply wasn’t worth living.
He followed that sweet, cherry blossom scent up the stairs. It called to him more than the sound of the shower.
All his muscles grew taut just thinking about her slick and naked, waiting in there for him. Over the last month he’d learned that she didn’t care about a bed, she just wanted him.
Her desire for him humbled him. He needed her just as much but he loved knowing they were on the same wavelength, that their white-hot hunger mirrored each other’s.
He stripped off his clothes as he took the stairs, not caring where he dropped them. As he reached her bedroom, he dropped his jeans, leaving them where they fell.
The door to the bathroom was open, steam billowing out. Beckoning to him along with her intensified scent.
His cock jutted in front of him, hard and eager as he silently stepped inside.
“Took you long enough.” A hint of attitude punctuated her words.
God he loved her. “Impatient for me?” He stepped into the stone and glass enclosure, pulling the door shut behind him.
Natalia stood under the waterfall of jets, her espresso-colored hair seeming even darker when it was wet. Her deep brown eyes flared with heat as she drank him in from head to toe. “I’m very impatient… It’s a full moon tonight.” There was no trepidation in her words, just fire. As if she was daring him to say something.
“I know,” he growled.
She reached for him, clutching onto his shoulders at the same time he reached for her hips. “You plan on telling me it’s too soon or some other garbage, and I’ll—”
“No.” He bit the word out savagely. He wasn’t waiting another day. Not even another fucking minute.
She blinked, as if she’d expected an argument. Then her mouth pulled into the sexiest, most satisfied grin. Without pause she grabbed onto his shoulder and hoisted herself up, wrapping her legs around his waist.
His thick cock was heavy between them. The feel of her slick body against his had all his senses going into overdrive. Simply looking at his female was enough to make him crazy, but feeling her like this and knowing she was about to be his for the rest of his life…
“I love you,” she rasped out, raking her canines against his neck.
“Mine.” It was all he could get out as he pinned her against the wall. He crushed his mouth over hers, taking, tasting.
He’d learned over the last month that his Natalia didn’t need things sweet and soft. Sometimes she did, but she was a very sensual female.
Still…he pulled back a fraction. “Do you want our bed?”
In response she grabbed the back of his neck, pulled his mouth back to hers. Thank fuck. He didn’t want to move from where they were.
She arched into him as their tongues tangled, her hard nipples brushing against his chest. Reaching between them, he palmed one, tweaked her nipple with his thumb and forefinger.
She moaned into his mouth, shuddering against him. Her fingers dug into his shoulders, her claws pricking at him.
He growled low in his throat, kissed a path from her mouth, along her jaw and down the column of her neck. His heart pounded out of control and his canines extended without thought, his wolf wanting to pierce her skin.
The need to mark her had all his primal instincts shoved to the surface, ready to take over.
“No going back.” His voice was rough against her neck. He’d never thought he’d have a chance like this, a female like this.
“I don’t want to.” Her own voice was savage, laced with hunger. “Take me.” A soft demand.
Though he hated to disentangle her from him, he moved them away from the wall. She dropped her legs and spun so that she was facing the wall. She placed her hands on it and looked over her shoulder at him, all fire and need as she pushed her ass back at him.
Water cascaded all around them, heat and steam billowing around them in a cocoon.
All the muscles in his body pulled tight as he drank in the sight of her.
He gently wrapped his hand around the front of her throat, turned her so that he could devour her mouth with his. She shoved her ass into him, arching and moaning as his tongue teased hers. It took willpower he didn’t know he had not to just thrust into her.
This was her first time and it was their official bonding. That was the real reason he’d held off this past month—he’d wanted their first time together to be when they bonded forever. That final link where they committed to each other for always.
It should terrify him after failing his first mate, but the only thing that did scare him was the thought of a life without Natalia.
Sliding his other hand down her flat abdomen, he cupped her mound, slid his middle finger right over her pulsing clit.
“Aldric,” she moaned.
“Say my name again.” He sounded savage, even to himself.
He kept his hand wrapped around her throat so she couldn’t move as he oh so slowly began stroking her clit.
“Aldric.” His name tore from Natalia’s lips at his command. She jerked back against Aldric as he started teasing her. And he was definitely teasing. He had to scent how primed she was, had to know how ready she was for this. After a month of learning each other’s bodies he knew her as well as she knew herself. And vice versa.
The only line they hadn’t crossed was actual penetration. God, she was so ready for that. So ready her body was trembling out of control. Her inner walls clenched, empty, needy for him.
He growled softly against her neck, his canines grazing her pulse point as he worked his finger against her sensitive bundle of nerves. The way he held her, she could barely move.
The sensation of being immobile made this even more intense. She trusted him on every level, loved submitting to him like this. She was teetering right on the edge of pleasure, so close.
“In me,” she rasped out, more plea than command.
He gave a low laugh, the sound dark and wicked against her neck. “Come first.”
It was like his words set something off inside her. The orgasm that had been building rose higher and higher, crested as he increased his pressure against her clit. When she came she wanted him inside her.
That was what she desperately wanted, with a hunger she’d never imagined, barely understood. But her wolf knew that they needed to bond, connect on the most intimate level right freaking now.
She felt as if she’d die if he didn’t push inside her.
As her climax surged through her, punching out to all her nerve endings, he dropped his hand from her neck, reached between her legs from behind. He delved two fingers into her slickness.
“So wet,” he groaned.
She pushed back against him, not wanting fingers.
He withdrew and a second later she felt his cock nudge her entrance. She was still trembling from her orgasm, the pleasure too much and not enough.
Her inner walls tightened and she willed him to hurry up.