Primal Night

by Ally Parker

  “Understood,” Ryker said.

  The thought of a male like Ryker joining the cause even under false pretenses made her feel dirty.

  “I can see you've gone to great efforts. This place is a lot bigger than I remember.”

  The cage jolted and metal groaned. Ryker’s hands squeezed around her and she stole strength from the gesture as he started to walk. The air changed and she could tell they were moving deeper into the Pit. Kali worked at steadying her breathing and gathering as much information as she could manage.

  Focusing on the reason behind her predicament helped ease some of the anxiety still holding her on edge. How many females had endured this? None of them had a Ryker that would have their backs. She swallowed the realization that she liked knowing Ryker would be there to keep her safe.

  Josef crooned with what sounded like pride. Sick bastard.

  “The operation has doubled in size. The new facility caters to our needs more appropriately. Security is tighter, and there are more breeding chambers.”

  He said it the way a realtor might boast to potential buyers about the features in the next hot home.

  “New facility?” Ryker asked.

  It sounded like the Pit had undergone some changes. She hoped there were no surprises that wouldn’t hinder their plan.

  “Some… investors have joined in the business arrangement. Some supply us with females, the other with enough money to keep something this big under wraps.” There was a pause, and Ryker's shoulder jerked with a thump. “Enough details. Now it's time to enjoy your rewards.”

  By the way Josef's voice dipped and softened, she could almost hear the unsaid words: ‘And prove your loyalty.’

  Their pace slowed to a stop, and Ryker's breath swelled in his lungs. A key jangled; a door opened with a groan. She didn't have to see it to know it was a cell. Death, depravity, and desperation clung to the molecules in the air.

  “Enjoy.”

  As soon as the door closed Ryker ripped the sack off her head and squeezed her tightly. She sucked in a breath and for a second she let his strength melt into her. This male, her male, brought out a yearning for dreams she only thought about in the darkest pitch of night. Her damn imagination put Ryker as the star, sharing meals, dreams, and even a white picket fence. For such a long time she'd been consumed with nothing but fear and a ruthlessness for survival. But in Ryker's arms she felt like just maybe he was worth sacrificing for.

  10

  Ryker's throat closed like a vise and he struggled to swallow around the lump lodged there. Arms wrapped tightly around his Kali, he looked from her to the bed.

  He'd had no idea the magnitude of the Pit. His father. Christ, he had investors supporting the set up. A snarl ripped out of his chest. Too many shifters were involved in the mess. It didn't matter his monster was hungry and Ryker was grappling not to let his beast come out and play.

  Kali flexed her fingers into his shoulder. “Ryker?”

  He didn't want to let her go. In his arms she was safe; nothing could reach her there, and as soon as he let her down they'd have to face the reality of their situation. They were locked in a cell, and it was expected that he'd rut with Kali like a monster.

  She wiggled in his arms. He wasn't ready to let her go, but already too much control had been taken from his female. He sighed and let her slide down his body, steadying her with his hands. His mate was such a slip of a female. His palms ate up her shoulders. Jesus, what was he going to do? He'd failed her. This was why he could never claim his mate. He wasn't mate material.

  Glancing around the cell, she eyed the bed and the chains bolted to the wall and floor. Horror flashed in her eyes. He felt the same. For all the females, he'd make sure those responsible would be in a world of hurt.

  “What now?”

  If he didn't find a way to get Kali out of there, she'd end up dead… or worse. “We need to get you out of here, Kitty.”

  He tore his gaze from Kali's eyes, unable to continue to see the fear reflected in the amber depths. Each step felt jarred, like his legs didn't line up right. Pain laced along his neck—the telltale stroke of another glyph marking.

  His wolf growled and gained an inch more control, banging against his insides. The room was a small six-by-six cell with no windows, a solid door gated the exit. Some sick bastard had hung mistletoe above the bed. He snorted. Some Christmas spirit… it smelled like desperation, and it almost choked him.

  He ran a hand through his hair. No fucking exits. Trapped. His monster felt caged and clawed at his insides. It would be so easy to let his wolf take control. He'd fought for so long, and to know there would be no relief caused a bone-deep exhaustion to settle over him like a ten-ton weight. Giving up wasn’t an option. If he did, Kali would become his most desired victim.

  A warm hand landed on his shoulder, the heat seeping into his stone-cold soul, filling the shadows with something a little warmer. His muscles jumped and flexed. He spun to face Kali. Her eyes filled with purpose and hardened at the corners. Still she was so fucking perfect. All he wanted to do was trail his finger along the softness of her face. Fisting his hand, he denied himself even that small pleasure.

  What a mess. They were locked in hell, and he was expected to mount his unclaimed mate or blow their cover, which would result in almost certain death.

  A small smile tilted the corner of her mouth. “It's okay, Ryker. I know what's expected and it's okay.”

  A curse spilled from his lips. She frowned, her small smile wavering. He spun to face the dirt-crusted brick wall and ran both hands through his hair and tugged at the ends. Panic seized him. He couldn't take it. Under the circumstances it was wrong. His cock pulsed, wanting to concede to her demands. She was offering them a lifeline. She was offering herself to him. But she didn't know all the facts, like she was his. “You don't know what you’re asking.”

  “I know exactly what I'm asking. We need to have sex. Our cover will be blown if you don't. Your father expects you to do it.”

  Damn it, he knew her words were true. But this was his mate, the only person who could save his humanity. Sex wouldn't leash his beast; there would be no way he could stop from sinking his canines into her neck and making her his. Then everyone would know what Kali meant to him. He’d be damning Kali to hell. She'd be used against him, and he'd be helpless to the whims of his father. “No.”

  “No?” Her fingers dug into his arm. She yanked on him to face her.

  Her brows dipped to the top of her nose, and her face scrunched up. The wolf was glowing in her eyes, and her chest rose and fell with each breath she sucked in. Damn, even in the heat of anger, trapped in a hell he’d delivered them into, she was perfect to him.

  “We don't have a choice. What do you think they'll do of you don't rut me? You'll be found out. What will happen to me then? Then who will shut down this place? You have females counting on you. I’m counting on you.”

  A snarl tore from his chest. “I… I, fuck! I can't do it. Not like this.”

  Her eyes softened around the edges, and her brow smoothed. She blew out a choppy breath. “Ryker, you aren't like these monsters. I'm saying yes. It's my choice. And I choose you.”

  He swallowed hard. His heart felt like it doubled in size. He ached to hear words like that leave her lips. It didn't matter to his dumb brain that their situation was dire and she was being forced to pick him. Scraping his teeth over his bottom lip, his eyes strolled over his female.

  Her hair was mattered in places, and dried flakes of blood lifted from high on her bicep. The gray, shapeless tee hid her curves but not the way her nipples pebbled beneath the fabric. She was a sexy hot mess and all his. A low rumble dragged out of his chest. Blood left his brain and filled his cock and softened his resolve.

  A ripple of awareness skated through Kali all the way to her toes. The way Ryker’s eyes roamed over her body, it looked like he wanted to devour her whole. She should have been scared. She should have been dreading what was to come. She w
asn't. Did that make her messed up? Probably. It didn't change the way her nipples tingled with desire or the licks of excitement that fluttered through her center.

  Ryker was strong and fierce, yet with her he'd been protective and almost gentle. In their situation he easily could have taken advantage and done exactly as his father expected. Yet he was risking his life so he wouldn’t hurt her. No one since her family had made her feel like that. For so long she'd been alone, always looking over her shoulder, never safe. It was weird; she was locked in a cell within some kind of breeding facility ran by a pack of psychopath shifters, and she'd never felt safer than right then. It was all Ryker's doing. When she was near him, he made her feel like anything was possible.

  Heat rolled through her center, a slow burn ready to ignite at any moment. Her stomach flip-flopped with beats of excitement. All from a look. The haze glossing over Ryker's gaze cleared, and he took a step back shaking his head.

  Unbelievable. Maybe she only imagined the hum of his arousal in the air?

  “It's possible that we only need the scent of completion to fill the room.”

  She frowned, and the sharp pang of rejection coursed through her. She'd basically thrown herself at him, and he didn't want to rut? His idea may have been a good one, but the air wouldn't smell of a union; there scents wouldn't have mingled. “I don't think that will work. Our scents won't be combined. Do you want to risk our lives on this?”

  He opened his mouth, closed it. His brows tugged down, and he blew out a breath, deflating his shoulders. “I’m sorry, Kitty. I can smell that I've hurt you. It cuts me deep that I'm the cause. But I can't be with you under these conditions. It's basically rape by default.”

  Heat creeped up her neck. Damn shifter senses. “You're wrong.”

  Sleeping with Ryker would in no way be against her will. Her body craved his, her wolf craved his. It had been an annoying fact since she'd laid eyes on the male. The desire had only grown since she realized she was safe with him.

  Gathering her courage she took a step closer. “Don't you want me?”

  His brows pulled deeper, leaving twin grooves between his eyes. “You have no idea how much I want you.” He sucked in a breath, and a visible shudder ran over his body.

  He dragged a hand through his hair, and she didn’t miss the tremble in his fingers.

  “Your scent is driving me wild. The fact I can smell your need has my wolf tearing at my insides, wanting to mount you. My cock is so hard it hurts, and it's taking all of my control not to bend you over that bed and take you right damn now like the beast I am.”

  Heart hammering in her chest, her stomach wobbled at his admission, and warmth pooled between her legs. His raw truth sizzled through her, making every nerve ending jolt with awareness. It was the sexiest damn thing she’d ever heard.

  She reached down to the hem of the oversized tee and yanked it over her head.

  A low, continuous growl filled the room. The vibrations kissed at her sensitive skin, and she barely controlled the urge to yank his mouth to her aching nipples and demand he fix the mounting desire consuming through her body.

  “What are you doing?”

  She licked her lips. His eyes rounded, and he took a step back.

  “I want you.” God, she wanted him. On her, over her, in her. She thought she’d go insane if he continued to deny her. “You want me, and we need to rut to keep our cover… Now get on the bed.”

  He took two steps forward and came to a jerky stop. His eyes shot to the bed and back to her.

  “You don't understand. There are important things that you don't know. I should have told you, but I wanted to keep you safe.”

  And that’s why her heart melted for him. He was always trying to keep her safe. They could discuss things later. When it was safe. She reached up and cupped her breast; her thumb stroked over the sensitive nub, and she wished like hell it was Ryker’s touch she felt.

  He growled, and his gaze fixed to where she was touching herself.

  “I need… I want you, but… you’re not just some female…”

  He ran a hand through his hair and cupped his neck. He surged forward and yanked her hand away, holding it against the small of her back. “Shit. I'm trying to do the right thing here and seeing you touch yourself like that is driving me rabid. All I keep thinking is how I want to touch you, taste you, and make you mine. You’re a temptation my beast can’t deny, but damn it I need to get this out before I give in to my beast.”

  The heat from his skin rubbed over her and even that felt damn good. She looked up into his eyes and saw the haunted gleam to them. It dowsed the flames of her heat enough to absorb what he was trying to say. This was important to him and because he’d become important to her, it mattered.

  “You're familiar with our customs and what certain females can mean for our males. It’s not a conscious choice, it just is. It’s different for each shifter, but if we’re lucky enough to meet our mate we just know they are the one who could save us.”

  Not a question. Of course she knew the males of their species needed to find their true mates to save their humanity. She’d grown up on the romantic bedtime tales since she was a pup; she just hadn’t been around a functioning pack to see it in action. Why was he discussing this now? Unless… Her spine stiffened and mouth grew dry. Stomach lurching, she licked her lips, sucking the bottom lip in and dragging her teeth over the skin. Her heart pounded so damn fast. “Am I that person for you?”

  It might explain why she had been drawn to him from the start. She’d found it odd that her wolf had let her guard down enough to sleep. Maybe if she’d been old enough to hear the saucier versions of the mating tales, she’d have picked up on the signs? Maybe not. Both she and her animal were tarnished, battered, and always wary. Or, they had been until Ryker.

  Blue glaciers shone in Ryker’s gaze. He pulled her closer as if he could keep her always. The heat from his body stroked across her skin. Could Ryker feel how her heart hammered in her chest? The beat thrummed through her whole body.

  His eyebrows drew in and up, shadowing a vulnerability across his face. Something she was sure didn’t cross his features often. Yet he’d given her that, just for her to see.

  “You are it for me, Kali. The only one.”

  Her eyes tingled, and she knew her wolf was shining from them. The emotion that had been swelling in her chest since the forest grew substantially, and for a split second she was sure she wouldn’t be able to take another breath.

  “That’s why we need to find another way. I won’t be able to take you and not claim you. Do you understand? My control is frayed, I won’t have the strength to resist biting you. If I do, any male in the vicinity will know what I’ve done. They’ll use you to control me. I can’t risk you like that. I won’t.”

  More warmth flooded to her core. He was trying to keep her safe again. If he didn’t his cover would be blown and God only knew what would happen to her. Sure, Ryker would try to protect her, and she didn’t doubt his strength and ability. The odds of him against a pack of deprived shifters wouldn’t bode well. This time it was her turn to keep him safe. She licked her lips and placed her palm on his chest over the pounding of his heart. “I know what to do.”

  11

  “Get on the bed.”

  Did he hear her right? All his attention was focused on the way her body softened under his touch. Or the way her beaded nipples grazed against his chest. A tremble rolled through his body, tightening his abs. Even though he knew Kali was worth more than a used mattress and a cell, he wanted her. Damn, he was a monster. Because his cock strained against the fabric of his pants wanting out, wanting in his female.

  Twisting out of his hold, she pushed him toward the bed. He stumbled and plopped onto the mattress with a bounce. Her amber eyes flared even brighter with her wolf. They hadn’t stopped glowing since she suggested they join. For their animals, with only base instincts, none of the situation would have mattered. Or at least his wolf didn’t
give a damn; it was tearing at his insides, demanding he claim what was his. His tongue ran over his canines, tempted to do just that.

  Here he was trapped in a room with the one female who could save him from the darkness eating him inside out, and she was offering all of it despite the taint running through his veins. He’d made mistakes, and his path had made a hard turn right into the realm of the unforgivable. He’d let his jealousy rule over him and try to sabotage his brother’s reign. But, right in that moment he needed to grasp onto the last glimmer of goodness in him and try to stop Kali from making a huge mistake. “Kali.”

  She stepped right up to him and climbed on his lap. The scent of her carnal hunger closed his throat. He swallowed, tasting, savoring the flavor. He was trying to do something. Something important. Right then, Kali dipped her head, pressed her plump tits against his chest and claimed his lips. Ah, fuck it. No one could expect him to hold onto any thoughts, let alone important ones.

  Over a century’s worth of pent-up need poured into his kiss; her hands reached up and ran through his hair, angling his head just the way she wanted him. Hell yeah. He loved a female that knew what she wanted. He loved it even more knowing she wanted him. She was fierce, and he loved it. With another shove, their kiss broke and he fell flat on his back.

  Her tits held his gaze hostage and his mouth watered for a taste. Pulling himself up he braced his weight on his arm and leaned forward to snag a dark-colored nipple between his lips. She sucked in a breath, and her arousal filled every olfactory sense he possessed. Her hand clutched the back of his head as if she was afraid he’d stop flicking his tongue against the nub.