by Bethany Shaw
Nora smiled to herself as she led the way. He opened her door and she closed it behind them, twisting the lock. “Let me get my computer,” she said going to the dresser. She picked up the black rectangle and opened it up. “I think some of Marvels stuff is available to stream.”
“Okay.”
“Is something wrong?” Nora asked, sensing that whatever had happened in the kitchen after they left had set him off.
Daniel shrugged as he sat on the side of the bed. “It’s nothing.”
Nora flipped the lid closed on her laptop and sunk down next to him. “You’re upset,” she observed.
“It’s stupid.”
“No, it’s not,” she countered.
“Dev and Lark were announcing their ceremony. My mom made a comment about it and...like I said, it doesn’t matter.”
“I’m sure she didn’t mean to upset you,” Nora said quietly. “Your mom cares about you. I’ve seen it.”
“Let’s watch that movie,” Daniel said, changing the subject.
Nora bit her lower lip looking at Daniel. He stared straight ahead at the dresser. What had his mom said, she wondered.
Daniel stood up, walked to the dresser, and set up the computer. He tapped something and the red screen popped up.
“Avengers?” Daniel asked.
“Sure,” Nora said sliding back so she was lying on the pillows. She patted the spot next to her and Daniel lay down, resting one arm behind his head and pulling her close with the other.
Nora sighed relaxing her head against his chest. The movie started and she smiled as Daniel’s hand rubbed tiny circles into her back.
Nora grunted as her warm cushiony pillow moved out from underneath her. Her eyes fluttered open and she squinted in the darkness. Daniel’s silhouette moved toward the laptop. The screen was black as white names scrolled over it. She’d missed the entire movie.
She sat up and stretched her arms up and over her head.
“I didn’t mean to wake you,” Daniel whispered, dragging his finger over the touchpad.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t a very good movie buddy,” Nora smiled. “Did you like it at least?”
“It was good. I heard there is a third one coming out, maybe we could go see that together,” Daniel offered.
She didn’t think the other movie was coming out for some time yet. That meant he didn’t know that, or he was planning to be with her for a long time. “I’d like that.”
Daniel shifted on his feet. “It’s late and we have an early morning,” he said, running a hand through his hair.
Did he want to stay but didn’t want to force it or was he trying to get out of staying, she wondered. He wouldn’t have spent all evening with you if he didn’t like your company, she reasoned. “Will you stay with me again tonight?” She tucked locks of hair behind her ear as she peered up at him.
“Yeah,” Daniel said. “Do you mind?” he asked. His hands rested on the hem of his shirt.
Nora licked her lips and shook her head. Her breath caught in her throat as she rose up to her knees. Feeling bold, she rolled her shirt up and let it fall to the floor. Daniel’s eyes appraised her for a moment before he lifted his shirt up revealing his taut upper body. She reached out, skimming her fingers up his chest. Daniel bent down, his lips capturing hers. Gently, he pushed her back until he hovered over her on the bed. His stubble scratched at her mouth as his tongue met hers. Nora moaned into his mouth as heat pooled between her thighs. She needed him.
His hand dipped down between them, flicking her jeans open. Nora gasped as his warm fingers slid down into her panties and he inserted one digit inside of her. Daniel kissed down her neck and shoved her bra strap out of the way, as he peppered his way to her breast and took the mound into his mouth. Nora cried out as he added another finger.
Her hands flew to his hair. She threaded her fingers through his thick locks. His free hand found her other nipple, and he rolled the tight bud between his fingers. Nora’s hips rose up greedily meeting his thrusts. His digits slipped in and out of her folds as her core ached for more.
A whimper escaped her lips as he pulled away. He unzipped her jeans and pulled them along with her panties down her legs. Nora pushed up to a sitting position. She reached behind her and undid her bra, depositing it in the ever-growing pile of clothes. Her eyes widened and her breath caught as Daniel stood all the way up and rolled his pants down before stepping out of them.
His cock sprung out to greet her and Nora grasped it in her hands, pumping her hand up and down the shaft. Daniel grunted and his eyes closed. Nora continued her ministrations enjoying the control she had. “I want you inside of me,” she whispered, swiping her finger over the tip of his cock.
Daniel drew closer his lips meeting hers again as he pressed her into the bed. His length dug into her thigh and liquid heat flooded her readying her body. His tongue dived into her mouth at the same time as he entered her. Nora cried out, her screams getting lost in his mouth.
Daniel grunted as he filled Nora. Her tight, wet heat sheathing him perfectly. His hand tangled in her hair as he thrust into her. Her hips bucked up into his and he wrapped his hand around her thigh lifting it slightly so he could go deeper.
The wolf in him wanted to take her hard and fast, but he wanted to savor this—to enjoy the intimacy. Nora was the best thing that ever happened to him, and even if he didn’t know how to tell her that, he would show her.
Daniel slowed his pace taking long, deep strokes. Nora shuddered beneath him, her hands pulling his mouth harder against hers. Their tongues slid along each other. He caught her muffled cry as she tensed beneath him. Her tight walls clenched around his cock, milking him. Liquid heat coated his length and he rose up onto his palms quickening his pace and drawing out her orgasm. He thrust once, twice, and growled as he came.
Daniel rested his head against her forehead. A fine sheen of sweat had collected on both of their brows. He kissed her lips, softly, tenderly then rolled off. He took her with him drawing her into his chest. Her breasts brushed against his ribs and his cock stirred.
Nora relaxed into Daniel. Her limbs were like jello. Absently, she trailed patterns over his chest. Daniel placed a kiss to the tip of her nose and she smiled at the gesture. One of his hands skimmed over her belly and she flinched as it traced the length of her scar all the way up to the crook of her neck.
“Did one of your parents do this?” He asked, lightly touching the silvery line.
Nora’s heart broke at his question. Her pulse spiked too. What should she tell him if he asked? “No,” she answered simply.
“Oh.”
“Did your dad give you all of yours?” she asked hesitantly, thinking of the long white claw marks across his back.
“Some of them. Part of my training was fighting. Emmett didn’t do it how Gene and Dev do. I learned through trial and error. I suppose it made me a better fighter. When messing up means bodily harm you tend to learn fairly quickly.” Daniel replied sighing heavily.
Nora kissed his chest just above his nipple. “I’m sorry that happened to you.”
Daniel was quiet for a long moment. “How did you get yours?”
Nora closed her eyes. “Surgery.”
“So close to your heart?” he questioned. His hand ran through her matted hair and she relished in the feeling for a bit longer.
“Yeah. I had a transplant. A heart transplant.”
His fingers froze halfway through her hair. “Like you have someone else’s heart in you?” he asked after a long minute.
“Yeah.”
“Oh,” he said, his hand dropping to her shoulder.
“I’m not dying,” she snapped, pulling back. “I’m healthy. Most people who have transplants live normal, healthy lives.” She sat up and pulled the sheets around herself.
“So you are okay then?” Daniel asked, leaning up on his elbow. “What’s the medicine for?”
“I’m fine.” Angry tears burned her eyes. He was going to pull away fro
m her now, she knew he would. Everyone else had except for April. “I’m more susceptible to diseases. My immune system is weak. I take the medicine to help with that. I’m fine,” she repeated.
Daniel’s hand yanked on her arm, pulling her back to him. Nora looked up at the ceiling, refusing to meet his eyes. Afraid of what she would find. Pity, disgust, it was hard to tell.
“Nora.” His fingers tugged on her chin. The wolf’s thumb traced over her lips and she turned to meet his gaze. “I don’t care.”
Nora’s brows dipped down as she studied his face. “You don’t?” she whispered.
“No, I’m just happy to have someone like you in my life. As my friend—lover.” He tipped his head down and kissed her.
Nora parted her lips the despair slipping away from her as his hand cupped her breast. His length twitched against her hip, causing heat to bud between her legs.
“You're not going to change your mind in the morning?” she asked, pulling back.
“Why would it matter to me? I’m just happy to have you,” Daniel commented. “As long as you’re healthy that’s all I care about.”
“And if I was sick?”
“Then I’d get you the help you needed. Why would it matter to me?” Daniel asked.
Nora sighed blinking down at his pecks. “I thought you’d treat me different. Everyone does when they find out. I’ve been in two semi-serious relationships. The first guy bolted when I told him and the second couldn’t get over my scar after we, you know.” Her face flushed as fire crept towards her ears. “Anyway, most my teachers in high school let me float by, my friends and peers pitied me. They’d always get quiet or go out of their way to help me with things—even if I didn’t need it. People treat me like I’m breakable. I just didn’t want you to look at me differently,” she explained, shaking her head.
“I can see where it might bother someone,” Daniel exhaled. “But, I’m just glad to have you in my life.”
Nora smiled peering up into Daniel’s eyes. He rolled over, draping himself over her. As he entered her again, she realized that maybe he really didn’t care.
Chapter Eighteen
Nora yawned as she clambered out of Daniel’s Camaro. It was still dark outside and she was nowhere near ready to be up. Maybe she could go back to sleep in the car. When she and Daniel reached the farmhouse, everyone was waiting for them except for Vincent.
“Where’s your brother?” Claire asked, looking at the two of them.
Daniel shrugged. “I don’t know.”
“Oh good, we didn’t miss you,” Emily said, walking slowly down the porch stairs. Her hand lay over her injured side and she seemed to be moving slower than normal. “You should have got me up,” she said, swatting at Devon. Marcus hobbled after her nodding at the group.
“You should be resting still, Em. You’re not one hundred percent yet.” Devon pulled the smaller woman into a hug.
“My entire family is leaving for a dangerous mission. I’m saying goodbye,” the brunette retorted, pulling back. She turned to her mom and wrapped one arm around her.
“We’ll be back in a day, my sweet,” Claire crooned kissing Emily’s head.
Emily nodded and pulled away as Marcus shook Devon’s hand. Emily walked toward Nora and Daniel reaching out her arms, she enveloped both of them in a hug. “Take care of each other,” Emily whispered.
“Am I late?” Vincent asked as he strolled down the stairs. His brown hair was in disarray and one hand covered his mouth.
Emily gave Vincent a hug as Devon started ushering everyone toward the van.
“We have one vehicle,” he explained. “We thought it would be better for everyone if we stuck together. It will give us some time to prepare too. Maddie is going to make a call to Juarez right after we leave asking him to meet with her on the opposite side of the property. Gene and I have given her some information that should keep Juarez busy on the other side of town for a while. We need to make this count though, chances are once Juarez realizes Maddie gave him bad information we are going to lose our advantage. Any questions?”
“Shot gun,” Vincent cried, hurrying to the black van that sat in the gravel drive. He threw open the passenger door and climbed in, yanking the door shut behind him.
“Let’s load up,” Devon said, picking up a black bag off the porch. He threw it over his shoulder and headed out into the cool morning air.
Gene and Natalia emerged from the woods and offered their goodbyes to the group.
“Come on, we can ride in the back,” Daniel said, entwining his fingers with Nora’s and leading her to the car.
Nora shivered as the cool morning breeze fluttered against her. She slipped her free hand inside her sweater and hurried into the van. The inside cabin was small and she had to bend down to fit in. Daniel went ahead of her and slid across the backseat. He patted the leather seat and she relaxed into his embrace, resting her head on his shoulder. Closing her eyes, she sighed.
Someone huffed and plopped down on the seat in front of them. Nora opened her eyes as Sarah slouched down into the seat and pulled a blanket over herself.
“Go back to sleep. I don’t think we’ll do any planning this early. Everyone’s barely awake,” Daniel murmured. He rested his head against the window and closed his eyes.
“That’s because you made the mistake of going to sleep,” Vincent called from the front seat. “The trick is not to go to bed. It’s better to not sleep than to get too little.”
Sarah snorted from her seat.
“True story,” Vincent grinned.
Devon and Lark climbed into the front row of seats as Claire took the driver seat. April climbed in giving her a wave as she slid in by Sarah, and Jackson nodded taking the seat in front of her.
“Be safe, and we’ll see you soon. I’ll have Maddie make an emergency phone call to Juarez in five minutes,” Gene said, peeking into the van. He nodded at them before sliding the door shut.
Claire turned the key in the ignition and the engine roared to life. Pulling the shifter into drive, she started them down the gravel drive.
Nora let out a long breath, snuggling closer to Daniel. Her eyes fluttered shut as Daniel’s warm palm came to rest on her abdomen.
***
Daniel grunted as Nora moved away from him. He immediately missed the warmth of her body and he opened his eyes wondering where she was going.
He caught sight of Nora’s copper hair just as she left the van. Sitting up, he scrubbed a hand over his eyes and climbed outside.
The sun was bright and he squinted against the offensive light. A few feet away, Devon was talking to Nora, Lark, and Sarah. Daniel looked around, noting they were in a parking lot. He turned, and took in the large yellow Cabela’s Outdoor Store sign.
Daniel started toward the group; his arm tingled from sitting the same way for too long.
“Get an outfit for each of you. You need a complete wardrobe change. After you purchase it, have them double bag it and tie the plastic shut. The map says there is a rest area about four miles from the Luna’s compound, you’ll clean up and be on foot from there,” Devon explained taking out his wallet and handing a silver card over to Lark. “Meet us out here when you’re done.”
“We’ll be as quick as possible,” Lark said, taking the card. “Come on.”
Nora met his gaze and gave him a smile before spinning on her heel and hurrying after the two Davies sisters.
“Mom, Vincent, April, and Jackson stay here with the car. Daniel you’re with me,” Devon instructed. Without waiting for a response, the alpha headed off toward the grocery store that was adjacent to the hunting store.
“What are we doing?” Daniel asked, staying a few paces behind his brother.
“Getting scented wipes and perfume from the store. We need to make sure they don’t smell like us, especially Lark and Nora. They’ll need to wipe down the guns too,” Devon explained. “I also want to see if they have a gas can and wash cloths.”
Devon’s
pace slowed and Daniel growled under his breath as he caught up to him.
“You don’t have to worry about me,” Daniel said, cutting to the chase.
“Good. You remember what we talked about then?” Devon asked.
“I won’t betray you,” Daniel bit out.
Devon stopped and turned on him. “Lark’s life is on the line. So are Sarah’s and Nora’s.”
“I know,” Daniel said, brushing past him.
Devon grabbed his arm and Daniel shrugged away.
“Don’t walk away from me,” Devon said, shoving him roughly.
“I told you,” Daniel fumed as he righted himself. “I won’t betray you. Now let it be.”
Devon huffed and began walking again. “How many men are there?”
“It’s been a year since I was last there. I’d say a few hundred, but that could have changed by now,” Daniel said, falling into step again.
“Lark is going to text when they are at the Luna’s house and things have quieted down. We will enter the property from the other side while the alarms are going off,” Devon explained. “It should be dusk when we arrive and hopefully the men will be turning in for the evening. You and I will light fire to the compound. I’m getting a gas can here and we’ll fill it up closer to the Luna’s. The other supplies we need are already packed and in the back of the van. It will just be the two of us going onto the Luna’s land. I figure the less people we bring the better. Everyone else will be backup, just in case.”
“Then what, we get the women and run?” Daniel questioned eyeing Devon.
“Do you think we can get the women prisoners out? If we can’t, is the main house far enough away from the compound that it will be unaffected by the fire?” Devon asked his voice quieting as the glass doors to the store slid open.
Daniel ran a hand through his hair. “We shouldn’t have to worry about the main house catching fire. As for the women, if it were just them, maybe. But I doubt they’ll leave their kids. Rosita has six boys and Emma has two, I think.”
Devon nodded. “I don’t want to get April’s hopes up. I want to help, but there is no way we can move as fast as we need to with that many kids.”