Her scent was overpowering and his nostrils flared, the softness of her flesh inviting him to taste her. The tightness of her body squeezed his cock into an orgasm that had him losing control. Without meaning to his wolf’s growl escaped him, and he clamped his teeth into her shoulder to prevent another one from sounding. Serena cried out, her body convulsing beneath his as she climaxed around his knotted shaft.
Connor lay against her, afraid to move. He kissed the tiny wound his fangs had left, lapping up the beads of blood. Then, rolling to his side, he brought her with him so that they were facing one another. Serena’s eyes were closed, but he knew that she wasn’t sleeping, though he had no doubt that she was probably exhausted. He gave her the time that she needed to catch her breath and bring her body under control.
“Did you just bite me?” she asked after a little while.
Since she’d opened her eyes and was looking at him Connor nodded. “I’m sorry. Sometimes I can’t control the wolf in me from wanting to leave his mark.” It was the truth, though she was the only one he’d ever marked before.
When he was able to he slipped out of her body and lay on his back. He had to get ready for the meeting that afternoon, and he wondered if he’d have the strength to leave her side. He’d been warned that his mate being in heat would affect him strongly, but nothing had prepared him for the impact of taking her virginity.
Serena was quiet. Connor wasn’t surprised to find when he glanced at her that she’d fallen asleep. He reached down for the covers when his hand encountered something wet. Raising his head, he saw the blood staining the sheet Serena was resting on. She didn’t stir when he covered her and left the bed.
He stood looking down at her. He had a lot of explaining to do, and he wondered how he could convince Serena that what he said about being a wolf, short of changing before her eyes, was the truth.
First, he needed to take care of the situation with Clive.
****
Serena opened her eyes, wincing as she stretched her aching body against the rumpled bedding. Moaning, she began to run her hands down her body, causing a flashback of another’s hands moving over her, leaving in its wake more pleasure than she’d ever known. The distant memory of Connor’s possession renewed her hunger, and she knew she had to get out of there fast.
The mild confusion that came with waking in a strange place was gradually replaced with bits and pieces of realization until the puzzle was complete. Serena got up, bringing the sheet around her body. Her gaze landed on the brownish spots staining the bottom sheet. She looked away, recalling how eager and willing she’d been in Connor’s arms, how brazenly she’d given him her virginity. Well, it had been bound to happen sometime.
Bright sunlight streamed through the open windows, as well as a cool breeze that carried the alluring scent of fresh pine and springtime. She went to the window and inhaled deeply, filling her lungs with the crisp freshness of mountain air.
“Good, you’re up.”
She swung from the window with a start. Connor was standing in the doorway, dressed in faded jeans and a brown pullover sweater with the sleeves pushed up to his elbows. As Serena let her gaze move over him, she took note of the defined power in his forearms and hands. His hair was damp, indicating he’d probably just come from taking a shower.
“Where am I?” she asked, clutching the sheet over her breasts.
“You’re at the Savage Hills Wolf Sanctuary,” he replied. “We offer protection and medical treatment to the wolves in the area.”
Her eyes widened. The very place she’d been heading! “I was on my way here, for a job.” As a wildlife veterinarian, Serena had jumped at the opportunity to work in a heavily populated area of wolves, bears, and mountain lions. Even though the Savage Hills Wolf Sanctuary mainly took care of wolves, she knew her expertise with other wildlife would come in handy, too.
“I know.” His gaze moved over Serena, in a way that had her wondering if he could see right through the sheet covering her. She fought down the instant awareness warming her blood. “I have to go out for a while. Max will be here to keep you company. Grab a shower if you like, your suitcase is there.”
Serena’s gaze followed his, noticing the suitcase tucked away in the corner. “How—“
“I had your car towed down the mountain, to the mechanic’s garage. We’ll talk when I return.”
He turned and left before Serena could say anything. “Wait a minute!” She hurried after him, surprised to see he’d already made it to the front door by the time she’d exited the bedroom.
“Don’t come any closer, Serena.” His harsh tone caused her to halt with surprise. “Unless you want to spend the rest of the day on your back, beneath me.” His nostrils flared and his mouth was tight. It was clear that he was in some kind of state and trying to remain calm and in control.
Serena caught her breath, but instead of fear his threat caused a rush of desire in her blood. She was sure that’s not what he’d intended, but remembering his caresses made her nipples stiffen and created a warm throb in her lower body.
Connor’s gaze narrowed as if he sensed the changes in her body. “I’ll be back.”
Before Serena knew it Connor was gone, slamming the door behind him. She released a breath of relief, willing her body under control.
She decided to take Connor up on the shower, and then she’d call a cab and get the heck out of there.
Chapter 6
When Connor entered Savage Hills Hall the heated argument he’d heard outside while parking his vehicle had escalated into some kind of a physical altercation. He picked up his step, opening the door to the conference room in time to see Clive hurl a chair across the room in a rage.
A hush fell upon the room when Connor entered. He stood there a moment, assessing the situation. The elders were already in their seats at the head of the hall, their expressions revealing their disgust at something that had apparently already happened. It didn’t take a genius to know that it had something to do with his half-brother, who had lately been a topic of discussion.
“There’s no way you can exile me, brother,” Clive said with rage the second his gaze landed on Connor. “Nothing happened to your precious mate.”
Connor’s gaze moved around the room to the few townsfolk who’d decided to attend the weekly meeting, most likely because they had an issue to bring before the elders, before settling on his mother. She was the only one who knew what his intentions were. “You should have thought about that before you attacked Serena, brother.” He moved to his chair.
“Is she hurt?” Clive questioned sarcastically, anger glinting in his snapping brown eyes. When there wasn’t rage twisting his features he was a handsome man with sandy blond hair. He was tall like Connor, but on the thin side, and had inherited none of their mother’s fairness or kindness.
“Be glad you didn’t get to her before I showed up,” Connor said, feeling his anger rise. “If you’d touched her I would have killed you.”
The smile that came over Clive’s face was pure sinister intent, warning Connor that no matter what happened there today, Serena was still in danger. Clive didn’t have to say what he’d do to her if he got the chance, and as far as Connor was concerned, banishment was the only solution. Until then, he’d make sure that Serena was protected and never alone.
“You can’t banish me for something that didn’t happen.” He directed his comment to the elders. “There’s no proving I would have hurt Serena. Maybe I just wanted to, ah, play with her a little.”
His meaning wasn’t lost on Connor and it was all he could do not to jump for Clive’s throat for the threat toward Serena and for the way he’d treated the Wallace girl the night before. His rough, disrespectful treatment of Trina only proved that he was losing control.
“I hate to say it, but he has a point.” John Costa was the oldest of the elders, and someone whose opinion Connor usually weighed heavily upon before making any decision that would affect the pack.
“How many chances are we supposed to give?” Another elder commented, drawing everyone’s attention toward the furthest end of the table. “It seems that lately Clive’s name comes up at every meeting.”
“He’s always been trouble,” said Shawn Waters. “He wanders out of Savage Hills in wolf’s form, and you know the dangers of that.”
“Still not a crime,” reminded John, his mouth turned down. “I know it sounds like I’m defending him, but I’m just reminding all of us that he hasn’t broken any serious rules–”
“Yet!” someone cut in. “He knows how far he can go.” Marcus Duponte was right behind John Costa when it came to longevity as an elder.
“That may be. But we have these rules for a reason,” another elder stated.
For everyone who spoke against Clive, Clive glared at them with an unspoken threat in his narrowed eyes. This discussion was nothing new. Connor knew that his stepbrother’s attempt at intimidating the elders wouldn’t go very far. They were all werewolves, and in spite of their advanced ages they were still lethal in wolf form. You didn’t live to be as old as they were by being weak.
“Some rules are meant to be broken,” Connor began, hearing enough. “However, not the rules my brother has broken. As alpha my decision is final. I want Clive gone from here.”
Briefly, he met his mother’s tearful gaze. Connor didn’t blame her for telling Clive that he’d intended to banish him. She was in the middle and always had been. At twenty-three Clive was the youngest of her four sons, and the only one born of her second marriage. He’d been babied and given his way all of his life, turning him into the spoiled, reckless man that he was now.
“You think exiling me will keep me away from her?” Clive asked scathingly.
“You know the consequences if you’re caught back here,” Connor said coldly, hoping for his mother’s sake that it never came to that. “I won’t hesitate to protect Serena at any cost. I suggest that if you don’t want our mother’s heart broken, you think of her before you continue your recklessness.”
“And what about our mother, brother?” Clive all but sneered. “You think this decision won’t break her heart?”
Connor knew he had to remain firm. “Arrangements can be made for her to meet you outside of Savage Hills’ boundaries when you want to visit.”
“You have everything figured out, don’t you?” Connor stood when Clive began to walk toward him. “Well, the day will come when you’ll be at my mercy.” Connor knew the importance of standing his ground when Clive leaned in threateningly. “I will take everything you love from you,” he lowered his voice so that only Connor could hear, “Including your mate. I will fuck her and then shred her to ribbons.”
Connor clenched his teeth, aware that if their mother weren’t sitting there watching he’d tear Clive’s throat out. He felt his wolf rise at the threat, but fought down the urge to change. They were just words, and as alpha, he above everyone else, was scrutinized carefully and held to higher standards. Giving in to the need to turn and kill Clive now would reveal his weakness.
“You have two days to leave Savage Hills.”
****
Serena took Connor up on the shower, changed into clean clothes, and made her way to the kitchen for something to eat. She was a vegetarian, and she wondered if she’d find anything suitable in his fridge. She was pleasantly surprised to find that the man actually had a couple of yogurts to choose from. After finding a spoon, she went to the front entrance. Connor had left the main door open, and she peered through the screen at Max.
He’d refused her invitation to come inside, preferring to stay outside sitting on the porch steps. Serena had to wonder if he was there to keep her company or to keep her from leaving.
“Would you like some coffee, Max?”
He glanced over his shoulder at her. “No thanks, had my quota for the day.” He offered a smile before turning back the other way.
Serena opened the door and stepped out onto the porch. Barefoot, she walked to where he was sitting and sank down next to him. “I don’t usually drink it in the afternoons but I feel so…” Serena hesitated, searching for the right words to express how she felt.
“Out of sorts?” Max offered.
Serena nodded, taking a sip of her coffee. “I feel different.”
Max shifted away slightly, then turned and looked at her. “That’s normal.” He offered Serena a smile. “At least that’s what I’ve been told.”
“What you’ve been told?”
“What you’re feeling is something only she-wolves experience, during their first mating cycle. It’s usually set off when they meet their mate for the first time.”
Max looked a little uncomfortable, as if he didn’t like talking about it. Serena pondered what he said, looking forward into the surrounding forest. As insane as it had sounded when she’d first heard Connor and him talking about being wolves, she now sensed that there might be an inkling of truth behind their words. Something was definitely happening to her, and she’d acted like a bitch in heat with Connor earlier.
“I think I’m in the Twilight Zone,” she murmured beneath her breath, not intending for Max to hear her.
“I guess I can understand that,” he chuckled. “You weren’t raised around here. It’s hard for outsiders to believe that there’s truth in what they’ve only known to be a myth.”
“How many of you are there?”
Max laughed outright at her question. “We’re all werewolves around here. We have one of the biggest communities in the world.”
Serena’s eyes widened. “There’s more?”
“You have a lot to learn.” Max got to his feet and stretched. He was a big man, like Connor, and handsome in a rough, lumberjack kind of way. His sandy-brown hair was a shade lighter than his sharp, brown eyes. His jeans and flannel shirt didn’t disguise the muscles and power of the body beneath. “Connor should be the one to answer all your questions.”
“I don’t plan on staying,” Serena admitted, getting raised brows for her comment. “I’m leaving right after I finish my coffee.” She’d go back to Anchorage and catch the next flight back to Canada.
Max released a heavy sigh. “I’m sorry, Serena, but I can’t let you leave.”
So I’m a prisoner. And here I thought Connor had asked Max to stay with me for protection. His comment didn’t sit well with Serena. No one liked being held against their will. She tried to remain calm, but noticed her hand was shaking as she raised her cup to her lips. Max must have noticed it, too.
“I won’t hurt you.”
Their gazes met. “You can’t stop me from leaving, Max. There are laws against holding someone against their will.”
“Connor asked me to keep you company and protect you until he returns.” He hesitated, as if unsure if he should go on. “Even if it means protecting you from yourself.”
Serena’s jaw dropped. “And what does that mean?” She got to her feet, a little angry now. “Connor doesn’t own me.” No, only her body. Even now, she couldn’t deny the still present arousal thrumming through her. She knew she had to get control back, and putting distance between her and Connor seemed the obvious solution.
“Look, if you’re worried I’ll tell the world about the existence of werewolves, don’t be. I don’t believe it myself.” Serena knew as soon as the words left her mouth that she was half-lying. The sensible, intelligent part of her couldn’t fathom their existence.
“Yes you do, that’s why you’re afraid. Let me call my wife and get her up here. Rose was just like you in the beginning."
Serena shook her head. At about the same time a noise drew their attention to the dirt road leading to the cabin where a large, silver Hummer was making its way toward them. A heavy sigh from Max pulled her gaze away from the approaching vehicle to take in the relief on his face. She glanced back at the vehicle, her heart picking up speed when she saw Connor behind the wheel.
He brought the Hummer to a stop, turned off the ignitio
n, and exited. His gaze was riveted on Serena as he slammed the door shut, but before he could walk around to where she was standing on the porch steps, Max met him and they began talking in low tones.
A fresh, mountain breeze came out of nowhere, blowing in Serena’s direction. Her breath caught in her throat as heat raced like lava through her blood, and the scent of something wild and dangerous assailed her nostrils. What’s wrong with me? She was suddenly aroused to the point of pain.
When Connor pinned his burning gaze on her she watched his eyes go from brown to gold. Serena became rooted to the spot. The sensual warmth of his gaze held her more than any bars could, and she knew that she was in trouble.
Chapter 7
“Connor, wait!” Max put a strong hand on Connor to keep him from moving. “Maybe you better take off again until you get your wolf under control.”
Connor turned golden eyes on his cousin, breathing heavily through his nose. “How could you stand this?” he asked Max, gaining a new respect for Max’s strength and power to ignore Serena’s overwhelming scent.
Max grinned. “When I couldn’t get away from her I just kept my thoughts on Rose. Besides, cousin, Serena’s heat scent doesn’t exactly affect me as strongly as it does you.”
Both men glanced at Serena, where she stood motionless at the top of the porch. “Look at her, Connor, her body recognizes you as her mate, but she doesn’t know how to react to it.”
“Well, I do.” Connor attempted to walk around Max, but Max gripped his upper arm even harder. “If you want to keep that hand–”
“Listen to reason, man. You could tear her to pieces in the state you’re in.”
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