by Ava Walsh
It was torture to break from her, but he did, shaking his head. He couldn't do this if she wasn't going to be with him in the morning. "Mary, I'm so sorry."
Mary seemed to understand his need. She took a step back, her fingers running from his shoulder down his arm to rest on his wrist. Her hand felt so warm. Normally she was cool and he wanted to wrap himself around her to warm her up, but now it was the opposite. He was winter and she was the sun, bringing spring back into his soul.
"I'm sorry too. For telling you to go away."
Andre almost laughed. "Of course you are." He passed a hand over his face, the rigid scar on his cheek seeming like it stood out further than normal. "As if you have anything to be sorry for! The way I acted–it was inexcusable. I nearly…" The word got stuck in his throat. "I almost killed your sister for no reason other than she was your father's daughter."
He tried to pull away from her, but Mary held fast. "I know. But you didn't, and you're sorry. I love you, and I forgive you for this."
His jaw dropped. "But… how? Why? I don't deserve it!"
"Yes, you do." She stepped closer and ran her warm fingers over his face. "You were grieving and angry. And you were right. My father did burn down your cabin and slaughter your livestock. I understand why you were so angry."
Andre felt bitter rage well in his chest. That's not all he did. But he forced it down. He knew he had to tell Mary. And he would, but not now.
"You had no right to attack my sister," Mary continued, her voice soft. "But I can see the regret in your eyes as you're looking at me, and that's enough."
Andre clung to her, letting his head drop to her shoulder. "If you hadn't been there… Oh, God! Mary, I would have killed her. I would have killed an innocent girl. What sort of monster does that make me?"
"You don't know for certain you would have. You are not a monster." Her fingers combed through his hair. "But never again."
"I won't. Never. I am never going anywhere near your family again. You are more important than any revenge I desire. I will leave the Americas if I have to." His voice was firm, his resolve absolute.
Mary's hands cupped his face and tilted his head back so she could look at him. Her mesmerizing green eyes glowed with joy. "And I will go with you."
"I love you."
Andre lowered his mouth to hers. His lips tingled and that deep call for her awakened again. She forgave him. He could hardly believe it, and yet as he walked her backward to the bed, he believed everything. Everything was right once more. She was in his arms again.
***
She felt her soul grasping for his, the rush of emotion, the need for him, the need for his love. But she did not expect how powerful it would be. Every time they made love, she felt her soul reaching for his. Now she felt his reaching back. Fireworks went off under her skin wherever it touched his.
Her fingers found the buttons on his shirt and she touched each one of them before her hands returned to his face, pulling him closer. Her legs bumped the bed and she gladly pulled him over her as he laid her down. Loving the weight of him, the solidness of him, she wrapped her arms and legs around him. His mouth went to her neck causing explosions of heat wherever it went. Mary gasped, closing her eyes as she tangled her fingers into his hair.
"I am yours," she moaned, pressing herself tighter against him. "No matter what happens. Andre! I am yours."
He pulled back, and Mary blinked, confused for a moment from the sudden coldness that rushed her skin where he had been a moment ago.
"You mean that, don't you?" His black eyes were wide, wondering, as his fingertips pressed against her lips. She kissed them, loving the rough callouses that proved just how hard he worked. "You really are… mine. And I am your soulmate."
Mary caught his hand and pressed her lips to his palm and wrist. "My one and only."
Andre panted a moment and slowly, deliberately, sat back and rolled off her. Mary pushed herself to her elbows, shivering, brows making a V. She wanted to ask what was wrong but sensed that she needed to let him work through whatever it was he was thinking. The silence stretched, heavy with tension and longing.
Eventually, he looked back at her. "I'm afraid that's the only reason you forgave me."
Mary shook her head. "I considered that as well. But I don't think it is. I think I would even forgive my father for all those years of everything I'm angry at him for if only he was truly sorry. I have never even heard him apologize. I know I could never forgive you if you didn’t regret your actions. But you do."
To her surprise, tears filled his eyes. Her hand pressed to his cheek, against the scar that curved like a bass clef. "Mary… you've saved me."
She smiled, a little confused, but when he leaned forward again, she didn't press. She didn’t want any more talk. She wanted to show him just how much she loved him, just how much she cared. His arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her up so they were knee-to-knee on the bed. It always amazed her how strong he was, how she felt so light and weightless when his massive arms were so tight, yet so gentle around her.
"Be still," she whispered, and he obediently let her move her hands to his lap.
Mary met his gaze reaching for the first button on his shirt. She held his gaze for as long as she could as she slowly pressed a kiss to the smooth, tanned skin there, and then where the second button released.
***
"Let me touch you," he moaned.
"Touch me then," she whispered back.
His hands, cool at first but warming quickly, found her hips and ran up the length of her spine. First over her shirt, then under. Mary's Wolf sang with triumph, howling praises to the moon as jolts of electricity ran from his fingertips into her core. Skin tightened where his touch passed. His smooth skin under her lips tasted of pine and wood smoke. She leaned against his chest, raising her face to his again.
Moans intermingled as a cool rush of air was followed by his soft, warm touch as he removed her shirt. His gaze on her body was as erotic as a physical touch. Pupils dilated with desire. Bodies shifted, pressed together. Clothing was shed and suddenly her knee was bent over his hip. He was laying her down, mouth on her neck, moving lower.
The gasp of his hot breath on her breasts filled her with a deep ache as her nails dug into his shoulders. She wanted to be closer, ever closer until she didn't know where she stopped and he began.
Blood surged as his fingers ran down her stomach, breasts undulating in unison. Fire flared deep inside Mary as those fingers found their mark and a surge of pleasure coursed through her body, puddling in her belly and shooting up her legs.
"Never let me go," she gasped.
He hummed, his chest vibrating as though he was purring and she realized–it was his Bear. Her Wolf met the Bear and melded together as bodies became one, twining together, heart to heart, palms pressed together. Power coursed between them, their rhythms matched. As one, they tumbled off the edge into a writhing, seething ocean of passion and love.
Mary would have happily drowned forever, but all things end, and so too did this. But the feeling of completeness, of souls bound together, did not cease with the rest of it.
She rested her head on his chest, listening to the strong, steady thumping of his heart, and smiled. For just this moment, all was right in the world.
"Never let me go," Andre murmured, stroking her hair. "Please."
"Never," she promised, pressing herself closer to him. "You are mine, Andre Mitchel and I am yours. Forever."
Chapter Nine
Andre smiled happily as Mary's hand slipped into his as they waited for Zoe.
They had been nervous that Paul Locke might find out where Mary went. So the two of them took his truck and headed north, finding a little campground well off the main road to spend their nights hidden from the world while they waited for Zoe to arrange things for their escape from the United States. They slept every night in the back of the truck under the sky. Andre had missed the stars while he was in that cramped motel ro
om.
"She'll really be able to get us to the UK?" Mary asked, leaning into his side. "Even though I don't have a passport? I don't even know if I have a birth certificate."
Andre nodded and pressed his lips to her glossy black hair. "She assured me that she's done this hundreds of times for Bears. Just because you're a Wolf doesn't make the process any different."
Mary smiled up at him. He held her even tighter, afraid that if he let go he might wake up and find it was all a dream. There was a pang in his stomach at the thought of never being able to visit Isadore and Eve's graves again. He would miss them forever. His love for Mary did not make the missing or his love for them go away. But she filled the hole in his heart, giving him a hope for the future he never dreamed of having again.
"Eleven thirty," Mary muttered, looking at the sun. "That's about right, isn't it?"
Andre glanced at his watch. "Close."
Mary slid a hand up the side of his face and grasped his earlobe between her thumb and forefinger. She rubbed gently, standing on her tiptoes. "She is supposed to get here at noon, right? That gives us half an hour…"
But even as Andre bent to acquiesce, the soft purr of a vehicle interrupted them. Both glanced at the narrow road that twisted between the pine and spruce trees up the side of the mountain. Moments later, Zoe appeared in a sleek two-door Chevrolet. She pulled to a stop and got out, eyeing Mary with obvious interest. Andre glanced at Mary, whose jaw dropped at the sight of the other Bear.
"You didn't tell me she was gorgeous," Mary murmured to him. "She looks like Aphrodite! Are all Bears insanely beautiful?"
Andre chuckled. "I suppose that depends on how one defines beauty."
Mary shot him an annoyed look, but by that time Zoe had joined them and Mary fell silent.
"So this is your Wolf then?" Zoe cocked her head as she studied Mary. "I expected her to be… I don't know."
Mary's face flushed red. She glared at Zoe, as did Andre. He didn't need this other Bear making Mary feel insignificant or whatever else Zoe was trying to do. The other Bear seemed oblivious to both of the dark looks she was getting, however, and continued to openly appraise the Wolf's appearance.
"I've met other Wolves," she said after a moment. "But they were all short, scrawny things that looked like they hadn't eaten a meal in weeks. I suppose I wasn't expecting a Wolf that looked so healthy."
Mary continued to glare. Andre frowned but decided to take Zoe's words at face value. They didn't really have time to debate such things right now, anyway. He cleared his throat, bringing the other Bear's attention back to him.
"Do you have our papers?"
"I have the information that will get you to the next stop." Zoe glanced again at Mary. "It seems like your family has gained quite a reputation among Bears. You'll understand that we don't want to take any risks by trusting you too quickly."
"Reputation?" Mary's brow furrowed. "What sort of reputation?"
"That's not important," Andre said quickly. What else had the Locke family done? He hadn't even heard of them before Paul Locke murdered Isadore and Eve. But they must have done even more than that if Zoe knew their name. His blood ran cold. How many others had Paul Locke killed?
"But—"
"I'll tell you later, Mary." Andre squeezed her hand and addressed Zoe again. "The important thing right now is that we get as far away from them as possible."
Zoe nodded. "The papers are on the passenger seat."
She pointed at her car. Andre stared at her and she stared back. He frowned.
"Why didn't you just bring them with you?"
Zoe shrugged. "I want to talk with Mary myself for a moment."
Andre's frown deepened. He opened his mouth to protest, but Mary put a hand on his shoulder. She smiled encouragingly at him and nodded, indicating that she was okay. He pressed his lips together and reluctantly left the two women to talk. The car was parked just far enough to be out of casual earshot. What did Zoe want to talk to her about?
***
Mary had to admit she felt quite intimidated by this she-Bear who was so beautiful. Worse, the way she looked at Andre was the same way that her three-year-old brothers had looked at cookies. Like she wanted to devour him from head to toe. It occurred to her that she had been out of Andre's life for two months. From his own admittance, he tried to forget about her, to put a safe distance between the two of them.
He also told her that he met Zoe in a strip club.
"So—" Zoe started.
"Did anything happen between the two of you?" Mary surprised herself by asking. Also, to her surprise, she sounded more curious than anything else. "Sexually, I mean."
"Would you be jealous if something had?"
Mary tilted her head, brows furrowing. "I don't know. I would, probably, be at least a little jealous. It's hard to say until you actually know about that sort of thing, isn't it? I've never been in a position where I can be jealous of another woman when it comes to a man."
Zoe laughed, shaking her head incredulously. "Are you for real, or is that some sort of Wolf polygamy thing?"
"We're not polygamous," Mary replied sharply. Her eyes narrowed and she put her hands on her hips. "Wolves mate for life. That means there is only one woman for a man and one man for a woman. Having multiple lovers is unnatural and… strange."
"What if it's a soulmate threesome? And what about if a man's soulmate is another man? You guys don't seem like you'd be very open to that."
Mary flushed. Such things were never talked of in her community. She looked at the ground and cleared her throat. "You didn't answer my question. And I suppose… well, if he was feeling anything like I was feeling without him, no. I wouldn't blame him for seeking out any sort of comfort he could get."
Zoe raised a brow. "No. Nothing happened between us. But that is not why I wanted to talk to you. My contacts are very cautious about trusting a Locke. Werewolves, in general, don't have the best of reputations and your family has one even worse than most. But my question is, would it be possible for you, sometime in the future, to facilitate negotiations between your community and the larger Shifter communities of the world? We are coming to a time where we need to work together."
"You want to work with my family?" Mary bit her lip. "I'm not sure that would be possible. My father always taught my brothers and sisters and me that Bears are heartless killers. It will take far more than me to get them to see the truth."
"I see. Are you saying that there is no hope for it then?"
"I don't know. My brother, Peter, he will be able to do more than I could. He's the one who helped me get back to Andre. I think he understands."
Zoe looked disappointed, but she nodded. "We'll start with—"
The rest of her words were swallowed up by the crack of a gunshot.
Mary heard a sharp whistling and then a thump. As she turned, she was aware of something wet and warm on her face. Zoe's eyes were wide. She crumpled slowly, as though sinking in water, knees buckling beneath her. She fell back against the truck and a streak of red ran down the red door. A small hole, perfectly round, burrowed in her forehead. A trickle of blood ran from it.
The Bear was on the ground before Mary realized she was dead. A scream choked in her throat and it was only the sound of Andre's roar that broke her gaze away. Her eyes went to his instantly, and then followed his gaze to a figure standing on a small swell right in the trees.
Her heart stopped. Her father held a gun in his hands. Dimly, Mary saw it wasn't one of the family hunting rifles.
It was pointed right at Andre.
*****
TO BE CONTINUED
Continue to follow Mary and Andre in “Werewolf’s Choice (Shades of Werewolf Series Book 3)”
Bonus Book 3: Werewolf's Choice (Shades of Werewolf Series Book 3)
By: T.S. Ryder
Description
Hunted by her family, a curvy Wolf and her Bear lover need to make a choice. Will he finally tell her his dark secret?
Mary Locke never thought she would have to kill for love. She had never thought that her soulmate would be a Bear, an enemy to her family of Wolves.
When Andre, her soulmate, is threatened by her father, she makes the only choice available to her. Now, with her family hunting them, wanting revenge on Andre, she realizes that she must make another choice to keep her soulmate safe–one that might separate her and Andre forever.
Andre Mitchel never believed he would find love again after the deaths of his wife and daughter, Isadore and Eve. But then he met Mary, and his broken heart healed.
Now all he desires is to protect her, and so he keeps a dark secret that he knows she must know, but one that he never wants her to find out.
When it's too late to take back choices, will they have the strength to face the consequences?
Chapter One
The crack of a gunshot rang in his ears.
Andre Mitchel's head jerked up, adrenaline coursing through his veins. His eyes immediately sought out Mary. She stood by the truck, mouth open and eyes wide as the woman beside her, Zoe, crumpled, blood trickling from the bullet hole in her forehead.
His Bear cried out to see another of his kind die. He started forward before he even saw the man with the gun. The papers in his hands were suddenly too heavy to hold. They fluttered to the ground.
Paul Locke stood on a swell between two trees. His gun was still aimed at the truck.
Mary.
Andre roared again, leaping forward. Anger and fear mingled hot in his chest and he raced forward, embracing his Bear as he did.
The gun swung around to point at him.
Crack!
Fiery pain bit through his shoulder. The impact of the slug blasted him off course, sending him spinning. His head hit the ground, and he felt his Bear retreating even as he struggled to call it forth. Panic grasped at his heart but he forced himself upright again, beginning his charge again. He could not let Locke hurt Mary.