Despite everything, she felt sorry for Belle. If she could help her to go away and live quietly, she would do it. Something told her Sebastian saw things differently. Could she convince him to let Belle go if she promised never to come back?
“She will be killed.”
Sophia shrieked. “Don’t you think that’s a little extreme? Sebastian, she’s hurting. She told me her husband was abusing her. Surely, you have ways of helping your people beyond getting them to mate!”
He frowned at her. “Don’t allow her opinions to influence you.”
She put her hands on her hips. “You’re saying it isn’t true?”
“I’m saying it’s not the whole truth.”
“Sounds bad enough.”
He leaned back against his pillows, and she noted the pallor of his skin. It would be some time for him to fully recover. She considered leaving him alone for now, but a woman’s life was at stake.
“Sophia, I feel your stubborn determination across the room, and I’m telling you stay out of it.”
“I’m not going to keep quiet while you murder some poor woman for doing something she felt she had no choice but to do.”
“And would you feel differently if she’d arranged for shifters to attack a bunch of unsuspecting humans?”
She stumbled over her response and then gave up.
He nodded. “Before you start accusing your husband, know that I’m not the one that will kill her.”
“Meaning you’ll order one of your men to do it.”
“No, it means there were two other packs involved. Either I will find myself in a war of retribution, or she will be killed—by one of the others. I cannot tell them to forgive her because she didn’t know what she was doing. Both packs will send representatives to hunt her down and…”
Sophia shuffled over to the bed and sank down onto it. Tears sprang to her eyes. She tried to blink them away, but new ones formed. “What will happen to her son? Are they going to kill him too?”
Sebastian drew her around and tucked her against his chest. She tried to pull away, but when he winced in pain she had to give in or risk tearing his healing wounds. He stroked her head and whispered soothing words.
“If it makes you feel any better,” he said, “this situation isn’t typical. We haven’t been touched by hunters for more than a decade. I drove the hunters out from the east coast and pushed for my people to live quietly to stay beneath their radar. Our only threats in these last years were from other shifters not the humans.”
She shuddered. “Now this. There’s no way the media won’t get a hold of it.”
He shook his head. “All evidence of what happened last night will disappear. The hunters want it as well as we do. They violate their laws hunting us, so they don’t want to be discovered.”
She looked into Sebastian’s eyes and grasped his face between her hands. “Sebastian, they say you are so powerful the other alphas won’t even challenge you. You’re the strongest shifter on the east coast and maybe the south. For me, please, help her. If she didn’t feel hemmed in by your restrictions, she never would have done this.”
His expression softened. “You know I would move the world for you, Sophia. But you can’t ask me to do this. It’s impossible.”
“You said you knew when I looked at you last night across the dance floor. You knew she was being abused?”
His eyes widened. “I suspected he wasn’t as nice as he should have been. I don’t like to railroad over my people. I want them to come to me if they have a problem.”
“Then it’s your responsibility to appear more available.”
He grunted. “You’re not going to leave this alone?”
“No, your rules said she couldn’t go away and live on her own. She was forced to stay with the pack.”
“That’s not true.” Alex all but shouted, and the other wolves stirred. They stretched and looked around. One of them strode over to the door and scratched on it. Alex stormed over and opened it. The wolf padded out of the room, and Alex shut the door behind it. He spun back to Sophia. “To leave the pack is to leave yourself open to attack and to have no backup.”
“So you can’t choose that existence of your own accord?”
“It’s not that—”
“I might have been wrong in my approach.” Sebastian cut him off. Alex appeared scandalized that Sebastian would blame himself for any gaps in his policies. Sebastian continued on anyway. “When faced with our decreasing numbers, I put some rules in place. The best way to protect our people, I thought, was to hold them close. Perhaps I held them too close or some don’t understand my reasons. I’m hoping one of the things that comes from last night is everyone will see the purpose for keeping our existence secret. Mingling among humans is a mistake.”
Sophia didn’t pretend to know what he should do for everyone going forward. “And Belle?”
“Wife, you are very stubborn.”
“You knew that when you married me.”
A scratch sounded on the outside of the door, and Alex moved to open it. The wolf that left a few minutes ago was back, and it returned with a visitor. Sophia jumped to her feet. “Jack, you bastard! You dare show your face here?”
She ran over to him before he could speak and cracked him in the chin. Her knuckles flamed in pain, but it was worth it. When she hit him, his head jerked a little, but it didn’t go back. He didn’t even stumble. She wished she were stronger. She smacked him as hard as she could, and he raised a hand.
“Touch her, and your arm will be removed.” Sebastian spoke calmly, but his tone said he didn’t intend to repeat himself. Jack’s hand returned to his side. For good measure and because she knew she could get away with it, Sophia smacked him a few more times.
She whirled to face Sebastian. “Why haven’t you killed him? You know what he planned. He tried to get me to betray your people.”
“My love, I don’t kill my people. As I told you, Jack’s intensions weren’t to kill anyone.” He looked at his brother. “I have an assignment for you. Please me, and I will consider lifting your punishment.”
Sophia blinked. “What punishment?”
Jack’s eyes glittered with excitement. “You’re down for at least two more days. Do you need me to run the pack in your absence?”
Alex snorted. “Keep dreaming.”
Jack scowled at him.
“You will find Belle and bring her to me before the others find her,” Sebastian explained. Sophia’s heart soared. He must have called Jack to him somehow, and he had intended all along to help Belle. She should have known.
Jack appeared to be disappointed in the assignment, but he couldn’t refuse. “How many men do I get to take with me?”
“No men,” Sebastian said. “You’ll handle this alone. If you’re half the wolf you think you are, you can slip past the hunters she might be hiding among and past the other packs. Don’t fail me, Jack.”
Jack’s shoulders slumped, and he bowed his head in submission. “Harper and I will leave tonight.”
“You will leave now. Harper will remain here until you return.”
Jack’s mouth fell open, but then he dropped to one knee and nodded his head. After he rose, he left the room.
“Should I have someone follow?” Alex asked.
“No.” Sebastian shut his eyes. “Leave him be. Harper isn’t his mate, but he won’t abandon her. He’ll come back. Besides, he understands if I have to come after him or if he doesn’t find Belle, there will be hell to pay.”
“Understood, sir. Let me arrange for your lunch.” Alex waited for confirmation of the plan.
Sebastian shook his head. “You’re acting alpha for the next two days.”
Alex nodded as if this were the logical choice. “I’ll call William to replace Tom.”
“Good. Now all of you get out of my sight. I want to spend time alone with my wife.”
The group piled into the hall and shut the door behind them. For the first time in over a da
y, Sophia was alone with her husband.
Chapter 11
Sophia smirked at Sebastian. “I know you’re not planning on doing anything in your condition.”
He crooked a finger at her, indicating for her to come closer. “I have more than enough energy to make love to you.”
“You’re practically an invalid. I can’t be responsible.”
She almost burst out laughing at the insulted expression on his face. “I’m going to have to prove my manhood to you.”
“Likely excuse.”
“Sophia, don’t make me have to come over there and carry you to my bed.”
Her heart rate jumped up a few beats. “You’re talking crazy.”
He ran a hand over his chest, and it disappeared beneath the covers. She followed the movement with her gaze and knew he cupped his erection. Just the memory of the thing made her mouth water.
“Burying this inside you will help me heal faster.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“Sophia.” A warning this time. She knew he was prepared to come after her. A part of her wanted him to because it was a huge turn-on. Desire aside, she recalled he wasn’t well. Maybe if she went down on him it would ease his pent-up sexual energy and keep him from overdoing things.
She approached the bed and dragged the covers down. Sure enough he was hard as a rock. His dick popped up erect and strained toward her. She ran a hand over the stiff surface, and her husband let out a moan of pleasure. He snaked out a hand and dragged her closer. For a man bedridden, his strength was amazing.
“Sebastian. Let me please you,” she begged and lowered her head to give his shaft a kiss on the head.
He shuddered from head to toe and shut his eyes. “You don’t have to do that.”
“I want to. The way you go down on me drives me insane. It’s the least I can do. Besides, I love pleasing you. Can I?”
“Woman, you don’t have to beg. Just the thought of your hot mouth wrapped around my dick is more than I can stand.”
She climbed onto the bed and kneeled at his side. Closing her fingers around his shaft, she began to glide them up and down his length. At the top, she gave him a slight squeeze and enjoyed how he threw his head back in ecstasy. There wasn’t a greater power trip than holding a man as big and as powerful as Sebastian literally in the palm of her hand.
She leaned in and gave the head a lick. When he hissed between clenched teeth, she took the experience up a notch. Running her tongue around the thick head, she flicked her gaze to him. He struggled between watching what she did and letting himself get lost in the pleasure.
“You’re killing me, baby,” he moaned.
“I’m going to make you come.”
“Not in your mouth.”
“Mmm,” was her only response.
She licked from the base to the tip and sucked his tight length into her mouth. Of course he was so thick she couldn’t get it far, but what she could she savored. Sebastian’s shaft jumped in her hold. The rubbery skin was almost hot to the touch, and the dense vein at the back pulsed.
She sucked hard and noisily. He growled low in his throat. She worked him, sliding her mouth up and down while at the same time stroking him. With her other hand, she fondled his balls. Sebastian raised his legs and lowered them. He worked his hips gently and clenched the sheets, trying to keep from jerking too hard.
“I’m close. Stop now. I’m going to come.”
She raised her head an instant to speak. “Come in my mouth.”
“No.” He didn’t appear to have the strength to stop her. She worked him more, running her palm over his hot flesh faster. Moaning, she let him feel the vibrations of her voice, and he quaked. An expletive escaped him. He tensed and gave her a perfunctory shove. Too late, he spilled into her mouth.
When he had emptied himself, she sat up, feeling proud of herself. She raised her eyebrows at him. “There, that’s better isn’t it?”
“Not by a long shot.”
“But I…” She stopped. Her husband with his impossibly high sex drive was still hard as a rock. She ran the back of her hand over her mouth. Surely, she hadn’t imagined it. He’d come.
He reached between his legs with his left hand, and she knew he did so because of the injury behind his right shoulder. Stroking his shaft, he let his gaze sweep her body. “Take off that top.”
There was nothing she could do except give in, but she had another idea on how to keep him relaxed. Sebastian was so dominant his favorite position was above her. Either she’d lie flat on her back, or he would get her on her knees and slide into her from behind. She would switch the tables and sit on him this time.
She dragged her shirt over her head and tossed it aside then squeezed her arms against the sides of her breasts. “Is this enough?”
His eyes glittered. “Not even close. Off.”
The snap in back of her bra presented a challenge to undo. At least that’s what she pretended it did. Her jerky movements in struggling with it allowed her boobs to bounce a little. By the time she got the clasp undone, her husband was almost salivating, as if he needed any additional stimulation. A wolf shifter was just that—a wolf!
Sebastian squeezed his dick at the head. “I love your breasts. They’re so big. Play with them for me.”
She did as he asked, gripping the globes and circling the nipples. From the beginning, she learned what he liked and she did it now. Rolling the nipples between her thumb and forefinger, she arched her back and moaned. The truth was, she loved him touching her far more than she enjoyed pleasuring herself, but it got him off to watch her.
She ran her hands down her belly and pushed one into the band of the shorts she had put on that morning. Parting her nether lips, although he couldn’t see, she fingered her clit. The stimulation almost brought her to a head, and he breathed in deep.
He smells me.
She creamed her panties, and the second she did he grew agitated. No more teasing or he would hurt himself trying to get to her. She stood in the bed and worked her shorts and panties off. Although she was plump and would normally have hidden her body, Sebastian looked at her like he’d like to gobble her down. It made her proud of her curves. What was the point of hiding when one peek could bring her big man to his knees?
She positioned herself with one foot on either side of his hips. He ran the backs of his fingers along her inner thigh while staring at her moist center. Come leaked from her heat, and he snagged it, bringing his thumb to his lips.
“Damn, you taste good, baby. I don’t know if I want you to sit on my face or let me get inside you.”
“How about I decide?” She followed her suggestion by stooping and grabbing hold of his dick. Gently in case she hurt herself, she lowered down onto it. Her walls stretched around him, inviting him deeper. He filled her to capacity, and she balanced holding herself up with his hard belly. Taking her time, she worked her hips up and down. His dick glided in and out, easy and slick.
“Yes,” he growled. “Good choice. You’re so hot.”
She moaned, this time not for him but because he felt so good sliding into her. Getting to her knees, she began to ride his shaft. Just enough friction and rough movements to take her into climax. It wouldn’t be long before she came, but she held on as long as she could, loving the feel of him invading her body. Her core muscles clenched around him. The end drew nearer although she mentally begged it to wait.
Not yet. It’s so good. Please.
“Faster.”
She pumped on top of him, working his shaft in and out. The slick wet sounds drove her pleasure higher. Scents of their lovemaking filled the air. The bed rocked and creaked. She cried out his name, and then that was it. Her orgasm exploded throughout her body. She arched over him and panted. He pushed his hips up.
“No, don’t, Sebastian.”
He pushed up again with a grunt, ignoring her command. Seconds later, his come filled her, and they relaxed together.
“I’m not sure
that was healing,” she muttered around heavy breaths.
“Trust me. It was very therapeutic.”
The wolves were back in the room, all of them. She knew when they walked in that they smelled the remnants of her and Sebastian’s lovemaking. Hell, they’d probably heard every creak the bed made and her exclamations of delight. She should be used to it, but she was embarrassed all the same.
Sebastian, the arrogant thing, looked satisfied with himself. She rolled her eyes at him, and he had the nerve to wink. Afterward he turned to Alex. “Alex, I can help you with that.” Sebastian nodded toward the bandaged arm of his Guard.
“I’m not so weak that I can’t deal with this, Sebastian. Besides, you need to concentrate on healing yourself.”
“I’m fine.”
Sophia slipped away while they spoke to go into the bathroom and clean up. She wasn’t comfortable with so many of them in their bedroom, but she understood how they needed to be close to Sebastian. Honestly, she felt a little better with the muscle around as well. When Sebastian first told her she had to have Guard, she’d bucked, but now she saw the need. Even with them, he was hurt. It could easily have been her. The worse part was that she didn’t have their ability to heal, which meant she would be dead right now.
As she thought of possibly dying, she wondered about Sebastian’s reaction. He was so passionate all the time when it came to her. By nature he was possessive and dominant. Would he snap if she was killed and tear everyone and everything to pieces?
Just means I have to be careful so he won’t.
When she came out of the bathroom, she found that most of the shifters had transformed into their wolf forms. She wondered if Sebastian ordered it. They lay all around, some stretching and yawning. Perhaps they’d had little sleep or after Sebastian nearly wrecked their minds, they were worn out. God knows she hoped all the drama was over for the time being.
The wolves looked toward the door at the same time, and dread stirred in her belly. Seconds after it burst open, and she jumped. She was getting pretty tired of being the last to be in on what was happening. Then again, she didn’t have much choice compared to their noses and hearing.
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