Into the Night [Into the Heart 2]

by Caitlyn Willows

  Carmen's jaguar tongue licked down Wyatt's torso. Trina's body tightened at the caress. Fear and lust made her heart race. She wondered if it did the same to theirs. Arms rigid at her sides, Trina curled her fingers into her palms in a desperate attempt to keep them from her damp crotch and aching nipples.

  Carmen rubbed her body against the two men, but the purr Trina heard came from her own throat. She watched as Wyatt and Joaquin anchored Carmen's wrists in a tight grip and faced her down. Carmen's aura shimmered to violet. She thrust her hard nipples against Joaquin's chiseled chest and her ass against Wyatt's erection. The men turned as one and strode away, half dragging Carmen with them.

  Trina hurried after them, spurred by her own lust. They marched toward the small clearing where the rest of the clan lounged. One by one the black jaguars shifted into human form when the trio walked into the center. That's when Trina realized a ceremony was about to take place.

  She remembered Ka-ra's royal bonding with El-ian. The cold stone altar beneath her back, the hot male on top of her ... inside her. Wrapped in El-ian's arms as the rest of the world slipped away. It became only the two of them. The thousands who watched a future king take his future queen ceased to exist. Joy, rapture ... love, all lifted the crowd to a higher plane.

  Trina pressed her lips tight against a moan. The trio was damn hot to watch: their bodies honed to ageless perfection and sleek muscles, two massive cocks thrust skyward, waiting to plunge into Carmen. God, how she longed to be there, too. Worshipped. Adored. Dominated by men who knew how to temper control to the fine edge of pleasure. Men who didn't need to hurt to prove they were powerful.

  Joaquin draped Carmen's leg around his hip, sealing them with one plunge of his hips. Trina held her breath and watched Wyatt scan the darkness as he stroked his cock. He knew she watched. Semen glistened on the head of his erection. Trina licked her lips. He squeezed, and more oozed out.

  She imagined him marching her way, ordering her to her knees to suck him. Fingers balled in the hem of her T-shirt, Trina fought an internal battle she knew she was losing. She watched as he looped his long fingers around Carmen's hip and guided his cock to her anus with his other hand. Trina's palm itched, as if she were the one holding his cock.

  He probed for entry. Trina's pussy and ass clenched in response. Then he slid deep into Carmen's body. Carmen arched into their possession, wrists bound in the circle of each man's hand. And Trina felt every stab of Wyatt's dick. Moisture seeped into her jeans.

  Want set her feet in motion. Her toe caught on a tree root instead, tumbling her to the ground. The impact knocked the air from her lungs, and the horny from her pussy. If she'd had breath, Trina would have laughed. She wedged her hands beneath her and started to push herself upright. A deep-throated growl lifted the hairs on the back of her neck.

  It wasn't Wyatt she smelled. In fact, it wasn't any of the shape-shifters. Trina turned her gaze toward the threat. Green eyes glowed back at her, blood covering its blond muzzle, and here she was, sprawled on the grass, looking like dessert.

  Trina kept her gaze locked on the mountain lion, trying to assert her dominance despite her precarious position. Running was a big no-no; it triggered a mountain lion's chase instinct. Somehow she was supposed to make herself appear bigger and badder, fight if necessary. Not easy to do when you were scared half to death. And lying on the ground to boot.

  The mountain lion lifted a paw, shoulders hunched. One pounce, and Trina was dead. Keeping eye contact, she rocked slowly to her knees.

  "Go away. There's nothing for you here.” Trina winced. She would've sounded more convincing, if her voice wasn't shaking. The mountain lion bared its teeth. She forced herself to stand, needing to look imposing. “Besides, you already look like you've eaten. Trust me, you don't want to mess with me tonight."

  The cat stepped forward. Trina forced herself to not back away, but the cat took another step nearer, and she questioned her sanity in making a stand. Her heart pounded so loud, she couldn't hear herself think. Suddenly, the cat's ears perked to sharp points. Its green eyes glanced behind her.

  Wyatt.

  He pressed his hand against her back and took a stand between her and the mountain lion. “You heard what the lady said. This is one fight you don't want."

  The air around Wyatt shimmered. In seconds his jaguar form stood guard. He looped his tail around Trina. She dropped her hand to his back, feeling his warning growl more than hearing it. Black shadows darkened the periphery of her vision—the rest of the clan having shifted in order to provide backup.

  The mountain lion passed his gaze over each one before settling on the leader. Wyatt made a perfunctory growl. Power rippled beneath her fingers. Step-by-step, the blond cat moved away. When the cat put enough distance between himself and the clan, he snarled, turned and trotted off.

  Trina's muscles melted with relief. She felt a quiver in the air as Wyatt shifted back into human form and stood. Her hand still rested on his lower back. Neither of them seemed inclined to remove it.

  "I think we'd better call it a night,” he told the others.

  "I agree.” Joaquin draped his arm around Carmen. “We don't need any trouble."

  Carmen jerked away. “No, we're not done. The ceremony wasn't finished."

  "It's as finished as it's going to be,” Joaquin snapped back. “We're leaving ... now!” He grabbed her wrist and tugged her into motion.

  No one else argued. If anything, Trina felt relief from them.

  "Come with me.” Wyatt swung his hand to Trina's back and gave her a gentle push. “My car's not far. I'll give you a ride to yours."

  She fell in step beside him. “No need. I'm parked there, too."

  He shot her a glare from the corner of his eye. “What are you doing here, Trina?"

  "I want answers, Wyatt. I need answers,” she quietly replied.

  "There were better ways to go about getting them besides stalking me."

  Trina gave a little laugh. “I can't even manage outraged denial. I suppose I have stalked you. It felt second nature to do so. I know that sounds odd, although there are many people who'd swear I've always been a predatory female."

  To his credit Wyatt didn't bother contradicting her.

  Trina shrugged a shoulder. “If it's any consolation, I haven't been hunting you for months."

  He stopped in front of her. “I know. It's been the last three nights since you returned from the dig in Mexico."

  Of course he'd known. He and his clan hadn't survived this long by ignoring their surroundings. Then why hadn't he called her on it the first night?

  "If you wanted answers, why did you wait until now to get them?” he asked. “We both know you have the means and money to do so any time you wanted. It's not like my whereabouts are hidden."

  Trina tilted her head to one side and studied his eyes. A hint of that golden glow still resided in the brown depths. She wanted to cup his cheek, press her lips to his stern mouth, rest her head on the hard pillow of his chest, comb her fingers through his chest hairs down to...

  "Why, Trina? Why wait six months? Why wait three days, and go to these lengths, when all you had to do was come to me?"

  "Because of our long-standing, very close personal relationship?” Damn. Her sarcasm reeked of her old self. Trina tamped it down. Adopting old behaviors wasn't going to get her anywhere. She wasn't that person anymore; she didn't want to be. “You've known I've been watching you for three nights, Wyatt. Why didn't you say something? Why wait until tonight to challenge me on it?"

  His gaze shuttered, but when he started to turn his back to her, Trina grabbed his arm to keep him in one place. Wyatt glanced down. She saw his eyes widen and heard him gasp. Trina inwardly groaned. Fuck. She'd forgotten all about her cuts.

  "You're hurt.” He cupped her arm and gently traced the furrows she'd carved into the skin. “Did the mountain lion do this to you?"

  "No.” She could barely speak for the buzzing in her head, the thudding in her
heart, and the gush of wetness between her legs. “I did it. I ... I'm having problems. Blackouts, I think. If it's any consolation, by morning, there will be no sign they were ever there."

  His gaze snapped to hers. His eyebrows drew together. She couldn't blame him for being puzzled. Hell, she didn't even make sense to herself.

  "I'm ... changing, Wyatt. I need ... help.” Did he even understand what it took her to admit that?

  "Changing how?"

  She swallowed hard and forced the words out. “Healing fast. Seeing in the dark. Enhanced sense of smell.” That was enough for now. “I need answers.” Her voice quivered with the words. God, she was going to cry. She hated crying. Hated any sign of weakness.

  "God, Trina. I ... I've never heard...” Sighing, Wyatt caressed her with his golden eyes, over her cheek and down her arms to the scratches. His fingers cradled her arm as if it were porcelain. Emotion, hunger for something she didn't want to name, overwhelmed her.

  "I don't know what's going on, but I'll do what I can to help you find your answers, Trina,” he whispered. His breath tickled her skin as he bent down. “And these wounds will be gone tonight."

  Trina started at the first touch of his tongue. She felt the jolt in her clit, like he'd touched her with an electrical wire. Then he licked over the wounds. Her knees buckled with her moan. Wyatt caught her around her waist with his arm and anchored her against his hard, lean body. He lifted her arm to his mouth and licked the scratches. Trina moaned and melted into the caress, wondering at the care and precision he gave ... and how it would feel applied to her pussy.

  "It feels good, doesn't it,” he whispered against her skin, and goose bumps pebbled over her. “I love the smell of you. The taste of you. The feel of you against me."

  A beginning erection pulsed against her stomach, burning holes in her T-shirt, igniting her pussy on fire. His cock hardened. He slid the hot length between her thighs and nestled it at the apex. Trina rocked into it and thrilled at the quiver that shuddered through him.

  Wyatt brushed his cheek over her arm, then twirled his tongue into the palm of her hand. “All better now,” he murmured, and draped her arm over his shoulder.

  Mesmerized by the power rippling through his muscles, intoxicated by the smell of his lust, Trina offered her other arm to him. Wyatt didn't hesitate. She closed her eyes and soaked in every lap of his tongue over her skin. When he reached her elbow, he continued on until his teeth grazed the curve of her neck.

  She gasped when his lips clamped over the tender flesh and tossed her head back for more, offering herself. A growl rumbled in his chest. His hold around her tightened, his long fingers dug into her butt cheeks. He dipped her to the ground so smoothly, Trina didn't realize they'd moved until her back hit the grass.

  One yank opened the zipper on her jeans. His fingers dove inside, thrusting hard into her sopping cunt. Trina's halfhearted protest cut off on a gasp. She stabbed her fingers into his thick, dark hair and pushed his head downward. He jerked her jeans down her legs, thwarted in removing them by her sneakers.

  Wyatt muttered a curse and shoved her knees to her chest. He licked and nipped the backs of her thighs, fucking her pussy and then her tight ass with his fingers. Her clit begged for his touch. She begged for it. And still he toyed with her, dancing his tongue around her labia until Trina thought she would die from want.

  "Oh ... please,” she whimpered.

  He yanked his head up and plunged his fingers deep. “I should be spanking you for spying on us, not letting you come."

  Moisture flooded his fingers at the threat. “Didn't you do that earlier with that nimble tail of yours?"

  "As a matter of fact, I did.” His smile gleamed in the moonlight; mischief glinted from his eyes.

  Somehow he managed to elongate his teeth into fangs. Dipping back to her crotch, he used his fangs to comb through her dark curls and nudged his nose over her clit. His cat teeth retracted with her soft groan—one he echoed.

  He nipped at her thighs until she twitched beneath him, trying to get his mouth exactly where she needed. Each time he evaded her. She smacked her fists on the ground in frustration. That earned her a deep chuckle a mere breath before he clamped his lips over her clit and sucked the orgasm right out of her. Trina rocked into the release, her teeth clenched to keep from crying out. She'd barely crested the peak when he rolled to his heels.

  She watched him through a haze of passion. His massive cock fisted in his hand, Wyatt spread her thighs as far as her jeans allowed and aimed for her vagina.

  "No!” Trina kicked her heels against his shoulder.

  He snapped his hand around her ankle. “Wh-what?” Confusion, frustration, and anger washed over his face.

  "I said no.” She pushed her other foot against him for good measure. It wasn't exactly the ideal position ... or maybe it was. “You've just had your cock in the ass of another woman. It's not coming anywhere near me."

  A smile lifted one corner of his mouth. “It didn't seem to bother you earlier. However...” A second later jaguar El-ian hovered over her, then he was back to his Wyatt self. “There. That should alleviate your concerns. No self-respecting germ can keep up with shape-shifting.” He nudged her legs over his shoulders and aimed once more.

  Trina lifted her hips, avoiding him. “We don't have condoms."

  He smirked. “Odd that that didn't bother you earlier, either. Besides, we both know you're a cautious woman, Trina. You don't take risks. You'd be on the Pill."

  But she was taking a big risk letting him do this ... wanting him to do this ... tugging him closer with her heels. He braced his hands on either side of her head. Trina parted her lips to his as the head of his cock pierced her below. His tongue took possession of her mouth.

  Trina sighed and relinquished the kiss, pushing her body onto his dick instead. Wyatt's groan set her blood on fire. She expected pounding thrusts claiming her. Instead, he pulled a long stroke out and then pushed just as slowly back in. She gasped each time, marveling in the barely leashed power behind each plunge. Thrilled in how he filled her to bursting, withdrew, and claimed her once more.

  His gaze mesmerized her, making love to her with the intensity she saw there. She didn't question why he would seem to look so tenderly at her; she just accepted it. Maybe because she wanted it so badly.

  Trina clutched his shoulders and brought her lips to his again, wanting every part of them joined. Wyatt deepened the kiss even more this time, mating his tongue with hers, until Trina felt as though he was trying to suck the life force out of her. For the first time in her life, Trina wanted to hold on to a man and never let go.

  With every glide of body to body, he teased her closer to climax. His cock grew hotter, harder, and her vaginal muscles responded by clamping on as if her life depended on it. And when she finally came, it rolled out from somewhere deep inside her and pulled Wyatt into orgasm with her. His lips tensed on hers, then he plunged his tongue deep as his cock emptied into her in heated blasts of cum.

  Their muscles relaxed into the afterglow. He peeled his mouth away and butted his forehead to hers as he traced his thumb over the curve of her cheek.

  This is what it's like to feel treasured.

  "Wyatt!"

  They both started at the shout. Wyatt snapped his head up, and she noticed the man running their way.

  "God, Wyatt!” he cried. “It's Rose! My God! It's Rose! She's ... dead. Come ... Quick!"

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  Chapter Four

  Shock muted Wyatt. By instinct alone, he managed to leave the comfort of Trina's body, right her clothing, and roll to his feet, taking her with him. Having something to do gave his mind time to process what Cristían Duarte had just said.

  Rose, dead.

  It couldn't be. They couldn't lose Rose. Not just because she was a breeder, but also because she was like a little sister to everyone.

  Cristían's shout brought the rest of the clan running toward them. Wyatt couldn't be
ar to look at the grief he knew he'd see on their faces. He had to be strong. He needed to be the leader. And yet, all he wanted to do was fall to his knees and cry at another loss. Their kind was dying, and there didn't seem to be any way of stopping it.

  "Where?” Wyatt finally managed to push the word past the lump in his throat.

  "There.” Cristían snapped an arm out and pointed in the direction from which he'd run. “About a thousand yards. Dean and Paolo are with her. It's ... bad ... bad.” His hand shook, his voice quivered. He'd worried his thick, black hair into a mop of disarray. Tear tracks scored his cheeks. As much as men were expected to be stoic, it humbled Wyatt to know that his clansman cared enough to show his feelings. “Come, quick."

  Wyatt caught his arm before he could dart away. “We need to get dressed, my friend."

  Cristían glanced down at himself. Puzzlement cut through the horror of what he'd seen, but not enough to help him process what he needed to do next.

  "Come.” Wyatt draped his arm around Cristían's shoulder. “We'll get Dean's and Paolo's clothes as well. It'll only take a moment."

  Cristían let himself be led to the parking area. Wyatt jerked his head to Trina, indicating she should follow. She didn't argue. Her eyes were wide with what Wyatt could only guess was shock, something he appreciated all too well. She'd managed to dress while the man was talking and followed mutely beside him while she zipped her jeans. A waterfall of black hair gleamed down her back. He longed to crush his fist in the silken mass, bury his nose in the fresh-washed scent, and shut the world away.

  Joaquin met them halfway to the cars, his arms piled with clothing. He'd taken the time to haul on jeans and a T-shirt. Carmen ran up behind him, still buttoning her blouse. Without hesitation, she wrapped Cristían in comfort and led him to the parking lot.

  "No.” He tugged free. “I have to show Wyatt where..."

  "Shh...” She feathered her fingers over his lips. “Wyatt can find her. Come. Sit. You'll need to be here when the police arrive to show them the way and give them a full account."