Mated (Dark Ties Book 2)

by A. Vers

  “T.”

  I look around him. “Nisha?”

  He grimaces. “Fucking wolf had me cornered.” His shirt is in ribbons, his jeans are in worse shape, and his blood fragrances the air. “But Caine was with her.”

  “And yet that does not make me feel any fucking better,” I say, loping off.

  His chuckle follows me easily back into the brush.

  I tilt my head, scenting the air for any trace of Nisha or Caine’s scent. The warm breeze shifts through the trees, bringing with it fresh turned earth, decaying leaves, and a hint of brimstone.

  My lips curve and I break into a run.

  Soon, the distinct sounds of fighting reach my ears. My head cants and I run faster as a masculine shout is rapidly choked off.

  “Gage,” I call over my shoulder, knowing the Fae warrior is keeping pace.

  “Caine,” he calls back, projecting his voice even as I continue to sort through every trace fragrance on the air.

  “T.”

  My head whips over as the demon hobbles from between two trees. One hand is tight to his bleeding side, and his mouth is white with pain.

  “Nisha?” I demand.

  He points.

  I turn my head and take in the brush to the west. Toward the edge of Silver Rock land.

  Glancing back, Gage waves me off. “You can catch her faster without waiting on both of us. Go. I got Caine.”

  “My family’s property is less than a mile from here through those trees and over the creek,” I say fast. “The Pack won’t cross.”

  The Fae male gives me a sharp nod. “Go, T. We’re right behind you.”

  I let the changing mist swirl around me, giving myself over to the cat pawing at my insides. Dark fur sprouts from my body, but I’m already leaping over the forest floor to come down on four paws.

  The world turns grey and green around me. But Nisha’s scent is stronger too, giving me a trace of soot and something so damn delectable it wraps around the cat’s mind like a fog. My member grows heavy, painful between my legs.

  Fuck.

  Heat. Nisha’s in heat.

  My jaws open and the sound that pours from me is all roar as I sprint into the trees.

  Chapter 30

  Nisha

  My lungs heave and every step shoots up through my legs with a painful ache. But the sounds of followers have faded, and only the babble of a nearby creek filters past the blood roaring in my ears. I slow to a stop and look around, panting.

  The trees are just more dark blobs. There is nothing different about this section of land. No way to mark how far I have run, how far back I left Caine.

  I lean back, opening my airway as I try to calm my breathing.

  Something snaps off to my left. I whirl, expecting Caine to stalk through the brush.

  Instead, a pair of glowing yellow eyes are locked on me from much lower than the demon’s should be.

  I step back, pulse thundering in my veins. “If I say no, will you listen?”

  A low growl spills from the brush in answer and a massive chocolate brown wolf presses forward.

  The beast is hip high on me, and longer than Tanner is tall. Its maw opens, flashing long white teeth. My foot slips back. A dark blur slams into its side, and the two shapes roll over the earthen litter.

  The wolf comes up first, and I stare in shock at a head of familiar dark hair. Callus peers over his shoulder at me as he crouches in the wolf’s path. His eyes are solid gold and glowing softly. “Cross the creek.”

  I gape. “What?”

  “The creek is the edge of Silver Rock land. Cross the creek and they will stop chasing you.”

  I stare at him, teetering between listening and unsure why I should.

  The wolf stalks just past him, the animal pacing in a loose loop of agitation. It snarls low and long but seems unwilling to get closer thanks to Callus.

  “Nisha, cross the gods-damn creek,” Callus snaps.

  I turn on my heel and scramble down into the cool water. It soaks the lower half of my legs, leaving pine needles and dirt clinging to my skin as I climb up the other side.

  The wolf howls and the cadence raises every hair on my body. But it gives Callus one gnashed snap of its teeth and dives back into the trees.

  Callus slowly rises from his crouch, his body clad still in only the cut off jeans from earlier. He runs a hand through his dark hair. “You’re in heat,” he says, his tone almost conversational.

  My face flames. “What?”

  “It’s why the pack is in a frenzy. Your human fertility cycle is triggering your first heat.” He turns finally, his glowing eyes bright and his jaw tight. “If I had known, I would not have allowed you to run.”

  My arms cross over my chest. “It’s not like I’m doing this on purpose.”

  “I know that, but no female shifter runs during her heat. It causes too much chaos. Bloodshed.” He peers around. “Where is your shadow?”

  “Caine?”

  He nods.

  “Fell behind,” I say coolly. “He was taking care of a cat.”

  Callus exhales. “Well, you’re free to make your way back to the cars. Just follow the creek bed out.” He turns on his heel and starts off.

  “Callus.”

  His head pivots.

  “Thank you,” I say. “For helping me.”

  His nod is brief. “Go, Nisha.” With that he slips into the trees and I never hear him make a sound.

  ***

  The walk to the cars is uneventful. Callus was right. Despite several of the beasts coming to the edge of the creek bed, they never climb down into the water. But they do pace the edge for long moments, their glowing eyes tracking every move I make.

  Despite the heat still in my veins, my body does not shift. Nor is there another sign of the dark mist. A part of me wonders if I will be stuck with the heat and the pressure forever.

  But Callus’ words keep filtering back to me too.

  I’m in heat.

  I had a cat once that went into heat before we had her fixed. Watching her roll and yowl continuously is forever ingrained in my head.

  Is that what I will do? Is that what it means for a shifter to be in heat?

  Somehow, I can’t quite wrap my mind around that, but the sudden increase in sexual frustration is still there. Even now, my skin feels too tight. Too hot. Everything aches like having a low grade fever and the pain between my legs is worst of all.

  My body is swollen and too slick, and every step I take seems to add to the need.

  No wonder my poor cat cried so much.

  I push through a small bunch of evergreens and come out on the edge of Silver Rock land. The open field is visible and so is the car lot. I take a step and something snags the back of my dress.

  I whirl, slipping on the leaves to fall on my ass just inside the tree line.

  A massive black cat stares down at me, its silver eyes brighter than even the moon above.

  “Tanner?” My voice comes out breathless, but sure. I would know those eyes anywhere.

  The big cat inhales near my skin and his eyes glow like twin beacons. The heat pouring from him is balmy. It’s like the thickest blanket. Or a fire. He looks from me to the distant field and back, head cocked.

  “Callus told me to leave,” I say softly. His lips pull back to show long white teeth. I shiver. “I’m in heat, he said. I was causing chaos or something.”

  A low rumble pours from his body, and my eyes flutter at the sound. “Don’t do that,” I admonish, shoving at him.

  He nudges me with his big head, and his fur is coarse but surprisingly soft as it brushes my bare arm. I dip my fingers into the midnight expanse, gripping and pulling lightly. He sags over my legs.

  I can’t help but smirk. “You’re like a giant house cat, aren’t you?”

  He licks up my neck in answer, his sandpaper tongue rough.

  “Eww,” I laugh and shove him away again. “Cat drool.”

  If it was possible for a pan
ther to roll its eyes, I have a feeling Tanner would. But instead, he takes his big head and nudges me until I rise to my feet.

  We walk out into the field and I wait for him to change back. When he doesn’t, I frown.

  “Any particular reason why you’re staying in cat form?” I ask.

  He peers up at me, his eyes vibrant before glancing back at the tree line. I follow his line of sight and find a handful of glowing eyes staring back.

  “Oh,” I mutter.

  No doubt the others have no qualms about coming after me in the field too. My face scalds.

  My supposed heat is why the others are acting crazy. But Tanner is not. He stalks calmly at my side like some enormous panther bodyguard, alighting one paw in front of the other like we are on a casual evening stroll.

  I bite my lip.

  Callus made it seem like the shifters were dying for a piece of me. But he was calmer too. He walked away without looking back.

  Is that an alpha thing? Or despite all their posturizing, does neither alpha male want me in that way?

  I wrap my arms around my waist as we near the parking lot.

  Tanner walks right up to my Jeep and waits.

  I open the back door and he hops in. Even more confused than before, I slip behind the driver’s seat and start the car. I peer at him in the rearview.

  He sits up in the backseat, his head hunched to keep from brushing the ceiling. But there is no dark mist. No sign of the man.

  Just the cat.

  Frowning, I put the car into reverse and start the drive back to the campground. I peer at him again. “Will Caine and Gage be okay?”

  His silver eyes meet mine. But there is no other response.

  “You know carrying on a conversation is easier when you’re human?”

  He gives a wide yawn, flashing long white teeth.

  I go back to scowling out the front window. I am pulling into the campground turnaround when there is a slight pop from behind me. I start to glance back again.

  “Don’t.” Tanner’s voice is deeper than normal. Rasping almost. “Park and go inside your cabin.”

  My body dampens more at his husky tone. “Why?”

  “Because I told you to, Nisha.”

  A touch of anger sparks through me, and I slam on the brakes and put the car in park. “I’m not good at taking orders, Tanner,” I snap, starting to turn around to glower at him. “Especially not from guys that don’t write my paycheck.” Long hot fingers slip into my hair and a wash of spice fills my nose.

  My head is kept forward by his strong hand. “You have done nothing but argue with me from the beginning, woman,” he says, his tone brokering no room for argument this time. “Tonight you ran from me and left me chasing your sweet little ass all over Silver Rock.” My eyes widen and my breathing picks up. “You will go inside. You will close the fucking door, and you will not let anyone else in. Do you understand?”

  The thrum of my heart skips a beat. “Where will you be?”

  He growls, and the sound is even sexier in human form. “On your fucking front porch until I know the others aren’t stupid enough to cross off Silver Rock.” His hand tightens for a moment before he releases me. “Now go inside.”

  I inhale his spicy fragrance. My insides shiver and between my legs throbs. But I climb from the car like a robot and shut the door. Every step quickens my breathing as his near silent footfalls follow me.

  I climb onto the low porch and open the door. I get a glimpse of tattooed arm and chest before he snares the knob and pulls the panel closed behind me.

  His shadow paces across the porch, back and forth, back and forth.

  My insides heat at the flash of nude hip that is visible between the curtain panels.

  Oh god.

  I stand rooted to the floor, wanting to peer through the gossamer fabric and knowing that if I do, I’ll wrench open the door and haul him inside.

  Backing up slowly, I make my way into the bathroom and turn on the shower. Cold water splashes into the porcelain tub. I quickly undress and climb under the spray. My teeth grit but that golden expanse of skin keeps flashing through my mind until the heat in my body should make the water steam.

  I wash carefully. But every glide of my soap covered hand is a new taste of erotic torture. The bubbles slip down my belly and I gingerly clean between my thighs. The first brush of my fingers over my clit sends me sagging into the shower wall as pleasure arcs through me.

  My teeth grit. I rinse fast and climb dripping from the shower.

  Uncaring about drying off, I stalk into the main room and stand before the air conditioner, praying for relief where the shower failed. The cold air peaks my nipples into hard points. I moan.

  The agitated pacing on the front porch stops.

  My lips clamp tight as my eyes track over Tanner’s still silhouette. In the lights outside, his head is turned toward me, and I know his keen silver eyes can see me through the window. My heart slams into my ribs over and over. I tremble.

  But deep in the center of my body, that wash of heat winds tighter. I grab my hard nipples between my fingers and pinch. Desire rockets through me and my knees try to buckle. He shifts across from me, his eyes glowing brighter.

  I knead my breasts, palming the heavier weight in each hand. My thumbs scrub over my nipples and I let out a breathy groan.

  “This would feel so much better if it was your hands,” I whisper, knowing he can hear me. I run one palm down my stomach but stop just shy of my weeping flesh. “It almost hurts, did you know that? How much I want to be filled. To be touched.”

  His shoulders rise and fall rapidly in the window.

  “I’m soaked and aching. God at the ache.” I slip one finger into my wet folds and cry out.

  The door crashes open and Tanner stands framed in the doorway.

  He’s completely nude and his body is harder than stone. The near purpling head of his cock rests beside his belly button, the whole long, thick length bobbing with each erratic breath.

  And the way he watches me says quite clearly that the man is gone and the predator is all that remains.

  Chapter 31

  Nisha

  “Remove your hand,” Tanner snarls.

  I shiver. “Why?”

  “Do it, Nisha.”

  I slowly force both hands to my sides as he closes the door behind him.

  “Get on the fucking bed.” Every command is harsh, demanding.

  My legs tremble but I walk over to the mattress and start to lay down.

  “On all fours.”

  I go rigid.

  “Now,” he barks.

  Shivering uncontrollably, I go to my knees and slowly lower myself until my ass is in the air.

  The motion is vulnerable for me. And it is not one of my favorite positions. I’m on full display for him, my back arched like a dog begging to be taken.

  And in a way, I am.

  I have never wanted a man as much as I want Tanner right now.

  There is no sound from him. No footsteps over the carpet. No panting breath. Calloused hands flow over my backside and my body clenches on a wave of need.

  My eyes close tight and I bite my lip hard to keep from begging in truth.

  “Lay your head down on the mattress,” he says, his tone softer as his hands continue their silken exploration of my ass.

  I press my cheek to the bedspread, forcing my rear higher in the air.

  His hands squeeze into my backside. Then the pressure releases and his palm slams onto my ass cheek in a stinging blow. I jolt, a sound of surprise ripping from my lips. I barely have time to register the small pain before he does it again.

  I jerk and cry out. But that one did not hurt.

  The echoing slap stings, but the pain only makes my body weep more. I arch backward, seeking his palm.

  He smacks my tail again and my core clenches and tingles. I groan at the reality that he could make me orgasm merely by spanking me right now.

  Maybe he knows
it too because his hands go back to kneading me. Each long finger flexes into my flesh. My hips gyrate, trying to push him where I need him.

  “Still,” he commands as the bed dips behind me. There is an echo to his voice now, and as I inhale, the delectable spice fragrance of his skin is all I can smell.

  But I stop moving.

  One long finger ghosts down the seam of my ass. I whimper. “Please, Tanner.”

  He growls. “What do you want, Nisha?” he asks, his heat washing over my back. His smooth chest scrubs against me and the weight of his cock settles over my backside.

  The heat inside his member nearly makes me black out.

  It’s like scalding velvet. Hotter than any male I have ever felt.

  I rub my ass over him. “I want you inside me. Please.”

  He grips my hips, halting me. “Do you?” There is almost a teasing note to his voice. A playful lilt.

  I try to peer over my shoulder, to look back at him.

  But his seeking finger rubs along my slit and I moan.

  His hiss is all cat. “Fuck, woman,” he growls. I can only close my eyes in bliss as he works that long digit through my soaked folds. “You’re so fucking wet.”

  “Tried … to tell … you,” I pant as he slides his finger into my core.

  “You’re fucking hot as hell too,” he murmurs, his rasping tone diving deep into my body as his finger does the same.

  “More,” I demand, arching back into him. “Please.”

  He works me slowly, adding a second digit and stretching my sheath. Every pump of his hand spirals the need higher, building it in a pink and white wash of light behind my closed lids.

  Then the pressure is gone and I can’t stop my sob. “Tanner.”

  He grips my ass in both hands and something wet plays over my body. My eyes fly wide.

  His tongue tastes and sucks at me until I am grinding my hips into his face. The low rumble that pours from him is all primal male. “Fucking like nectar on my tongue,” he croons, nuzzling over my nether lips. His tongue finds my clit and I scream.

  The engorged nub is so hard every pass of his wet mouth has me clenching.