Hearts on Fire

by Serenity Snow

  “Your daughter doesn’t seem willing to at least allow my choice to win her heart,” Macon said as he glanced to his son. Marcus and the other sentinels of both packs had taken up residence on either side of the small room.

  “She’s shocked,” Joanna said, “but she’ll come around.”

  “Give me a few minutes,” Macon said. “I’d to confer with my mate.” He walked to the other side of the room to stand a short distance from Marcus. Joslyn watched as he punched a number into his cell phone and had a very quiet conversation.

  “Joslyn, this is for our pack’s protection,” Michael told her, stealing her attention from the alpha. She saw a vague resemblance to Cyanna in his face.

  “How?” she asked demurely.

  “If our packs aren’t allied, our enemies could turn them against us. They know our weaknesses and our strengths. They could destroy us. They’re more powerful.”

  She understood how that could be, yet she didn’t. “We’re wolves, too.”

  “They are more,” Michael said gently. “Cynogryphs. Half eagle and half wolf.”

  Awe rocked her. Cyanna wasn’t just a wolf. The cynogryphons were mythology. They were like the phoenix. They died and rose again from their ashes. They had healing powers. They were peaceful, loyal creatures. Once you had their alliance, they would never turn against you.

  “There are so many benefits to having them as allies, Joslyn,” Michael said. “I can’t make you do it, but if you refuse, well, you heard him.”

  It wasn’t fair.

  “If you’re certain she is your choice, Michael, then we shall accept her,” Macon said after rejoining them. “My mate suggests the two be introduced soon, but not here. She doesn’t want to cast a shadow on Mariana’s weekend. She seems to like your daughter.” He smiled. “Shall we join the party?”

  Joslyn was almost in trance when she stepped back out to the ballroom. She didn’t have a chance to even think about finding Cyanna and telling her about this. Her mother guided her to the family table, where she spent the evening surrounded by laughter .

  Her own heart shattered into a million pieces every time she looked into her sister’s sparkling eyes. It was so hard to keep from crying and at the end of dinner she bolted from the room heading for the bathroom.

  She sat on the toilet crying silently until she heard some women come in.

  “I heard a Gathering was being called,” one of them said.

  “I hope it’s not for an engagement,” the second muttered. “I want to mate, not be forced into an artificial union. That would be good for Joslyn and the other lesbians running around the pack.”

  “Joslyn, especially. Her father is a sentinel. How could she be so disrespectful? I heard she came with that woman your sister was talking to.”

  “She’s dressed like a butch,” she said. “I should have known. You know what? If they married those freaks off to men, then they could turn them straight. There’s nothing like a good piece to rock a girl’s world.”

  They both laughed and exited the bathroom after washing their hands. Joslyn got up. She wiped away a tear as anger cut through her. She had to find Cyanna and get out of here. They still had this weekend. She wanted to enjoy it.

  The light flickered off in the bathroom and she frowned as she opened the stall door. “Hello?” She stepped out into darkness, her eyes going nightglow. She made her way to the sink to clean her hands. There was a loud thump, and she jumped, jerking around.

  A stall slammed closed. “You brought that bitch with you even after I told you to get rid of her.” The voice was dark and mechanical.

  “Who is it?” She turned off the water and drew in a deep breath. Her sense filled with perfume, food and something almost wet-dog-like.

  “You belong to me, Joslyn. You know that.”

  “I don’t,” she muttered. “Neal, I swear if that is you, my pack will tear you apart for coming here.”

  There was a high, cartoon-like laugh. “No one can keep me from you unless they kill me,” the voice told her as she edged carefully toward the door. “If I can’t have you, Joslyn, I will kill you before I let someone else have you.”

  “No,” she screamed and bolted for the door.

  “Joslyn. I’m taking you with me tonight.”

  Her heart pumped harder as she heard the bang of the stall door behind her with her keen senses. Stepping out into the corridor, she was greeted by more darkness. She ran and stumbled over her own feet. She heard a growl that sounded more dog-like than wolf, and then she was taken to the ground.

  The heavy body pinned her, and she tried to pick up a scent so she could point her family in the right direction. “Jerk, get off me,” she said angrily a she struggled.

  “You’re mine,” he said in a low, menacing voice she didn’t recognize before he bit her.

  She screamed.

  “You bear my mark,” he said, and got to his feet and hauled her to hers. “We’re leaving.”

  “No!” she screamed again. She had no doubt if she let him get her out of here, she would never see her family again. She was a dead woman, because she would never give herself to him.

  She tried to pull free.

  “Don’t make me hurt you, Joslyn,” he said in that mechanical voice.

  “Let go.” She stomped on his foot and he held her fast with a grunt. She continued to struggle in frustration until he slammed her against a wall.

  “Behave, or I will knock you out,” he growled.

  Pressed against the wall, she tilted her head back, ready to let out a howl to call for pack.

  “Don’t think about it.” He pressed something against her back. “I will cut your throat. Won’t that mess up your sister’s wedding?” he asked in a mocking tone. “Would you want to be so selfish and do that, when all I want is to make you happy?”

  “Then, let me go,” she said in a pleading tone.

  “Let you go to her?” he asked coldly. “Not a fucking chance. Do you really think that fake dick she fucked you with the other night is going to keep you satisfied for long? And look at you. She can’t even protect you.”

  Joslyn elbowed him, and he gripped the back of her neck and jerked her back. His hold was bruising as he looked down in her eyes. “Women are the property of men, not other women, but I fully intend to show you that.”

  “You’re doing this to rape me?” she snapped, and his grip tightened.

  “Your body isn’t all I want from you, Joslyn,” he said softly. “Now, move.” He tugged her down the corridor. “The lights will be back on in a minute.”

  “Where are you going with my girl?”

  He swiveled them to face Cyanna and said in Joslyn’s ear, “Tell her to back off.”

  “Cyanna, I want to go with him,” she said.

  Cyanna’s eyes glowed brighter than theirs in the dark as she stalked toward them. “You want to leave me? What’s changed your mind?”

  “I—I just have.”

  “I don’t think so, baby.” She advanced on them. “Coward, let her go.”

  He growled at Cyanna. “She’s mine, butch,” he said.

  “You’re not getting out of here with her, so I guess that means you’re choosing death,” Cyanna retorted.

  “We’re almost there,” he said softly to Joslyn.

  “Her pack is already coming, and they’re going to tear you limb-from-limb while we watch,” Cyanna muttered, and then tilted her head back and let out a wolf howl.

  “Damn you,” he snarled, and Cyanna lunged for them. “We’re not done.” He shoved Joslyn at Cyanna.

  Joslyn let out a gasp as she slammed against Cyanna’s chest, and the momentum took them to the ground. He threw the knife he had at them and Cyanna rolled out of the way. The blade caught in the sleeve of her jacket, pinning her arm to the floor as he made his getaway.

  Chapter Ten

  Joslyn sat on Cyanna’s lap with her head on her shoulder after the alphas questioned her. She clung to her, still trembling as s
he thought about what had just happened. It seemed so unfair that her life had suddenly been thrown into turmoil without her permission.

  Macon stood at the door, watching his daughter smooth the hair of the attacked young woman. His mate had confirmed that Joslyn was the woman she’d met today. She’d also confirmed what the others and he himself had detected. The mating cycle had begun between his daughter and Joslyn Browning.

  Watching them, it seemed to him the Browning girl accepted her mate without compunction. Judging from the speed with which his daughter had left the room the moment the lights went out, he was certain there was emotion on both sides.

  “How are we going to handle it?” Michael asked. “This is my territory, but Joslyn is now part of yours.”

  She was indeed, and the attack would be avenged. “I think we should stick with the original statement for now. Have a team—one yours, and one mine, investigate, starting with this Neal character.”

  “Joslyn said he lives next door to her,” Michael murmured. “You don’t care, do you?”

  “About what?” Macon gave him a questioning look.

  “You don’t care if your daughter is gay?” he said as he watched Joslyn get to her feet.

  “Why should I? I can’t control her sexuality any more than I ever could have controlled her,” he answered. “My daughter has the scent of a future alpha, unlike either of my sons. She’s proven herself a strong defender, a fierce protector, an excellent businesswoman, a good heart, and she can make the hard decision when need be. All skills an alpha needs to lead her pack.”

  “Oh, fuck.” Michael turned away and Macon turned to see what had gotten him riled. Joslyn was behaving like any female with her mate. She was cuddling close, taking comfort from her. And they were kissing.

  “I’m sure you’ve seen that a million times,” Macon murmured.

  “Not with two freaking women,” he muttered, and stomped out of the room.

  “Dad, we’re leaving,” Cyanna said when they reached him.

  “Marcus will follow you,” he said.

  “I—”

  “He will follow you,” he said firmly, and Joslyn saw the muscle in Cyanna’s jaw jump. “Joslyn, it was nice meeting you this evening, but before you leave, I need the information on this Neal. We’re going to send a team to check him out.”

  She nodded. “It was nice meeting you, too.” She quickly looked away.

  “We’ll talk in the morning, Cyan,” Macon said. “I don’t want you on the investigating team. You’ll let Dash handle it. One of your brothers will work with him.”

  “Of course, Dad.”

  * * * *

  Joslyn was quiet on the short drive back. She stayed outside the room while Marcus checked inside. When he gave the all-clear, she went in, leaving Cyanna to talk to him.

  “I didn’t know you were the alpha’s daughter,” Joslyn said when Cyanna stepped into the bedroom five minutes later.

  Cyanna shrugged and began undressing. “I should have come after you. I’m sorry.”

  “You couldn’t,” Joslyn said, knowing Cyanna was talking about when she’d left the ballroom to cry in the bathroom. Michael had engaged Cyanna in conversation when Joslyn got up to leave.

  “I should have shaken him off.”

  “He was trying to keep you away from me,” Joslyn told her angrily. “My family can’t abide me being with a woman.”

  Mariana didn’t seem too happy, either.” Cyanna dropped onto the bed in her tank top and panties.

  “I don’t care what they want,” Joslyn said leaning toward her. “They can’t stop my feelings.”

  Cyanna pushed her hand into Joslyn’s hair and pulled Joslyn to her. “What are you feeling right now?”

  “I feel lucky to have you in my life.” She leaned down and her hair fell over Cyanna’s hand to form a curtain of shiny red-brown.

  “I’m the lucky one, Joss,” she said softly. “You’re smart and beautiful, and just thinking about you gets me high.”

  Joslyn smiled as she pushed her hair back. “You’ve been my addiction for months now,” she murmured.

  “You make me want more.” Cyanna pulled her down for a slow kiss and Joslyn relaxed into her soft curves and firm muscle. Hunger rose in her, swamping her with its intensity.

  Joslyn cupped Cyanna’s jaw as their tongues dueled, licked over each other. Her nipples were hard points poking against the T-shirt she’d pulled on over her panties. Her pussy dampened.

  Joslyn tore her mouth from Cyanna’s and nipped her bottom lip before trailing kisses along her collarbone as her deft fingers sneaked beneath. She pushed it up and lowered her head, and licked over one taut point, then said, “Damn, you taste good.” She licked the nearly identical twin, humming and stroked her thumbs over them.

  She straddled Cyanna and ground her clit against her hard cock. “Mmm,” she said softly. “I want you.”

  “I see.” Cyanna sat up and tugged Joslyn’s T-shirt over her head. She swirled her tongue around a rosy bud and sucked it into her hot mouth. Joslyn moaned.

  “Sex never felt so good with a man. It never tasted so good,” Joslyn said.

  Cyanna licked her other nipple, sucked it, and then dumped Joslyn onto the bed. She trailed kisses over her chest to her stomach and Joslyn arched against her.

  “Baby, take your shirt off. I want to see you,” she said huskily.

  Cyanna raised up long enough to tug her tank over her head and toss it aside. Joslyn’s hand stroked over her, cupped her breast.

  “You’re beautiful. I can’t imagine any woman not wanting you as bad as I do,” she said. Joslyn raked her nails down Cyanna’s back.

  Cyanna broke the kiss to pull Joslyn’s panties down. “Fuck.”

  “Forget it,” Joslyn said. “I want you like this.”

  “Are you sure? We have no idea if I can get you pregnant.”

  “I don’t care if you can,” she murmured. “I need you, Cy.” To make her point, she used her claws to shred Cyanna’s briefs before pulling the tatters aside. “Fuck me.”

  Cyanna didn’t argue. She guided the head of her cock to the entrance of Joslyn’s body and slowly pushed into the damp heat of her body. Joslyn moaned, as she braced her knees against the mattress.

  “Your pussy’s so slick,” Cyanna murmured in that low, sexy voice that made Joslyn wetter.

  “It’s what you do to me,” she said.

  Cyanna took her time filling her. Teeth gritted, she held back, and Joslyn petted her, urging her to go faster.

  “Behave,” Cyanna ordered as she gripped her lover’s hip.

  Joslyn tried to impale herself as hunger gripped her tight and she found herself face-down on the mattress. She gasped.

  “On your knees, girl,” Cyanna ordered. She dropped a heavy hand on Joslyn’s firm ass.

  Joslyn let out a cry. The sting over her flesh almost killed her arousal.

  “I said wait for it,” Cyanna said with a growl, and her hand fell heavy on her lover’s ass again. The next tap was harder, and drew a whimper from Joslyn. “I’ve been way too easy with you. Five more lashes, and from now on, you’ll get seven for disobedience, baby. Understood?”

  “Yes.”

  “Count ‘em like a good girl.”

  Tears filled her eyes as another tap landed the curve of her ass, and then another. “One. Two.”

  Her cheeks burned and her head hung in humiliation as she knelt on the bed.

  Another tap. It sounded loud as hand connected with flesh.

  “Three.” Four and five drew a cry from her. “Four. Five.”

  Cyanna lay on her back. “I’m in charge, Joss,” she said softly, “but since you’re in such a big hurry, go ahead. Show me how to give it to you next time.”

  Joslyn turned misty eyes to her. She saw heat and consternation in her lover’s face. She brushed her hair over one shoulder. The wolf didn’t hesitate, though the woman wanted to hold back. She crawled the short distance to Cyanna.

  �
�You think I don’t know how to ride a stud?” she teased demurely, keeping her eyes on the bridge of Cyanna’s nose.

  Cyanna laughed. “Show me, cowgirl.”

  Joslyn climbed onto her, knees on either side of Cyanna. She was angry with her, but the arousal was a firestorm simmering beneath the surface of her, eager to spread. She slid her hands down Cyanna’s chest, stroking her fingers over her nipples.

  “Mmm. Don’t tease me now.”

  Joslyn lifted and reached behind her to grasp her lover’s erect cock. She slowly slid down on it, allowing the thick shaft to penetrate her slowly. Her stomach tightened.

  “Gods, you feel so damn good,” Joslyn said thickly. She took Cyanna to her root and clenched her inner muscles around her.

  Cyanna gripped her hips and thrust up. Joslyn moaned.

  “That’s good pussy,” Cyanna said on a growl. “Fuck, baby.”

  Joslyn moved faster, throwing her head back as pleasure seized her. “Oh God!” She leaned forward, moving faster, each downward stroke hitting her clit just right now. “Fuck!” she cried. “Cy!”

  Cyanna flipped her back onto her back, pinned Joslyn to the bed and drove into her, hard and fast. Joslyn arched up to meet her thrusts.

  “Baby, you fuck me so good, I’m going to come so hard,” Joslyn said. Cyanna drove into her again and Joslyn screamed her release, even as Cyanna thrust into her tight pussy again and again before growling hard.

  “Oh my Gods. You’re going to kill me,” Joslyn said when her breathing was normal again. “I can’t get enough of you, Cy.”

  “The feeling is mutual.” Cyanna kissed her and moved between Joslyn’s legs. “Slower this time.”

  Joslyn laughed and stroked her hand down Cyanna’s back. She could do slow.

  Cyanna rocked against her. “Mmm. You could lead me around by the balls.”

  “I doubt that.” She let out a low moan.

  Cyanna moved onto her knees and moved in slow circles. Joslyn clutched at her, savoring the feel of her thick cock sliding inside her tight channel. She felt every vein and it made her pussy gush even more.