“I’ll be fine,” she said, trying to hold back her fear. In all honesty, the fear in his eyes scared her. She’d never seen that look in his eyes.
“It took three days, Nova,” he stressed. “I cannot…will not be able to watch you suffer.”
“Your healer has drugs he can give me,” she reminded him.
“Those drugs are new, and we have no idea how they will work on you,” he argued. “Your sister was the first one in our pride to be changed since I was turned five years ago. She was also the first to have been administered the medicine, and she still screamed, even though she was completely out of it. She doesn’t remember, and that wasn’t from the drugs…that was from her being almost dead.”
Nova jerked back at his harsh words. Tears welled up in her eyes, realizing he wasn’t going to budge on his decision. “I’m willing to go through the pain to be yours in all ways, Winter.”
“I love you, Nova,” he admitted, leaning forward and swallowing her gasp with his lips pressed to hers. Her heart thundered in her chest as he held her close. By the time he pulled away, she was out of breath. “I can’t see you hurt, and that’s final.”
He started to push her away, but she was having none of that. “Don’t you dare run out of here.” She pushed on his shoulder and Winter leaned back in his seat, his eyes half closed, but she could see that his panther was close.
“You love me?” she asked.
“I’ve always loved you,” he admitted. “Ever since the first time I saw you in that bar. My panther knew you as my mate, but my human side didn’t want to claim you. In my mind, I wanted to fall in love with you before I touched you.”
“That’s why you wouldn’t touch me?” she snarled.
He didn’t answer, but the stubborn man did nod. Nova growled and slid off his lap, crossing her arms over her chest. “I love you too…you asshat!”
“What?” he gasped, standing to his full height.
“You heard me,” she said, trying her best not to laugh. She was technically still angry at him for not changing her. When his eyes flared to amber, his canines extended, and the animal in him came rushing forward, Nova knew that he was everything she needed. She didn’t even flinch when he came at her, scooping her body up into his strong hold, capturing her lips again in a heated kiss. He moved with grace and speed as he moved toward his bedroom.
His growl was her only warning before she felt the warm slide of his panther’s claws against her bare skin. He’d slid his fingers underneath her shirt until he reached the straps of her bra near her sides. With a slight flick of his hands, the material ripped as he pulled his hands out of her clothes, her bra falling away from her sides. He did nothing more than gather the rest of the material in his fist and yank. The sound of fabric tearing echoed in the room.
Her back hit the mattress and she heard him inhale. Winter’s weight registered as the bed dipped. She felt the sharpness of his claw at her side and froze, knowing he was going to destroy her jeans as well. At that point, she didn’t care. All she wanted was to have him make love to her.
“I can scent your desire,” he purred, his voice muffled by his sharp teeth.
“Please?” she begged, writhing on the bed. His mating scent wrapped around her senses and she felt herself relax as he ran his claw down her side all the way to her ankle. The material of her jeans pulled away, along with her panties. In a matter of seconds, she was bare to his gaze.
“Patience, little one,” he hummed, taking in every inch of her skin. “You are mine.”
“Yes, I am yours,” she grinned.
The mid-afternoon sun threw a beam of light across the bed, highlighting his tanned abs and the thick muscle that curved seductively over his hips. Nova’s tongue snaked out when he flicked open the button of his jeans.
Her hands reached out, fingers splaying across his stomach. His eyes darkened a moment before he leaned over and captured one nipple, biting it just enough to send a jolt of pleasure straight between her legs.
His chest pressed against her breasts as he molded himself to her body, covering it so that she was cocooned in his warmth…his scent. As he kissed her, Winter fumbled with his jeans, almost tearing them to shreds to get undressed. When he finally nestled between her legs, both of them let out a sigh. Nova wrapped an arm over his shoulders and pulled him back to her lips when he started to move away, adjusting his weight.
“I’m too heavy,” he complained.
“No, you’re not,” she said, hooking her legs over his hips. “Make love to me, Winter.”
Nova gave a shout when she was flipped over and Winter rested his weight against her back. “I want to devour you.”
“Oh,” she breathed, shivering when his tongue licked the back of her shoulder. His mouth clamped over her shoulder at the same time his cock pressed against her, sliding inside in one powerful thrust. His hands skimmed up the back of her arms, pushing them over her head so he could clasp her wrists in one of his hands. Nova kept her face turned away so he wouldn’t release his hold on her neck. His canines hadn’t broken the skin, but she was sure he was planning on marking her again.
Winter purred softly as he moved slowly, his lower stomach coming in contact with her ass as he kept a steady rhythm mounting her over and over again. Would she ever get tired of the way he controlled her? As his free hand clasped her hip, raising it for leverage, she knew she would always want it to be this way.
Her pants became moans as he kept moving. A fluttering inside her body turned into a raging heat. She was surrounded by him, feeling every inch of his power as he rocked inside her. The moment his teeth broke her skin, the pain sent need to her core. She called out his name, begging for more. Her mate snarled her name as he stiffened. Winter released his hold on her neck and shouted his release.
“I will think about changing you,” he whispered, just as she drifted off to sleep.
Chapter Fifteen
“I need to find this son of a bitch,” Winter growled under his breath as he stood in the corner next to Savage and Dane. The three of them were watching the pride finish their Thanksgiving meal. The females were clearing dishes and cleaning up the children’s messes in the room off the kitchen that was used for a daycare in the alpha’s home.
“He’s going to slip up soon,” Dane replied.
“When he does, he’s mine,” Winter informed them.
“There is no worry about that, my brother.” Savage smiled, his eyes flashing amber. “You can kill him…slowly, painfully. I’d make him watch as you spill his insides.”
“Jesus, you’re vicious,” Winter laughed, knowing that he would do the same thing.
“He deserves worse,” Dane added, nodding toward Nova. “She’s worth fighting for, and I’m glad you finally got off your ass and touched her.”
“I was once human, Dane,” Winter sighed heavily. “I wanted to fall in love with her and not have this animal instinct decide for me.”
“When are you going to learn that there is nothing human about you anymore?” Dane asked. “Once you were turned, you became the beast. The beast rules you, and you know this.”
“I know that now,” Winter replied, pushing off of the wall. “Excuse me, but I think I need to go see my mate.”
Dane didn’t say anything else, and Winter knew his friend was right. This beast inside was what ruled him now. No longer a human, he had to accept the wildness that coursed through his veins. Liberty often called it “magical mojo” and he would actually agree that she was right to use that term. What happened to them during a shift was actually magical. It was the only way to explain their existence.
“Hey,” Winter said, wrapping his arms around his mate. He inhaled and purred softly when his mating scent blended with the scent of the coconut shampoo she used. That scent alone would always trigger a response from him whenever she was near. He felt his cock stir behind his fly and he willed it to stop. They were in the alpha’s home surrounded by others and now just wasn’t the time.
“Hey yourself,” she smiled, turning in his arms.
“All of the pride is going to shift,” he announced. “I’m not going to leave you unprotected. So, I’m staying behind.”
“I don’t want you to miss out on that,” she said, frowning.
“It’s okay.” He smiled, leaning in to kiss her lips. “I’d rather stay here with you anyway.”
“Can I see you shift?” she asked, nibbling on her bottom lip. He reached up with his thumb and pulled it free from her teeth.
“You’ve never seen him, have you?” Winter asked. In all of the times that he’d been in charge of protecting her, he usually stayed in human form. Only late at night would he shift to check for scents on her land.
“No,” she answered. “But I would love to see him.”
“I’ll shift, but stay here with you,” Winter replied, pulling Nova to the side as a few of the teenagers in the pride filed out of the dining room.
“I don’t want to keep you from your friends,” she frowned.
“Come,” he ordered, taking her hand and pulling her out to the back porch.
Guardians and other members of the pride followed them, Liberty and Talon followed not too long afterward. Everyone started slipping out of their clothing just as the sun was setting. Nova didn’t watch the others, and he was glad her eyes didn’t roam. Although the pride had no problem with nudity, Winter didn’t want her seeing his brothers in their bare skin.
“Are you ready?” he asked, a small thrill shooting through him. His vision changed when Nova smiled and nodded. Winter pulled his shirt over his head and handed the material to his mate. “Stand back until I am done.”
“Will you know me?” she asked, worrying her bottom lip again.
“We will always know you, my mate,” he whispered, leaning in to capture her lips. As soon as he stepped back, Winter dropped his jeans to his ankles and let his panther rush to the surface.
Nova looked on in awe at how fast Winter shifted into his panther. She knew if she had blinked, she’d have missed the transformation. One moment, he was dropping his jeans and the next, he was a huge black panther. The panther shook his head, his eyes narrowing as he placed one paw in front of him.
“Winter?” she asked, hoping he wasn’t lying when he said that he and his panther would know who she was while he was in his animal form.
“Winter,” she warned as he growled low in his throat. Nova froze in her spot as the panther rubbed his face against her leg. She took that moment to truly look at him for the first time.
This wild animal…shifter was easily twice the size of the cats she’d seen at the zoo as a child. His head was broader and his tail matched the length of his body. She could smell his unique scent as he walked around her slowly. He passed on her left side, still rubbing against her legs. When he rounded her back, Winter’s panther nuzzled her right hand that was hanging at her side. She tentatively stroked his soft fur, taking a second to scratch behind his ear. He tilted his head back and she saw his glowing amber eyes. They were beautiful…just as beautiful as his beast.
Snarls and growls sounded somewhere beyond the yard, panthers were running through the woods with no cares in the world. Nova glanced up, then back at Winter, who also turned his head toward the woods.
“You can run, Winter,” she urged. “It’s okay.”
The panther turned, nudging her hip. Nova let out a curse as she lost her footing, but she didn’t fall far. Her ass landed on the step leading up to the porch. It was the right height for the panther’s nose to touch hers. She giggled when his whiskers tickled her cheek. His long, rough tongue snaked out and licked the mating mark on her neck.
“You’re not going to leave me here, are you?” she whispered, stroking the side of the cat’s face. He purred and nuzzled her hand again before sitting on his haunches. Nova pulled her feet up and away when the panther started to shimmer. Winter stood in front of her, his cock hard and thick right in front of her face.
“Well, hello there,” she smirked.
“Do you want this, little one?” he teased, dropping a knee between her legs and leaning forward. The movement sent Nova’s back against the porch floor. Winter settled over her a second before he captured her lips.
Nova groaned at his taste and the mating scent. Wetness pooled between her legs, and she knew the moment Winter recognized her desire, because she was up in his arms and his tongue swept into her mouth. He started walking, and despite her protest, walked all the way to his cabin…naked and hard as a fucking rock.
“I can smell your sweetness, little one,” he growled as he set her down on the bed. Nova climbed to her knees and reached out for him, wrapping her hand around his hardness.
“It’s my turn,” she breathed, taking him into her mouth. Winter cursed as she circled his head with her tongue. His hands tangled into her hair as she slid him across her tongue, swallowing his length to the back of her throat. He was large and thick…and perfect. A few times, she had to release him to catch her breath, but he never complained. When she took him back into her throat, he pulled her hair over her shoulder so that his view of what she was doing wasn’t obstructed. He liked to watch.
“Enough,” he barked, just as Nova felt him begin to swell in her mouth. “I hope you don’t like these clothes.” His snarl sent her to the bed, laying out on her back.
“What?”
Winter unleashed a claw and tore into her clothes, peeling them away from her body with every expert slice. Why did he enjoy destroying her clothes? His predatory smirk heated her core even more once his eyes roamed her naked body. When he looked at her, she felt beautiful…alive even.
“Open your eyes, Nova,” Winter ordered, not even realizing that she’d closed them. She did as she was told, looking down her body at where he was poised. His canines were thick in his mouth as he nipped at the inside of her knee, alternating between kisses and bites up to the spot she craved him at most.
She whined when he made one pass with his tongue…only one fucking pass! “Winter!” she cried out as he continued to nibble his way to her hip, stopping to give it an extra nip. By the time he made it to her breasts, Nova was writhing beneath him.
“Patience, little one,” he teased, but Nova was having none of that.
She tangled her fingers through the hair at the top of his head, making a fist. She gritted her teeth and snarled at him as if she were a panther. “You better fuck me now, Winter Blue!”
His eyes flashed amber, a snarl leaving his lips, and he thrust forward, finding his way deep into her body. They both cursed as he lifted her left leg over his hip and pounded into her flesh. She threw her head back as far as she could and screamed his name the moment his canines sank into her neck, right over her existing mating mark.
Chapter Sixteen
Savage watched as Liberty moved around the bar, taking orders and talking with the locals that spent so much time in her establishment. He’d been tasked with making sure the alpha’s mate was protected while Talon was out on business. He really wasn’t on business. The pride’s leader was on a mission for a wedding ring for his mate. The Winter Solstice wasn’t far away and he had plans for the night they officially became mates.
The scent of wildflowers drifted through the bar as the door opened. Savage didn’t even need to look to know it was the beautiful and shy waitress that his panther had taken notice of over the past few months. She was fucking stunning, but she was also extremely reserved. She wasn’t like most human women. No, Mary Grace had an old world look; her light blonde hair was always styled in curls pinned at the sides of her head and the longer locks hung down almost to her waist. Her pink lips were thick and her breasts bountiful. Most of the human men in the bar watched her but never approached, and for that, he was very thankful.
His panther pushed forward when Mary Grace passed him as he sat at the bar. She didn’t even recognize him sitting there, watching her from the corner of his eyes. She dumped her bag behind
the bar and found an apron, pulling a notepad from its pocket. Liberty stopped by and gave her a few instructions, disappearing into the office as soon as Mary Grace nodded and took off toward the kitchen.
He slid off the stool and sauntered down the hallway, wanting to check in on the alpha’s mate, but froze when he passed the employees breakroom. Mary Grace was standing in the corner, looking into a floor length mirror, turning from side to side. She tugged on the apron strings and retied it to a looser setting. Savage frowned, trying to figure out what she was doing. He didn’t need to wonder long when she pulled at her shirt, trying to cover her hips, the corner of her full lips turned down into a scowl. She cursed under her breath and turned around, their eyes locking. She gasped, placing a hand over her heart, but she didn’t speak. In fact, she looked like she was scared silent.
“You are absolutely beautiful,” he growled. “And don’t let anyone ever tell you differently.”
Savage turned on his heel and marched toward Liberty’s office, not wanting to hear her deny his words, because he had a feeling she’d never had a compliment like that ever before.
If she was his, he would tell her that every single day.
Perry pulled his truck into an abandoned field beside the pride’s land. He killed the lights and cracked open the door, sliding out quietly. He shifted his eyes to see better in the dark. Using his sense of smell, his wolf chuffed happily when there was no scent of those wretched panthers. He stood there for the longest time, waiting for any sign that they were in the area, and finally moved away from the truck’s door when he was satisfied that the way was clear onto their land.
He stumbled beside his old pickup truck. His body was trying to shut down without that motherfucker of an alpha. Why the hell couldn’t Perry have gotten the alpha gene from his piece of shit father? He could’ve taken those two whores that had survived the attack from the panthers and made them his.
Winter (Rise of the Pride, Book 2) Page 13