"But not you, I didn't want it to be you." My words came out tangled with the sobs I couldn't squash. He turned me around and brushed the hair from my face.
"It might always be me, Shawnee. Melinda nearly got all of you killed, or who knows what else. You know what punishment is required for that." His voice was soft but husky. He was right. It might always be he who has to carry out punishments, but it might not. He was warning me, preparing me for the worst.
"It doesn't feel good to kill people, even if they deserve it," I said after a short pause and a sniffle. My sobs cooled by his mere presence and I was able to meet his gaze.
"I know. Well, the man part of me knows. Not so much for the others," he said, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. Of course he made me smile. I put my hand on his bare chest and rubbed in slow circles.
"I'm sorry I yelled like that in front of the others." I shook my head at myself. I should know better than to act that way in front of the Sept.
"It's all right." He cupped my face, his thumbs wiping away my tears.
"It was disrespectful," I mumbled.
"It was brave," he said. His eyes stared deeply into mine. A flash of yellow swirled in his hazel pools.
"And disrespectful. I knew you had to do it."
"I knew you had to do it, too," he said, resting his forehead against mine.
All I could do was nod. Without warning, he lifted me up and guided my legs around his waist. I wrapped myself around him and he carried me deeper into the woods until we could no longer hear anything going on at the powwow.
With the sunset, the air grew cool and breezy as Mal carried me to a spot beside an old willow tree. He sat me in his lap under its umbrella-like branches and I clung to him.
"Is that what's really bothering you, or is it that we had to kill wolves?" he asked.
In less than a week, between my mate and me, two wolves had died, Sander and Melinda. If I counted Eva that made three. Although they left us no choice, Gaia still lost three precious wolves.
"Yeah, I think so, and seeing all those people in that cave." I took a deep breath. "I'm just glad that Sander didn't get to Alice. He didn't get to completely ruin her life."
"That's one good thing," he said and caressed my cheeks, his fingers tracing along my jaw.
"One good thing," I repeated, which made him smile.
"You're tougher than you think." He brushed the hair from my shoulders, fingertips grazing my neck.
"You're tougher than you look." I smiled at him.
"I knew I'd get you to smile." He kissed my shoulder.
Of course he could get me to smile. Pangs of guilt bounced around in my gut since I'd shouted at him. He was only doing what any good wolf would do to protect his pack. I leaned in to kiss him and he met me halfway.
Little sparks of electricity ran through me when his fingertips dug into my thighs. When he gripped the hem of my dress in his fists, I could feel his entire body tense under me. I caressed his arms, stroking lightly over the curves of his biceps. The fierce hunger in his eyes sent a tantalizing shiver down my spine, ending in a deep ache between my thighs. He reached around me until he found the braided strand that held my dress in place. When he pulled it, the top of my dress loosened and dropped to pool around my middle. The cool air grazed my flesh and hardened my nipples. His hands dropped back to my legs, pushing my dress up a little before pausing. Our gazes locked and I wanted nothing more than for him to continue. My insides burned and writhed, dampening my very core. He must have sensed my yearning.
His eyebrows flicked upward and a hint of his wolf peeked through, the familiar yellow whirl returning to his eyes. Without hesitation, he lifted my dress over my head and left me in his lap with just panties. Mal's skin was hot under my touch when he pulled me into a kiss, burying his hand in my hair. Our kiss was hungry and desire tumbled through me like waves of nuclear energy. I guided the vest off his shoulders. With only the light of the crescent moon peeking through the trees, my fingers traced the smooth ripples of his golden chest. Confidence drove me, pushing me to the brink of temptation.
He ended the kiss and his gaze wandered over my form as he traced my curves. Beneath me, the hardness of his need pressed against me, which stirred a longing deep within. His mouth claimed mine and his tongue probed my lips. A pained, guttural sound rumbled deep in his chest. I pulled him and guided him to roll with me from his lap to lie on the leaf-covered ground. He positioned himself above me, our kiss never broken. His body sheltered me and the bulge of his arousal pressed against my thigh. Desire trembled through every fiber of my being. I wanted him more than anything. To feel him inside me and around me, for his lips to kiss every inch of my body. His hands to sear every bit of flesh. For him to claim what I already knew in my heart as his.
With our kiss broken, he caressed my cheek. Our gazes still locked, he dragged his hand down the side of my body to rest on my hip. Mal's tongue delved and twirled with mine as he feasted on my mouth. His hunger rose and radiated through me like a pulsating beacon of light as if I were completely inside him and he completely in me. My belly burned with the yearning and ache I'd felt only once before. As he moved between my legs, his leather pants disappeared and his skin pressed mine. Shock waves electrocuted my insides when our bodies touched flesh to flesh. I kept my hands on his chest. The rumbling of his primal urges vibrated against my fingertips. His hands were soft as he cupped my breasts and leaned down to trace his tongue around my nipples. My stomach twitched and flip-flopped as my arousal grew; my heart slammed in my ears. Carefully, as if I were made of delicately blown glass, he slid his hands down my sides to my hips and caught the waist of my panties, tugging them down. He tossed them aside and repositioned himself over me. His body arched and he bent to kiss my neck. With clothes shed so too were inhibitions. I sighed when his lips traced along my collarbone and nibbled my ear. His hot, bated breath smelled sweet when his lips returned to graze mine.
When his arousal pressed closer to me, brushing against my inner thigh, I grew breathless with anticipation. He took my hand and kissed my palm when the faintest noise escaped me. His lips parted against the nape of my neck and his teeth dragged over my skin. Breathlessly he said, "A-ua-tse-li."
I wrapped my arms around his torso and gripped a handful of his hair, my lips to his ear. "Yours," I said.
"Mine," he repeated. His movements were slow and deliberate as he pressed his hips into mine and hardness speared me, slipping deep into my velvet heat.
My breath caught in my throat but instead of pain, a wave of aching pleasure washed over me. Mal groaned as our bodies accepted one another. With his lips pressed against my neck, little sparks of electricity shot through my system. My mind soared free and the only thing I could think of was him. As he moved, bliss rippled from my pelvis to the far reaches of my body. I heard heavy breathing and realized it wasn't Mal. I lifted my hips to meet his, which only made him thrust into me harder. I sucked in my breath and a moan escaped me. He nibbled and licked from my neck to my lips. Unbridled thunder of longing grew as I moved with him. With each thrust, our bodies moved like a well-choreographed dance. Volcanic need mounted with threatening tremors of release as he moved faster and, as if he could sense everything I wanted, he drove into me again, grinding and rocking. I gripped his hair and dug my heels into the ground, meeting him thrust for thrust. A growl erupted from him and if I could have growled with him I would have. My body shuddered and writhed, wrapped tightly with his. Just when I had the overwhelming desire to take a bite out of my mate, my body erupted into sweet rapture. My back arched, my body was on fire, as every bit of tension released with my raging orgasm. It seemed endless, I wanted it to be. I never wanted him to stop. He tensed and let out a long-winded groan that was accompanied by a sudden heat filling my fevered core. My body dropped to the earth with trembling legs and I reveled in the bliss of it all. He collapsed on top of me, burying his face in my hair. I hugged him, keeping him pressed against me.
&
nbsp; "Gv-ge-yu-hi," I said breathlessly. I love you.
"Gv-ge-yu-hi," he said, and teeth raked across my shoulder, parting only to nibble across my skin.
Tears streamed down my cheeks as shivers wracked my spine. I was content to remain just as we were until the world ended around us. Eventually, he moved to lie beside me and pulled me close to him. I was still breathless as I curled up against his chest. His expression was relaxed and happy. I smiled when he touched my face and then kissed his hand. In the aftermath of our lovemaking, I was sleepy and at ease. He held me while I listened to his heartbeat.
"A-ua-tse-li," he said, pressing his lips to my forehead.
"Yours."
***
"Did anyone ever tell you that you run ridiculously fast?" he said as I snuggled close to him.
"My mom used to call me Runs-Like-Wolf because the cubs could never catch me." I smiled at the memory then laughed softly at what it must've been like for him to chase me. I bet he enjoyed it; any wolf would. A throaty chuckle escaped his lips though this time it was breathy and relaxed.
"A very accurate name," he said. He held me in silence for awhile, both of us watching the moon rise higher in the sky. In time, my thoughts returned as the afterglow faded. With one arm wrapped around me, he ran his hand over my naked form and smiled through our kiss.
"I think I know now why Vanessa likes sex so much," I said.
He grinned. "Oh, really?"
"Yeah," I said as I leaned up on my elbow.
"You look happier," he said.
"So do you." I paused. "Why do I have a sudden craving for elk?"
He laughed. "We're mated now. You can sense me better. This wolf is hungry."
"Can he wait just a little more? I'm enjoying being here with you," I said and put my head back down on his chest.
"It can be arranged," he said through a smile as he ran his fingers through my hair.
I closed my eyes and enjoyed his touch. For the first time in my life, I didn't want the touching to stop. Every time he placed his hand on my head, little shivers sent sparks down my body.
We lay together, naked in the woods, for what seemed like hours. Our quiet time was broken by the echo of roars somewhere in the distance. The earth trembled beneath me and I shot up to sitting.
"Something's wrong," I said.
He nodded and helped me up. I tossed my dress on and he grabbed my hand. Together we ran back toward the lake. As we got closer, I could sense Caden and Xany and heard shouting and growling from some of the Sept members.
"What's going on?" I asked Mal, unable to see ahead in the darkness.
"A brawl," he said. With tensions as high as they were in the Sept this evening, I wasn't surprised that a brawl broke out. Inebriated wolves, death, and betrayal were the perfect cocktail for disaster.
When we finally got to the lake, two giant beasts faced each other—one wolf, one cat. I didn't recognize the werewolf that was growling and snapping at Vanessa. She towered nearly two feet above the werewolf and was nearly double the girth. In the dim light of the moon, Vanessa had a spectral iridescence about her as a result of her white fur. She roared at the werewolf with such force that its fur rippled. The werewolf lunged for her and they slammed to the ground, tumbling and lashing at each other. The ground shook beneath my feet and I broke away from Mal.
"No!" I shouted and, without thinking, I bolted toward the battling beasts. Mal grabbed me around the middle just as Caden, Hank, and Barron showed up. In unison, they transformed and took exterior positions around the battle. Xany rushed over when she heard me shout and both she and Mal held me in place.
"No, Nee, you can't interfere," Xany shouted over the roaring.
"Xee," I cried. "Don't let it hurt her!"
Xany pulled me into a hug and Mal kept his arms around both of us, not giving either of us the chance to get in the way. He was growling as he watched Hank and Caden try to gain control over the brawl. Other Changers, some in human form, some in lupine or beast, stood behind awaiting orders.
I heard the werewolf yelp as Vanessa bit down on its shoulder, pinning it to the ground. The unknown beast fought hard with a power I'd seen matched only in Mal. The werewolf flipped Vanessa over and when she hit the ground, it thundered like a storm. The wolf roared and tore at Vanessa's calf, shaking its head and tearing her fur. Vanessa yowled in pain and hissed, then swiped her clawed paw across the werewolf's chest. Blood spatter hit Caden and Hank across the middle. Vanessa's fur was stained with her own blood. I fought hard against Mal and Xany to get closer, though Caden took the opportunity to intervene. With two injured beasts, he moved in front of the werewolf while Vanessa rolled away to lick her wounded leg.
It took all the power Caden, Hank, and Barron had to subdue the raging werewolf. It kept attempting to rise and once I thought I saw it stare Barron down long enough to cause his shoulders to slump. Vanessa, now healed, sat crouched and watched the scene. Her claws dug into the dirt as she waited for an opportunity to pounce. I could tell by her defensive posture that she wasn't the one who had initiated the fight. Her eyes darted around the body of the wolf as if looking for the weakest spot to attack. I calmed down a bit now that she wasn't being attacked. Caden and the others paid her no mind and I assumed they too knew it wasn't Vanessa who had started it. Caden roared and gestured, though the unknown wolf countered, raging and growling at Caden and Hank. Suddenly, Hank turned his enormous head and looked directly at me. I shivered when he caught my gaze and I felt Mal's fur bristle against my arms. His grip loosened as he stood up a bit straighter.
Caden turned to Vanessa and pointed away, gesturing for her to get away from the scene. She hissed at him before drawing her eyes away and looking to me. I took advantage of Mal's distraction and wiggled away from him to run toward Vanessa. Mal and Xany both tried to catch me but I broke free. When I got closer to Vanessa, the werewolf that had been somewhat subdued began raging again. It lunged at Caden though he used his chest to block and knocked the wolf back on the ground. With one quick swipe, Vanessa shoved me behind her and wrapped her tail around my midsection. She eyed the wolf that would not stop charging at her.
Finally, Barron had had enough, and when the werewolf ran at Caden again, he tossed his clawed fist at its muzzle. The wolf landed with a harsh thud on its back. Caden turned to Mal, who had now moved beside Vanessa, and made a few gruffing noises.
"Both of you get inside," Mal said, passing on Caden's orders to us.
"What's going on? Who is that?" I frowned at the crowd of building-sized werewolves circling the unknown beast. Xany looked rather pale as she took me by the arm.
"Let's just go in," she said. "You, too, Vanessa."
Chapter Twenty-Six
Vanessa hissed at Xany and uncoiled her tail from around me before she shifted back down into her human form. She limped as the wound on her leg continued to heal and put her arm around my waist possessively. Mal walked behind all of us making sure we didn't turn back around. Some of the other wolves had subsequently stood down and returned to the powwow once the brawl was over. They continued on with the festivities as if nothing unexpected had happened.
Halfway through the walk back to the cabin, Vanessa stopped limping when her leg was fully healed. Mal ushered us inside and away from the others, though I could tell he was still listening to Caden in their silent mind-talk, Alpha-Beta manner. I tried to listen inside myself to see if I could tap into what they were saying but it was no use. I was too distraught by the thought of Vanessa being hurt.
Vanessa sat on the sofa and bent her leg up to inspect it. I crouched down in front of her and rubbed her calf carefully. There was no evidence of a wound or any remaining blood.
"Does it hurt?" I asked.
Xany and Mal stood stock still by the sofa watching us, though Xany looked like she was going to vomit on the spot. I glanced at her and frowned. Something was up. Xany was never this quiet and she would never have agreed to leave the scene of such an interesting fight so
easily.
"It feels funny, but dog bites always do for a little bit," she said and reached out to caress my cheek.
"What happened?" I asked and stroked her arm. I had a hard time shaking off the image of the wolf biting into her.
"I was waiting by the lake after you and Mal went off. Then the female dog showed up, she must have followed me," Vanessa added as I moved to sit beside her.
"Followed you? Do you think she was running with those gypsies?" I asked, and glanced to Mal and Xany, who were clearly preoccupied by whatever Caden was saying to them privately. I watched Mal. His silence scared me the most.
"No, she came from the powwow. She stalked me at the lake when you left and accused me of being a flesh eater," Vanessa said. I kept my hand on her leg to make sure that it stayed intact as the images of her being torn to pieces kept invading my thoughts. The term flesh eater wasn't all that foreign to me. Often wolves accused weretigers of eating the flesh of humans. It's against wolf laws but that's not necessarily true for other species.
"What else did she say?" Mal suddenly chimed in.
"She said that I was a flesh eating jungle cat and something about smelling like a doe-dee." Vanessa shrugged lightly but continued to frown.
"What's a doe-dee?" Xany asked.
"No idea." Mal shook his head.
I ran my fingers through her hair. I hated that she kept getting hurt. We all knew it was a risk for her to live here and that some Sept members might have issues with that, but I couldn't sit back and let her be attacked without provocation.
"What's a jungle cat?" Xany asked again as she continued to look distracted, though clearly trying to fight through it.
"It's a slur for cats. It means uncivilized," I answered. "Back in the day, wolves used to accuse werecats of eating humans."
"Ew... Do you eat humans, Ness?" Xany asked with a scrunched-up face.
"Not lately." She hissed at Xany.
Birthrite (Legacy Series Book 2) Page 26