Nikka cried out from the pain. She knew the fight wouldn’t be easy, but had complete confidence in her ability to win. That assurance wavered sixty seconds into the fight. Nikka knew she needed to hurt Talya quickly, but it wasn’t as easy as she thought it would be. Nikka’s cat screamed inside her head ready to fight for her mate. She spun, shoving Talya away.
Taking her eyes from the young cat, she noticed Zenya restraining Dmitri. Not that Zenya would be able to stop the vampire, but hopefully, she was talking sense into him. He needed to stay out of female cat politics. She watched a second too long because, instead of the expected amber in his eyes, they looked red, and The Kodiak now had a hand on Dmitri’s shoulder.
Because of Nikka’s inattention, Talya knocked her to the ground and managed to clamp her teeth at Nikka’s throat. Nikka felt her flesh tear, but she didn’t panic. Her large paw, claws extended, came up and landed against Talya’s head. The sharp teeth loosened and Nikka scrambled away. Her left eye filled completely with blood and her neck became saturated in crimson. Neither wound was mortal, but she suspected they looked bad. All at once, Dmitri’s powerful energy made it hard to breathe, but she had no chance to reassure him.
This time, Nikka attacked and again went for Talya’s front right leg. She was giving the cat no quarter because of her missing limb. The lioness’ scream sounded throughout the clearing, but her snapping jaws kept Nikka from doing serious damage. Nikka backed up and shifted. She couldn’t speak aloud, so she taunted Talya mind to mind. “If you want him, you better fight harder than you are right now.”
“You’re the one who’s bleeding and injured. I don’t think you want him.”
“There you’re wrong.” Nikka launched herself at Talya and shifted mid-flight, taking Talya to the ground. Their teeth and claws found purchase on each other again and again. Blood coated both their pelts as the fight continued.
Nikka focused on her adversary with single-minded purpose. No one was taking her mate away from her. Another pain-filled scream sounded from Talya as Nikka broke her back leg and ripped away flesh and muscle.
The young cat tried to get up and fight back. “Noooooo,” she wailed.
“Yes. He is mine and if you approach him again, I will kill you.” Nikka’s jaws clamped around Talya’s neck, locking tight until only mewling sounds came from Talya’s injured throat.
“Enough, Nikka.”
The hand in the fur of her neck held her tight, keeping her from tearing out more fur and flesh.
“Enough.” Dmitri spoke softly this time and it broke through Nikka’s killing rage.
Talya was unconscious. Nikka looked at her blood-covered friend without sympathy, only feeling elation that she won.
“Do not be concerned; I can heal her.” Dmitri’s voice remained low.
Nikka’s strangled scream from mangled vocal cords startled every cat and wolf in Nicolas’s pack. The bears shuffled uneasily.
Zenya spoke quickly, “We’ll care for Talya. You need to take Nikka away.”
His eyes went to the unconscious cat. “Her leg?”
Low growls came from Nikka’s throat.
“It will be set so it heals properly. Take your mate and go.”
Chapter Sixteen
Dmitri kept his hand clenched in Nikka’s bloody fur. He knew she was badly injured and he fought to contain his own rage. Without The Kodiak’s help, he would have completely lost control.
“Come with me.” He pulled on the ruff of her neck and was relieved that she didn’t resist.
After a hundred yards, Nikka finally slumped against his side and shifted. He scooped her into his arms and carried her to his home. He didn’t say a word until they were in his bathroom.
“I’m sitting you on the counter. Can you remain upright?”
Her head moved up and down against his chest.
Large, deep gashes, caused by claws and teeth, covered most of her body, but the worst damage was to her face. After grabbing a washcloth and towel, he ran water in the sink. The light illuminated the blood covering her and the tangy scent made it impossible to hold back his fangs.
Her entire body trembled uncontrollably, but he unmistakably heard a small giggle.
He glared. “You think this funny?”
She shook her head then tipped her chin up fully exposing her throat.
“Fuck,” he groaned, but couldn’t help sinking his fangs into her offered neck.
Her blood was incredible, and so many things happened inside his body that he wasn’t sure if he could stay upright. The tangy iron was better than anything he’d consumed in his life. It blended with his blood, electrifying each vein while filling and joining their essences. His power flared, encompassing the small room. His heart expanded to the point of explosion, but quickly the rhythm of hers settled his. In another minute, their hearts beat in unison and he could finally breathe. His erection throbbed at the first taste of her blood, and as the small noises she made increased, the level of his need rose painfully.
Sliding his teeth from her throat, he gazed into her shining green eyes. He needed reassurance that she was okay. Even covered in blood, she was exquisitely beautiful. He lifted her from the counter and carried her to his large shower. Her arms trembled, but she circled his neck and a loud purr reverberated against his chest. He managed to turn the water on and adjust it without releasing his hold before pulling her beneath the spray.
“Ahhh.” The sound came from deep in her throat and Dmitri knew she was in pain.
“I’m sorry, I know you won’t heal completely for several hours, but you are covered in blood and it isn’t all yours. I want Talya’s scent off you before I make love to my mate.”
Her arms slipped from his neck and she took ahold of his face, lifting her lips up in invitation. He kissed her with all the frustration and love he felt. He poured his power into the kiss, stamping his possession into her soul.
Tearing his mouth away, he looked deeply into her eyes. “You are crazy and I’m not happy with you right now, but you are my crazy cat and I love you.”
She smiled, not at all intimidated by him. Placing nipping kisses along his jaw, she continued making her own unique purring sounds. He lowered her legs until she stood on her own. Taking the soap, while ignoring what she did to his body, he began washing her with gentle caresses. He carefully washed her neck and face; both were beginning to heal, but she still had angry open gashes. Immediately below her eye, the deepest cut reached bone and he growled low knowing how much it must hurt. The water trailing down the drain went from red to pink before finally clearing.
He shut off the faucet and grabbed a clean towel, drying Nikka as carefully as he had washed her. Picking her up again, he carried her to his bed. He left for only a moment to pull a pair of boxer briefs from his dresser and put them on.
When Nikka growled, he smiled and walked over, sliding beneath the covers. “You, my naughty cat, need time to heal. You will sleep while I hold you. There will be no argument, because I remain angry that you placed yourself in danger. You and I will discuss these issues later.” Her body stiffened and she tried to move away, but he held on tightly. She gave up with a loud sigh.
“Sleep. I will not tell you again.”
He held her throughout the night, feeling absolute peace for the first time in more than a century. When his internal clock signaled the sun peeking over the horizon, he too was able to fall asleep.
***
Nikka awoke, breathing Dmitri’s strong vampire scent, his hair tickling her nose. The room was dark and she didn’t know if it was the blackout shutters or if night had not yet left. Her body had healed for the most part, so at least three hours had passed. Dmitri slept with deep, even breaths. Nikka’s cat eyes enabled her to examine his features. She loved his scruffy jawline and high cheekbones. And though closed, she knew when his eyes opened their light brown sheen would steal her breath.
It was past time to claim their destiny.
She ran her fing
ers over his chin then upward, lightly tracing his lips. His powerful hand closed around hers, stopping her exploration. His eyes opened and there was no brown. The amber glow, in the dark room, caused blood to race through her veins in perfect rhythm with his heartbeat. Pure desire sizzled straight to the juncture of her thighs.
“You’re a naughty cat and should be sleeping.” His husky words only increased her desire.
She bit his neck then sucked on the teeth marks left behind. His entire body tensed beneath her touch and he groaned deep in his chest.
“You realize, after I make love to you, we may be able to communicate.” His fingers threaded through her hair, not coming close to straightening the tangled mess. “I’m thinking I like you better this way.”
Her teeth pressed into his skin again and her low growl filled the room.
He laughed, snuggling her closer. “I’ve dreamed of you naked in my bed as my mate. It could be years before I let you leave.”
Nikka frowned. Dmitri needed to stop talking and make his claim. She took his hand and placed it on her breast. His eyes glowed brighter, and power flooded the room. He sank the fingers of his other hand into the hair at her nape and tilted her face so her mouth was a hair’s breadth from his.
“We have waited long enough.”
He took her lips, devouring her cries. He kneaded her breast before trailing his hands downward across her stomach to the tops of her thighs. His large fingers splayed, separating her legs. He rolled to his back and settled her above him. She moved so her forearms were on his chest and looked down, surrounding him in a curtain of tangled hair.
His amber eyes searched her green ones as she pulled her knees along his legs until she almost kneeled while straddling his hips. His hands moved lower and one finger stroked through her folds. He used his other fingers to separate her and position his erection.
“Take me, my warrior she-cat,” he grated out, his lips pulled firmly together as if in pain, his eyes glowing brighter.
She lowered herself, slowly surrounding him with her warmth and closing her eyes at the exquisite feeling. For the first time in her life, this act was beautiful. Her eyes opened. His amber gaze watched her carefully. She knew he understood what this meant to her. Never before had she been sexually fulfilled.
She smiled.
He seized her hips and lifted her up, tilting his pelvis to impale her fully.
The sounds she made surprised her. Dmitri’s moans grew as he changed their rhythm from slow and sensuous to fast and demanding. Her legs quivered, her heart raced, and his piercing eyes watched every response. The tingling between her thighs built until a wave of heat jolted throughout her body, fanning across her sensitized flesh. Her vision blurred and the clawing need between her thighs exploded.
Dmitri suddenly rolled so she was on her back. His fangs entered her throat, his loud groan tilted her world as he thrust one last time and found his release. She opened her mouth and screamed, though what left her throat was a low sound compared to the loud cry in her mind.
His teeth withdrew and she rested her forehead on his shoulder.
“I love you,” he said.
“And I love you,” came her beautiful reply.
Chapter Seventeen
Dmitri hadn’t given thought to what Nikka would say when communication finally opened between them. It never occurred to him that lovemaking would consume them so thoroughly that there would be little need for words. Several hours and additional rounds of bonding later, they awoke and Nikka’s stomach growled.
“I must feed you.”
“Yes.” She sighed against his neck and licked his skin. “You must.”
He twirled her hair around his finger. “I love the sound of your voice in my mind.” He gave a small tug along with a mischievous grin.
“I’m glad, because our one-sided conversations are at an end.” She nipped his flesh.
Laughing, he pulled her from the bed. “Food, then afterward, you may carry on your own one-sided conversation.”
“When will I get my lecture?” she asked as he placed one of his button-up shirts over her shoulders while she wiggled her arms into the sleeves. She smiled when he didn’t button it, just took her hand and led her from the room.
His brown eyes grew serious. “You won’t get out of that scolding, I assure you.”
She couldn’t help her impish grin. “I’ll talk so much, I promise you’ll forget.”
He jerked her hand sharply, spinning her and bringing her firmly against his chest. “That’s a bet I promise you’ll lose.”
She went to her tiptoes, kissing him passionately. His lips parted and he returned the kiss until she purred.
He slowly pulled back. “That is the sexiest sound on earth.”
Her stomach growled.
He laughed. “That is not.”
He cooked her breakfast while telling her the she-bears, who took care of him, would remain scarce for a few days.
“They need to remain scarce for a few hundred years.” Her muscles tightened and Dmitri could scent the change in her demeanor.
He flipped the pancakes like an expert, walked over, and kissed her on the nose. “A bit jealous, I see.”
She grumbled. “A lot jealous, I am. Do vampires feel jealousy?” She relaxed against him.
This time it was his turn to grumble. “If another man touches you, you will find out. His death will be quick, but bloody.”
She grinned before licking his chin with a long sensuous swipe of her tongue.
He smiled. “I had better feed you; I’m afraid you might eat me if I don’t.”
She laughed into his mind and he loved the sound. “How did a vampire, who rarely eats food, learn to cook?” she asked.
They were growing accustomed to their mind communication, and Dmitri wanted to keep her mood light. “My bears are grumpy at the best of times, but I’ve learned to gain their cooperation by keeping them well fed. It’s less strenuous than beating compliance into them. I also enjoy cooking, though seldom have time. Being away from my club for any length of time is a rarity, so I’ll be practicing my cooking skills on you for a while.” He winked. “Especially if I cannot have assistance of the female variety at my home. Do you cook?”
“A little, but only from necessity. I prefer to hunt my food.”
Now his grin matched hers. “My bears are the laziest creatures on earth. They practically refuse to hunt.”
Her expression changed and her eyes grew haunted. “Will they accept me?”
He placed a large plate of pancakes in front of her along with a bottle of syrup. “They will accept you or die. It’s entirely their choice.”
She looked at him with so much longing that it actually hurt. “I don’t just want their acceptance; I want them to like me. I lived with hatred for too many years. I want them to be my family.”
He kissed the backs of her fingers, turned her hand over, and ran his nose along the veins of her wrist. “They will love you.” He released her, took a chair, and watched her eat everything on her plate. His bears would love her or he’d tear them to pieces. He wanted her to have the world and never doubt that she was loved. The red haze he lived with was pushed back into a far corner of his brain, giving him relief from the constant worry of it escaping. Nikka gave him this gift without even knowing it. He would give her anything she desired.
***
When she finished eating, Nikka picked up her dishes and placed them in the sink. She watched Dmitri closely, noticing his demeanor change from loving and playful to intense. He rested his hands on her hips then lifted her to the cleared kitchen counter. His lips pressed against hers, short and sweet—too short, too sweet.
Pulling away slightly, he whispered against her mouth, “Why would you risk our future by challenging Talya?”
His soft tone didn’t disguise the sharp edge of anger, though Nikka knew he tried very hard to contain it. She glanced away from his lips, looking up into the swirl of crystal brown that
he somehow managed to temper and keep his eyes from changing. But hurt and anger were there. Her answer would not alleviate his pain.
“Talya is unstable and she would never have left us alone. Losing the challenge was not an option for me.” She looked down and tried to turn her head away, but he gently palmed her cheek and raised her eyes back to his. “I would have killed her if that was what it took.”
There. It was out. He’d told her of his beast and now she’d shared hers. Two different species that didn’t shy from blood or death.
“Good.” This time his kiss wasn’t short or sweet, and it was several minutes before they came up for air.
Sonora’s voice startled Nikka and it took a moment to realize she could mind share with the bears as well as Dmitri.
“There is a problem with Vorlyk’s clan. I think you need to take Nikka there.”
Nikka replied before Dmitri could say anything. “What sort of problem?”
The she-bear’s voice gentled. “It’s wonderful to hear your voice.”
“Thank you, Sonora, but what kind of problem?”
“The young she-cat is missing.”
Nikka’s eyes grew large as she looked at Dmitri. “She’s severely injured with no vampire bite to help her heal. How could she be gone?”
Dmitri lifted her from the counter. “We need to find out what’s happened. If she did leave, she could not have traveled far.”
They dressed quickly. Dmitri took her hand and they made their way to Nicolas’s cabin.
Zenya waited impatiently, striding back and forth in the cabin’s front room. “I’ve sent our wolves and cats to search the property.”
Dmitri Page 10