by Jane Jamison
“As we were saying, we believe another opening has formed. Jerry said he felt it, too. We’ll send a few people back to the pit and see if they can locate it during the next Time of Leaving. If it’s true that it exists, we’ll need to come up with precautions to watch over it.” Charlton stroked his beard as he spoke, his blue eyes sliding from Blue, to Raine, and then to Pete.
Blue took a deep breath and confirmed what he thought he’d smelled as soon as Pete had walked into the cabin. He glanced at his brother, who in the same instant found the floor very interesting.
He had her.
Turmoil roared to life in his gut. On one hand, he wished Pete had waited, giving them time to explain where she was and how they might not be able to take her back down the mountain. On the other hand, he couldn’t blame him. If he’d had time alone with her he might’ve done the same thing. The whole time they’d walked to camp, he’d felt her allure and had fought against acting on his impulse to shove her to the ground and take her. She’d held a hold over him, one that he couldn’t explain. Not unless he considered the possibility that she was their intended mate.
If they were lucky, The Council wouldn’t pick up the scent of sex from Pete. That might make things even more complicated than they already were.
Could she be the one? If they’d met her on The Outside, they would’ve instantly known. The connection all werewolves felt for their mate would’ve taken hold of them and left no doubt. But it was different within The Hidden. The instant bond wasn’t felt the same way. Of course the attraction was there, but it was a different sensation, more a feeling that an emptiness had been filled. Yet wasn’t that how he’d felt when he’d seen her? Was he ready to admit that he’d sensed that special something about her? He wished he’d taken the time to talk to his brothers about it. If only he had experienced it, then it was nothing. But if all three of them had? Then that was definitely a sign none of them could ignore. He needed more time to find out.
“There’s still the question of how she was able to come inside without the help of one of us.” Titto’s red hair matched the ball of fire dancing in Xnax’s hand.
“Obviously, she has to be a supernatural. Or at least have it in her blood. Otherwise, she’d have never made it in.”
“Xnax is right. But if she’s not, then what happens when someone who isn’t one of us runs into this strange, invisible barrier? Will they get through, too? Will they even feel it? Will they touch it? Or will it keep them from getting near? A portal like this could be devastating.”
Everyone grew quiet and considered Raine’s questions. They couldn’t have humans running into the barrier then shouting about it to others on The Outside.
“That’s why we’ll have to watch over it.” Charlton twisted toward Harrison. “You have family near here. One who knows of The Hidden? Isn’t that right?”
Harrison jerked as though coming out of a trance. “Uh, yes. I could ask one of them to try and get through. Of course, I’ll have to wait for the next Time of Coming. But I wouldn’t mind spending a little time on The Outside.”
“Good. That part of our discussion is settled. We’ll send a party to check on the new portal and Harrison’s human family member will try and make it through.” Charlton rested his elbows on the table, but Blue could see that he wasn’t finished, but waiting for another matter to be broached.
“Another question is which kind of supernatural is she?” Tina’s silver eyes landed on Pete then narrowed.
“Does that matter?” Blue kept his voice level, not wanting to challenge the fairy.
Although often perceived in literature as fun, caring, and sweet creatures, many fairies could be a pain in the butt and a tough enemy. Right now it was her sense of smell that was almost as good as a werewolf’s that worried him. If she picked up on Pete’s after-sex aroma, she wouldn’t hesitate to mention it.
Blue checked Harrison to see if he’d picked up the sexual fragrance, too. But Harrison was often oblivious to the world around him, choosing instead to focus on wine and making love to his mate, Edwina. How he’d gotten on The Council was a mystery to Blue.
“And does she know what she is? From the way you describe your interactions with her, I don’t think she does.” Wisa, her elongated face a reminder of her cat inside, lifted her head and sniffed.
Crap.
“I don’t think she knows about supernaturals in general, much less that she has that kind of blood in her.”
Tina’s mouth widened in a small, but very cheerful grin. “Do you smell what I smell?”
Blue’s stomach dropped to the floor. He risked a glimpse at Pete and saw the answer written all over his face. Pete was an open book and couldn’t hide his emotions.
“Do you feel a connection with her, Pete?”
Pete cleared his throat and met Charlton’s gaze. “Yes.” He cleared his throat. “I don’t know.”
“But you’ve already slept with her?”
Again, Pete could no more lie than a skunk could change its stench. “Yes.” He held his head higher. “You know I’ve stayed away from the females here and on The Outside for the past couple of years. Now I know why.”
Charlton arched an eyebrow and pursed his lips. “I was going to recommend that you take the woman down the mountain tomorrow before dawn arrived so she wouldn’t see any more than she already has. But now I’m not sure.”
“Let’s remember that they didn’t bring her here.” Titto slapped his hands down on the table, rattling the cups set before the members. “They didn’t seek her out.”
“So? We’ve had others who have come inside and found their mates.”
Thanks, Xnax. He shot the fire maker a grateful look.
“As long as she turns out to be their mate, then no harm is done. But do we let them take the time to find out?” Xnax tossed his ball of fire into air and caught it with his other hand. “Or would it be safer to kick her out now?”
Forget that. Thanks for nothing.
“Give us the time.”
All eyes turned to Pete. Raine jumped in to add his support. “Yes. Give us the time.”
“Is that what you want to do, Blue?”
Blue couldn’t have let his brothers stand on their own if he’d wanted to. And he didn’t want to. “Yes.”
“And if it turns out you’re just hot for her and she’s not really your mate? What do we do? She’ll know too much by then.” Tina dropped her chin and studied them one at a time.
“I don’t know.” He had to be honest.
“Another could claim her.” Xnax had yet to look at any of them.
He was right. When supernaturals lost their mate, they had the right to claim another, especially if the woman’s intended mates couldn’t or wouldn’t claim her. The thought of another man or men having Callie in their bed made Blue’s stomach churn. “That won’t happen. I’m standing here now and taking responsibility for her.”
“As do I,” added Pete. Raine nodded his agreement. Although they’d each jumped on board with Blue’s decision, he could tell that they were still nervous about it. They’d known her for less than a day and had barely spent any time with her. On The Outside, where the connection was often instant, that wouldn’t be a problem. But in The Hidden? Getting to know the intended mate was sometimes necessary first.
But what else can I do? Leave her to fend for herself? Yeah, right. That’s the reason I said I’d stand up for her.
Charlton glanced at the members to his right, then to his left. Each gave their consent with their silence. “Very well. But don’t let things get out of hand.”
How would he handle it if she wasn’t the one for them? Could he let her leave with knowledge about their home? Would The Council ever allow it? Or would he have to keep her with them, thus keeping their community’s tightly guarded secret? Blue tried to appear confident as he motioned for his brothers to leave before him, but he was anything but that.
Raine was the first to question him once they were far
enough away not to be heard. “Did we just do what I think we did?”
“If you mean putting ourselves on the line for her, then yeah. We did.” Even if he’d messed up by doing so, Blue wasn’t about to go back on his word. And he didn’t think he’d messed up.
“I’m okay with it.” Pete surged ahead of them, a clear sign that he had more to spill but wanted them to coax it out of him.
Blue exchanged glances with Raine and hurried to Pete’s side. “You’re saying that because you’ve already taken her to your bed. Our bed.”
“He’s right, isn’t he? In the short time we left her with you, you got between her legs.”
Pete kept up a brisk pace, neither denying nor confirming Raine’s assessment. He’d almost reached their tent when Raine took his arm and spun him around to face him. “So what do you think? Is she the one?”
The small smile on Pete’s face said as much. “Yeah. She is. Didn’t Blue already say as much when we were bringing her back? Hell, he told her as much. He called her ours. My actions only confirmed it. She’s our intended mate.”
“I may have jumped the gun on telling her that.”
Pete gaped at him. “You’re not serious. How can you doubt it? Why else would you have taken responsibility for her?”
Raine’s perusal made him nervous. His brother had always been able to see through him. “Maybe. But I think we need to take this at a slower pace. Just to be certain.”
“What the hell for? Pete’s already had her and I want my time alone with her. She makes me feel…whole. Isn’t that what it’s all about? Isn’t that what our mate is supposed to make us feel?”
“Yeah, bro. What more proof do you need?” Pete clamped a hand on Raine’s shoulder. “He’s right. She makes me feel the same way. Before and after I took her.”
They were right. He’d experienced the same odd but wonderful sensation. “I want to be sure it’s not a matter of our lack of female company for the past two years.”
Pete growled out his words. “This isn’t a case of being horny, man.”
“He’s right. Besides, we all agreed that our lack of libido during that time was a result of our getting ready for her. Like The Universe telling us that she was coming.”
“Yeah. Two years is a long time to go without the sacrifice meaning something.”
“If that’s the case, then where’s the rush? We’ve waited this long for her. We can wait a little longer.” He focused his gaze on Pete. “Or at least Raine and I can.”
“Speak for yourself, man.”
Blue grabbed his younger brother behind the neck. “Okay, hot dog, let’s agree to leave her alone for tonight at least. She’s probably tired, anyway.”
Pete’s grin blasted onto his face. “You can count on that. I think I wore the girl out.” He almost didn’t move fast enough to dodge Raine’s punch. “Hey, hate the game, man. Not the player.”
Blue crossed his arms and watched as his brothers roughhoused their way closer to their tent. But they weren’t fooling him. “This way, guys. Let’s get a run in tonight.” If anything could distract them from Callie, it’d be a long run through the woods.
Tearing off his shoes and clothes, he let the wolf inside him roar to life. The change came swiftly, racing through his body to break bones and reform them in new lengths and angles. His skin tingled as fur replaced flesh. A quick stab of pain accompanied each claw and fang that erupted from his skin, but soon his world changed to amber as his wolf vision took over. He raced by his brothers, bumping into Raine and knocking him off his feet. Pete’s laughter at Raine’s expense followed him as he loped into the underbrush.
* * * *
Raine didn’t like breaking his word. But he hadn’t agreed. He hadn’t said he’d stay away from Callie. Still, he wouldn’t like it if his brothers ditched him like he planned to do to them.
But he couldn’t help it. He’d had a difficult time staying off her on the walk back to camp. But when Pete had arrived with her sweet fragrance on him, an aroma that reminded him of cinnamon rolls, he thought he’d go crazy. He’d never know how he’d managed to keep from running to her and throwing her to the floor of their tent. Now his restraint was shattered and he had no choice but to listen to his lust.
Slowing his pace, he let his brothers take the lead. That wasn’t unusual for him to do so. He often let them charge ahead on a run. At times, when another trail or the scent of another animal touched his nostrils, he’d take off on his own.
Blue surged ahead as he always did with Pete doing his best to keep up. They’d get so immersed in competing against each other that they’d never miss him. He slowed down again, putting even more distance between them. Then, as they turned a corner, he slammed to a stop, spun around, and headed back to camp.
He was back and standing at the edge of the forest when the first drops of rain fell. Shifting, he took his human form again then snatched up his clothes he’d left there. Checking around to see if anyone was watching, he hurried on bare feet to the entrance of the tent.
What if she’s asleep?
He hadn’t thought about that. Would he frighten her by coming in without warning? Especially if he startled her out of her dreams?
I wonder if she’s having wet dreams.
His cock twitched to life. He’d make sure she had a wet dream after he was through with her.
He brought forth his wolf’s sensitive hearing, stirring the animal inside him again. But he wouldn’t let it take control. Not while he was with her. The sound of steady breathing was all he heard.
I wonder if she’s dreaming about me.
“Can I go home now?”
He almost jumped out of his skin at the sound of Luke’s voice. The big guy, a werebear of considerable size even for one of them, rambled toward him from around the back of the tent. He put his fingers to his lips, warning Luke to get quiet.
“I forgot you were watching her.” His whisper was husky and filled with the lust inside him.
Luke’s brow knitted. “Yup. Is it okay to leave? Lyra’s waiting on me.”
“Sure. Go ahead. I’ll take it from here. And thanks.”
“Yup.” Luke jerked his head up and down, then pivoted and headed in the direction of his teepee. Although a teepee wasn’t the usual style of home for a shifter, much less a werebear, Lyra had chosen their home in deference to her Native American culture. That and because shape-shifters like her liked that a teepee was easy to break down and put up in a different location.
He waited until Luke had gone into his teepee before pushing through the flaps of the tent. Only a couple of candles remained lit, but his eyes adjusted easily going from the darkness outside to the interior of the tent.
He found her, curled into a ball near the back of the tent. Unlike many of the other werewolves, they’d kept the tent as one large open area instead of using quilts and other materials to section off parts into smaller rooms. He crossed the open area and gazed down at her.
Her dark hair spread out behind her as though a strong breeze was blowing it away from her body. Her eyelashes feathered her cheekbones and pointed toward the full lips that were slightly parted. A rose hue colored her skin and her breaths came in a soft, even rhythm. She had one of the quilts pulled over her body, but her bare shoulder peeked out from underneath the material.
How does she get more beautiful every time I see her?
He tugged off his clothes, careful to keep quiet. If he was going to wake her, then he’d bring her out of her sleep in a very special way.
Kneeling beside her, he touched her cheek with a gentle stroke of the back of his fingers. She moaned and stirred, then rolled over on her back. The tip of one breast slipped out from under the quilt.
His gaze fell on her, taking in the brown tint of her areola. Her nipple was already taut and he wondered if it was due to the chill or from his touch. She was the perfect size for him to cup in the palm of his hand. He could already feel the soft give of her skin as he squeezed it.
Would she get angry at him for watching her while she slept? Or would she get turned on?
If she woke up and wanted him to stop, would he have the strength to do as she asked? Or would his desire for her mixed with his inner wolf howling at him to take her be too much to resist?
Either way, he had to find out.
He leaned over and flicked the tip of his tongue over her nipple. She moaned and he paused, waiting to see if she’d open her eyes. When she didn’t, he did it again as he reached up and held her other nipple between his fingers. Her nipples hardened even more. His cock twitched to life, growing large in only a few seconds.
He sat back and removed his hand. He flattened his hands on his knees, keeping them there as a form of delicious torture. How much sweeter would it be to touch her after not doing so? But his resistance was too low to hold out for long.
Taking the hem of the quilt, he tugged it, bringing it down her flat stomach to stop at her waist. She was naked. At least from what he’d seen so far. Only then did he see a dress lying on a nearby quilt along with a pair of moccasins. He guessed that Lyra had brought her a fresh change of clothing and had more than likely taken her other clothes to wash for her. He reminded himself to thank Luke’s mate. Callie was a sexy sight in her jeans and T-shirt, but he’d bet she’d look even better in the simple dress. Just thinking about sliding his hand under the soft material and finding her without panties made his cock grow bigger.
She mumbled something under her breath that even his sensitive hearing couldn’t pick up. Then, to his delight, she kicked the quilt off.
Her beauty lay before him. Long, silky legs spread apart as she squirmed in her sleep. Her mons was covered with dark curly hair that led to the pretty folds of her skin. Moisture glistened there, beckoning to him to take a drink.