B*E*A*S*T* of Burden

by Rebecca Goings

Sean didn't say a word. He merely lay there, breathing heavily with his lip dripping blood.

  "It doesn't matter, you know,” Rogan whispered with a grin. “We're going to stop him one way or the other. That man won't even get to knock on the front door of the White House."

  Sean began to chuckle at his words. “You're a fool, Rogan,” he said through his laughter. “Covington will kill you before you even know what happened!"

  Rogan nodded. “Oh, you mean like now? He sent you to kill me, and look where we are.” Glancing around him, he spread his arms wide, indicating the bare garage.

  "If you don't kill me, Wolfe,” Sean sneered, “then I'm going to kill you. AND her."

  "You've said that before,” Rogan said, scratching his head. “I guess you leave me no choice in the matter, do you?"

  Nodding at Noah, Rogan watched as he jabbed the syringe of tranquilizer into Sean's arm.

  "What the hell are you doing?” Sean cried, writhing on the floor. Within a few moments, he was once again out like a light.

  "Holy shit, Rogan,” Wade said, lowering his rifle. “This bastard's not going to tell us anything. All he can see is his hatred for you."

  "I know."

  "He's never going to stop hunting you,” Noah said, running his fingers through his hair.

  "I know that too."

  "Well, what the hell are we going to do with him?” Wade asked, throwing his hands into the air.

  "That I don't know.” With a deep sigh, Rogan spun on his heel and walked back into the house.

  Thirty Three

  "I won't be able to sleep,” Marlie said as she sat with Rogan on the couch. He was staring off into space with his arm draped around her shoulders.

  "Hmm?” he asked, finally looking at her.

  "I said I won't be able to sleep. Not with Sean so close."

  "Me neither,” Rogan said, giving her a squeeze. “At least you can't smell him."

  "Oh, God. Yeah, I'm glad I can't."

  Rogan chuckled.

  "I'm so scared,” she said.

  "I know. But we have three shifters in there guarding Sean. He can't untie himself, and he won't be able to shift for awhile. For now, he's harmless."

  "Who's guarding him?"

  "Jason, James, and Tyler."

  "Oh, good. I thought maybe Noah was in there too, but Lanie was so scared after you took Sean down. She needs Noah right now."

  Rogan smiled as he stroked her arm. “I'm sure he's upstairs comforting her."

  Marlie went silent, wishing Rogan would comfort her in the same way. Though she tried hard not to think about it, she knew he could always smell her change of mood, and now was no exception.

  "We have almost no privacy here, sweetheart."

  "I know,” she said softly, turning into his chest.

  The silence in the house—aside from Wade's deep, even breathing on the other pull-out couch—was almost deafening. It was late, and the shifters who weren't guarding Sean were sleeping.

  "Wanna come out to the truck with me?” Rogan asked, lifting Marlie's chin to look into his eyes.

  "The truck?"

  "Yeah. We'll be able to have some time together, just me and you. And I won't be able to smell Sean."

  Marlie gave him a smile. “I'd like that."

  Rogan stood and grabbed her hand. “Come on,” he said, swiping the truck's keys from the kitchen counter.

  The front door had been jury-rigged to get it to stand in its frame. Rogan and Marlie carefully opened it and made their way outside hand-in-hand. Once they got to the truck, Rogan unlocked the back doors and they both climbed inside.

  "There,” Rogan whispered in the darkness once the doors were shut behind them. “This is much better."

  Marlie blushed when his palm caressed her cheek. She could barely see more of him than a shadow in the darkness, but she knew he could probably see her as clear as day. She didn't touch him, but she wanted to. She wanted to dip her hands under his shirt and caress the soft skin of his belly. She wanted to lean into his lips and kiss him, but she also didn't want to push her feelings onto him, regardless of the passion they'd shared in the past few days.

  "Marlie?” Rogan's deep voice startled her, and she jumped.

  With a nervous chuckle, she said, “What?"

  "I realized something today."

  "Hmm?” She turned her face into his hand, kissing his palm.

  "When Sean broke into the house and went after you, I've never been so scared in my entire life. Not even when I was faced with my own death at the hands of B*E*A*S*T*. That fear of losing you almost choked me. I was desperate to save you, sweetheart."

  Marlie licked her lips and brought her hand up to take his. “I felt that fear too. I was terrified Sean was going to rip you to shreds."

  Rogan scooted closer to her, making the Hummer rock slightly. “I think for the first time, I knew some of what you'd gone through when you thought I died two years ago."

  Bringing her eyes up to his, she held his gaze.

  "How on Earth did you survive?” he whispered.

  Marlie could feel the tears behind her eyes, and she didn't try to stop them. Perhaps confessing to Rogan exactly what she'd done after his death would be a way of healing the wounds in her heart.

  "I lived one day at a time,” she said. “There were days when I didn't think I would survive. You were my entire world, Rogan. I was so naïve. I had no idea how the world worked beyond my vet clinic. You were always my rock, the one I could turn to, the one who would know the answers to anything. When I lost you, I was lost myself. I ... visited your grave every single day. I couldn't take this ring off no matter how hard I tried. And even though men would look at me, I just couldn't move on. My family urged me to get rid of your clothes and your pictures. I guess they thought if I erased you from my life, it would be easier for me to bear. They were even shocked when I decided to stay in that house. But I kept all your clothing, and I kept all your photographs. At least once a week, I would dig through them and have a good cry. I would even go through your old clothes and smell them, although your scent had long since vanished."

  She paused and put a hand on his face.

  "Having you come back to me has been like a dream—a dream come true. Even though I know you're not the same man I married, it's more like you are and you aren't. I want you to know, Rogan, that even though I mourned deeply for Matthew, I know and accept that he's gone. When I say that I love you, I mean that I love Rogan Wolfe, the man my husband became. I'm sorry if I hurt you before when I told you that being your mate meant nothing to me. I was lying, Rogan. It means the world to me. And I'll stay with you even if ... even if..."

  "Even if what, honey?” he whispered when she trailed off.

  She shook her head. “It's enough that I love you, Rogan. I have enough love inside of me for the both of us."

  Rogan hung his head and sighed. “Marlie, I'm sorry for hurting you the way I did. It's taken me a while to realize it, sweetheart, but ... I do love you. I think I never stopped loving you. Even when I was being tortured at the hands of B*E*A*S*T*, I remembered you and found solace in my memories. It's true that Matthew Silver no longer exists inside of me, but he did leave one thing behind—his love for you. God, Marlie, when Sean went after you, I knew then that I loved you. I couldn't lose you. I couldn't—"

  He didn't get any further, because Marlie grabbed his face with her hands and pulled him to her, kissing him fervently. He didn't fight her. Instead, he pushed her down onto the bed of the truck, bringing his knee between her legs.

  "Rogan,” she whispered against his lips. “I love you. I love you so much!"

  He surged against her, invading her mouth with his hot tongue. “I love you too, Marlie. Christ, how could I doubt it?"

  He kissed her once more, and Marlie gave in to her desires. Pulling his shirt out of the waistband of his jeans, she ran her hands up his belly, threading through his coarse hair. Rogan groaned in response, releasing her mouth to gaze a
t her. His eyes flashed a bright gold, and Marlie smiled.

  "Wolves mate for life,” she whispered as she unbuttoned his jeans.

  "Yes, they do,” he said, nodding with a grin as he fumbled with her jeans as well.

  "I'm never going to leave you."

  "I'm never going to let you leave."

  Marlie chuckled at that. “Then make love to me, Wolfe,” she demanded.

  "Woman, I thought you'd never ask."

  Thirty Four

  She smelled divine. After the horrid stench of Sean that permeated the house, Marlie's passionate scent was driving Rogan wild. Her eager hands unbuttoned his jeans, slipping under his waistband and into his briefs, and he gasped at her touch.

  "What are you doing, sweetheart?” His voice sounded deep and ragged, even to his own ears.

  "I want to love you,” she answered, kissing the side of his neck. “Every inch of you."

  Her hands clasped around his erection, making him gasp again and squeeze his eyes shut. He knew Marlie had no idea what she was doing to him. His animal side howled in his head, demanding that he satiate his desire there and then by plunging deeply into her heat, but Rogan refused to be so selfish. This woman loved him, and she deserved so much more than a quick lay.

  "Marlie, let me love you,” he said, laying his forehead on hers and hoping she could read his expression. If her hands continued to stroke him like they were, he wouldn't last long. But damn, he couldn't resist a few wicked thrusts of his hips to push himself deeper into her palms.

  She smiled at him. “I don't think so. Not this time."

  His eyes widened, wondering at the meaning of her words, but her scent said nothing about being angry or upset.

  "Then—"

  "Rogan,” she said, “you got to taste me back in Alaska. Now I want to taste you."

  His entire body trembled at her words. He was surprised his arms could still hold his weight. Shocked couldn't even begin to explain the feelings pulsing through him, along with his raging desire.

  "Christ, woman,” he hissed through his teeth.

  "Roll over,” she said, pushing on him and scooting out from underneath his body. Marlie still held on to him, stroking and caressing him with ungodly skill. She slowly worked his jeans down his legs, and Rogan kicked them off, frantic to give her access to him. He could think of nothing that he'd rather have her do than put her mouth on him right then.

  Marlie didn't even bother undressing before she attacked him, crouching between his legs and taking him inside her mouth. They both groaned, and Rogan lifted his hips, wordlessly asking for more. Marlie's mouth was hot as she drew him in then pulled him out, slowly yet with ardor, again and again. She cupped him in her hands, and he thought he'd come at that alone.

  "Do you know I used to do this to you before you were taken by B*E*A*S*T*?” she asked him in a husky voice, continuing to lick him with her slick tongue.

  "God, I don't doubt it. You're friggin’ good at it.” Holy shit, was he seeing stars?

  "You like this?” She took him in until he could feel the back of her throat.

  He didn't say anything. If he did, it would be all over. And for the life of him, he didn't want this to be over—not yet. Instead, he threaded his fingers through her hair and groaned.

  "I remember licking this scar,” Marlie whispered, suddenly shifting her weight to his thigh.

  He felt her hot tongue make its way up his leg, right where he'd injured himself on the barbed wire fence, trying to impress her as a teen. Rogan cried out at the sensation.

  "Marlie! Dear God..."

  She chuckled and returned her mouth to his length. “Do you know how much I love feeling you inside of me, Rogan?"

  That was his last straw. Rogan sat up and pulled her forward before falling back to the floor of the truck with Marlie completely on top of him. He kissed her deeply, thrusting his tongue into her mouth and holding on to her so hard that he knew she couldn't possibly get away.

  "Take off your pants, Marlie. Take them off or Christ, I'm gonna burst."

  They had already been unbuttoned by Rogan's own hands, but she needed help taking them off while straddling him. He was glad to oblige, and soon she was sprawled across him, naked from the waist down, just as he was. He helped her to once again swing her leg over him, but before he knew what she was doing, he was suddenly inside of her, deeply rooted to the hilt. Rogan growled.

  "You're so hot,” he whispered, pulling her down for a few kisses. “You're so hot—and so wet. For me. My mate. My beautiful mate, Marlie."

  Grabbing her hips, Rogan lifted her up only to bring her back down, making her bite her lip. He could smell her pleasure coming off of her in waves. What she'd spoken out loud was the truth—she did love having him inside of her. It made him want to roll her onto her back to drive into her savagely, but he resisted.

  Marlie had asked to love him. This was her tempo, not his. Each time she sheathed him, Rogan's control wore thinner. She was taking it slow, apparently savoring the feelings within her, but it wasn't long before she collapsed on his chest, kissing him without reserve. Her rhythm increased and Rogan moaned, answering her thrusts with thrusts of his own.

  Marlie cried out, and he could feel her muscles tighten around him as she came apart in his arms. That was all it took for his own pleasure to release. With a few more deep plunges, he exploded into her, holding her hips down to his, making sure every last inch of him was rooted within her. When the waves of ecstasy passed, Rogan caressed Marlie's cheeks only to find them wet with tears.

  "Marlie? What's the matter, sweetheart?” he asked, holding her close.

  She sniffled but answered him. “That was just so beautiful, Rogan.” Glancing up into his eyes, she whispered, “You fell in love with me. Again."

  He smiled at her, wiping her tears away. “How could I not? You're a beautiful woman, and you love me so damn unconditionally. I knew I couldn't lose you—not now, not ever. Never doubt it, babe. I love you."

  Marlie kissed his cheek and made her way down his neck where she buried her face and hugged him tightly. He hugged her right back and reveled in the knowledge that he was still embedded in her depths.

  After a few moments of silence, Marlie's muffled voice came to him.

  "Rogan?"

  "Yeah?” he asked, stroking her hair.

  "What will happen if I get pregnant?"

  Rogan took a deep breath. Damn. He should have told her he was sterile a long time ago. That B*E*A*S*T* had gelded all of their experiments, apparently to avoid the chance that they'd reproduce, since no one knew what the child of a shifter would become. The thought was too horrifying.

  "I ... I can't have children, honey."

  Marlie sniffled once more but lifted her face to look at him. “What?"

  "I'm sterile. I found that out on B*E*A*S*T*'s computer at the same time I found out about you."

  "Jesus, Rogan,” she said, her eyes once again filling with tears as she stroked his cheeks. “What the hell did they do to you?"

  For the first time in as long as he could remember, Rogan felt tears sting his eyes. The look she was giving him was too much to take.

  "I don't remember some things, and I wish I could forget the things I do remember. Marlie, I need you to keep me from going insane. If I think about what they did to me for too long, I get overwhelmed. I don't know how to deal with it."

  Marlie threaded her fingers through his hair, and it calmed him. He closed his eyes and sighed.

  "I'm always here for you,” she said. “You don't have to do it alone anymore."

  Rogan shuddered as he held her close. Neither one of them said another word. It was enough for him to sit in silence, knowing that Marlie's love was the best damned thing that had ever happened to him.

  He was a lucky bastard. Because he'd won her love—twice.

  * * * *

  Sean awoke to find himself still tied to the chair. Shaking his head a few times, he tried to clear the fog from his brain.
He could smell others with him in the garage, and squinting his eyes, he tried to make them out. None of them had the familiar stink of Rogan, so he must have returned to the house. He finally determined there were three shifters there with him, each of them with their eyes closed. What the hell were they doing?

  Two of them were sitting slumped in two other chairs, while one was sitting on the floor, propped up against the wall. Sean's eyes burned and his limbs were sore. He tried to move his hands, but his circulation was so poor that he couldn't even feel them. Clearing his throat, he glanced at all three men and raised a brow. Were they sleeping?

  He made another noise in his chair, but none of them stirred or even spared him a glance. Sean smiled to himself. But how the hell was he going to get out of this damned chair? That bastard Rogan had given him the serum a little while ago along with the tranquilizer. How long had it been? Sean had no idea because he'd been out the entire time. If these morons were the ones Rogan had picked to guard him, perhaps having them fall asleep would work in his favor.

  Exactly how long had it been since he'd been given the serum? Sean decided to test it. Concentrating on shifting, Sean could feel the familiar euphoria of his body changing, growing thick muscle and hair. He smiled to himself as he slowly shifted. It had been longer than four hours since he'd had his last shot. These idiots had probably slept through the time when they needed to inject him again. It couldn't be this easy, could it?

  He would have to be ready. These ropes had no hope of holding down a Kodiak grizzly, but the sound of them popping would most definitely wake the sleeping shifters. Once he shifted, he'd have to kill them all. That was the only way.

  With his decision made, Sean allowed his body to fully shift into a bear. The ropes snapped like ribbons, and as soon as the shifter against the wall opened his eyes, he was dead as Sean ripped out his throat, shaking him back and forth until his neck snapped.

  "Holy shit!” one of the other men cried out, but those were his last words as Sean leapt at him, pushing him to the floor and crushing the man's chest with his massive weight.

  Hearing the man's final breath filled Sean with an immense pleasure as he turned his sights on the last man. He made a dash for the door leading into the house but didn't quite make it before Sean blocked his way. The man shifted into a falcon and took flight, but he had nowhere to go.