“Goodnight,” he whispered, easing out of her hold. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”
“Ok,” she breathed, nodding at the same time. “Goodnight; drive safely.”
With a heavy heart, he rose from the floor, his eyes glued to her face. He could hear both of their heartbeats. By then, he couldn’t tell which was which. Turning right, he left her bed behind him, wondering if he had made the right decision. Dean pulled Kate’s bedroom door shut behind him, exhaling hard, as if a massive weight was lifted off his chest. Before he could take another step however, something forced him to think twice: A faint sob, and, an instant afterwards, the sound of Kate’s dress, as it dropped to the floor. The voice of his inner wolf he had been struggling to stifle could not be ignored anymore. Dean no longer desired to suppress it. Instantly, it dominated his mind, eliminating every thought of leaving in its wake.
“Conquer.”
He whipped around, his desire emanating from every pore of his body, as he grabbed the door handle. In his eagerness, he used such force that the door flew open and hit the wall behind it. There she was, standing next to her bed, in nothing more than her red underwear. The surprise written all over Kate’s face was quickly replaced by a smile of relief, mixed with bliss. They began towards one another, almost simultaneously.
“Are you sure about this?” Dean asked, his voice dripping with lust, his heart pounding against his chest, as she stopped right in front of him. She didn’t speak. Instead, her smile widened, as she circled her arms around his neck. Bending his head down, he brushed his lips over hers, as he curled his own arms around her waist. Kate returned his tentative kiss with her own, as the feel of her soft breath on his skin sent his senses into overdrive. The sweetness of her cinnamon was not just in the air. It was flowing within him, as he trailed his palms over her back, mapping out her bare skin with his fingertips.
Her Kate’s form felt fragile in his embrace, precisely like her heart. He knew very well he was kissing a delicate crystal, and he was going to treat her just like that. His fingers made contact with the lace of her bra, as Kate’s palms crept around his neck. Dean unclasped it and let it fall to the floor, as she cradled his face.
He Dean had never sensed anything even remotely as warm or as tender as her hands on his skin. Her featherlike touch sent waves of desire washing over him. A deep sigh escaped Kate, as the tip of his tongue flicked the seam of her lips. Kate splayed her fingers over his cheeks, as Dean slowly slid his right hand up her back. She tilted her head slightly back, her knees beginning to tremble, as he cradled the back of her head. Knitting his long fingers through her hair, he trapped her lower lip in between his and gently pulled, as she sighed under his sensual assault.
“Dean…” Kate gasped a small, weak whimper, his beard scraping her palms, as she dragged her hands up his face.
“I’m right here. No more pain.” He whispered, trailing soft kisses down her mouth. At that, a sigh of arousal left her lips, as she slipped her hands up and into his hair. Dean took his hands off of her altogether, and then pulled his shirt up and over his head. Kate turned left, stepped backwards ,and laid on the bed, her gaze locked on his face, as he undid his pants. Kicking his shoes away, Dean pulled them and his boxers down and off his feet.
The sight of her big, supple breasts sent his adrenaline into the ozone layer, as he climbed in bed. He expected her to scan his sculpted body; yet, she did no such thing. On the contrary, Kate wouldn’t stop gazing deep into his eyes. Reaching down, he hooked his thumbs into the waistband of her panties. She raised her legs up in the air, chest heaving, as he peeled her underwear up and off her feet. Dean felt his cock throbbing in anticipation, as she waved him closer to her. Positioning himself in front of her, he sat down on his knees, as he ran his gaze down her body. Kate didn’t leave him much time to think his next move. Reaching both arms towards him, she leaned forward and grabbed him by the wrists.
“I need you.” She whispered, her mouth barely an inch away from his lips. Her words were enough to make him put aside any thoughts that didn’t involve kissing. Dean placed his palms on either side of her, looking deep into her eyes. Their lips locked in yet another, tender kiss, as Kate slowly lay back down in bed. This time, she wrapped her arms around his neck, and held him tight, as he reached down. Grabbing his big, stiff cock, he aligned it with her entrance, as she moved her legs apart. Dean couldn’t believe the sensation on its head, as it brushed against her sex. Warm, thick juices were flowing freely from Kate. She gasped, bowing her back against the bed, as his swollen manhood stretched her pussy. In a matter of seconds, her tight heat surrounded his length, as Dean ran both of his hands up her body.
“Awww, God…” She whimpered, tipping her head back, as she clutched the back of his head. Dean began to trail even more kisses along her jawline, his breath heavy, as he used his right hand to encircle her breast. His other one did not stop there. On the contrary, it continued to travel up her body. He caressed her neck first, and then slid it up, until he cupped her cheek. Gently rocking into her, Dean collected her tear, as his thumb traced her cheekbone. He wouldn’t speak; he preferred to let his caresses and his lovemaking do all the talking. And he was being so wonderful to her… Kissing his way across her cheek, he sought her lips, as he stroked her breast.
“You feel so good in my arms…” He whispered, nudging her lips apart, as Kate smoothed her hand down his neck. His words put a faint smile on her face, just before their mouths joined in one more kiss that sent shivers down his spine.
Her Kate’s inner muscles were rippling and shuddering around his stiff cock, as her muffled moans in his mouth tempted him to go faster. But, Dean would not do so. This wasn’t a casual encounter. It was his way of showing how much he wanted to be there for her. Treating her like a sex doll was out of the question. After all, he was relishing every second of it. Her breasts were rubbing against his chest, the feel of her hard nipples sending chills, rippling across his skin. Kate hooked her legs around his hips, and dug her heels into his lower back, as her moans became louder. Straight away, Dean began to penetrate her harder, understanding that her climax was close. By now, her hot juices were streaming down his cock, as he felt her walls caress him with every stroke. Releasing her face, he reached down, and cupped her other breast as well, his breath getting shorter. Kate’s entire body tightened around him, as she cried out in ecstasy in his mouth. The feel of more, even warmer juices on his shaft sent him over the edge. He couldn’t withhold his own orgasm anymore. Pulling out, he let his own juices explode out of him, his warm breath steaming against her face. Dean fell onto his back beside her, but she didn’t let him be alone for long. Kate rolled onto her right side and snuggled up against him, swinging her arm around him.
“Hey…” She gasped, looking up at him, as a bright, satisfied smile started to play on her lips. “What made you change your mind?”
“You did.” He replied, his voice deep, as he bent his head towards her. “I heard that little sound you made. I couldn’t leave after that.”
“Thank you, Wolfy.” Kate whispered, lightly kissing him on the chest. “Thank you.” She went on, resting her head into the crook of his neck.
“Wolfy…” Dean gave a short chuckle. “Is that my new nickname?”
His last question was met by silence. He glanced down, only to realize that she had closed her eyes. Her breath was calm and rhythmic. Kate was fast asleep. Her blissful expression was precious; he did not even consider waking her up. Still, Dean had a difficult decision to make. Spend the night in her apartment, or drive back to Paxton? His absence the next morning would spark speculation, and invite a lot of unwanted attention. He was private; his brothers (especially Ray) prying into his personal life was the last thing he wanted. So, he decided to leave Kate’s apartment, in the hope that she would understand his choice. Dean laid a soft kiss on her forehead, and then scooted over to the edge of her bed. Stealing one last glance at her, he shut his eyes, taking a m
ental picture of her blissful face. That picture would accompany him on the long drive home…
“I wish I could stay with you, but I can’t. Sweet dreams, Kate. I hope I’m in them…”
Chapter Seven
The trip back to Paxton was perhaps the most pleasant Dean had had in years. Despite his fatigue, he could keep driving through the night. Deep down, he could sense that his life was about to change for the better. Why wouldn’t it? At last, he would have a relationship with the girl that had captured his attention. He would get an opportunity to conquer her shattered heart, and heal it, in his own way. Dean didn’t believe for a second that Kate actually infected the men in her life. Yes, it was rather peculiar that the ones she fell in love with had been tragically killed, but, for him, this was a mere coincidence. In any case, he was not an ordinary man. He was a strong, dominant shape shifter, who could take better care of himself than they could have.
Dean’s arrival at his birthplace couldn’t have come soon enough. As the tires of his truck skidded across the driveway, his sleepiness vanished. In its stead, was an uncontrollable urge to declare his presence. He could not do such a thing in human form. So, Dean stepped out of his truck, smiling to himself, as he smelled Kate’s scent on his shirt. A raging snarl rose up in his throat, as he closed his eyes. This was just how his wolf used to complain, when he hadn’t been out in a while. His ribs cracked and rippled within seconds. The human nose was replaced by a muzzle, as his hips reshaped. Legs thinned and shortened, as a glimmering shade of red spread across his eyes. The huge wolf was out: Light-brown, with a few shades of dark-brown on his chest and his shoulders, and with a semi-circular patch of gray on his neck, just below his snout. Letting out a happy yip, he lowered his muzzle, and then jolted forward, his gaze locked on the first balsam trees on the edge of the forest.
In the darkness of the night, the powerful lupine would not stop, until he reached his destination. It was none other than the residence of his old Alpha, the place where his brother had put an end to the madness of the rule against socializing with humans, and claimed the pack as his own. Warrick’s house fitted his plan perfectly. Located on the hill just outside Paxton, it overlooked the entire town. Dean’s large paws crushed the dry leaves that littered the forest floor, as he loped through the trees and the underbrush. Speeding past the houses to his left, he sensed a change in the air. For some reason he could not comprehend, it was thicker; heavier. However, Dean did not pay attention to it. The air could shift at any time; something so minor would not concern him.
The brown wolf padded up the road, eagerly anticipating the moment he would execute his plan. Glancing to the left, he saw Warrick’s blood, still staining his front yard. Dean looked over the short wall, recollecting Kate’s tearful eyes. His stentorian howl rose in the air, resounding through the valley, as he tossed his head back. Just then, he caught a scent, one that didn’t belong to his kind. It was human. Whirling around, he discovered its origin. Helena was standing just a few feet across from him, cloaked in black, with her staff in her right hand.
“A Bradford brother caught off his guard.” She spoke, her voice dripping with irony. “It must run in the family.”
Dean did not at all appreciate the interruption. Neither did he like her snobbish tone, or her smirk. Crouching down, he raised his upper lip, exposing teeth and fangs, as his menacing growl tore the silence.
“Pups…” Helena hummed, shaking her head, as frustration darkened her gaze. Suddenly, she gripped her staff tighter, and lifted it in the air. A scarlet glow on the top end of her staff sprang into existence. In a split second, it shot straight down and out from the stick. A powerful shockwave sent the wolf flailing across the yard, as the glow hit the ground. The lupine landed hard on his back, banging the back of his head against the concrete, as an agonizing yip escaped him.
“Shift, second son!” She commanded, her face stiff with anger, as she lowered her staff. “Shift, before I really lose my patience, you stubborn little pup.”
Helena’s display of power had not come as a surprise. Raul had told him all about the time when she had almost choked the life out of him in the woods, without even being close to him. What had startled him though, was the late hour in which she had chosen to appear. It was way past 4am. Helena had to have a very good reason to show herself so late at night. She had intrigued him, and his nudity in his human form would not discourage him from obliging. The brown wolf bounced back up, watching, as the witch approached with caution. His shiny fur disappeared, as his hips reshaped. His legs lengthened and thickened, his muzzle was replaced by his human nose, as the familiar shade of green returned to his eyes. Finding himself sitting down on the cold concrete, Dean brought his knees to his chest, and then wrapped his arms around his shins, in an attempt to cover his nudity.
“Good.” Helena gave a satisfied nod. “You don’t have to cover yourself. I’ve seen it all before.”
“Your timing sucks.” Dean groaned, raising his eyes to glare at her. “That’s why I growled at you. Couldn’t this wait? I was in the middle of something here.”
“I’m afraid not.” She maintained, as her smile was wiped off of her face. “I have been looking for you. It was good to see you with Monica’s friend, Dean. You two seemed to be getting along quite well. However, I ran into a problem, when I tried to find out more about her.”
“First things first: why is the air so close in here?” He squinted up at her.
“That is due to my aura. When I exert myself, it drains the oxygen from the atmosphere. And that is precisely what I have been doing, over the past thirty-six hours. Alas, all my efforts have been fruitless. Kate Brooks is an enigma.” Helena stated, her soft voice riddled with confusion, as she tore her eyes away from him.
“Hold on just a second.” Dean grumbled, rising from the ground, as the witch stared out at the horizon. “What have you been doing?”
“You are Roman Bradford’s grandson. The only man I ever loved.” She retorted, abruptly turning to him. “I think I have already proved to you and your siblings that my only concern is your well-being. I…” She faltered. “I meant to look into her future. I had to make sure that no harm would befall you. Sadly, I was unable to do so. My orb will only show me a blur. My vision is blocked. And that can only mean one thing.”
“What?” He wondered, leaning sideways towards her, curiosity flaring in his eyes.
“A spell is preventing me from looking.” Helena assumed an emphatic tone, furrowing her brow, her face as hard as stone. “Kate Brooks is a witch.”
Dean let out a derisive snort, but, it wasn’t long before he burst into loud, roaring laughter. Tilting his chin up, he closed his eyes, and banged the palm of his hand against his forehead, giggling at the ludicrousness of Helena’s conclusion. His interest had turned into sheer amusement. Had Kate been a witch, she would have done whatever things necessary to save the lives of her deceased boyfriends. She wouldn’t have suffered so much loss.
“At times like these, I really want to forget you are related to Roman.” Helena grumbled, the anger in her voice sending it down an octave. “I was wrong to think you take after your older brother. Large and dominant you are, but mature? No.”
“Goddamn…” Dean chuckled, running his hand through his hair, as her eyes glowed red with rage. “Thanks. That was a good one.”
“Tell me, pup.” She spoke, assuming the same, ironic tone that had enraged him earlier. “Have you noticed anything strange about her?”
Helena’s question caused his grin to fall from his lips. Why? Because: he most certainly had. Still, he wouldn’t say anything. Dean began to wonder if what he had in mind was what the witch was referring to.
“Speak!” She cried, her voice echoing in the wilderness, as she tapped her staff onto the ground.
“It’s her scent.” He murmured, his face tightening as he took a deep breath. “It fluctuates somehow. It fades when she’s sad. I hugged her tonight, and it
just filled the room.”
“Oh, Dean,” Helena said, her tone mellow this time, as a smug smile burst from her thin lips. “You really don’t know anything about witches, do you?”
“Stop taunting me,” Dean barked out, his chest heaving, as he struggled to keep his cool. “Ok, I’m ignorant. Educate me.”
“A witch’s scent is directly connected to her life force.” She declared, her voice picking up volume, as she intensified her stare. “It wanes in her dark times. It almost vanishes altogether. But, it grows stronger, when she finds hope. Dean, Ms. Brooks may not know it yet, but rest assured: the girl you’re interested in has witch’s blood running through her veins. This spell that prevents me from looking into her future may not even be her doing. It could well be the deed of someone in her family.”
Dean found himself in an awkward position, as the witch finished her rant. In truth, he didn’t know how to handle this new information. Yes, he did like Kate, but, part of him didn’t appreciate the notion of dating a witch. Even if Helena was right, and the blonde pianist was still unaware of her nature, discovering it was only a matter of time. Being in a relationship with her would be as complicated as it would be dangerous.
“I could use some advice.” He sighed, folding his arms across his chest. “What do you think I should do?”
“Don’t make the same mistake your grandfather made with me,” she urged, her tone stiff, as she narrowed her eyes at him. “Do not fear her. I dwell by the lake; I saw you two. There is a spark between you, a spark that could well become a strong flame. Do not allow fear to cloud your judgment.”
“I’ll try,” Dean assured her with a nod; “anything else?”
“Bring her to me,” Helena advised, her voice lowering to a whisper, as she leaned closer. “I’ll do the rest. I’ll be waiting.”
A Wolf's Desire (Wolf Mountain Peak Book 2) Page 4