Leashed by a Wolf

by Cherie Nicholls

  Chapter Four

  Heath carried Laney up the stairs to his bedroom. Setting her down on her feet, he pulled her dress up and off. With swift movements he peeled off her underwear, leaving her standing in front of him as naked as he was.

  With one finger he ran a clawed fingertip from the base of her throat down between her breasts, all the way until he reached her belly button.

  Laney shuddered and Heath growled low. He loved how open she was with her reactions to him.

  “How shall I punish you, sweetheart?” Heath asked as he circled her slowly. He allowed his finger to trail around her middle as he moved.

  “You could let me off this once?” Laney suggested. Heath stopped behind her and chuckled.

  “But how would you learn then, my beta?” He ran the flat of his hand over her butt. With a quick flick he laid a tap against the fleshy cheek.

  “Hey, buster, I am not that kind of girl,” Laney said as she turned to face him.

  Heath gave her a half smile. “Not a fan of spanking then, my beta? Hmm, but how else shall I punish you for all your disobediences?”

  “You could just fuck me.”

  Heath laughed. “Oh, Laney-girl, if I can promise you one thing this evening it’s that I will be fucking you before the night is out.” He took a step towards her, forcing her back again and again until she was pinned to the wall.

  He placed his hands on her shoulders and ran them down her arms until he could lace his fingers through hers. He raised their joined hands until they were pressed against the wall just over her head.

  Laney moved forward, grinding her hips against his. Heath smiled down at her.

  “I told you, my beta, I won’t be rushed,” he said before leaning forward and capturing her mouth in a branding kiss.

  His tongue ran across the seam of her mouth, demanding entry. He groaned when she opened for him. Their tongues parried, fighting for control.

  Heath was a dominant man, an Alpha wolf. He had always enjoyed being in control of every situation, whether it was in the pack or in the bedroom. He still did, but he was starting to enjoy the fight for dominance with this woman. He would win, but getting to the finish line was going to be one hell of a ride.

  Laney pulled away, kissing along his jaw until she reached his neck. She bit sharply at the join with his shoulder. Heath pulled air through his clenched teeth. She didn’t know what that move meant—she couldn’t know—but to Heath, to any shifter, biting that area and drawing blood would mark your mate, your other half.

  His gut clenched at the thought but he pushed it away. He stepped back from her and, with a tug, pulled her to the bed. Heath slid onto the bed, moving back until he leant back against the headboard before he drew her down so she was tight against his body, between his legs.

  “Look in the mirror,” he instructed, pointing at the full-length mirror standing against the wall opposite the bed. With a gentle hand under her chin Heath tipped her head back so she leaned fully against him but could still see their reflection in the mirror.

  “Open,” Heath said as he tapped her thigh. Without argument Laney spread her legs for him. “Hmm, such a lovely view,” he murmured against her hair. “Watch.” He moved a finger down her body until he reached her wet and waiting core.

  He watched her in the mirror as he slowly stroked his finger into her, rubbing against her clit before he pulled out, then coming back with two fingers.

  “Oh,” Laney breathed as she closed her eyes.

  “Oh no, my beta, keep those eyes open.” He moved his hands to his sides.

  “Please.” Laney held his wrist, asking for more.

  “Keep your eyes open. If you close them again I’ll stop.”

  Laney nodded as she focused on his reflection.

  “Good girl,” Heath said as he moved his hand back to her. He traced small circles on her lower stomach. He watched as she bit her lower lip.

  He moved a finger lower and slowly entered her again. “You are so hot and tight. I have never felt anything like it; the way your body holds on to mine is amazing.”

  Laney purred and it was all Heath could do to hold on to his control. She pushed him like no other ever had.

  “Get a condom, my beta,” he instructed as he pulled free of her. Laney moved quickly to the bedside drawer, bringing a smile to Heath’s face. Clearly his beta was more than ready for him.

  “Can you put it on me?” he asked as he watched her hands shake slightly.

  “I can do it,” Laney told him through clenched teeth. He saw the determination in her face. Leaning back, Heath gave her full access to his body.

  Laney didn’t waste any time. Within seconds she had the packet open and the condom on him.

  Heath pulled her forward until she was astride him, poised over his hard length. Laney’s head tipped back as, slowly, Heath pulled her down onto his waiting cock. His grip on her waist prevented her from moving.

  “Eyes on me, my beta.”

  “Please don’t stop,” Laney pleaded as she dropped her head forward looking deep into his eyes.

  “I won’t stop, my beta, just keep your eyes on me.”

  Laney nodded and Heath pulled her lower onto his cock. She was so wet and hot he knew that he wouldn’t be able to last long. When she was finally seated fully on him, Heath took his hands off her waist and simply enjoyed the feel of her surrounding him.

  When she started to move, Heath took hold of her again to still her. Leaning forward, he made sure to keep eye contact with her as he took her pebbled nipple into his mouth. He rolled the sensitive tip against the top of his mouth as he sucked lightly. With every pull, her pussy clenched on his cock.

  He tapped her hip, letting her know that now he wanted her to start moving. Laney didn’t need to be told twice. As soon as he let her go she started to rock back and forth. Heath moved to her other breast to treat that nipple to the same attention.

  Laney took hold of the back of his head, holding him closer still.

  “Please,” she said. Heath growled as he sat back; taking hold of her waist, he lifted her slightly and pulled her down. “Faster, harder,” Laney pleaded.

  Heath tensed as his climax hit. He knew he wasn’t going over alone as Laney put her hands on his shoulders and started to shudder as her own release took hold.

  With quick movements Heath turned, laying her under him. He thrust into her over and over until his release flowed through him.

  “My beta,” he breathed before he collapsed onto her.

  Laney wrapped her arms around him as Heath tried to pull out of her.

  “No, not yet,” she said.

  “You giving the instructions now, my beta?” He felt her laugh and she moved slowly, grinding herself again him.

  “Only when you need a little direction.” She turned and smiled up at him.

  “Oh sweetheart, your cheeky ass is mine now.” Heath growled low, shocking a squeal out of Laney as he spun them again.

  * * * *

  “Dude.” The soft whisper pulled Laney out of a deep sleep. It took her a minute to figure out where she was. A strong arm was wrapped around her waist holding her tight against a warm body at her back.

  She didn’t want to wake up; she was far too comfortable.

  “Dude!” The whisper came again.

  Heath grumbled at her back, nuzzling closer into her hair.

  “Dude!” This time the whisper was closer.

  “Wall, one more step and I start swinging,” Heath grumbled as he moved to shield her body from the whispering man.

  “Dude, I really need to talk to you.” Wall tried to be as quiet, or as much as a six foot tall, six foot wide man could be.

  “I’m sleeping,” Heath growled, and Laney rolled her eyes.

  “Dude, it’s serious.”

  “Wall, I am serious, if you don’t leave I won’t be responsible for any medical bills.”

  “Dude!” Wall sounded more insistent, causing Laney to open her eyes and stare down at
the bottom of the bed. The concerned look on the man’s face caused Laney to nudge Heath with her elbow.

  “Go with him,” she told Heath.

  “I. Am. Asleep.”

  “Wolf-boy, either you get up and see what he wants or I do,” Laney threatened. That caused Heath to open his eyes and glare at her. Under the quilt she was just as naked as he was, Laney was under no illusions. Heath would never let the other man see her naked body.

  “Fine. But I won’t forget this, my beta,” he told her before turning and pulling himself out of bed to face the other man.

  “Dude, we need you downstairs.” Wall finally started to back out of the room now that his Alpha was getting up.

  “This had better be important,” Heath warned as he grabbed some jeans and followed the other man out of the room.

  Laney settled back under the warmth of the covers as Heath closed the door. Her body ached in such glorious ways. He had definitely spent the previous night punishing her in ways she had never imagined, and would surely never forget.

  That thought had her eyes opening again. She would never forget her time with Heath, but she wasn’t silly. She knew he would never want her for the long term. He needed a pretty little thing to look after and protect, and that just wasn’t Laney St. Clair. She was a girl who had grown up with three older brothers who had taught her to fight at a young age and had her fixing cars with them and her father before she was tall enough to see under a bonnet without help.

  No, what Heath needed was a little wolf girl who would stand behind him and who could bear him some lovely little babies or cubs or whatever the correct term for shifter babies was.

  Her future lay in taking over the garage from her father. She and Duke had been speaking about it for the last couple of years. She would run the business side and he would handle the repairs side. Duke might be her eldest brother and still treated her like a teenager, but he realised that of all the siblings, she had the best business mind and the ability to grow the business to something bigger.

  Laney lay in Heath’s bed dreaming and worrying about the future when the bedroom door slammed open and Heath stormed back in.

  “Get dressed,” he instructed as he started to find her clothes and throw them on the bed.

  “What’s wrong?” Laney asked as she sat up and watched him stalk around the room. He was angry, very angry, and she wanted to help calm him.

  “Nothing. I need you to get dressed. Wall will drive you home,” he said without looking at her.

  “Heath, what happened?” Laney started to pull on her clothes as quickly as she could.

  “I said nothing. My pack are downstairs and I need you to leave,” Heath said as she finally pulled her dress over her head.

  Laney’s heart stopped. His pack was here and he wanted her to leave? Was he embarrassed by her? But they had already seen them together just the day before. Something was going on. She had no idea what could have happened to cause the chilled-out man who had left her in bed to turn into this hyperaggressive male. She allowed him to pull her behind him out of the bedroom and down the stairs. Wall waited for them by the front door, a worried look on his face.

  “Morning, Laney-girl.” He gave a half-hearted smile.

  “Morning, Wall. You’re up early.” Laney smiled.

  “Nah, you know me, always up with the larks. Busy busy busy.” The wide man said as Laney stopped in front of him.

  “I’ll be right back, wait here,” Heath instructed before he disappeared into the back of the house.”

  Laney watched him go before turning back to Wall with a soft smile and a raised eyebrow.

  “Now why don’t you tell me what’s going on?” she asked casually.

  Wall’s eyes went wide before he shook his head. “Nothing, Laney, it’s a small pack problem. Heath is going to be busy sorting it out so he asked if I would escort you back to your family.” Wall tried for a nonchalant shrug, but didn’t quite pull it off.

  Laney took a step closer to the man. Looking up into his eyes, she didn’t blink, didn’t say a word, just waited. It was a trick she had learnt when dealing with her brothers, something her mother had taught her. If you stayed silent long enough the person you stared at would soon fill the silence.

  She could see Wall trying not to say another word, trying to stare her down, but he couldn’t do it. Within seconds he looked away from her.

  “There have been threats. Heath is doing what any good Alpha should do and protecting those in his care. He is pulling the pack in to make sure everyone is safe,” Wall said softly.

  “And me being here is a danger to the pack?” Did Heath think she would ever cause harm to those he cared about? Laney’s stomach dropped like lead. Clearly he did; otherwise he wouldn’t be hustling her out the door.

  “Thank you for telling me.” Laney smiled at Wall just as Heath walked back into the hall.

  “Okay, Wall is going to follow you into town and then hang out for a little while,” Heath said as he pulled open the front door to let them precede him outside.

  “You don’t need to do that. I can see you’re all clearly busy. I can get back to town fine,” Laney told Heath’s back as he strode over to her car.

  Heath turned and nodded to Wall, who headed to his own vehicle.

  “I wasn’t asking, Laney. Wall is going to follow you and that’s that.” Heath pulled open the car door and waited expectantly.

  She glared at him, crossing her arms over her chest. “I don’t need a babysitter, Heath. I have older brothers who cause me enough butt aches and I don’t need you to add to it.”

  “I don’t have time to argue, Laney-girl. Get in the car and head back to town. I will call you later.”

  She could feel the anger pulsing off him in waves. “Fine, I’ll go but don’t think this is over. I’m a grown up, Heath, I can take care of myself.” Laney said plainly before she got into her car.

  She heard Heath let out a deep breath before he bent down, leaned across her, and plugged in her seat belt. She thought he would simply slam the car door shut and let her drive off, so she was shocked when he turned and placed a hard kiss on her lips.

  “You are like spun glass, my beta, so beautiful but so delicate, sometimes I worry that I’ll push too far and you will shatter.” He spoke against her lips, kissing her with each word.

  “Don’t be fooled, wolf-boy. I have a thread of steel running through me,” she told him as he pulled away and shut the door.

  “I’ll call you later,” he said before turning and walking over to Wall, who was sitting in his truck waiting for her to leave.

  Laney watched him go before starting the engine. Heath needed her to leave so he could focus on protecting his pack, and she would be damned if she would be the reason someone he cared about got hurt because he had taken his eye off the ball.

  *

  “Don’t worry, dude, I’ll watch her night and day if I have to,” Wall assured him.

  Heath nodded.

  The threat had been very specific.

  The human bitch is dead!

  The message had been clear and Heath knew exactly who it was from. Christophe, the former Alpha, the man Heath had beaten and sent on his way with his tail literally between his legs. Christophe’s scent had been all over the animal.

  He had always been a mean man. When he was Alpha he had ruled with an iron fist. Heath had joined the pack and seen that changes needed to happen. He wasn’t a man to wait. Less than two months later he was Alpha and Christophe was gone, taking half of the pack with him.

  It had taken a long time for what was left of the pack to come back together, and to then start trusting this new Alpha.

  Heath walked away and leaned against the porch stairs to watch the two vehicles drive off.

  He had left Christophe alive because he had not wanted to start off his rule as a murderer, but now he was starting to think that had been a mistake. A mistake he wouldn’t be repeating.

  Running up the stairs,
he headed back to the rest of his pack. If he was going to protect the full human who was starting to mean more to him than his own life, then he was going to have to act fast.

  “I want him found. I don’t care how you do it. I want that old wolf’s location before the end of the day,” Heath instructed as he entered the living room.

  “We already have people looking,” Clara assured him.

  “I want security increased on the pack house. I will not have any of you harmed.” He turned to face each of the pack.

  The threat had been clear, but Heath wouldn’t put it past Christophe to take a shot at one of the pack, not considering the way the note had been delivered.

  They had come back from an early morning hunt to a dead wild wolf sitting on their porch. The note was written in blood across the front of the house.

  Both halves of Heath howled for the loss of such a fine animal, and for revenge against anyone who would dare threaten what was theirs.

  He couldn’t lose Laney, not now when they had barely started to know each other.

  “Go. As soon as you have information let me know. I will not play that wolf’s games,” Heath instructed.

  His pack didn’t wait for more; they all headed out ready to get whatever information they could for their Alpha.

  Clara was the only one to stay behind.

  “She’ll be safe with Wall. He likes to play the dumb jock but he is very good at what he does,” Clara assured him.

  Heath wrapped an arm around his little sister’s shoulders and pulled her close to his side.

  “Watch your back, little sister.” Heath kissed the top of her head.

  “Trust me, big brother, if Christophe is stupid enough to come after me, he’s going to learn quickly that the females of this pack are a hell of a lot harder to kill than a full wolf.”

  “Just don’t take any stupid risks. It’s my job to protect you, not the other way round,” Heath warned. He could see that he knew his little sister too well when she refused to meet his gaze.