Howl & Growl: A Paranormal Romance Boxed Set

by Various Authors

"I don't know who you are. But I'll do anything, just don't hurt her. Please. You want me to beg, I'll beg."

  Hope now had her paws on Connor’s chest, kneading his skin, her claws leaving red marks as they dug in. She was in ecstasy, the poor creature had no idea the danger she was in. Serena had been foolish thinking he cared for her. This gave him power over her, but she couldn't bear to lose Hope. Damn, why did she let herself care for anyone, they only got hurt.

  "I don't want you to beg. I want you to trust me." He held her wrist tightly, and still carrying Hope, he left the bedroom, Serena trailing behind him.

  She didn't speak, a lesson hard learned from Samuel. Keep your mouth shut, don't make things worse. However, that did not stop the tears running down her cheeks, or the sobs she tried to stifle. He was so strong, there was no way she could fight him. If only she had given him the stuff in the vial already, but she had been told to wait until after the five days. Now Hope's life was going to be lost too.

  Connor took her back towards the kitchen, and then down a long dark corridor, before opening a heavy wooden door. The light hit her eyes, blinding her. It took a moment for Serena to get her bearings, and see they were in a completely enclosed courtyard. Connor bent down and put Hope carefully onto the ground. Hope looked stunned.

  Serena bent down, and Connor released her too. "It's OK, Hope." She looked up at Connor, finding his expression unreadable. "What are you going to do?"

  "Make breakfast." He turned around and went back inside, pulling the door to behind him, leaving a confused Hope and Serena in the bright sunlight.

  She stroked Hope. "Well at least we're not going to be his breakfast today." Hope simply looked at her with her knowing eyes, and then hopped off after a butterfly.

  ***

  Chapter Twelve - Connor

  Connor needed time to calm down, he wanted Serena to trust him, needed her too. And he had been so close, but Zoah had put his damn foot in it. Connor glanced down at his fist, the knuckle bruised form where it had made contact with Zoah's face. Serves him right if he had a black eye for a few days, he should mind his manners. He behaved like a spoiled child, too used to getting his own way. Perhaps it was time they both found women to settle down with for a while.

  The idea both excited and frightened him. To have a companion, one that was not his brother, was so enticing. However, he knew what made Zoah act in the way he did towards women. They both were aware of the sadness that would inevitably come. It may have been millennia ago, but the sadness of watching their mother die, and the heartache their father felt had put both of them off relationships.

  To live forever was a gift, and a curse. And they had both silently sworn never to let love interfere in their lives, which is why they had stuck to casual relationships. Connor’s idea of bringing a child into this world was twisted. The plan had been for Serena to have the child, and then leave so that their son would never know his mother. So would never be able to miss her.

  He had planned to pay the Serena the money, and then raise the child himself. Yet now he knew her, and in only such a short space of time he had been reminded of the love and compassion a woman had to give. So much more than he could ever lavish on a child.

  Why was it so complicated? If only there was a way she could live a long life too. But their father had searched for a way of prolonging their mother's life, and it had evaded him. The memory of the broken man crying over the grave of the woman he loved still haunted him, and he knew it was the reason Zoah pushed everyone away. It was the reason for his outburst this morning. In his own stupid way he was trying to protect Connor. From love.

  "How's the nose?" Connor asked, hearing Zoah enter the kitchen behind him.

  "Not broken. Although my eye is a lovely shade of violet. Thanks for asking."

  "You deserved it."

  "You're getting too close. She's trouble. And for what? So she can spawn you a child that will grow up lonely and unloved."

  "I will love it, Zoah."

  "We're a dying species. Neither of us have been able to make a child, we're supposed to be the last of our kind."

  "Maybe it only happens with the right human."

  "Now you're talking romantic gibberish."

  "So what do you suggest, we fuck around until we die?"

  "Sounds good to me. Hey, the ladies might find me even more attractive with this black eye. Especially if I spin a good tale."

  "Zoah. At some point you have to grow up. We are not the only dragons left."

  "Really, and where are the rest hiding?"

  "I've heard there are more over in Spellholm."

  "You've been asking around,” he accused. “No wonder she suddenly turns up and wants to bear your child. You led them to us with your questions."

  "I'm fed up of hiding. Of being afraid of who we are."

  "I'm not afraid of who I am. But I'm sure as hell scared of who you're becoming." Before Connor could answer, Zoah stalked out.

  His words troubled Connor. If Serena had not found him, he would have carried on the same, never looking for love. But she had come here, into his house and into his life, and it had woken something inside him that he wasn't sure he could put back to sleep.

  To keep his mind occupied her took out pans, and a skillet, and made breakfast. It had been a long time since he had cooked for anyone other than himself, or occasionally Zoah, but they rarely ate together. Soon he found himself whistling a very old tune, and thoroughly enjoying himself. He even opened a can of sardines for that damn cat.

  ***

  Chapter Thirteen - Serena

  They had explored the garden, Hope because she hadn’t been outside since Serena had found her, and Serena because she wanted to make sure there was no chance her cat could escape. There wasn't, but in her search she had come across roses, old fashioned roses that smelled wonderful. There were herbs too, and Hope was enjoying herself, rolling around in the mint, despite Serena constantly picking her up.

  "Cat mint. They can't get enough."

  She turned to see Connor carrying a tray loaded with food, and place it on the stone bench. "No table I'm afraid. I never eat out here."

  "That's OK, we can sit on the grass, like a picnic."

  "A breakfast picnic."

  "Any time of day is great for a picnic, and the sun is already warm.”

  He went back inside and came back with a blanket which he spread out for them to sit on. She helped set out the food, there was a lot of it, and her stomach rumbled in appreciation at the variety of smells. Even Hope came over to eat, rolling on the floor when she had finished, licking her paws and purring contentedly. At least one of them didn't find the whole thing awkward. After the outburst earlier, she didn't know what to say. However, the brothers intrigued her, and she decided to find out how Connor's relationship with his brother worked.

  "It's not the first time we've fought, and won’t be the last. Unfortunately when we argue it tends to get physical."

  He offered her bacon, which smelt wonderful, crispy on the outside, just the way she liked it. There was also toast, and eggs, mushrooms and tomatoes. Serena had never had a breakfast like this. She settled down, watching Hope, while the sun warmed her skin. In the shelter of the courtyard, with Connor by her side, she felt safe. Content. If the threat to Charlotte hadn’t been hanging over her she would say she was happy.

  "Will he forgive you?" she asked, pulling herself back to reality.

  Connor laughed, "He has to, we live too long to hold grudges."

  "I'm sorry if I've come between you two. I never intended that to happen. I had no idea he was here."

  "So did you think I was some lonely old dragon who must be in need of a mate?"

  "No. It wasn't like that. And I can see that women would fall over themselves for you."

  "Long ago. But now I keep to myself, it's different. People are different. Although Zoah enjoys the fact women are more promiscuous than they used to be."

  "So tell me," she said, trying t
o get away from any awkward questions he might ask her. "If you have lived through all the ages of man. Which was your favourite time? You have seen man evolve from simple farmers to well, I'm not sure what we are these days."

  “I don’t know if I ever had a favourite time. I suppose when the land was empty, before towns and cities. The freedom we had to fly, to hunt. Now we have to be careful not to be seen, all those phones with cameras. I think it’s one of the reasons we will leave here soon.”

  “This house?”

  “Yes, it’s too crowded, and now we know there are people who know our secret and want to exploit it, it’s time.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  He looked at her, and smiled, a sight which took her breath away. His eyes lit up, and his face brightened. “I’m not. I think we’ve been dormant too long.”

  “Dormant. Sleeping dragons.”

  “We’ve sat back and watched the world grow and change. Hidden away here. But the houses are encroaching faster and faster, soon they’ll be up to the walls, and then questions will be asked about who lives in the big house. So we’ll go.”

  “Where?”

  “I don’t know, somewhere with mountains. There’s nothing like perching on the highest peak and surveying everything below you. On top of the world, and then to swoop down, riding the updraughts as you circle lower. The quiet of it, the peace.”

  “It sounds fantastic. To be able to fly away.”

  “I would take you with me, Serena. Away from whatever made you come here. I could make you happy.”

  “No. You can’t. There are some things you can never run from.”

  “I could make you.”

  “I know.” With eyes full of sorrow she looked at him. “But I’m asking you not to.”

  “Then will you at least tell me what keeps you here? Who has a hold over you?”

  “I will. But not now. Can we simply enjoy the sun on our skin and the breeze in the trees.” She lay down and closed her eyes, so tired she couldn’t keep awake any longer. In the warmth and safety of the courtyard she slept. Hope came and curled up with her, and the big dragon sat protectively close, deep in thought.

  ***

  On waking, it took a few minutes for Serena to put everything that had happened back together in her confused mind. When all the pieces were slotted into position, she opened her eyes, not knowing what to expect. How long had she slept, and was Connor still with her?

  He was. Although everything had been cleared away, and he had fetched a blanket to cover her with, the sun had begun to creep out of the courtyard, leaving it in shadow. Stirring, she found her body stiff, and had to flex her arms and legs to get them working.

  "How do you feel?" he asked.

  "Uhh. Hungover. But give me a minute and I'll feel better." She sat up, and brushed her hair from her face. Looking for Hope, she saw her exploring the flower beds, no doubt using it as a toilet, Connor had better not mind. Her thoughts returned to him, she studied his face carefully, trying to read what he had in store for her now. This was probably not how he had envisaged their time together. She had expected sex, sex and more sex. If he wanted a child in her belly, that was all that mattered. How had he realised she was not being honest?

  He smiled down at her. "Feeling better?"

  "A little." She reached out a hand and stroked his bare chest. "Do you ever wear a shirt?"

  "Not so much at home." He looked down at her hand, his skin tensing where her fingers trailed. Slowly she moved them down to run along the top of his pants, feeling the wiry hair against her skin.

  Raising herself up, she pulled herself closer to him, her hand cupping his face. Lightly, she kissed him, he responded, returning the kiss. Leaning forward she kissed him deeper, her tongue playing along his lips, and then searching for his tongue. He allowed her to go at her own pace, not hurrying her, but she saw his pants bulge, and knew she was arousing him. To help him with that, she slid her hand back down to cover the bulge, feeling him groan against her lips.

  Connor cupped her breast in his hand, his thumb brushing her hard taut nipple. The sensation connected with her sex, her clit throbbing with need. She wanted to be touched there, to feel him inside her. Serena had never expected this, never expected to want him to make love to her, she had always assumed it would be forced, that she would have to make herself be with him intimately, Now she was the one instigating sex, and to show how much she wanted him she began to unzip his pants.

  Once free, she stroked his cock, feeling him move against her hand. Rigid and hard, she moved her hand up and down the length of him, her hand slipping over the head of his cock, feeling the first of his pre come. She knew what men liked, and knelt by the side of him, her head lowering down to take him in her mouth.

  "No," he said, his hand cupping her chin and lifting her face to look at his. "Not like that."

  Her face dropped, and her lower lip trembled. "Don't you want me to please you?"

  "Not like that." He sat up and kissed her lips. "I want to be inside you."

  Serena let him guide her. He helped her to straddle his thighs, and lifted her up. Then his fingers pulled her panties to one side. Now she understood what he wanted from her. "What if I do it wrong?"

  "There is no wrong way."

  Serena lowered herself down onto his cock, feeling the press of it against her outer lips. Then she took the head inside, then a little more, the size of him stretching her. However, this time she was in control, and took him incredibly slowly, allowing them both to experience the sensation of skin against skin. She was wet, her slick heat making it easy and painless. Yet still incredible.

  Closing her eyes she immersed herself in the sensations flooding her body. His hands stroking her skin, while his hardness moved to fill her. Slowly she took him inside her completely, her knees resting on the ground while she adjusted herself to him. He was so big, she was impaled on him, and yet it was so good, so right to be joined with him this way.

  His fingers stroked the curve of her breast, and then pulled down the fabric of her dress, the straps no match for him. Her eyes flew open when his fingers went to the clasp of her bra and undid it, her breasts falling forward for his hungry mouth to capture.

  Sucking her hard nipple into his mouth, he grazed it with his teeth before rolling his tongue over the taut little bud. Her sex contracted as the signals from her breasts connected with that of her core. Slowly she began to move, trusting her body to find a rhythm that was right. Circling her hips, she stretched her inner walls, stimulating his cock. Then she lifted her body off him, allowing him to slide out, before lowering herself slowly back down.

  Cupping her other breast with his hand, he swapped over to suck and lick her nipple, making it sore and swollen. Looking down she watched his head move, pushing her hands into his hair threading her fingers through it to hold him against her breast. The rise and fall of her body on his increasing in speed, as her orgasm grew closer. She whimpered, her voice high as she crested new heights. Connor was close to coming, his hand going to her bottom, holding her tightly against him while his hips rose to meet her.

  She gripped his shoulders, and he flung his head back to watch her face, ramming up into her, and then jerking hard and fast as he came. Her voice grew until it cried out, her orgasm smashing into her like a tidal wave. Her body continued to ride him, her motion frantic as her sex gripped his cock, pulsing and throbbing around him. And then his voice joined hers, she buried her face into his collar bone and her teeth nipped at his flesh as she came.

  He filled her with his seed, his hands pinioning her to his body while he spurted it deep inside her. If she conceived his child, she hoped it would be at this moment, when the act was something more than because they had struck a bargain. But this hurt her soul. It would be better if she didn't conceive, what life would a dragon have if she handed it over to Samuel. For the first time she realised the plan to drug Connor was not going to be easy. In fact as she felt now, it was not going to happen. />
  "Oh Charlotte," she said to herself as she clung to him and cried tears of confusion and remorse. There was no way she could save everyone, and she hated herself for being the weak emotional creature she was. Perhaps Zoah had it right. It was folly to let people in.

  ***

  Chapter Fourteen - Connor

  She sobbed against him. All he could do was hold her tight and soothe her. If he asked what troubled her she would close up on him again, and he desperately didn't want that. He needed to let her tell him, not force it from her. But damn it was hard. He wanted to shake her until she told him everything, and then he wanted to go and kill those who would hurt this woman. She was so soft, so compassionate, their child would need that to become a well rounded being.

  A child.

  It hit him suddenly, he couldn't bring a child into this world, Zoah was right. If, by some miracle, Serena conceived his child, what hope was there against men? They hurt each other, with no thought or compassion for anyone but themselves. There was a reason he and Zoah had withdrawn from the world and kept to themselves. Only, over time, he had forgotten. He was a fool.

  This would be the last time he mated with Serena. It had been a mistake, unless she told him, and he destroyed the danger, there would be no dragon heir. He had been a sentimental fool, and now he had to face reality.

  "Serena, let's go inside, the sun is disappearing, and you'll get cold."

  He picked her up, and the little cat followed them inside. Carrying her against his chest, they walked through the house back to her room. There he sat her on the bed, and knelt down before her.

  "Why don't you bathe, and rest?"

  She wiped her eyes. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't let my emotions get the better of me."

  "I'll return later."

  She burst into tears again, and he turned and came back towards her. "Let me help you," is all he could say.

  "Then don't leave me. I promise I'll stop crying if you stay. I don't want to be alone, I'm sorry if my tears push you away."

  "They don't. But you need to bathe and dress warmly. I have a surprise for you."