by Talyn Scott
“You cramping?”
“How do you know so much about this?” She asked hotly. “You’re embarrassing me.”
“Ah, embarrassed for no reason, my sweet Were, since you are incredible down here,” he murmured, staring openly while gliding over her sex with the back of his knuckles – clit to ass.
Spread and totally bare, things were taking a serious turn. “Blade, not now,” she clarified, “even if I wanted to, it’s dangerous. They’ll come back, and your cover will be blown.”
“Please don’t say blown.”
He didn't take his eyes off her, sliding them across her bare flesh, overlooking nothing and smiling in a dangerously wolfish way. Rebecca was considered a full-figured gal in the Were world, humans would say plus size. Her hips were a bit wide, and her stomach wasn’t anywhere close to being flat. And her boobs took up another realm without standing to attention. So…Yup, she definitely wanted to be naked in front of Blade: A Were cast for youthful male perfection.
Blade went on, “I’ve always wanted to get you naked, Becca. Obviously, you know that, but my imaginations are a clear disillusionment compared to your exquisite reality.” Placing his solid hand over hers, he loosened a death grip she’d unconsciously placed at her breasts, finger by finger. A growing tongue dipped between those fingers, curling around each one before he nipped the tips with half-erupted canines, and then fully retracted them.
Only then did Rebecca barely relax, knowing he wouldn’t unjustly mark her. You never knew with a big horny male, she thought. And she’d at no time had sex with a Were. Her brother, Bren, always warned her that unmated males easily went feral as they tried to get to unmatched females in heat. So she knew the logic behind Blade’s earlier words. He could settle her body down, holding her heat back for days, by making her climax. Unfortunately, it took a male’s pheromones mixing with hers to do it. In other words, she couldn’t masturbate and reach the necessary calming effect on her own.
A slow wet finger wandered down her throat. She shamelessly arched into it as it traveled between her breasts, furthering down, stopping at her navel where it twisted slightly. All the while, soft tender kisses stirred under her ear, quickly reaching the corner of her mouth. Gently skimming his tongue over her bottom lip, Blade sought quiet permission. A concession he gave her, no doubt, even though his werewolf must be rattling its cage to ravish.
They both knew her control was shattering.
“Blade?” she questioned, huskily.
“Yeah?” he whispered over her lips, not letting her finish. A thickly warm tongue slipped inside, exploring ruthlessly fast, pushing the roof of her mouth before pulling back in a gentle good-bye. Soft playful kisses landed under her bottom lip, over her chin. Expertly sliding his tongue down her throat, he lapped and drew an artery close to the surface where he nibbled without biting through. A few more inches had Blade’s tongue flicking a nipple while worrying the opposite one between his finger and thumb, pulling them roughly toward the ceiling before soothing both with the heel of his hand and long leisurely licks. Enthralled with the sight of her reddened nipples, he gazed in awe. “You’re a voluptuous fantasy, sweet Becca.”
“You mean huge,” she countered. Her breathing picked up and sweat dotted her forehead.
“Curvaceous females are real females, baby,” he purred. “Now, if we’re referring to my cock, then we’d say huge.” Blade’s gentle laughter accompanied with assuasive praise flowed through Rebecca’s body, settling her nerves.
Out of nowhere, he pinched her clit.
With a startled gasp, she thrust her hips, seeking his skilled hand. He obliged. Driving two fingers to the top, he knew exactly where her spot was – as if he’d been there many times before. Three more thrusts with an erotic whirl of his wrist and her release slammed her, flowing freely between her thighs. In that moment, when reality blurred with ecstasy, she thought she wanted Blade forever.
Shaking her head no to that thought, her heart pounded its rebuttal, threatening to explode with its next beat. Ragged breaths shredded her lungs and the world tilted without any go ahead from her…and stayed that way.
Something sizzled.
Fraying her mind, it burned under skin, pulsating with its own need, threatening her existence, yet promising everything if she claimed it as her own.
Claim what?
Over her, Blade stilled before he trembled. Releasing her sex, his head stayed down but his eyes reached hers.
…And blinked.
…And flashed.
…And enflamed with knowing possession.
A beast’s demand left his mouth.
“MINE!”
His right to claim.
A flash of time had her out of the bath and pushed under the steaming shower. After steadying her, Blade quickly stepped back. Wet clothes smacked the tile where he willed them from his body.
Wiping the water from her eyes, Rebecca pushed away her soaked hair. Astonished, the life she thought mercilessly turned upside down was now spinning back to her with escalating momentum toward something restored. Her soul eased by its proximity to Blade. All of a sudden, she knew what she’d been living for. “What do we do?” She asked the most beautiful male body imaginable.
Head tipped downward with clawed hands sinking into the outsized shower wall; Blade watched the water circle the drain. “You stay there while I settle down,” he ordered in a voice thickly guttural. She suspected that his canines were fully erupted, but his body hadn’t nearly hit mid-transformation. He looked like he was thinking about it though. At the moment, he appeared to be in an internal war with his beast.
She knew what was happening. Sure, their lives had definitely changed. But his role as her savior drastically changed. Creatures were threatening his newfound mate. And Blade’s tension neared violence, seizing every cell in his colossal body and threatening the very lives of those that threatened hers.
Her protector.
It was no secret what Blade was thinking. He had to see to her safety long before the act of sexual claiming was considered. “You’re doing well as far as calm goes,” she commended, rubbing the back of her neck. “Better than my brother used to when I stayed out all night partying with Renee, he turned evil when that happened,” she joked, wondering when he would look at her again. Rebecca wasn’t quite as embarrassed about her nudity anymore, wondering how that happened in seconds. The celestial power, she assumed.
“Are your cramping since you came?” This voice belonged solely to the werewolf.
“No,” she answered, hesitantly reaching for the shampoo. “I don’t feel anything, why?”
“Our lives,” he started and stopped, clearly rethinking it. “You belong to me and I won’t take you in Ciaran’s shower. My,” he groaned, gritting his teeth from strain, “mate deserves better than that, and our enemies shouldn’t scent or see my mark on you until you’re safely away from here.” Taking deep and long breaths, his voice sounded more like Blade’s when he promised, “Our first time together will be special. I’ll make it good for you, kay?”
That wasn’t what she wanted to hear. She wanted him now.
“You will answer me.” Staring over his shoulder, his eyes finally touched hers.
“Okay,” she said, somewhat surprised by his tone, yet disappointed in not physically experiencing the power that wielded it. What would it feel like to have all that volatile emotion wrapped in that hard body around her, inside her? “So you were never going to take me from the beginning.” She rinsed her hair.
“No. I said by my hand and I meant it. I may be a lot of things, but I’m a being of my word.”
“The marking scent is the only reason why?”
“You think I don’t want you?” Turning, Blade exposed his hardened length, every square inch of it. “Does this look like a male who doesn’t want you?” Shaking his head in bewilderment
, he said, “Someone seriously fucked with your self-esteem, and the next time we’re alone together, that’s on my new honey-do list as a fix-it.”
Rebecca felt her eyes bug out. Her ears were acting up as well, since she hadn’t understood a word he just said. Massively male in every way, the sight of Blade’s intimidating cock as it proudly jutted from caramel-colored hair caused her mouth to cotton up, so there went another of her five senses to join the first two.
All thoughts nosedived except one: She simply couldn’t imagine something that large inside her. Didn’t say she wasn’t giving it a shot. Sexy and so deliciously frightening, she was lost in the sensual haze entitled Blade. “You screwed humans with that?” No filter between head and mouth, she really didn’t need to know about the women any longer. Definitely not a good idea, so why did she ask?
Curling his lip with something that resembled a smile but didn’t quite make it, he answered, “It’s definitely a touch larger with you.”
“Not large, it’s an immense structure, Blade. It looks painful… like it could be painful.”
Studying her face, he blinked and easily soothed, “Don’t worry, it’ll fit.”
Right, and when she opened her mouth to argue, she sliced her tongue on something foreign. Pushing her index finger inside her mouth, she felt around and discovered tiny erupting canines.
“Ah, baby,” Blade crooned, closing the distance between them, “you want to drink from me.” Wrapping heavy arms around her, he finally pulled her tight, naked skin to naked skin. Yes. Surrounding her with lulling comfort and bringing his neck close, she wanted to taste everything.
“What’s happening to me?” Her skin prickled with that same tingly sensation she experienced when her foot went to sleep. Although it wasn’t unpleasant, she realized, especially in the nipple area. “Is it the heat?” Why not ask? He knew everything about heat.
Leaning back without breaking his hold, he stared down sadly. “How easily I forget you were raised by your brother and not a mother. He didn’t explain anything to you?”
“I guess not, since I’m pretty confused right now. Well, I’m not confused about wanting you.” Bringing her chin up, she waited for Blade to lower his head for a kiss. He obliged and she took, rolling her tongue over his, memorizing his taste and missing it even before he pulled away.
“Wanting isn’t a fair description for how I feel,” he whispered true, lovingly tracing his thumb over her bottom lip. “You feel it don’t you? All the currents between us, the pulling and knitting of our souls, our very existence,” he asked a little wary.
“I do.” After her declaration, his wash of relief made her smile.
“Words that normally would make me run, I crave from you.” He pulled her closer. “Back to what’s happening with your body, Bren probably didn’t want to scare you with a few simple facts, or he was a coward. Probably took the easy way out with a tight lip.”
“What would Bren be a coward about?” She rolled her eyes at the thought.
“This.”
He carried her from the shower and settled her in front of the sink. Staring back at her reflection, she had a highlighted sheen over her skin, eerily silver. The only way she could describe it was iridescent. No temper, no flash, no claws, but those tiny canines – like bone-colored needles – changed her smile.
“Fucking hell,” he breathed behind her, fully taking in her shimmering nudity. “All of this,” he said proudly, rubbing his hands over her before pressing his palms into her hips and dipping one finger down over her crimson curls, “belongs to me.”
“This….this is…,” she couldn’t find the words.
“It happens in full-blood females when they begin the mating process, a mystical mark similar to full males. You know how you could always run faster than mortals and had amplified senses and reflexes? That’s all kicked up now. You’re the new and improved Red Becca. My female,” his words held pride and his broad smile backed it up. “Undoubtedly, when we have younglings, you’ll sprout cute little angry claws if they're threatened.”
“Blade,” her words projected the nervousness she couldn’t hide, “how do I control this?”
He pulled her back tightly, swallowing her with strong arms. “I’m about to give you a quick lesson, and Becca?”
“Yeah?”
“Ciaran is misting close. He’s coming back for you.”
5
Ciaran rapped battle-torn knuckles across his mother’s bedchamber door, now occupied by his soon to be mistress. Waving a palm unlocking the latch, he waited for Renee to open the door. He didn’t know why he granted the lass this simple courtesy. He was Alpha. She was mixed blood.
He didn’t want to want her.
But he did.
“What?”
Livid emerald fire hypnotized him, sparkling field green eyes with the threat of brushfire, daring him to spar. He had better ideas. “Come,” Ciaran said simply while holding out a hand.
Curling her lip at his offering, she hid both her hands behind her back. “I’m not touching you.”
“Oh you’re not?”
“That’s what I said,” her voice firmed.
“I smell the shaman. He’s still with you?” Ciaran didn’t sense the shaman’s presence, but he positively scented him all over lushly rounded temptations.
What do you hide?
“Sure, I hang out with your lackeys all day long. We’re best buds.” Raising her creamy chin, she stared brazenly, daring him to call her bluff.
Bonny lass, why do you lie?
“He brought you this particular dress?” What a sight she made. Jade layers curved her curves, hugging everything he longed to touch and squeeze…hard. I want to bite you. Mouthwatering temptation she was. He hadn’t known such beauty or spirit since –
“Should’ve been red, right? To match my blood you’ll spill.”
At that, her voice betrayed her, trembling as she spoke. Tangible emotions brought Renee Shirley to a creature of flesh and blood before Ciaran’s eyes, not to be an object of coldhearted vengeance but lasting…affection. Guilt barreled through, tightening Ciaran’s chest at the thought. “Your clan’s blood debt is nearly repaid. Come,” he ordered again.
Her knees buckled.
Catching her before she hit the floor, he lifted her, placating quickly, “Not your blood, you will live this day and all the days thereafter. My Beta and pack insisted on a right to mate challenge, in which I agreed. Therefore, it will remove the death vow I made the clan if you’re properly mated in this pack. As no one steps forward as your mate, I then accept you as mistress,” he explained, smugness backing every word while tightening his palm around her thigh. Until, as an unclaimed mixed-blood, she withered with age. Then he’d keep her on another floor ‘til she passed on from this earth. An infallible plan, she needn’t the details.
“No matter what, you’ll never let me go,” she gasped, clutching her forehead.
No doubt she harbored a migraine, one his Beta would soon fix. “The debt must be absolved. You’re lucky you are a female and my pack petitioned on your behalf.”
“Lucky? That’s me alright. You’re so sure no one will claim me?”
“Renee Shirley, how many mates could you possibly have?” And I hope you drank your special water.
“I don’t want any of you, especially you, put me down,” she balked while still in his arms, pushing her angry fists against his chest.
“You’d better hope you don’t have any here,” he sneered, thoroughly affronted. “A place in the Alpha’s bed is the highest honor and protection, more than any other could provide you.”
“As a slave, your whore,” she spat.
“As my mistress, you’ll be respected.”
“Not where I come from, buddy.”
“So you’re to die?” Save him from her human logic.
/> “Who the hell do you think you are?” She bared her teeth in a most Were way. How enticing.
“I’m the beast you will be pleasing. Shall I unleash my scarier half now, wanna peek?” Ciaran liked a bit of snap in a feisty red-head. It pumped his werewolf and squeezed his balls in the most vulgar way. By the look on her face, he should temporarily rein in his sexual thoughts. His over the top desire for her was showing through and this wasn’t the time or the place. “No need to feel frightened, I’ll teach you my likes. You’ll learn and obey.”
“While you’ve now sworn not to murder me, let me just say that you are still the biggest…”
Tis a shame she went unconscious, Ciaran wanted a listen at her little female rant. But what was done was done. So now she floated in an agreeable state, readied for rights to mate.
Ciaran hated rights to mate.
Carrying her out to Afanas and too many eager faces, the Alpha voiced his concern. “Look at her pallor… and her breathing is labored.”
Afanas went pale himself. Scooping Rebecca up from Ciaran and gently placing her on the soft grass, he tried to stir her. “Wake up. Come on. Wake up.”
Rebecca heard the words, wouldn’t listen. Spinning everywhere, she remained weightless. Where am I? Lying on the earth, she realized, feeling the moon’s caress from above. Shutting heavy lids, she scented male much too close.
The Beta.
Many snarls and distant growls drifted about.
Ah, she realized, backed by his merry murdering sons of bitches.
“I told you not to use so much.” A long-forgotten burr tinged a richly arrogant voice. Oh, the asshole Alpha is present and accounted for. Furious heartbeats thundered her ears. Thickened blood slowed her body - movements sluggish, if at all. Fucker poisoned me. Rebecca tried to open her mouth.
“She wants to speak, Ciaran.” Afanas passed concern, arrived at panic. “She can’t.”
“Makes no sense,” Arrogant Alpha chimed in, “she’s mixed, shouldn’t affect her blood so.”
“Herbs are easily diluted with potent immortal blood.” Warm breath stroked her cheek before nimble fingers pried her eyes wide. “Pupils not overly dilated - should work, Alpha.”