Dani's Return

by Ariel Marie

  He knew that she was experiencing the call of the mating, but she was too confused to understand what was happening to her. That eternal need to mate with the one that fate had designed just for him was overwhelming. The soft curves under his hands made his body burn even hotter.

  He may have been busy running around, trying to make sure that the party went off without a hitch, but she was never far from his mind. He could feel her eyes on him, and a few times he would catch her staring after him.

  Her hands slowly reached up and threaded themselves in his hair, pulling him down closer to her. He growled as she kissed him back, sliding her small tongue inside of his mouth to duel with his. If his tiny mate wanted to explore him, he would not hesitate to participate in her explorations and discoveries.

  He shifted his arm, lifting her up slightly. She didn’t hesitate on throwing her leg over his so that she could straddle him, drawing her center closer to him. His hands instantly went to her thighs, pulling her skirt up slightly, where his hands could tough her bare skin. The need to feel her naked flesh against his was driving him insane. His cock was rock hard as she rubbed her heated core against his jean-covered length.

  He let out a curse as he broke the kiss. Her lust-filled gaze was locked on him and his wolf almost howled his approval at the look of their mate. She growled low in her throat as she began to nibble along his neck, eliciting a groan from him.

  “I thought I was going crazy,” she whispered against his throat. “I couldn’t get you out of my mind,” she groaned, stroking his neck with her tongue, tasting him, stopping right at his lips.

  “You have been on my mind since that night at your shifting party,” he said, capturing her mouth again, this time in a crushing kiss as he poured all of his feelings into it.

  He gripped her shoulders, slowly sliding the tiny straps of her dress off her shoulders to expose her bare breasts. If he had known she was walking around with no bra on, he would have glued himself to her hip a long time ago. The moonlight highlighted her beautiful caramel skin in a way that seemed to make her glow right in front of him. Her dark areolas called to him and he couldn’t resist. He just had to have a taste.

  Her breasts were just the right size. Each plump mound filled his large hands perfectly as he squeezed them, testing their weight out in his hands. He pushed her breasts up to reach his mouth as he suckled the first one, then nipped at her taunt nipple. Her skin smelled and tasted of the sweetest strawberries. He could spend all day tasting her, and he promised that once he got her back to his home— their home—he would.

  “You are my mate,” he growled as he felt her hands grip the edge of his shirt and pulled it over his head. She sighed as her hands explored his chest and his hardened abdomen. He took pride in himself and was naturally muscled. He could tell that his mate was pleased by the second sigh that released from her lips as she traced each hardened ridge.

  “And you are mine,” she whispered against his lips as she braced her weight off of him and reached for his belt.

  He nipped again at her breasts as she wrestled with his belt. He wouldn’t make it easy on his little mate. If she wanted to get to his cock, her prize, then she would have to work for it.

  He chuckled at her frustration of not being able to undo his belt. A small pout formed on her lips and a dip in her eyebrows formed as she concentrated on her task.

  “Help me,” she gasped as his hands continued to roam underneath her dress, stopping at the edge of her panties.

  “What is the rush, my little mate?” he teased, using his finger to slide her damp panties to the side.

  Her slick folds made his cock harden even more. The smell of her arousal grew stronger as he spread her labia, finding her wet sensitive nub swollen. He began stroking her, drawing a deep moan from deep within her. He knew that he had her close to the edge, and he couldn’t take his eyes off her as she rode his hand. Her dress was pooled around her waist, and her breasts were exposed to him as his fingers continued to slide against her slick sensitive flesh.

  It was the most beautiful site he had ever seen.

  “I need you,” she panted.

  “For what?” he asked, continuing to toy with her, mesmerized by her reaction to him. Her moisture coated his fingers as they continued to delve in between her swollen folds, stroking her, bringing her to the edge again. He let one finger slide deep within her just as her core contracted, tightening around his finger. He began to rhythmically pump his finger inside of her while his thumb applied gentle pressure to her clit.

  He felt his belt and jeans give way, and celebratory grin spread across her face, as if she finally found her buried treasure. His breath caught in his throat as her small hands closed around him and brought his hardened erection out of his jeans. He closed his eyes and tried to count to twenty. He had to do something to keep himself from shooting off to quickly.

  “Take me,” she moaned, raising herself up over him and aligning the head of his cock at her entrance. “Make me yours,” she said as she impaled herself onto him, causing them both to groan.

  Her tight pussy walls gripped his cock and had him sweating bullets. His fingers dug into her ass cheeks as she ground herself on him, taking him further into her.

  He clenched his teeth, not willing to move until she was ready and adjusted to his size. He was too large for her. He needed to ensure that he didn’t hurt her.

  “Holy shit,” she whispered as she leaned her forehead against his.

  Her amber eyes met his as she rotated her hips, pushing further down onto him, still taking his long length. The warm slippery walls of her pussy had his whole body tense and trembling as she took all of him. She was made for him. It was like two puzzle pieces snapping into place.

  “Baby, I gotta move,” he ground out, unable to hold still any longer. He gripped her ass tight and rocked her against him to tilt her pelvis. He knew that in this position, his girth would rub against her sensitive clit.

  “Oh God, yes,” she gasped as he moved her body against his cock.

  Sweat coated his forehead as he lifted her up and guided her body down in repeated slow motions on his cock, controlling every little move. He leaned back against the tree as his length moved inside of her, as if it had a mind of its own. His motions quickly increased, unable to continue his slow tortuous strokes.

  “Dani,” he growled, unable to slow down. His wolf was quickly becoming possessive of her. He needed her to take all of him, wanting to claim her in every way and coat her womb with his seed. He had to mark her in every way that a wolf would mark its mate.

  “Ace!” she screamed as she held onto him tight, wrapping her arms around his neck. He continued to slam her down on him, taking him deeper inside of her with each thrust.

  Shudders racked her body as he clutched her tight, crushing her breasts to his chest. His wolf called to hers, needing to seal their connection. He had waited for what seemed a lifetime to be able to claim his mate and now, his wolf pulled to the forefront. It was time. His canines extended as she presented her neck to him. His wolf growled its pleasure at her show of submission.

  His wolf was thrilled with their mate and was ready to claim her. He bit down on the juncture where her neck and shoulder met to mark her as the mate of the alpha wolf.

  He could feel the muscles in her body tense. She let loose a scream as her orgasm hit her. His cock swelled even more as the walls of her pussy clamped down on him, taking him for everything he had. Her body trembled as he continued to thrust even harder inside of her while he left his permanent mark on her. She was now his in every way, and every male would know it.

  He finally let her loose, licking the wound, and sealing it with a kiss. Her fingers threaded through his hair, yanking until his neck was exposed for her. It was time for her to mark him as well.

  The pain from her incisors was enough to push him over the edge as he poured himself into her, gripping her tight to him, holding her in place as she gave him her permanent claiming ma
rk.

  He fell back onto the tree behind him, still holding her to his chest as they both laid there panting, trying to catch their breaths. He could almost feel his wolf grin as the feeling of satisfaction filled his chest. He knew that the feeling would only last for a short time. A mating between wolves could go all night long, if not a full twenty-four hours.

  “Wow,” she whispered against his chest.

  He grunted, unable to speak while running his hands up her back and into her hair. He gripped her hair, pulling her head back so that he could look her in her eyes.

  “My mate,” he growled, nipping her bottom lip.

  “Hmmm…my mate,” she growled in return, nipping him right back.

  He watched as she sat back, his softening cock still buried deep inside of her. He couldn’t help but take her in; her mussed hair, her swollen lips, and her caramel skin with her full breasts still bare for him to see. She was the most beautiful sight that he had ever seen.

  “Beautiful,” he whispered, running a finger down her sternum. He and his wolf were extremely pleased and sated. He had been in love with this woman for as long as he could remember, and now she was officially his.

  Chapter Eight

  Ace

  “We’re missing the party,” she smiled with a dazed look in her eyes. She moved to slide off him, but he held her in place, already feeling the twinges of his cock hardening again inside of her.

  “Where are you going?” he growled playfully, not wanting her to move.

  “The party,” she insisted with a laugh.

  “We’ve just mated, and I’m not sharing you now,” he informed her, playfully pulling her to him. “Matter of fact, we can just go back to my home and continue this.”

  “But what will everyone think?” Her husky laugh filled the air. He loved the sound of her laugh. He knew that he would do everything in his power to make her laugh for the rest of their lives. She deserved it.

  “They’ll understand.”

  He grabbed her waist and found his mate to be ticklish. She gasped in between breaths as she laughed and pleaded for mercy as he tickled her. The more she wiggled, the harder he grew inside of her.

  “Ace,” she whispered, staring at him in awe, shifting herself closer to him. “Did we really mate?”

  “Yes, we did,” he answered, brushing her hair out of her face.

  He had waited for this day for years, and now it was here. His heart felt complete. She was now forever his. At that moment, he had everything that he had ever wanted in life; the position of alpha of his pack, and his fated mate.

  “You don’t regret it, do you?”

  “Never. I’ve waited years for this moment,” he answered honestly. “I fell in love with you all those years ago, when I first saw you dancing around that bonfire. Nothing was going to keep me from you.”

  “I wish I would have known,” she admitted, her eyes glistening with tears. One lone tear escaped, trailing down her soft skin. He gently placed a kiss on her cheek, capturing the rogue tear with his lips. “Why didn’t I know?”

  “You wouldn’t have. Junior and his father would have kept you from me. That was why my parents sent me away. They knew that the Torres’ would have been intimidated by me, and would have had me killed for being an alpha, and for pursuing you.”

  Not wanting to stop with just a kiss, he knew it was time for them to move this back to his house. Their home. He had had a taste of her now, and he wanted more. Much more. Now they would have a lifetime of exploring each other and getting to know each other’s bodies.

  A rustling sound caught his attention a few hundred feet away from them in the woods. He knew that his enforcers wouldn’t be in this part. He had specifically told them where he would be and they didn’t need to patrol in this particular area. The sound was not coming from the direction of the party, but the opposite.

  “Did you hear that?” She turned to him with wide eyes, tinged with fear.

  He nodded slowly, and even though he didn’t want to, he lifted her off of him, slowly torturing himself as he pulled out of her. They both silently stood, fixing their clothes, and he placed himself in front of her as he faced whatever was in the woods.

  A newly mated wolf was a dangerous one. Any person deemed a threat would die. His wolf sensed danger, and the need to protect their mate was strong.

  A growl escaped his chest as he peered into the darkened woods. Nothing would touch Dani. The wind blew in their direction and he sniffed, catching the faint whiff of the same scent that covered the deer that were slaughtered and tossed onto their property.

  “Run back to the party,” he ordered, stripping out of his jeans. “Find Brett. Tell him that he and Leo need to get over here now,” he commanded right before he fell to the ground, letting his body mold and shift into his powerful and large gray wolf.

  His vision became clearer in the nighttime, now that his wolf was in control. He glanced at Dani again, finding her frozen in place. She could be no taller than five foot two inches, and he was still slightly taller than her, standing on four feet.

  He gently nudged her with his muzzle, pointing in the direction of the party before taking off running, and disappeared into the dark forest.

  Chapter Nine

  Dani

  Dani took off running as fast as her human legs would take her. She silently cursed as she now realized how far into the woods Ace had taken her. She didn’t know what Ace was going after, but if he needed his beta and his lead enforcer, then she knew it had to be serious. She broke out of the woods, finding the party still in full swing. She ran through the crowd asking anyone if they had seen either Brett or Leo.

  “Dani, is everything okay?” her Uncle Jasper’s voice appeared behind her.

  “I’m looking for Brett,” she said, turning to her uncle.

  “Brett’s over there, honey,” Jasper said, pointing to where Brett stood with four oversized men, all gathered near the bonfire. “Looks like congratulations are in order,” he said. His face beamed as he looked at her claiming mark. “Who’s the lucky fella?”

  “Not now, Uncle Jasper. I need Brett,” she reiterated. She rushed towards the pack’s beta, earning a few curious glances as she made her way to him.

  “Brett!”

  “Dani,” Brett greeted her with a concerned look. “What’s wrong?”

  “I was with Ace in the woods,” she started, slightly out of breath, pushing her hair out of her face.

  A smile graced Brett’s face as his eyes locked on her claiming mark. “Congratulations! It’s about time. Where is Ace?” he asked, getting the other guys’ attention.

  “He sent me to find you and Leo,” she answered, and his smile immediately disappeared. “He told me to tell you and Leo to make your way to him. He shifted and took off into the woods.”

  “What happened?” Brett asked. His voice was low and commanding, yet she didn’t detect any threat. The wolf in her recognized the beta’s wolf and instantly calmed down, knowing that as the beta, he would protect her and the pack, as would the alpha.

  “We were um…talking, and all of a sudden there was a rustling in the woods, further east than we were.” She could feel her face heat up as all eyes dropped to her neck.

  Talking?

  She silently cursed herself and wished she had come up with something more creative. Everyone knew that with a claiming came a “claiming” that involved sex.

  She would have sworn one of them sniffed the air, and her face really began to burn as embarrassment set in. They were all shifters, and she was quite certain they could smell Ace’s scent all over her.

  She looked up at them, and all she could see was respect in their gazes. It slowly dawned on her that she was officially mated to their alpha.

  Of course they would respect her.

  “There was a wolf’s scent in the air that I didn’t recognize. Ace ran off in that direction,” she informed them as she held her head high. She wouldn’t be ashamed of mating with the wolf
that fate had decided was to be hers.

  “Which direction did he go?” One of the other wolves demanded. He must be Leo. His fierce gaze sent a small shiver down her spine.

  “East,” she pointed, as her eyes met his gaze.

  “Let’s go,” Brett said in a commanding tone. The hardness that had settled onto his face left no question of his status as second in command in the pack. The others around him instantly followed his command. “Kaj, you come with Leo and I. Tony and Dustin, get the other enforcers and secure the party’s perimeter. Now,” he snapped.

  Dani moved aside as the men brushed past her, separating. She stared after them, hoping that everything would be okay.

  “Dani!”

  Dani turned to see Jessa headed her way.

  “Jessa, what’s up?” she asked while casting a worried look in the direction where Brett and the other wolves disappeared.

  “Did you leave your phone somewhere?” she said, handing Dani her cell phone. “Hope was trying to get a hold of you.”

  Shit. She just realized that when she locked her purse in her car, she didn’t take her cell phone with her.

  “Hello?” Dani answered, taking Jess’s phone.

  “Dani?” Hope’s voice shook as it came through the phone.

  “Hope, what’s wrong?” Dani asked as dread flooded her. She glanced back at the woods, expecting Ace and his wolves to return at any moment.

  “It’s Mom,” she said. “I need you to come home.”

  Chapter Ten

  Ace

  Ace growled as the scent of the wolf he had been trailing disappeared. His wolf scrambled, sniffing the ground, trying to pick the scent back up, but it was like it just disappeared into thin air. He was sure it was the same scent that was on the deer carcasses. A rustling in the woods behind him caused him to turn his head in time to see Brett, Leo, and Kaj as they broke through the woods, all in their wolf forms.