Noah kissed her softly, letting his lips press against hers in a gentle caress. “I love you so fucking much, Em. You never have to apologize for loving Jeffery before me. I’m sorry I was such a dumbass. Let me take you home, and then we’ll start on forever. What do you say?”
Emeline traced her finger along his jaw then nodded, her cheeks hurting from smiling so wide. “I say yes, Noah. Yes, yes, yes, yes!”
He didn’t put her down, and she let him carry her. Both of their wolves needed the comfort, and since she’d saved herself, his dominant wolf needed the extra reassurance that she was truly okay.
She trusted Maddox and Logan to take care of Meryl, and when the time was right, she’d deal with the ramifications of what had happened. Right then though, she wanted to stay in Noah’s arms and know that she was safe.
Safe, strong, and his.
Chapter Eight
Noah let out a breath, his hands gripping the pedestal sink as if it were a lifeline. He’d almost lost her. He walked out of her home and sulked because he’d been a fucking idiot. Yes, he knew he would have gone back and groveled. Fought for what he wanted. But the sheer shock of what he thought had been her crying for another man pummeled him.
Because he left, she’d been hurt. She’d been forced to listen to Meryl’s tirade, and if she hadn’t been strong enough, she could have died because of him.
How the hell was he going to make that up to her?
Small hands fell over his hips, and he sighed, his wolf soothed for the first time since he’d walked into her home that morning. His wolf had raged, howled, and clawed throughout the day, even when he’d found her in that cave relatively unharmed. The sight of her blood, and the fact that he hadn’t been able to do anything to protect her, hadn’t helped his dominant wolf.
Her touch, though, helped in ways he was only beginning to understand.
He turned in her arms, wrapping his arms around her. She didn’t even reach his chin, and he and his wolf loved her compact size. She fit against him just right, and if he had his way, he’d never let her go again.
That might be a problem in the future when it came to actually letting her out of his sight, but he’d cross that barrier when he had to. For now, he’d be content with her in his arms and, soon, in his bed.
They’d come to his home straight from the cave, his wolf leading the charge and the man following close behind. He’d cleaned her wounds, though she healed quickly on her own. Whatever she’d done by connecting to the moon goddess expedited her already quick healing from being a wolf. Still, he’d checked over every inch of her.
Hence, why she stood in only his robe, the gap in the front parted so he could see the curve of her breasts. His cock filled and his wolf howled. He took her hands and drew her into his bedroom. They stood at the end of the bed, her back to the bed as he faced her, his gaze on hers as he tried to drink in every inch of her, cementing this moment, this woman, this mate in his heart and mind forever.
He not only wanted to fill her, he wanted to taste her, fuck her, make love to her, and feel her in every way.
Emeline was his.
“When you look at me like that, I feel like I’m the only woman in the world,” she whispered. Her hands went to the bottom of his shirt, lifting slowly. He raised his arms, aiding her so he stood in only his jeans.
She swallowed hard, her finger going to his nipple ring. “I’ve had dreams about this nipple ring,” she murmured.
He quirked a grin and cupped her face. “Really? What do these dreams entail?”
She licked her lips, and he imagined that tongue on his nipple ring….on his dick. Oh, yeah…soon.
“Oh, just a little of this,” she flicked her tongue against the metal ring, sending heat straight to his cock, “a little of that.” Her teeth clamped down on the ring, and she tugged, shocking a groan out of him.
“Holy shit, baby, you need to do that again.”
She blinked up at him. “This?” She tugged again, this time her hand squeezing the length of his cock through his jeans. He sucked in a breath, holding on to that last thread of control.
He gripped her chin then crushed his mouth to hers, sucking her bottom lip into his mouth before tangling his tongue with hers. Her hand went from his other nipple to his back, her fingernails digging into his skin. The slight sting pushed him over the edge, and he pulled his mouth away, growling.
“Robe. Off. Now.”
Her eyes widened at his tone, and then she undid the belt, letting the robe pool at her feet. Her chest rose as she took a deep breath, and he took one as well, inhaling her sweet scent that went straight to his cock. Her nipples tightened under his gaze, the dusty rose darkening against the paleness of her skin.
“I’m going to lick those pretty breasts of yours, Em, and then I’m going to taste each and every bit of you. After you come on my tongue, I’m going to fill you with my cock and ride you until we both come. My seed will fill you, and I’ll sink my fangs into your neck, marking you as mine. Then you’ll do the same, and our mating bond will form, making me yours just as much as you’re mine. How does that sound?”
Her throat worked as she swallowed hard. “Noah…I didn’t know you were such a dirty talker.”
He grinned then cupped her breast, molding the heavy weight in his palm before pinching her nipple. She let out a shocked gasp, arching into him, pushing her breast firmer against his hand. He did the same to her other breast, loving the way her nipples reddened under his attention.
“I like telling you what’s going to happen. You might think my tongue is wicked, but you haven’t seen anything yet.”
She let out a small laugh, and he kissed her softly, wanting her taste. Craving it. He trailed kisses down her jaw and up again to the soft spot behind her ear. She shuddered in his hold, gripping his biceps. He licked and nibbled down her neck to the spot where it met her shoulder, grazing his teeth along the juncture.
“This is where I’m going to mark you. Tomorrow, when we’re both finally able to walk again after making love all night, you’ll wear your hair up so everyone can see my mark. I’ll show off mine as well, and the world will know what happened tonight.”
“Noah, please, you’re going to make me come just from your words alone.”
He knelt before her, kissing her belly, her hips. “I’m going to make you come more than once tonight, baby. Put your hands on my shoulders so you don’t fall.”
“Noah…”
“Em.” His voice held no room for saying no.
She put her hands on his shoulders.
He spread her legs slightly then trailed a finger down the soft curls on her mound. Her legs shook a bit, and he grinned.
Oh yes, this was going to be fun.
He leaned forward, darting his tongue out so he could lick the hood over her clit. She gasped, pressing her pussy closer to his face.
He looked up, and her violet eyes darkened as she stared at him. “Since you asked so nicely, baby. Hold on.”
She licked her lips again, and he buried his face in her curls.
“Noah,” she gasped.
He licked and sucked around her clit, scraping his teeth down gently. Her nails dug into his shoulders, and he laid the flat of his tongue along her opening. Careful to keep her balanced, he lifted one of her legs slightly so he could have better access before spearing her with two fingers. Her head fell back, and he thrust in and out of her, curling his fingers over the soft bundle of nerves.
When her inner walls tightened, clamping down on his fingers, he bit down on her clit, sending her straight over the edge. She screamed his name, and he felt more than saw her knees give out.
Before she could fall back on the bed, he was up and had his arms around her, slanting his lips over hers. She kissed him back fully, wrapping her arms around him.
When he pulled back, they were both breathless, and his cock was rock hard. “Fuck, I love your taste, Em. I want you again, but I don’t think I can wait.”
Her hands went to the button of his jeans, popping the top one. “Let me return the favor. I want you on my tongue.”
He groaned, sucking in her bottom lip. “Next time. I don’t want to come for the first time down your throat. I’d rather fill your pussy and start the mating bond.”
There were two steps to the mating bond, the first being to fill the woman with the man’s seed, mating the humans. The mating mark would cement the bond between their wolves.
She rolled her eyes then pushed him back slightly. “Fine. Next time. As in later tonight. Now get in me, Noah. I’m your elder. You need to listen to me.”
Noah snorted. “Really? You’re going to use that as a way to get what you want in bed?”
She traced her finger along his chin. “I’ll use it any way I please. Now take off those jeans and fuck me.”
He groaned then stripped off his jeans as quickly as he could without falling face first on the bed. Then he gripped her hips and flipped her so she landed on her hands and knees, letting out a little squeal.
“Noah!”
“This way first. Then I want to see your eyes when you come around my cock.” He ran his hand over her hips and ass, knowing he’d have a century or four to learn every inch of her. He couldn’t wait.
As he pressed the head of his cock against her pussy, they both shuddered a breath. Then he sank into her inch by agonizing inch. When he was balls deep, he bent over her, his lips on her shoulder.
“Fuck, baby. You feel so good.”
She wiggled on his dick. “Move, Noah. Please, for the love of the goddess, move.”
Since she asked…
He pulled out slowly then hammered back in, thrusting in and out of her as her hips moved back to meet him with every movement. Damn, she was so tight. So his.
Just when his balls tightened, and he knew he was ready to blow, he pulled out then moved her to her back.
She smiled then wrapped her legs around his waist as he sank into her once more. He tangled his fingers with hers, their gazes never leaving each other as he pumped his hips.
“Mine,” he whispered.
“Mine,” she whispered back.
With that, he came, his seed filling her as she came around his cock. He felt the first part of the bond snap into place, their souls intertwining. She moved her head to the side, baring her neck. Needing no further invitation, he sank fangs into her neck, marking her as his for all eternity. His wolf howled in triumph, his mate underneath him humming in pleasure. He licked the wound closed then moved his head so she could mark him as well. When her fangs bit into him, he gasped, the final part of the bond forming.
His mate.
His Emeline.
His forever.
Once they caught their breath, he pulled out of her then brought them to their sides, their foreheads resting on one another.
“Mine forever, Emeline,” he whispered, knowing he was repeating himself, but he couldn’t help it. He might not have waited centuries for this moment like Emeline had, but everything he’d done before this brought him here.
“Yours, Noah. Thank you for finding me, for being the wolf you are on the hunt for my heart. I love you.” She kissed him then, a soft brush of their lips.
She was right. He’d hunted her heart and come out the victor. Now he had an eternity to revel in his prize.
In his Emeline.
Epilogue
Six Months Later
“This is going to work,” Emeline whispered to herself. This had to work.
Noah wrapped his arms around her waist, and she leaned into him, his presence calming her like nothing else could.
The past six months had been a blur of mating heat, promises, and new beginnings. She and Noah had their hands on each other in some way for most of the day, like most new matings, unable to be apart for long.
When they weren’t wrapped up in each other, they’d been working…and moving on. Before Meryl could be sentenced by Kade and the others, she’d found a way to take herbs to put her to sleep forever. So instead of facing her crimes, she exacted justice by her own hand. Emeline didn’t feel much for that, other than the tragic loss of so many years because of one woman’s selfishness.
That was behind them now.
Hopefully, the other project they’d spent so much time and effort on would soon prove fruitful as well. The potion that had taken six months to get just right was ready. Noah had taken every spare moment when he wasn’t with Emeline learning the surgical procedure he’d performed four hours prior with the help of Hannah, their Healer, and Emeline at his side. Lexi had been in the room as well, the woman stronger than anyone Emeline had ever known. She’d refused to leave North’s side at any time, even though they all knew seeing her mate like that would place a terrible burden on her wolf.
It hadn’t mattered though. North had come through it and Lexi had as well.
Well, at least mostly. He was still asleep, the effect of the drugs and the spell hopefully wearing off soon. Physically, North looked as though nothing had been done. Between Hannah and North’s werewolf healing, he looked none the worse for wear. Most of the Jamensons remained in the waiting area to give North privacy to recover, but Lexi, Parker, Isabelle, Emeline, and Noah were at his side.
He should be waking up at any moment, and then they would know if their spell had worked.
If this didn’t work…well…Emeline couldn’t think about that.
Not yet.
North rustled on the bed, and everyone stiffened. Lexi gave Isabelle to Parker, the boy handling his little sister like a pro, and then went to her mate’s side. Emeline started to move as well, but Noah held her back. She looked over her shoulder at him, and he shook his head.
Yes, Lexi needed to be the one North saw first—if he could indeed see.
“North?” Lexi whispered as she cupped her mate’s cheek.
“Lex?” North rasped out. He fluttered his eyelids, and Emeline sucked in a breath, her heart thudding.
“Baby, open your eyes. Tell me what you see.”
It took a moment, but he opened his eyes then frowned. The sight sent Emeline back against Noah.
“I only see blurs,” North whispered, his voice raw. “It’s better than before, but…but I don’t know.”
Damn it.
Noah kissed her temple, and she brushed away a tear. It hadn’t worked. All of their hope had rested on this moment, and North still couldn’t see.
Lexi sniffed as tears slid down her cheeks, her hand still on her mate’s cheek. “It’s okay, baby. We’ll give it time. You’ve only just woken up.”
Isabelle let out a cry, and Lexi turned, holding out her arms. “Give me your sister, Parker. I think she wants her daddy.”
When Parker did, Emeline stared at North, who kept blinking, his jaw firm. He looked so lost, so sad. And there was nothing more she could do about it.
“Here, baby, hold your daughter. She wants you.”
North held out his arms, and Lexi placed Isabelle in his arms, brushing a kiss on her forehead before she leaned back. North shifted then looked down at the baby in his arms, his throat working as he swallowed hard.
“Isabelle…”
Emeline straightened as North blinked once, twice. Then threw his back and laughed.
“What?” Lexi asked, her hand on North’s shoulder. “What is it?”
“Our daughter looks just like you, Lexi.” Tears fell down his cheeks, and Lexi looked ready to pass out. Parker ran to his mom’s side and helped her sit on the edge of the bed.
“You can see?” she asked, and Emeline had to force herself not to run to the edge of the bed and join in their family moment.
“I can see,” North said in awe. “It’s fitting that my first sight is Isabelle, don’t you think? Daddy’s little girl is the most precious thing.”
Emeline burst into tears with the rest of the people in the room and turned into Noah’s arms. “We did it.”
He cupped her face, his eyes
shimmering with tears as well. “We did, Em.”
“Thank you for being mine,” she whispered, her heart so full she could barely breathe.
“I would have hunted to the ends of the earth for you, Em.”
She kissed him then, her heart in her throat. Noah was hers, and she wouldn’t have it any other way.
Jackal’s Measure
A Story of Ludos Deorum
By Marie Harte
Jackal’s Measure
A member of Anubis’s Elite Guard, Tariq has spent several lifetimes serving a just god. He does his part to stay on the right path. There’s a darkness in him, a potential for great destruction should he ever let it loose. Helping the righteous dead and protecting Anubis fills him with purpose. Unfortunately, Set, the god of chaos, has wicked plans for Tariq’s power.
Centuries of torture at Set’s hands have numbed him to the pain, but lately Tariq is getting tired. Ludos Deorum, the Games of the Gods, has stuck him Portland of all places, protecting Anubis’s territory. Tariq is away from his home in the Egyptian Underworld, constantly bombarded by Set’s temptation. Then he sees her—a woman he knows, a woman he’s dreamed about for years.
Eden Dixon, a mortal, has denied Set, and what Set wants, Set gets. Enspelled to bring her to his tormenter, Tariq can do no other than obey. But even the god of chaos doesn’t know everything. Eden is much more than she seems. She makes his missing heart beat again. Tariq cannot—will not—turn her over to Set. Except Eden doesn’t know who she really is. Tariq’s salvation, or the tool of his destruction?
Chapter One
Portland, Oregon
Talk about a bad day about to get much, much worse. The damn god games. Ludos Deorum. Why the hell had the powers that be decided to play in this realm, anyway? It was so damp, so cold and wet here. Egypt would have been much more welcoming. The warm sand, the clear blue sky, his beloved ancients so close…
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