by Tl Reeve
His teeth pierced her flesh, and she came again. Her body shook through the force of her climax. Her muscles went lax, and, for a minute, it was as if she floated on a cloud of nothing.
“Wow,” she whispered.
“Wow is right.” His warm breath brushed against her neck. “You’re mine. Don’t you ever forget it.”
“You’re mine. Don’t you forget it.” She poked him in the chest and giggled.
“Never, little wolf. Never.”
Chapter Nine
As the morning sun peeked through the blinds in Hayden’s dorm room, Nico kissed and nibbled at her neck, paying particular attention to her mating mark. She moaned in protest, swatting his shoulder before she snuggled back into his body.
If he’d been a gentleman, he would leave her alone. Let her get some much-needed rest—considering that they’d only fallen asleep a few short hours ago. But he wasn’t a gentleman. He was a wolf who needed his mate. Badly. Once he’d gotten a taste of her, he craved her. In the wee hours of the morning, she’d finally succumbed to sleep.
He placed warm, soft kisses along her shoulder to her collarbone and the tops of her breasts, while his hard dick brushed up against her belly. He bit back a moan as her pink nipples puckered under his perusal. Her sleepy blue eyes watching him intently.
Thank fuck she’s awake.
“Morning, little wolf,” he whispered across her skin as his lips wrapped around the tight bud of her nipple. The taste of cotton candy exploded on his taste buds as he sucked on it.
“Morning, mate.”
Letting go with a pop, he worked his way over to her other breast. “I’m hungry.” He smiled at her. “So, I thought I’d have some breakfast in bed.” He licked her nipple then drew it into his mouth.
“Now I’m a meal?” Her husky voice penetrated his senses as she speared her fingers through his hair and held him to her breast.
“You are this morning, baby.” He nipped at her flesh. “I’m your big bad wolf, and you’re my Red Riding Hood. I’m gonna eat you all up.” His dick kicked, throbbing with need as she giggled. Nico let his hand travel down her belly to the top of her mound where he caressed her slit. “You sore?” Although he wanted her again, he’d wait to see if she was in any discomfort.
“No,” she murmured.
He slipped his fingers between the lips of her pussy as he sought out her clit. “I ache.”
“So do I, baby. So do I.” He groaned then dropped his head to rest on her chest as her pussy clenched around the invading appendage.
“Please,” she panted, rolling her hips. He inserted another finger while his thumb rubbed slowly across her pulsing clit. “More please!” she begged.
“You plead so beautifully,” he crooned as he slid his way down her body to her pussy. Her sweet arousal called to him. Tempted him.
Her cream coated his tongue as he lapped at her pussy. With each swipe, he ground his hips into the mattress, trying to alleviate the ache settling in his balls. “Come for me,” he demanded. “Then I’ll fuck you. I’ll take you hard, fast, and when we’re done, I’ll give you every bit of me.”
Her hips jerked. She shuddered as he eagerly licked up her release, bringing her down from her climax. He kissed a path up her torso, kissed both of her hip bones, her belly button, and the valley between her breasts. His mouth covered hers in a searing kiss, relaying the carnal need racing through him. Without breaking the lip-lock, he palmed her ass, giving it a firm squeeze. He craved the supple flesh.
He rubbed the top of the crack of her ass with his middle finger and uttered a curse. Last night, while her rear had been high in the air, he’d pushed her cheeks wide and gazed longingly at the pink rosette. Soon. The ultimate act of dominance took trust between mates. After everything she and he had been through, he owed it to her to earn it back.
She broke the kiss and screamed his name as he teased the entrance of her ass. “Soon, little wolf,” he promised her as he lined his dick up to her pussy. With one fluid thrust, he pushed through the slick, tight muscles until he rested balls-deep inside of her. He grunted as she squeezed around him, just like he had asked her to last night. Minx. He pressed his forehead to hers, giving her a moment to adjust.
Her body went pliant under his; her hips began to rock back and forth—a silent plea for him to move. To fuck her. He retreated, rubbing his tip over her sensitive entrance then sank back into her again.
“Nico!” she yelped, before grabbing his ass.
Chapter Ten
“Okay, you got us here, Hayden. What’s this all about?” Zoe plopped in the chair next to her and propped her chin on her fist. “I have things to do.”
“Don’t mind her,” Bell piped up. “She’s just upset because Rocky’s been training for the last couple of days. The hunt tonight is supposed to be difficult.”
“Shut it, Bell. Not like you’ve seen much of Christoph either,” her sister snarled.
“Whatever.” She narrowed her eyes. “Christoph and I are just fine, and we’re friends.”
“So, you aren’t macking on him, or you are and you’re playing the tease card?” Zoe popped a brow.
“As much as I like a good Jello wrestling match, I have bigger problems.” She held her hands up, stopping her cousins from bickering with each other.
“Later,” Zoe snapped at Bell. “We’ll continue this later.” She turned her attention to Hayden and pasted on a grin. “What’s going on? I can see your mark. You finally took the plunge and sexed it up with Nico, didn’t you?”
“What’s it like? Did you enjoy yourself?” Bell took a seat next to her.
“He didn’t hurt you, did he?” Zoe cracked her knuckles. “Because if he did, I have friends now. Powerful friends who won’t mind getting their hands dirty.”
“Whoa. Calm down, feisty. No, he didn’t hurt me. Second, yes. I took the ‘plunge.’ Third, I won’t talk about it, other than saying it was better than I could’ve ever imagined.” For four long years she had wondered what it would be like to be with Nico. Amazing didn’t adequately cover her experience. The last thought she had with his face hovering over hers left her awestruck. Wow, this is really happening. Several times, too.
“Man, no one tells us the good stuff,” Zoe whined.
“Now that you’re a mate, what is so wrong you need our help?” Bell asked.
“Nothing is the matter. Geez, stand down.”
“Then what’s with this meeting?” Zoe asked.
“I need a dress for the Howler’s Ball. I thought we could go shopping together.”
“That’s it?” Bell relaxed back into her chair and sighed. “I thought we were going to take down the mega bitch squad. I heard what Reagan tried to do with Nico while you were there.”
“I’m not worried about her.” She laughed. “So, we’re all going to this ball, right?” Her cousins nodded. “Then we should do a little shopping.”
“Oh, I don’t know.” Zoe groaned. “I’m not a frilly lacy person.”
“Not even for Rocky?”
“Well….” Zoe hedged.
“What if I promised we could find something to fit your style, would you go?” Hayden pulled a magazine out of her bag. “I found some stuff that you might like.” She flipped the pages until she stopped at the one she’d dog-eared. The red-and-black burlesque gown had ribbon piping and black appliqué designs that would draw a person’s gaze to whoever wore its cleavage and her slim waist. Kind of like Zoe’s. Hayden set the book down in front of her cousin. “Something like this.”
“Oh my God,” Zoe gasped. “It’s perfect.”
“So you’re going, then?”
“Yes.” Her cousin laughed. “I’ll go.”
“Great. Do you have a dress or an idea, Bell?” Her cousin always was meticulously put together. If she said no, Hayden would be surprised.
“You see, Laney asked Christoph if he’d escort her since her date, Zac, had to be there and
do security or something, so, I don’t know if I’m going or not.” God love her cousin. She lifted her chin and sniffed before clearing her throat and blanking out her features. Her father would be proud. Her mom? Not so much.
“What?”
“Yeah, it’s totally cool. Christoph is already a winner, and it’s his choice.”
Fuck that. She shook her head. “Are you sure you heard right?”
“I didn’t have to hear. I stood right there.” Bell grabbed her bag after glancing at her watch. “I’ve got class. I’ll see you on the field tonight for the hunt. Remember to be dressed to cheer for your champion.” She stood, gave both of them a small smile then strolled off, head held high and shoulders back, like nothing affected her, but Hayden knew better.
“Okay, spill. What the fuck happened between Bell and Christoph?” She turned her attention to Zoe who had a murderous look on her face.
“Just what she said, I guess. Only, why would someone who participated in the games be acting as security for a ball they’ve been invited to?” A deadly coldness swirled in her cousin’s blue eyes as she scanned the cafeteria.
“Yeah, I kind of had the same thought. Bell eschewed her right to the lion. Maybe they’re not mates after all,” she said.
“Oh no,” Zoe answered. “They are, but you know Bell. She’s way too fucking refined to get angry or upset at him. She’ll allow him to do as he wants because it’s the proper thing in her mind for her to do.”
“I could kick his ass,” Hayden muttered.
“Yeah, get in line. Rocky’s not even happy with him. Something happened after the match, and I’m not sure what.” Zoe gathered up her stuff. “We’ll go later to get that dress. For now, I have English. Ta.”
“Laters.” The last one to leave, Hayden grabbed her things while making a mental note to talk with Nico about Christoph.
“You think you’re the shit, don’t you?”
Hayden’s lip curled at the insult. “I don’t think anything, Reagan. How’s the bruised ego?” She pivoted to stare at the girl behind her.
“We’ll see whose ego is bruised after the games are over. We’re not finished yet.” Reagan’s smug expression made her laugh.
“Oh, honey, I wear his mark now. It is over.” She brushed past the sniveling bitch and headed for class. She had way too much to do to spend her time worrying about what some trollop had to say.
Hayden knocked on Nico’s door and waited. All through class, she couldn’t get Reagan’s little show out of her head. The little shit seriously messed with her confidence. She nibbled on the corner of her thumbnail while she tapped her foot. Old memories flooded her mind. Her stomach knotted. Great, just great. Now she’s gotten to me. She knocked again and growled in frustration. How long did it take for him to answer the damn door?
“Little wolf?”
She spun on her heels and came face-to-face with her mate, already dressed and ready to go, coming out of Christoph’s room. The blond lion followed close behind.
“I thought I’d be meeting you on the field?”
Shit. “Uh, surprise?”
“What’s wrong?” He called over his shoulder to Christoph, “I’ll see you on the field.”
When the lion was finally out of earshot, she spoke. “I had a run-in today with Reagan. She got to me.”
“What did she do?”
“Oh you know. Normal bitchy stuff. Telling me basically we’re not done, and I fell for it hook, line, and sinker.” She laced her fingers with her mate’s. “She saw my vulnerability…you.”
He snorted. “I’m mated and happy. She can move her prissy ass on.” He pulled her into his arms and kissed her. Carnal and claiming. He devoured her. Growled at her with a sexual hunger that left her panting for breath. Her heart fluttered; her body trembled. Shit, the man could kiss.
“Uh….”
“You’re not supposed to say anything.” He closed her mouth. “Although seeing you stunned silent is pretty awesome.”
She laughed. “Sorry. She pushed buttons. I should know better after everything, but it’s—”
“Hard?”
She nodded.
“It’s my fault, and if you automatically trusted me because we had sex, I’d think there was something wrong with you. I have a long way to go to earn all of your trust back. But I hope wearing my mark helps alleviate some of the worry.”
It did. More than he’d probably know or she’d say.
“We shouldn’t be talking about this right now. You have to hunt tonight.” They strolled down the hall toward the exit. “Do you know what you’re supposed to do?”
He shrugged. “According to Christoph, we’ll shift then run through the woods while you watch on the big screen. There’s supposed to be strategically placed game for us to chase and bring down. The win goes to the person who gets the biggest kill in poundage.”
“Seems easy enough,” she said as they followed the path to the stadium.
“Should be.” He stopped her. “To tell you the truth, I’m glad this is almost over.”
“It’s not been so bad. I mean, the ball is tomorrow night after the last event.” She searched his gaze. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I did this to win you back.”
“Uh-huh and…?”
“I got you.” He gave her a cocky grin.
“You did.” She grinned.
“Yet, I feel compelled to see this all the way through. I don’t like Hill or his cronies. Their egos are too big for their own good.”
“So knock them down a peg or two.” She pressed her lips to his. “Go have fun.” She patted his ass. “I’ll be waiting when you get done.”
***
Nico lined up with the other competitors and waited. Anxious energy coursed through the group as they went over the rules. The area where the game had been located would be marked by tags. Once a competitor entered, he could not, under any circumstances, back out. Backing out constituted disqualification. If a competitor is onto a kill, no one could interfere. If they did, they would be disqualified. From the time you gave chase, you had fifteen minutes to complete the takedown or you’d be disqualified. Finally, biggest kill would win. The added bonus—some of the meat would be used for the ball. The rest would be processed and sent to local charities and orphanages.
The horn blew, and everyone shifted. The crisp scent of fall air filling his lungs, along with smell of game waiting beyond the trees, called to his wolf. The chase. He howled then took off, bounding through the woods. Once they closed the competition line, there’d be no turning back until he made his kill. Officials stood out of the line of sight, watching everyone, make their way through the thicket.
As a champion, Nico didn’t have to go for the biggest animal. In fact, he wanted to get through this and go back to his waiting mate. To hell with everyone else. However, he also wanted to help his friends. He wanted to make sure someone—anyone other than Hill and his posse—got the win.
He slowed his pace to a trot, making as little noise as possible. Up ahead, a small buck—if someone considered a six-point buck small—stood in the open field. He crept up to it, staying downwind as he approached. A part of him wanted to make the buck run, give chase, and have fun. Another part of him wanted to take the animal down, have the weight tallied, and go home with his mate. His wolf, however, wanted to play. He gave over to him and chased the buck through the woods. His steps were cautious, so as not to step out of bounds. Up and over hills they went until the deer tired and stopped at a stream. His wolf luxuriated in the thrill of the kill. Stalking his prey, he stepped lightly, keeping his head low. The buck’s ears twitched back and forth, listening, staying on point while drinking its fill. He inched around his kill and waited. When the deer took off again, he’d be right behind him and take him down.
In the clearing, a doe stepped out. Perfect. Yeah, buddy. Go get you a piece. I won’t hurt you. The buck raised his head and called ou
t to the female, who responded in kind. He waited another second then as soon as the animal began to follow the female, he attacked. He jumped at its hindquarters, tackling the buck to the ground. The beast thrashed, throwing its rack around, trying to stab him and get away. Dodging his head, Nico went for the neck and bit down. Warm blood filled his mouth. With a quick jerk, he snapped the deer’s neck. Letting him go, he raised his snout and howled. The horn sounded, and a judge came out of the woods beside him then tagged the kill.
He shifted back and took the bag from him—inside, a pair of basketball shorts. He put them on then took the tag from the judge. “Thanks.”
“Not a problem,” the judge answered. “Good kill. It’s been a pleasure watching you.”
After a quick handshake, he followed the trail to the stadium. The clock below the screen showed two hours remaining in the competition. Rocky waited, his expression cautious. “How did you do?”
“Hell, I don’t know. Not being able to shift really hurt my chances, but I got a wild boar.” He grinned.
“Right on, man.” He fist bumped the falcon and smiled. “I got a buck.”
“I saw. Nice kill.”
“Thanks. Anything out of Hill?”
“He’s onto an elk. If you ask me, he’s a little too ambitious.”
“Oh?”
Rocky lifted his chin to the monitor. “Watch. The elk outweighs him by at least a hundred and fifty pounds, if not more. He’s got no discipline whatsoever, and if I didn’t know any better, I’d swear the damn beast already tried to gore the asshole.”
“Not good.”
Hill chased the animal through the woods, no clear end game in sight. It was almost like the bull knew the asshole chased after him so he toyed with Hill.