by Dover, L. P.
A sly smile spread across his face. “I’m sold. Are you two heading back home today?”
I nodded. “I just wanted to see our house first. We have a long drive ahead of us.” We walked out of the garden and I locked it up, putting the key back in its hiding spot. “Did you run all this way?” I asked, not seeing another car other than our own.
“Yeah, I keep a change of clothes here for when I work in the garden. If anyone were to pass by, I’d hate for them to see a naked man walking about. We’ve had a few trespassers come by to check the place out. They think it’s haunted.”
“Humans?”
He grinned wide. “It’s been nice scaring them. They usually only come by on Halloween. The others usually come with me on that night.”
“Always the trickster,” I laughed. We stared at each other for a few more minutes but then I knew it was time to say goodbye. “I’ll see you soon.”
Ryker and I got in the truck and slowly pulled out of the overgrown driveway. Colin watched us leave and then shifted into his wolf. For the first time in my life, everything was working out perfectly.
Bailey (Three Weeks Later)
“It looks like you have a lot to celebrate tonight,” Tyla squealed. It was the night of the full moon and I had just found out I got a teaching position at the local high school.
“Let’s just hope there isn’t another emergency to distract us this time.”
She laughed and grabbed the bags out of the backseat. “Nothing will stop Ryker this time, the man’s way too focused. Now let’s get you dressed. I want you stunning for tonight.”
The sky turned pink and I knew we didn’t have much time. Ryker was nowhere to be found so we rushed up to my bedroom and I changed into my brand new dress. It was white, with crystals along the bodice. I wanted it to sparkle in the moonlight.
“You look amazing,” she gasped.
We walked down the stairs and with each step, my heart thumped harder and louder. Tyla went to the refrigerator and pulled out a bottle of wine. “Trying to get me drunk on my bonding night?”
She giggled. “No, it’s to calm your sporadic nerves. I can hear your heart all the way over here.” She handed me the wine and I gulped it down.
“I’m not nervous, well, maybe just a little. I think it’s more excitement than anything. I don’t know what it’s going to be like once we complete the bond.”
“I wish I could tell you, but I don’t know either. I just know it’s the best feeling in the world. Maybe one day, I’ll know what it’s like too.”
“You will,” I promised.
The sound of Ryker’s truck could be heard coming down the drive and Tyla squealed, grinning from ear to ear. “He’s here. Good luck tonight! I’ll see you tomorrow and you can tell me all about it.” She started for the door and then stopped. “Well, maybe not everything. I don’t really want to know how you decide to do it.”
“Goodbye, Tyla.” I laughed, pushing her out the door. She said some words to Ryker when he got out of the truck and he laughed. When he looked at me, he froze, eyes glowing for a split second.
“You look beautiful,” he murmured, closing the distance. I thought he’d be in his ranger uniform, but instead, he was dressed in a pair of khaki pants and a white button down.
“You look handsome yourself. I thought you were at work?”
Grinning mischievously, he shook his head. “It’s a special night, Bailey. I wanted to make it perfect.”
“Oh yeah? How so?”
He held out his hand. “Come and find out.”
“Let me put my glass down and get my shoes. I’ll be right out.”
“You don’t need your shoes, angel. We’re taking the scenic route.” He nodded toward the woods and smiled.
I quickly put my glass in the sink and took a deep breath before walking back outside. Maybe I was nervous. I couldn’t stop from shivering . . . but in a good way. Taking his hand, we began our trek through the woods, the sky growing darker with each passing minute.
“How far are we going?” I asked.
He pointed to the clearing up ahead. “Just up to the lake.”
Once the lake appeared, I stopped to catch my breath. The moon had the most magnificent glow over the water, but that wasn’t all. “Ryker, it’s amazing.”
There was a blanket on the ground with candles all around, and a basket of food. It smelled heavenly. We both sat down and he picked up one of the flameless candles. “Kami got these for me. Using real candles out here wouldn’t have been the best decision.”
I laughed. “Smart thinking.”
“Are you hungry?” He opened the basket and pulled out the food, including a cooler with mint chocolate chip ice cream inside.
“It’s scary how well you know me.”
“We can hear each other’s thoughts, angel. I’m sure there are things you hear in my mind that you wish you couldn’t. I’m working on not butting in on your thoughts all the time.”
“I have nothing to hide. Besides, if I don’t want you to listen, I block you out. Easy enough.”
Chuckling, he passed me a plate full with a steak, potatoes, and asparagus. “Same here. You’d be scared to know what I think about every second of every day.”
“Enlighten me then.”
He pointed down to my food. “Why don’t you eat and then I’ll tell you all about it.” We both ate our plates of food and topped it all off with our favorite ice cream. Once everything was cleared away, we laid down on the blanket and looked up at the moon.
“Why would I be scared to know what you think about?” I whispered the words.
Turning on his side, he lifted up on his elbow and I did the same. He stared at me with those emerald eyes of his and I couldn’t help but get lost in the depths of them. “I think about you all the time. No matter what I’m doing or where I’m at, you’re always on my mind. I don’t know if it borders on the line of obsession, but I can’t help it. I love you, Bailey.”
“I love you too,” I murmured, leaning over him for a kiss. The time had come and I was more ready than ever. Slowly, I unbuttoned his shirt, exposing his smooth, hard chest. “Make love to me, Ryker.” I pulled the straps of my dress down and he finished, sliding it the rest of the way.
“You’re sure this is what you want? Once we do this, it can’t be undone.”
Nodding, I helped him out of his shirt and unbuttoned his pants. “I have never been so sure about anything in my entire life.” Lowering his pants to the ground, a satisfied growl rumbled in his chest. Keeping his gaze on mine, I watched how they shifted back and forth as he kissed his way up my body. “We’re not going to have any surprise visitors tonight are we?”
He flicked his tongue over my clit, making me jerk. My body tingled and I ached to feel more. His warm breath blew across it as he spoke, making the yearning worse. “They know to stay away. I don’t want to share this moment with anyone other than you.” He licked me again and I grabbed a handful of his hair and squeezed when he plunged his tongue inside.
“That feels so damn good,” I moaned.
“And you taste good too,” he said.
I was so close to losing control, but he stopped and chuckled as he licked a trail up to my breasts. “I see you want to torture me tonight. What do you think about this?” I reached down between his legs and wrapped my hand around his arousal, stroking his length. He sucked in a breath and pushed himself up and down inside my hand. The tip of his cock grew wet and I wiped it away with my thumb. Licking my lips, I brought it to my mouth and closed my eyes, moaning as I tasted him.
Groaning, he lowered his mouth to my breasts and sucked my nipple. “You’ll be the death of me, angel.” He grazed my skin with his teeth, but he didn’t bite.
“Why won’t you bite me?” I asked silently.
Looking into my eyes, he bent down and kissed me. “I don’t want us to be lost in a vision tonight. I need you right here with me.”
I nodded and wrapped my legs around hi
s waist. “I’m not going anywhere.”
“Are you ready for me?” he asked, reaching between my legs. Slipping a finger inside, he groaned with how wet I was.
I bit my lip and grinned. “Is that answer enough?”
He spread me wide and aligned himself at my opening. The moon glowed down, its magic swirling like invisible threads all around us. As soon as we completed the bond, those threads would be inside us, tethering us together; Ryker felt it too. Slowly, he pushed, until he was as deep as he could go. I gasped and squeezed my legs tighter around his waist, pushing him deeper. We moved together as one, our bodies and minds fully connected. The bond we already had opened up to a whole new level. Our power merged and whatever magic was in my body transferred to him and his to mine.
My insides tightened and I felt my release coming quick. Fisting his hands in my hair, Ryker grunted with his thrusts, his cock pulsating inside me. I cried out as I finally reached the edge and trembled from the best orgasm of my life. Ryker groaned and pounded his hips into mine as he chased his release, arms clutching me tight.
When he reached completion, I gasped as those magical threads bound us together. His soul was inside me and mine in his, unbreakable. Only death could break us apart. Leaning up on his elbows, Ryker leaned down and kissed me, our bodies still connected. “You’re mine now, angel.”
I kissed him again. “Always.”
Bailey
“Damn, I have to say the full moon really did a number on you two,” Sebastian teased. He shut his car door and joined Ryker and I on the front porch. We’d slept in the woods all night and had only been back long enough to have a shower and get dressed.
I got up and hugged him. “It’s an amazing feeling.”
Chuckling, he let me go and shook Ryker’s hand. “And it looks like you now have the power of a royal. I could sense it all the way down the street.”
Ryker put his arm around me. “It’s strange because I feel like myself, but only not. I can’t describe it.”
Sebastian nodded. “All I can say is, embrace it. You have an advantage over all the other wolves. Be careful how you use it. Jealousy can be an ugly thing.”
Ryker’s phone started to ring so he kissed me on the head and disappeared inside, leaving me alone with Sebastian.
“You didn’t have to stay until the full moon,” I told him.
“Yes, I did. I had to make sure you were safe until then.”
“And now you don’t have to make sure I’m safe?” I teased.
“Not like before. Ryker can protect you a whole hell of a lot better than I could at this point. You’re both stronger than me now that you have combined your magic.”
“So what happens now?”
He tapped my chin and smiled. “I’m going to go to California to help Micah and Faith move.”
Once we’d gotten home from Canada, Micah had left to stay with my sister until after the full moon. It killed me not to see her, but Micah thought it’d be best to make sure no one attacked. Now our pack was stronger with two royal alphas.
“I wasn’t talking about that,” I said.
He stared at me for a moment, furrowing his brows. “Are you asking about my duties to you as a protector?”
I nodded. “I just want to know you’ll still be here. You’re a part of my family.”
Chuckling, he put his arm around my shoulders and squeezed. “I’m not going anywhere, B. I like giving Whitemore a hard time, and the area has grown on me. Besides, you may not need me to protect you anymore, but you’re my family as well. I love you, kid.”
“Kid? You look the same age as me, wise ass.”
He pinched my cheek. “Yeah, but I’m almost a hundred years older than you.” I smacked his hand away and he rushed off toward his car, laughing. “Tell your brother I said hey when he gets into town. I don’t think I’ll be back in time to greet him.”
“Will do, old man. Be careful and make sure to bring my sister home safely.”
“I will. That’s a promise.” Getting into his car, he drove out of the driveway and I waved.
I couldn’t wait to see my sister. Soon, I would have my whole family reunited. Ryker was still on the phone, so I climbed back up on the porch and sat down in my rocking chair. It wouldn’t be long before the first snow graced us. I could smell it in the air.
“Fuckhead gone already?” he asked, sitting beside me.
I laughed. “Yes. The sooner he gets Faith, the sooner I can see her.”
“You could’ve had Micah just bring her himself.”
“True, but I wanted to make sure she was extra protected. I’m not taking any chances when it comes to her safety. She’s unmated and vulnerable.”
Holding my hand, he lifted it up to his lips and kissed it. “I understand, angel. I thought maybe we could have a welcoming party for her when she arrives. We could even have one when your brother comes too.”
Excitement bubbled in my veins. “That sounds like a great idea. We can invite the other packs. I’m determined to help our wolves find their mates.”
“Then it’s settled. I’ll get Tyla to help us. She loves planning parties.” We sat outside on the porch until the sun dipped behind the mountains, casting the sky in sultry pink and orange glows. “What do you want to do tonight?” he asked. I bit my lip and pictured us making love. His eyes flashed and he chuckled. “That’s a given, angel.”
“I can think of something else,” I murmured. It was something I’d wanted to do the night before. By the look in his eyes, he knew what I was going to ask. “Aren’t you at all curious to see our future?” I asked.
He sighed. “I am, but sometimes it’s better not knowing.”
“True, but I don’t think I can go forever without tasting your blood. It’s intoxicating.” Lifting the hem of my sundress, I climbed up onto his lap and straddled his body. I moved my hips against his and took his mouth in a kiss, nipping his bottom lip with my teeth. I moaned the second I tasted his blood. Growling low, he dug his fingers into my hips and pressed me down on his arousal.
“Fuck, woman, you’re going to drive me insane.”
“Yes, but you like it.”
“You have no idea.” Eyes flashing, he unzipped his pants and slammed me down on his cock. His mouth widened and then everything disappeared as he sank his teeth into my neck. My mind was like a whirlwind, drifting me from our world to somewhere else. Only this time, Ryker was able to witness the vision right beside me.
“Is this how it is for you when you experience it?” he asked.
I glanced around at our surroundings and there was a magical glow about the place, almost like a mist. “Sort of . . . it always has this magical feel to it, but I usually experience the vision firsthand. Now it feels like we’re watching it happen.” We were at our house, but there was no one around until a car pulled down the driveway. I looked at Ryker, lifting my brows. “Do you know them?”
He shook his head. The man and woman got out of the car with two small children and they raced to the front door. However, the door opened before they could knock. I gasped when I got a good look at the man and woman. “Holy hell!”
My skin was wrinkled and so was Ryker’s. We looked to be around eighty years old in human years. Ryker walked up and stood beside himself, gazing at him in awe. “This is surreal.”
The old Ryker scooped the little girl in his arms and she laughed. “Guess what I learned to do today, Great Granddaddy?”
“What?” he asked.
“I learned to swim! I can’t wait to tell everyone.”
The old Bailey kissed her on the cheek. “And everyone will be so proud of you. Why don’t you and your brother go inside and see what I have on the counter?”
“Is it chocolate chip cookies?” she squealed.
The old me winked at her and the kids rushed inside, giggling the entire time. More people showed up and we gazed in awe at what appeared to be our children, all grown up with families of their own. We had two sons and a daug
hter, all happy with their mates.
The vision started to fade and Ryker grabbed my hand. “Is it over?”
“Yes.” I wanted to see more, but I knew one day I would.
Gasping, I awoke in Ryker’s arms, still connected. He kissed me hard and held on tight. “We were old,” he murmured.
A tear slid down my cheek. “And we were happy.”
He wiped away my tear and smiled. “It looks like we’re going to be together for a long time.”
“I wouldn’t want it any other way. You’re mine, Ryker Whitemore.”
“Always.”
THE END
~Rise of the Moon~
(A Royal Shifters novel)
Read other books by L. P. Dover
COMING SOON
Keep reading for a sneak peek at
The Mystic Wolves by Belinda Boring,
The Space Between by Kristie Cook,
And
Dire (The Dire Wolves Chronicles) by Alyssa Rose Ivy
NEW YORK TIMES and USA Today Bestselling author, L.P. Dover, is a southern belle residing in North Carolina along with her husband and two beautiful girls. Before she even began her literary journey she worked in Periodontics enjoying the wonderment of dental surgeries.
Not only does she love to write, but she loves to play tennis, go on mountain hikes, white water rafting, and you can’t forget the passion for singing. Her two number one fans expect a concert each and every night before bedtime and those songs usually consist of Christmas carols.
Aside from being a wife and mother, L.P. Dover has written over twenty novels including her Forever Fae series, the Second Chances series, and her standalone novel, Love, Lies, and Deception. Her favorite genre to read is romantic suspense and she also loves writing it. However, if she had to choose a setting to live in it would have to be with her faeries in the Land of the Fae.
L.P. Dover is represented by Marisa Corvisiero of Corvisiero Literary Agency and Italia Gandolfo at Gandolfo Helin & Fountain Literary Management for dramatic rights.