Penny of the Paranormal: Shifter Romance (Vanguard Elite Book 4)

by Annie Nicholas

  The feel of her in his arms soothed his raging wolf. Most packs didn’t agree with his beliefs though. Many mistreated their omegas, including his own pack. No matter what the others said, his motivation for wanting to become alpha was to change his pack’s attitude. That possibility was gone now.

  The beans bubbled in the cans and he pulled them free of the coals.

  Using her gloves, Penny held her hot tin to her mouth and drank down the warm meal.

  He offered her his can.

  She gave him a slow blink. “I’m full.” Then a shy smile bloomed on her sweet lips. “You must be starved after running all over the mountain.”

  He was, but he could endure the hunger a little longer. It would actually make him a better hunter. “I’m good.”

  She pushed his full can away. “I need you to stay strong and not go feral on me.” Sighing, her shoulders slumped. “We would have been dead without you.”

  “No, you would have found a way. You’re very resourceful.” He ate his meal almost as quickly as Penny. The cold had taken a toll on his strength and the food was welcomed. “You should have stayed with the others. You could have died out there.”

  “You could have died too.” She sniffed. “I couldn’t just abandon you. I thought you were lost.”

  He gathered her hands in his. It grew harder to breathe as their gazes locked. “I never realized how lost I was until now.”

  Chapter Seven

  Alistair’s icy hands warmed Penny’s heart. He’d almost frozen to death trying to find her. His words though set her on fire.

  “You’re no longer lost, I found you,” she whispered.

  “You rescued me. Everyone else wrote me off—they think I’m useless. Thank you for not assuming that.”

  She recalled how hurt he’d looked last night in the woods when she called him selfish and shame burned her cheeks. “I’m sorry about what I said to you last night.”

  “You don’t have to apologize.” His attention dipped to the fire and he seemed unable to meet her gaze again. “Everyone thinks that. I’m used to it.”

  She brushed her fingertips over his flushed cheeks, stubble scratched her cold skin. She knew how it felt to be misjudged by others. To be different. “You’re a good wolf, Alistair.” His hair was a mess from the wind and she ran her fingers through the silken strands until they were smooth.

  As she pulled away, he grabbed her wrist so fast she jumped. He pressed her hand to his left cheek. “I like it when you touch me.”

  “I like touching you.” More than she thought possible. She’d never sought out a mate, always guarded her heart because most wolves thought of omegas as disposable. Alistair’s reaction to her was empowering. He made her feel wanted and in control.

  “I’m sorry I ridiculed your team choices.” He leaned into her touch. “You have a unique way of seeing the best in people. I only seem to see the worst.” He shrugged. “They took turns looking for you in the storm.”

  She gasped. “I hope they’re still not trying.” She couldn’t bear losing another friend.

  “No, I ordered them to stay put by the fire. It’s too easy to get lost in the storm and I can’t spend the whole night looking for everyone.” He chuckled but it lacked mirth. “They’re good team members. I think a group of more dominant hunters wouldn’t have worked so well together.”

  His compliment meant a lot. He wasn’t the type to give them unless he truly believed a person deserved it. She knew Alistair’s story. Rich, powerful pack, and he was their heir but something didn’t make sense. “Why did you make that wager with Pallas?”

  He could lose a whole year of his life to her taskmaster and she was sure Pallas wouldn’t make it an easy time. Alistair didn’t need a car. He had a Porsche parked in front of the manor. None of it made sense. Even if Ian had asked him to join for her sake, Alistair didn’t owe him anything.

  He just gazed at her as if waiting.

  “What?” She tilted her head and crept a little closer. “You can tell me. I’m good at keeping secrets.”

  He shook his head in disbelief. “You really have no clue.” He cupped her chin in the palm of his hand and ran his thumb over her bottom lip.

  Her heartbeat pounded painfully in her chest. “Me?” That was the most difficult question she’d ever asked. She’d admired him from afar, never even daydreaming he might return her interest.

  What if she was wrong? The embarrassment alone at his rejection had the potential to shred her. She bowed her head, unable to meet his stare. Her eyes burned. How horrifying. She’d fallen for Alistair Montgomery Carrington the Third and just admitted it to his face.

  “What sort of wolf would I be to let the woman I care for out into the wilderness without me?”

  With a shaky hand, she pressed her fingertips to his lips to silence him, unable to hear anymore. This strong hunter wanted her. He smelled of snow, smoke, and pine mixed to make a heady, sexy scent. It was earthy and masculine, just like Alistair. She wanted to open a window to relieve the pressure in her lungs. Her wolf wanted to roll in his musk. Bite him. Claim him. Take him.

  “What are you thinking?” His eyes look sad and tired, like all the life was draining from him.

  “That you’re crazy to care for someone like me.” What could he possibly see in her? Meek, soft, emotional mess. These weren’t mate qualities for such a strong shifter. He deserved a confident female at his side. “I’m just an omega.”

  He pulled her fingers from his mouth. “You bring out the best in me, Penny. You make me want to surpass everyone’s expectations of me. I’ve never met anyone like you.” He pressed his lips over hers in a chaste kiss then let her go. “I just needed you to know that. I don’t care about the car or winning.” He laughed. “I don’t even care about working for Pallas. You say the word and we’ll gather the others and march back to the manor first thing in the morning.”

  “No.” She wasn’t sure what she was denying. Quitting, failing boot camp, or Alistair losing a year? All of it, probably. One thing was for sure, she didn’t like him pulling away from their kiss.

  The walls around her heart were strong and thick, but that single tender kiss had shattered them. She’d never dared dream of falling in love. Not even when she cared for him while he was injured.

  “Oh no, you don’t.” She crawled onto his lap. “You don’t say things like that and then get to pull away.” Her heart beat against her chest as his eyes dipped to her lips. Her breath froze as he leaned closer.

  “You want me to kiss you again, don’t you?” His voice was impossibly low and sexy. Fire light and shadow highlighted his gorgeous cheekbones and amber eyes.

  Her lips throbbed with wanting and her heart stirred as if waking from a long slumber. Everything would be different. She wanted that.

  Searching his eyes, she nodded. The heat in her cheeks flamed harder. Adoration pooled in his eyes. Nothing possessive or dominating like the other males in her old pack.

  Alistair leaned his forehead against Penny’s and closed his eyes. His breathing was ragged. He pressed his lips to hers, once, twice. Two little kisses that felt like he was trying to talk himself out of going deeper with her.

  He was scared. The realization rocked her. He was just as scared of what was growing between them as she was.

  This was huge. Earth shattering.

  Angling her chin, she returned his kisses just as gently. Lips moving slowly against his, she wrapped her legs around his hips.

  A rumble rolled in his chest. Throaty, content and practically purring in pleasure. The noise grew louder as he gripped her ass and rocked his erection against her. He opened her mouth and brushed his tongue against hers. His hand twisted in her hair while the other ran down along her back to the base of her spine. He pulled her closer and thrust his tongue deeper in her mouth.

  Holy moly, Alistair was sexy, but this was more than she hoped for. He adjusted her hips and hit right where her sensitive clit was pressed against his groin.


  Alistair trailed kisses from her mouth, along her jaw, and down her neck.

  The heat from the fire had warmed the small cabin though it didn’t compare to what Alistair did to her.

  His fingers trailed under the hem of her sweater, setting wing to the butterflies in her stomach. He continued along her rib cage and back down again as shivers of pleasure coursed through her body.

  Despite the raging storm outside, she was growing hot. She took off her jacket and eagerly pressed her hands to his sculpted chest. Together they were creating their own inferno.

  Braver than she’d ever felt, she pulled off her sweater and undid her bra. Alistair made her feel safe. She’d never met a dominant hunter who didn’t frighten her on some level. Deep down inside, she knew he would never do anything to hurt her.

  She wanted nothing more than to rub their bare flesh together, to share their burning warmth, and burrow against him until they were one.

  Alistair’s lips parted as she shrugged out of her bra. Then he reverently cupped her breasts. She closed her eyes and released the breath she’d been holding. Her exhale turned into a moan as he rolled her erect nipples with his thumbs.

  His hands were rough and he contrasted to her smooth skin. Alistair eased her back onto the pile of their sweaters and coats, cupping the back of her head as she arched against him. He dipped his mouth, captured the tip of her breast and pulled on her sensitive nipple.

  Penny was wet by the time he moved to her other breast. She rolled her hips in rhythm to his sucking and bowed against him. She was so close to coming and they still hadn’t taken off their jeans.

  “Oh,” she whispered as he nipped her breast. Her breath was ragged as pressure built between her thighs.

  Alistair yanked on the button of her jeans. The zipper fought him for a second before coming undone. His hand was warm as he slid it under her panties and cupped her sex. “You’re so soft,” his voice was rough with emotion.

  She pulled his face toward hers, kissing him with desperate hunger. She’d thought she’d been starved for food earlier but it didn’t compare to how she craved his touch. Each time she moved her hips, he slid his finger deeper inside of her. Whimpering noises were wrenched from her throat.

  He pressed her to the floor with the weight of his huge, muscular body, deepening their kiss as she bucked against his hand.

  Helpless noises rolled between their lips. All worries melted from her thoughts. Only this moment between her and Alistair existed. She’d never surrendered herself so completely to a lover. She’d lay back and let them have her, but Alistair didn’t take anything from her.

  He only gave.

  “Alistair,” she moaned, breaking from the kiss and gripping his biceps, suddenly unsure how to ride the wave of ecstasy surging over her.

  He pressed harder onto her clit and set her off.

  The orgasm stole her breath away. Every muscle in her body clenched. Her hands on his arm, nails biting into his hard muscles. Her legs around his hips. Her insides around his fingers.

  He kissed her, long languid kisses, as if savoring her lips as the aftershocks subsided. He kissed her until her body wanted more of him.

  All these years, she’d never really known what she’d been missing. Now, she knew what it was to be with someone who cared about her. How could she ever go back to her old pack and just be something that was used?

  He’d wrecked her. He’d released her. He’d awakened her. He made her want more from her life.

  “Penny,” he whispered against her lips. He sounded devastated. “It’s not a good idea for us to bond. You deserve better.”

  “I have no regrets.” She combed her fingers through his thick hair. “And you’re better than you think.” She shimmied out of her jeans and panties.

  His gaze raked over her naked form. “You don’t play fair.” He met her gaze. His eyes were serious and hard. “You sure you want this? I’m a hot mess and I don’t play well with others.”

  Her stomach churned with a surge of possibilities. What was happening between them felt right. She must have sensed that since they met. No matter what happened from now on, she knew she could count on Alistair. He’d always have her back. She wasn’t some one night stand to him.

  She ducked her chin. “I want you.” Scrunching her nose, she couldn’t ignore the flame of embarrassment covering her cheeks. “I’ve never allowed myself to want anyone before.” She hated being so exposed to another person but she needed him to understand that this meant something to her as well.

  When she finally raised her chin to meet his stare, his eyes were wide with wonder.

  He shucked off his pants. “Come here.”

  She couldn’t move. The man was a demigod in the flesh. Strong, sculpted muscles lined his limbs, shaft long and thick, and an alluring dusting of hair on his chest. Her wolf growled in approval. Penny ran her finger along the silken skin of his erection. He was all man and predator rolled into one scrumptious shifter.

  A ravenous noise came from him as she grabbed him by the base and stroked upward. He was so strong and confident yet with her so gentle and loving. He listened when she spoke and saw her. Really, really saw her as a woman and not a weak link in the pack.

  He crawled on top of her, stroking a hand from her collarbone, between the valley of her breasts, to her navel. “You smell good. The scent of your arousal is driving me mad. I love that I do that to you.” He nipped her ear lobe then ducked to graze his teeth over her neck.

  She wrapped him in her limbs, knees around his ribs, arms circling his neck. “Take me.” She was ready to be filled

  His breathing grew erratic as he teased her opening with his tip. “I want you so bad.” The growling in his throat started again. Such a sexy, dangerous noise. He kissed her long and deep, rocking his hips to slide his tip inside of her.

  In and out, he moved as if she would break.

  Desperate, she clawed his back. “More, please more.” She didn’t need a gentle lover. She wanted him wild and out of control.

  As if his reserve was dissolving with her plea, he bucked into her, filling her completely.

  “Harder,” she cried and bit his shoulder.

  A feral cry tore from his throat as he threw back his head, eyes hooded with dark desire. “Do that again.”

  She grinned and released her bite only to repeat it on his chest.

  “Yes,” he groaned and grabbed her ass. Drawing out again, he thrust inside her, picking up his pace. His powerful hips pushed into her harder and faster. He was potent, his touch consumed her. She threw back her head and called out his name as another orgasm pounded through her.

  Alistair grunted as his warmth splashed into her, his thrusts erratic as he came. He slowed and just held her, kissing the tip of her nose with his eyes closing.

  Feelings she’d thought impossible sprang to life. Instincts bubbled to the surface. Things like mine, mine, mine chanted in her head.

  He pulled out of her and rolled off, only to return with a damp wash cloth from the tiny kitchen. He spread her legs.

  “What are you doing?” She leaned up on her elbows.

  “Taking care of you.” He wiped along her sex and inner thighs. Once done, he pulled on her panties and jeans then helped with her bra. “I don’t want you to get cold again.” He dressed and pulled her into his arms by the fire and pressed kisses on her cheeks. Pulling her close to his chest, he stroked her mussed hair. She couldn’t recall the last time she’d felt so safe and warm.

  Chapter Eight

  The snowfall was glorious. The way to transform the world to black and white, no gray areas, just the occasional evergreen tree and the rare red berry to break the monotony.

  Pallas geared down his sports car as he took the sharp curve in the empty road. Driving this late at night was pure pleasure. Nobody to slow him down, the powerful purr of his baby pulling him along at speeds he had only imagined, and the crisp winter air blowing through his open windows. It was as close to fl
ying as he’d ever get.

  His wolves were probably not having near as much fun in the weather, being warm-blooded animals. Yet they were animals and they needed a little reminder of how powerful they were in times of need.

  He couldn’t have planned this hiking trip any better if he had tried. Starved, cold, and stressed—the three catalysts every wolf feared. These modern day packs were soft. What had Ian called it? First world problems. That was all they were faced with until now. After this weekend such things would be insignificant.

  Perspective. That was what he was teaching his wolves.

  He grinned as the tires slid in the back and fish tailed around the next turn. Close one. He didn’t want to scratch the paint job. He’d just gotten her back from the detailers.

  A sparkle of color in his rearview mirror caught his attention.

  Lights. Red and blue…

  The siren’s blare finally reached his ears.

  He sighed. The local police.

  Again.

  He swore they parked in the woods along this road just to give him tickets. He thought he banked their payroll at this point. He took the next turn, driving on a dirt road leading to an easement on his land. His car could manage the terrain, but maybe not so fast. It was built for speed and not rough ground.

  The police car followed, pulling close to his fender.

  He’d have to speak with the sheriff about her staff harassing him. The wheel jerked in his hand as he hit an unseen bump covered in the snow. His car spun until he was face to face with his pursuer.

  Their gazes locked.

  Sheriff Lee.

  Her eyebrows furrowed and her lips flattened. He could almost hear her steering wheel creak under her grip as she leaned forward.

  He waved before the spin pulled him away and sent his car into a ditch.

  Pallas blinked. Something sticky caked his eyelashes. Running his hands over his eyes, he tried to clear his vision. Red, white, and blue lights flashed against his shattered windshield. Was he having a weird patriotic dream? He didn’t tend to dream of the night. Most of them took place in the daylight in the woods with his family.