by Ramona Gray
“You’re okay, you’re fine. Take a deep breath, Kane,” she soothed.
He turned onto his back and stared up at her. She smiled and smoothed his wet hair back from his face. “You’re okay, big fella. Just a little lake water in the lungs.”
His eyes widened in sudden panic and he snarled. His teeth lengthened and hair grew on his face before he lashed out. His hand caught her on the jaw and she fell onto her back, crying out a little at the pain from the bruise. He staggered to his feet and shifted. He howled in fear, and Theran and Hanif gave answering howls before Kane turned and ran into the forest.
Adina dropped to her knees beside Reese. “Reese, are you okay?”
“Awesome,” Reese croaked. “I’m living the dream.”
“How – how did you know to do that?” Adina asked.
“Junior lifeguard at Seasons family camp, three summers in a row,” she croaked again.
“Lifeguard?” Adina said uncertainly.
“Never mind. Help me up.”
Adina helped her to her feet. Cold water was streaming from her body and Reese shivered violently as she and Adina followed Ghita and the wolves into the forest.
Chapter 5
Kane returned nearly half an hour later. He trotted into the camp and sat down next to Hanif and Theran. He pulled away when they tried to touch him and barked sharply at them. They murmured apologies as Kane’s gaze fell on Reese.
She had stripped off her wet clothing and was wearing his shirt. It fell past her knees and she hugged her arms around herself as he stared at her.
“My clothes were wet,” she said defensively.
He didn’t reply and she glanced at her own clothes spread out on the ground. “You can have it back in the morning.”
He chuffed at her as Hanif shifted and barked quietly at Adina. She squeezed Reese’s arm. “Are you going to get some branches?”
Reese shook her head. “No. I’m tired.”
Adina frowned. “Reese, you’ll – “
“Yeah, yeah, I’ll freeze to death. I’m too tired to care.”
Hanif barked again and Reese glanced at him. “Your blanket is calling for you. Go on, Adina.”
Theran, helping Ghita to lie down on the ground, smiled tentatively at her. “Come, human. I will help keep you wa –
Kane snarled viciously and Theran jerked before glancing at the large wolf. “Kane, she saved – “
Kane snarled again and Theran gave Reese an apologetic look. “I am sorry, Reese.”
She shrugged. “Whatever, Theran.”
He frowned as Reese turned her back to him and lay down on the ground. She curled into a ball, tugging Kane’s shirt down to her ankles and resting her head on her arm. The trek over the mountain, the jump into the lake and dragging the large shifter through the water had pretty much done her in. The adrenaline had drained from her body and she was worn out physically and emotionally. Her hair was still wet and she pulled it away from the back of her neck with a grimace. She closed her eyes and sighed loudly. She had saved that asshole Kane’s life and now he was going to let her die.
She nearly screamed when Kane lay down beside her. She rolled over and got a mouthful of fur for her trouble. She wiggled back a little and stared up at him. He was curling his large body around hers and he made no objection when she buried her toes in the thick fur on his belly and crowded her body against his. His large tail crossed over her hips and thighs and she pressed her face into his fur-covered throat.
He was unbelievably, delightfully warm and she sighed happily as he rested his large chin on the top of her head. His hot breath felt amazing on her wet hair and cold neck, and she burrowed even deeper against him. She sighed again and closed her eyes.
* * *
In the early light of dawn, Kane studied the sleeping woman in his arms. He had shifted back to his human form a few minutes ago. She had muttered quietly but not woken and he brushed her hair back from her face. She frowned in her sleep and buried her face into his throat. Her lips brushed against his skin and his cock hardened against her hip.
He slipped his hand under her shirt and ran it along her thigh and up to her hip. He squeezed it gently before rubbing her side. She sighed and stirred against him and he stroked her round stomach.
She stretched and moved her head back, blinking sleepily before putting her arm around his waist and pressing her body against his. He slid his hand out from under her shirt and stroked her arm as she stared curiously at him. It took her a few moments to realize he was in his human form and he smiled a little when he felt her fingers dig into his bare back.
“Hello, human,” he said.
She didn’t reply, her eyes widening when he reached up and lightly traced the dark bruise on her cheek.
“I’m sorry for this. I did not mean to hurt you,” he said gravely.
“It’s,” she cleared her throat. “It’s fine.”
“Were you warm enough last night?”
She nodded. “Yes, thank you.”
“Thank you for saving my life, human.”
“You’re welcome.”
A flush was rising in her cheeks and she moved her arm from around his waist. She tried to sit up and he put his arm across her waist and held her tightly against him.
“It’s not time to get up yet,” he said quietly. He pushed lightly on her shoulder, urging her to lie on her back and grunting with satisfaction when she did.
His arm cushioned her head and she stared mutely at him as he trailed his fingers down her arm. He lowered his head and sniffed her neck.
“You smell good, human,” he whispered.
“No I don’t. I haven’t had a bath in ages,” she said.
He grinned at her and she inhaled sharply. He lowered his head again and licked her neck with his warm tongue.
Reese moaned quietly and clutched at Kane’s back. She had no idea what was happening. The shifter hated her and she hated him. He was arrogant and mean, and he had spent the last three nights watching her nearly freeze to death. So why was she tilting her head back to give him better access to her neck? Why was she allowing him to push his hard thigh between her soft ones? Why was she –
She gasped when he nipped at her collar bone. He lifted his head and stared down at her and she swallowed thickly. His dark eyes had turned green and they glowed when she licked her lips nervously.
“Kane, what – “
He kissed her, his lips coaxing hers open and his tongue sliding in to touch hers delicately. She shuddered and returned his kiss. He cupped her face and his thumb stroked along her cheekbone as she sighed softly and put her arms around him.
She was just marveling at how gentle he was for his size and strength, when he raised her arms above her head. She blinked at him in confusion and then jerked in surprise when he quickly pulled his shirt up and over her head.
She put her arms across her naked breasts and looked nervously to her left. Hanif was still curled around Adina and they both appeared to be sleeping but she resisted when Kane tugged at her arms.
He frowned. “Let me see your breasts, human.”
She glared at him and tightened her arms over her chest. “No.”
He leaned over her and inhaled deeply. “You want me. I can smell it. Show me your breasts.”
“Not with the others right here!” She hissed at him.
He shrugged. “We mate in front of each other.”
“Humans don’t,” she snapped.
“They don’t?”
“No! Well, most of them,” she conceded. “Sometimes they have parties where they, you know, get it on with anyone who’s interested and in front of whoever but I’m not that kind of girl.”
“So you’ll fuck me, just not in front of my pack mates?” He asked.
She blushed at his coarseness. “I don’t – I mean, I hardly know you and you called me fat and let me nearly freeze to death. I’m not sure that I’ll even sleep with you.”
He grinned. “You will.”
“Not with that arrogant attitude I won’t,” she muttered. “Give me back my shirt.”
Instead of doing what she asked, he slipped his hand inside of her panties, cupped her pussy and pushed one finger deep inside of her before she could even think of closing her legs. She moaned quietly. Her hips arched against his hand before she got a hold of herself.
She kept one arm across her breasts and used the other hand to grab at his arm. She pulled on it but it was like trying to move a rock.
“You’ll definitely fuck me,” he whispered approvingly. “Look how wet you are and all I’ve done is kiss you.”
She blushed furiously and yanked at his arm. “Move your hand right now!”
“You’re a demanding little thing aren’t you, human?” He thrust his finger back and forth while his thumb angled upward to brush against her clit.
She groaned loudly and then clamped her hand over her mouth, staring wide-eyed at the sleeping Hanif and Adina. She realized a fraction of a second too late that her breasts were now bared to him before he dipped his head and sucked one cold nipple into his warm mouth. She moaned behind her hand and then threaded the hand through his short dark hair, holding tightly as he sucked and laved at her tightened nipple. He moved his mouth to her other nipple and she arched her back even as she was tugging on his hair.
“Kane, move your hand dammit!” She whispered again. His thumb rubbing against her clit was rapidly breaking down her resistance. If she didn’t stop him now, he’d be fucking her on her hands and knees in front of everyone in a matter of minutes. And she’d be fine and goddamn dandy with it.
“I am moving my hand, human.” He licked her nipple, pressed her clit until she moaned again, and then slid a second finger into her. She bit her lip as he stretched her tight opening.
“You’re very small.” He frowned down at her. “Have you mated before?”
His fingers probed deeper and she clamped her thighs together around his hand.
“Yes, I’ve mated before!” She hissed at him.
“How many times?” He was still stroking her clit with his thumb and he leaned down and nuzzled her breast.
“That’s none of your business,” she gritted out as another deep wave of pleasure filled her belly.
“My cock is large,” he whispered against her mouth, “but you will get used to it.”
His comment aroused her curiosity and she glanced downward. Her mouth dropped open and he chuckled at the look on her face. She shut her mouth with a snap and tore her gaze from the biggest cock she’d ever seen.
“It’s not that big,” she lied.
“Think about how it will feel sliding into your wet pussy, human.” He circled her clit again and she shuddered against him as she nearly climaxed.
“I like how responsive you are. It makes me even more eager to fuck you.” He smiled at her.
Reese could feel her cheeks flushing. His honest way of speaking and the way he acted like she would just spread her legs and let him take her, was turning her on so much it was embarrassing.
“I’ve never been with a human before.” He stared at her breasts and his eyes glowed softly before he smiled at her.
“Why not?” She asked.
He hesitated as something dark flickered deep in his eyes. His hand tightened almost painfully around her crotch. “Human females are too small and fragile. I’m rough when I mate. I would break their bones.”
“That’s not very comforting.” She yanked again at his hand.
He laughed quietly. “You are the biggest human female I’ve ever seen. Your body will be able to handle me.”
When she didn’t reply, he leaned down and lightly kissed her nipple. “I will go slowly until you are used to me. Do not be frightened, human. You’re even bigger than most of the female shifters I’ve mated with.”
“You sure know how to sweet talk a girl,” she snapped.
He gave her a curious look and halted the slow movements of his fingers within her. “What do you mean – sweet talk?”
She sighed. “It means – hell, I don’t know – that you use your words to convince a girl to sleep with you.”
He frowned. “Why do I need to do that? You obviously want to sleep with me. I can smell it on you, and your body is wet and ready to take my cock.”
Reese felt like she had been thrown head-first down the rabbit hole. Never in her entire life had she imagined she would be lying in her underwear in the middle of a forest with a half-man, half-wolf who had his fingers stuck up her crotch while she tried to explain the art of sweet talking.
“Humans can’t smell another human’s desire,” she said patiently. “And I’ve never met a human male who just sticks their hand into a woman’s underwear without asking permission first. Human women don’t like that type of behaviour.”
He cocked his head at her. “You like it. You’ve almost come twice already and I haven’t even fucked you yet.”
She flushed again before muttering, “Just once.”
He just grinned at her and she scowled at him. “You can’t – “
“Enough talking, human,” he said suddenly. He leaned over her and kissed her again, his tongue pushing into her mouth as pulled his fingers out of her and rubbed her clit firmly.
She cried out into his mouth. Her entire body was shuddering and her orgasm was starting with small tingles and jolts of pleasure in her pelvis. She panted and moaned when he dipped his head and lightly bit her nipple. He tugged on it with his teeth and she clutched at his hard arms.
“Oh God, oh – “
Soft barking made her stiffen against him, and she turned her head to see Hanif twitching in his sleep as he growled and barked.
“Stop!” She slapped his arm and gave the large shifter a frantic look. “Please, stop! He’s waking up.”
Kane frowned. He could smell the human’s desire fading. It was being replaced by embarrassment, and he sighed loudly and pulled his hand out from her panties. She sat up and struggled into his shirt as Hanif jerked and woke up with a loud bark.
Adina winced and sat up. “What? What’s wrong?” She asked groggily.
Hanif stood and shook himself before shifting into his human form. Behind Kane’s broad back, Theran and Ghita were stirring. Kane cupped Reese’s throat and pulled her head down to whisper in her ear. “Tonight I will take you into the woods and fuck you in private, human.”
“Awesome,” she said sarcastically before tearing away from him and standing up. Her legs were shaking and her pelvis was throbbing. She wanted to pull Kane into the woods, throw him on the ground and fuck his brains out.
She stared silently at him and, as if he read her mind, he gave her a wolfish smile. “Do you think you can wait until tonight, human?”
She flushed and glanced at the others before leaning closer. “It doesn’t work that way, wolf boy. I’m not sleeping with you tonight.”
He grinned again. “Of course you are. Why would you not?”
She clenched her hands into fists and nearly shrieked with frustration. “Your arrogance level is unbelievable. Stay away from me, Kane. Do you hear me?”
“I’ll stay away until tonight but mark my words, human. You’ll be on your hands and knees and crying out for my cock before the night is done.”
He shifted before she could reply and she gave a loud grunt of anger and frustration as Adina approached her.
“Reese, are you all right?”
“Fine, just fucking fine,” she snapped and stomped away.
Chapter 6
Reese sighed and sat down on the cold ground. The sun was sinking below the mountains and the wind was ice cold. Dark clouds were gathering in the sky and Theran gave them a worried look.
“The rains are starting, Hanif.”
“I know,” he replied grimly. “Kane is looking for shelter.”
“Why are they so worried about a little rain?” Reese asked Adina.
“It’s not just a little rain, Reese,” Adina r
eplied. “It rains for days and falls hard and fast. If it’s cold enough, it turns to freezing rain. And lower areas like this one, often flood within a matter of hours. The shifters can survive being caught in it because their thick coats will protect them but humans aren’t so lucky. If we don’t drown, we’ll die of exposure within a day or two.”
“Do not worry.” Theran patted Ghita’s back. “There are many caves in the side of the mountain. Kane will find us one that is suitable to keep you safe.”
Reese breathed a sigh of relief. If they were all forced to share a cave while it rained, then she wouldn’t be tempted into having sex with Kane tonight. Halfway through the day they had stopped for a rest. She had gone further into the woods to relieve herself and when she had stepped out from behind the large tree, Kane was waiting for her. He had shifted into his human form for the first time that day and she had averted her eyes from his half-hard cock as her cheeks reddened.
“Hello, human.” He grinned at her and she gave him an impatient look.
“I have a name. It’s Reese.”
He stepped closer and snagged her around the waist, pulling her up against his hard body. “Hello, Reese.”
His raspy voice saying her name sent shivers down her spine.
“What are you doing here?” She squeaked out when his hand slipped down to cup her ass.
“I want to touch you,” he replied.
“You can’t just touch me whenever you feel like it,” she said crossly as his hand slid down to her thigh and lifted it around his hip.
“Why not?” He pressed his cock against her.
“Because I’m not your damn property. You have to ask permission.” She ignored the way her heart was beating rapidly against her chest as he stuck his hand up her shirt and stroked her belly.
“I like how you look in my clothing,” he whispered.
She sighed and grabbed his hand through her shirt. Her clothes hadn’t even been close to dry this morning and she had been forced to continue to wear his shirt.