Wolf's head snapped up. He locked that golden glowing gaze upon me.
Alert. Attentive. What would he do if I mentioned bathing? Probably snarl. "I'm going for a walk."
He whimpered the faintest sound but didn't budge.
"Look, I need a bath. I can't stand smelling that filthy cave. Just let me go bathe. I won't run off."
He sucked a whistling breath through his two enormous black nostrils, holes that reminded me of gun barrels, then he shoved his shoulders upward with one paw at a time, only to stop and unroll his long black tongue.
So I'm trapped. Like I'd just sit here and mind like a good dog. "Get out of the Gods-be-damned way, Boa."
He flicked his head side to side so quickly that I almost didn't see the movement.
As if a flea nibbled somewhere in that dark hair behind his ears.
His yellow gaze anchored upon mine, and he shifted.
Slowly. Shoving onto his hind legs. Taking more the human werewolf form with longer legs and hand-like claws. Even his muzzle shortened.
"I don't think it wise you wander the village," he warned, staring me down with a gaze that challenged me to argue.
His Wolfen face almost looked like it grinned with his fangs exposed.
"I've sat here smelling my foul self for half a day. A man who loved me would permit me to bathe." I snaked my arms across my chest and waited to see if he'd bite at the bait.
He exhaled audibly.
Probably disgusted with the challenge.
"Very well, Willow. But I don't think this a wise idea. I'll get some soap."
And my sire has my clothing. "I'll need to stop by Croc's to get my clothes."
He didn't bother stopping or glancing my direction. "No. We'll buy you some clothes from a trader."
But rarely can you find something that fits correctly. "I want my clothes! Why can't I have my clothes? What's wrong with the both of you?"
"No." He stopped and stared, the huge furred partial man, part beast of a werewolf.
Unbending. Fine. I'll just get them anyway.
"I don't like that look on your face, Willow."
"You didn't mark me. So, you can't tell me what to do. I choose to go for my clothing. If you love me, you'll live with that choice." How will he like that challenge?
He blinked contemplatively. "If you wish it," he replied softly. "But I'd rather send Ginny to fetch them. She can bring your things to the bath."
Whatever. "Alright." I took a step toward the door.
"Just a minute." He grabbed a round tan lump from a drawstring pouch.
Soap. Well, at least I'd be able to stomach being locked in this room with myself now.
****
Cool water licked around my arm pits where I tried to stay submerged enough to avoid flashing Boa's Wolf form with too many views of my female anatomy. Fortunately for me, the bathing cave was deserted. As if nobody needed to waste the day covered in a soapy froth with a Wolf at her hip and a pup in tow. How in the heck had my life come to this? This is what a girl gets when sleeping with the enemy. I scanned the surrounding dark gray rock and trickling water of the cave's mini waterfall.
I should have gone hunting for wild onions. What was I thinking stripping and spreading my legs? And this is how I'll live until I give birth to his pup. One long year his prisoner. So long. And then what? He'll take the child and allow me to leave? But it's my child. More than his because he didn't want me enough to mark me.
Didn't want me.
He can't have my child. I slid my gaze sideways until spotting his long form's nose pointed at the pool's entrance with his back to me.
Like he didn't care to catch a glimpse of the things he had claimed to enjoy. Oh what was I thinking in somewhat mating him? I'll be renowned as the woman who lost her mind and deepened the wound between two Shifter clans. For what? To lose the one thing a woman had every right to? Her child. How? Does any Shifter have the right to take his child from its mother?
How could I have been so stupid? I stared at my splayed fingers right below the jigging dark water's surface.
"Here you go, Willow," Ginny called from where Boa sat.
The clothing. If I looked at her, she'd see the sadness on my face. And I'd risk having to confess. I just stared at my hands. "Thank you."
"Let me know if you need anything else."
Gone. Lucky woman. Must be nice to be some clan head's mate and come and go as you please. Without an asinine sire who bitched about the way the wind blew and a mate who did the same.
"We need to go, Willow," Boa said with his more-human werewolf voice.
My gut unleashed a loud snarl.
It's late and time to eat. Then curfew. I'll be responsible and take care of business, enjoying the lovely night inside the small lodge with only one bed. So much for business. I should insist Boa make love to me just to feel the rush from an orgasm. Not a bad idea. Actually a perfect idea. If he's going to imprison me in his quarters, he has to tend to my needs. And it's not like I'm in danger of impregnation. Nope. More like endangered with the suffocation of boredom and imprisonment. I rinsed the suds from my hair and climbed out to face Boa's back where he sat watching the pool's entrance.
****
Willow took an incredibly long time to dry the sexy curves I longed to see, comb her long silken hair, and cover herself safely from Wolf's view near the glistening bathing pool. Almost too long to be anything but purposefully done. I'd just have to pretend I hadn't noticed. She was angry, hurt, and felt betrayed. I'd have to do whatever it took to make her happy.
"Let's go." Her gritty footfalls whispered she approached.
I led her to the cave's sunlit entrance and padded into warm waning sunlight, with her walking beside my shoulder.
Nobody lingered near the cave. Sauntering away from us, a lone lean male, Normal by his build, disappeared among the Normal hodgepodge of small wooden and metal homes.
"It's getting late. Add that it's almost August. Surely this gathering is almost over. Did Tornado say anything about us being able to go home?" she asked almost despondently.
Interesting question. Especially since she didn't note her home's location. But I'm forbidden to speak. I shot her curious blue gaze a glance and wagged my head.
Her gaze trailed off to study the distant village tree-trunk fortified exterior wall. "Well, they can't expect us to stay here long. We'll miss harvesting chokeberries and wild rice. And I just can't fathom a winter without pin cherries."
Honesty resonated in her voice. She'd lived her whole life in Montana. Was a part of the wilderness, needed to return to it and carry on preparing for winter, needed to do her part in the great seasonal cycle of harvest.
Her heart thrashed.
Fear. That's fear.
Protect, Wolf growled.
We froze.
What is it? I snapped my gaze to scan the quiet scene.
"He stepped back between two lodges. Croc." She laid a warm steady palm on my shoulder. "Don't do anything. Let him go on his way."
Mine, Wolf whined.
And force Wolf to stand here through one of that one's rants? "No," I snarled.
"Gods-damn-it, Boa," she muttered. "Just ignore him. He's screwed up my entire life." Her insistent words faded into a whisper. "Believe me. I know how much he can push a person."
Is she implying her life is in shambles now that she has me? I studied her scowl.
She planted her hands on her hips. "Don't look at me like that."
Why does she defend her worthless sire?
Wolf groaned.
"And don't make those pathetic noises. Wolf or man, you have to think more than Croc. Be stronger. Don't let him under your skin. Or he'll ruin your life too."
Spoken like a woman who knows firsthand. I'm not going to allow Croc to hurt her anymore. I snorted for effect, smacked my lips, and focused Wolf's hearing on the distance.
Nothing. "He's gone," I tried to say with my Wolf muzzle.
"Then let's
go. I'm starving."
Yes. Feed my mate and child.
****
"Glad you could make it to supper," Ginny grinned near the serving table's large steaming pot.
Maybe the woman should mind her own business instead of causing me more problems.
Boa snorted at my hip.
He better not be admonishing me. I hadn't said anything rude yet. "Only a fool misses a meal in The Wild," I told Ginny. Even though honest food collected in season made for the best fare. This large village definitely didn't rely on berries, greens, and nuts like we did back home. They had dry goods. Smoked meats. An enormous garden. Livestock. A place like this could juggle trade across the big roads used fifty years ago. Back before the alien invasion.
Ginny ladled a heaping scoop of…
Brown sauce and beans by the looks of the lumps. Somebody needs to teach these people about wild asparagus. Village life definitely lacks the variety of life back home.
Ginny passed over the camping tin of brown lumps. "Here you go." She pointed at a pile of biscuits. "Take a few for yourself and toss a few to the Guardian."
Boa. I shot him a glance.
He now sat on his haunches and stared at us like an over-sized Labrador Retriever. One with a pathetic droop to his expression. He probably wasn't excited about the biscuits.
"Oh, look at him," Ginny cooed. "I swear I've never seen anything so sad. Toss him a biscuit, dear."
Should have seen that one coming. She's in cahoots with him. But giving anyone anything else to complain about isn't wise. I thrust a biscuit at Boa's broad muzzle.
He blinked and stared at the golden round.
It isn't poison. "Come on. Take it so we can move on."
Maybe I should have thought that one through given the amount of time he took licking my palm while wolfing down the biscuit. Way too long, almost lovingly lathing my palm. Men. I tried to act like I didn't notice the lingering swipe of tickling strong tongue. Gods, how it could stroke. Down there. I gulped and plied toward a spot on a boulder where a girl could sit and shake off thoughts of big strong muscles and massaging lips.
And so don't think about nibbling teeth.
A place where a girl could cram a spoon full of dripping beans down her throat to bore her taste buds into making her fantasize about fresh venison and wild onions. Yes. Back home. In the fruitful valleys of Montana.
A whine drew my glazed-over gaze away from the memory and to the yellow glowing eyes of my Shifter. We sat, eye to eye. Me perched atop the hard boulder. Him upon his haunches, smacking his lips, tilting his head curiously left then right. Just like a dog. A huge black mongrel.
What does he want? "I'm trying to eat here."
He whined and licked his chops, eyeing the biscuits.
Like he couldn't eat because of me. "Gods-damn-it, Boa. Just shift and go get something to eat." Oh, and parade that amazing bare ass around.
He shook his head like he had a flea in his ear, then riveted that gaze upon mine.
Begging. Men. Wolves. Dogs. Women never had a moment of peace with them around. I grabbed a fluffy biscuit. "Catch." I tossed it to him.
And the bread vanished inside his black muzzle like a big crocodile snapped its jaws. His tongue swiped along both sides of his mouth.
He has to be starving since he's so much bigger than I am. Why is he just sitting there when he can grab a plate and eat? "Go on. Get some beans and biscuits."
He turned his back to me.
Whatever. I shoved a spoonful of my salty beans between my lips.
At least, he left me to my meal. I had to hand it to the looming bear-pooch. He stood watchfully, not bothering me a second. Just guarding me. And who knows what Croc is up to after that bizarre moment when heading here from the bathing pool? I need to stay alert. Having Boa's Wolf on the watch certainly helped with that. I finished my food, returned the dirty dish to a cart filled with dishes, and headed back through the crowd of supping families with Boa standing almost up to my armpit.
He didn't grumble or snarl, stop and stare, or cast me a glance.
Observant. Good. He needs to be. His attentive nature could come in real handy with Croc on the prowl. And Boa can make up for all the stress he caused me by making it worth my while to sleep in his bed. Yes. Use his tongue to ease my anxiety. Then I'd find a way to escape his tail. Sitting. Groaning. Right. More like he'd be thrilled I'm gone. Maybe not with his pup. But gone had to be better than possessed by a Shifter who wouldn't mark me. Good thing Boa hadn't marked me, or I wouldn't be able to hide from his Wolf. Yes. I can still escape. His Wolf won't be able to find me. Even if I have to live in a stinking bear's den.
He shoved his big head into the cabin first then backed out of my way.
Ladies first. Oh the paradox of manners. Sometimes, you just had to wonder what really passed through a man's mind. Not that a woman could ever deal with the truth. If we knew, we'd be miserable because there were no mysteries left in life. And who needs mysteries when a big hulking Guardian is about to make her feel perfect? Oh. Yes. He will. I stepped across the threshold.
Better to work my way up to the bed and him serving a higher purpose with his wily attentive tongue. The squeaking chair helped me give the illusion of distance. To feign disgust with him. Albeit, I am disgusted with him. But the chair offered just enough of a delay for me to pull off my boots and clear my thoughts of things that would definitely get me deeper into trouble. Deeper. Trapped in a pit of need and desperation. Desperation is good like when you can't crawl out of a bed after you've been thoroughly screwed. Then I can take the prize and run. Hide. And his Wolf would just move on to another female.
Or will I just be in even more trouble on the run with his baby?
Is more trouble even possible? I'm trapped in a Wolf's lodge with said Wolf. Right next to his bed. I so need to get back to women's work and the peaceful solace of foraging for food. Or something. Anything to keep myself busy instead of sinking beneath his riveting gaze with my legs spread wide.
He stretched his long massive dark body out before the door and plopped his jaw down on his forelegs.
Barring me from exiting. So, I either let him tell me what to do. Or tell him what to do. Why not sex? But how? Just peel off my clothes and strut these curves? Or do something more sinister to draw his attention? Anything to get his strong hands gliding across my skin.
Oh. I know. "What do you think Croc was up to?"
He raised his head, turning those burning embers of Wolf eyes my direction.
Not a word or a blink. "Do you think he's waiting to grab me?" Like my sire would do something like that. I'm contaminated. Poisoned with Bitterroot seed. Oh the beauty of human nature. Normals say Shifters aren't human. But once you live around Shifters, you see they're still packing plenty of human DNA.
He smacked his lips, flashing his monster head's sharp shiny teeth and that wily black tongue.
Something has to get a rise out of him. Maybe a tear or two. On the bed. Yes. The vile sinister bed. I sat on the edge of the soft bedding and scanned the darkening shadows around the room. "Do you think he's done with me? Like I'm as horrid as the aliens we struggle to push from our world?" I didn't look at Boa but stared at the dancing flames in the floor's circular hearth.
Movement shifted in my periphery.
"No," he said with a flawless human voice.
He'd shifted back to his true form. Good. And nude. Just the way I needed him to be. Perfectly covered in all that pliant hot skin. I kept my gaze locked on the orange ribbons of light that seemed to curl and twist in the wind.
Fire is a funny thing. Hot. Beautiful. Wild. Deadly. Capable of ending life and providing nourishment for seeds like in the forest when a fire burned off the matted litter blocking seeds from warm nurturing sunlight where the seeds fell into the thick debris piled upon the forest floor. Strange. Such a strange thing, fire. All-consuming. Destructive. Creative. A paradox. Like my falling in love with Boa only to learn things aren't as they see
m.
"You didn't do anything wrong," he said softly from where he squatted beside me.
Where he knelt. I'd been so contemplative that I didn't see his approach or descent. Not a bad thing given he's butt-naked. Exactly how and where I want him.
He trailed a finger's soft pad beneath my chin, hooking it around my jaw, pulling my gaze to meet that of his green eyes.
Why no Wolf? He could judge my reaction better while listening to my heartbeat.
"It isn't wrong to fall in love, Willow."
Why did my heart melt? Maybe it's his tender tone or the way his caring mask searched my eyes. Like he could read my soul. But my soul had enough sense to pull things together and remember he'd used me to hurt Croc and didn't care to mark me for the favor.
"Can I kiss you?" he whispered, without the fire of his Wolf in his eyes.
Like a man. A plain and simple man. With eyes as green as fern fronds bobbing along the forest floor after the fire cleared away a place for life to flourish.
Chapter Seven
A kiss is exactly what I need, Willow decided. I stared at my squatting Shifter's gentle green gaze. Dare I believe those eyes offer the promise of a budding future for us? Does it matter because, now, I'll get what I want one way or the other. And he's ready, probably willing if I glanced down. I nodded just to keep from accidentally hearing too much eagerness in my voice.
The soft velvet of his lips pressed against mine.
So damned soft.
His mouth sucked and pursed. Just enough to strike up some goose bumps along my arms and neck, making me ache low, between my legs.
My whole body trembled.
Damned traitorous thing. But it doesn't matter. He's going to make me feel amazing. And this is only the beginning. He's got to do so for the entire pregnancy. I slid my arms around his solid neck and pulled the heat of his chest over until the patter of his heart rested against mine.
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