They belonged to each other.
So. Fucking. Perfect.
“Good morning,” he rasped out, his voice low, wanting. Damn it, he couldn’t wait to feel her pussy tighten around him as she came. She was so beautiful when she peaked, when her eyes would widen, her breath catching. Just the thought of her lips parting in a sexy pout almost pushed him over the edge.
And she was his.
“God, Logan,” she groaned and pressed her ass back into his groin, causing his dick to slide even deeper into her wet, greedy cunt. “What a way to wake up. Can we do this every morning?”
His wolf preened at the thought of her being in his arms every morning, and the man growled, wanting more. Wanting all of it. “Any time you want me inside you, princess, all you have to do is ask.” He pumped again, this time pinching her nipple between his two fingers hard enough to elicit a shout from her. He loved the way she reacted to his touches. His pets. He thought about his words then stilled before picking up the pace as he made love to her. “Wait, you don’t even have to ask sometimes. Just give me a look, and I’ll be inside you so fast you won’t even know what happened.” Oh yeah. He might just make sure they were naked all the time when they were at home. It would make it easier for them to have sex any time they wanted.
That was the mating life.
And apparently the mating urge was riding him hard.
She laughed, a deep, raspy chuckle. “I hope I’ll know what happened if your cock is in me.”
He collared her throat and leaned down to lick the bite mark from the night before. They both shuddered, and he held back from coming. “You’ll know, Cailin. You’ll fucking know.”
“Then fuck me.”
He grinned at her order and did as he was told. After all, he was a reasonable dominant wolf. If his mate ordered him to fuck her, he’d do it.
Mate.
Goddess, he loved the sound of that word.
He lifted her leg and wrapped it around his upper thigh so he was filling her as deep as he could go. She pushed back at every thrust, fucking him as hard as he fucked her. This was why she was perfect for him.
Well, this and so much more.
He couldn’t wait to find out all of it.
They rode each other, their gazes meeting each other’s as he collared her throat. She could collar his next. He’d submit to her just as she to him. This was why she was his and he hers. As they both came, their bodies sweat-slicked and primed to start the day, he knew he wanted to do this every morning.
He just needed to make sure the Pack was around long enough to make a future filled with mornings with his mate happen.
At that sobering thought, he pulled out, turned her on her back, and kissed her softly. They nibbled and sucked at each other’s lips. Lazily waking up until he was hard again, but knowing they needed to get up and start the day.
“Move in here with me,” he whispered. They hadn’t discussed it, not really. But they were mates now. He couldn’t let her go.
“No,” she whispered back.
Logan froze. “What?”
She arched her back, his dick getting hard again. He gripped her hip. “What, princess? You don’t want to move in with me?”
She shook her head. “My place is bigger. We can keep this one for a bit until we’re ready to move into the larger place. But I’ve been in mine longer than you’ve been in yours, and we’ll have room to grow there.”
She ducked her head and blushed, and Logan bent, licking her mating mark. They both shuddered. Damn he loved her blush. Her reactions.
And if he were honest with himself…
Her.
“Deal, princess.” The thought of them growing as a family, as a mated couple made him want to howl, but they had other pressing matters to deal with first.
“Shower then food?” he asked, nibbling on her neck.
She moaned beneath him before raking her nails down his back. He grunted, but the pain felt so fucking good when it came from her.
“Get off me, big boy, if you want to eat. And by eat, I don’t mean me. I need nourishment. You worked me hard.” She winked, and Logan snorted.
“Big boy?” He quirked a brow, and she rolled her eyes.
“You call me princess. I needed a name for you.” She grimaced as if she’d just thought about the connotations, and he kissed her brow. “I guess I can’t call you that in front of everyone.”
He thought about the beating he’d take if she did so in front of her brothers then winced. “Probably not.”
“Yeah, that wouldn’t end well. I’ll think of something to call you that doesn’t have to do with your cock.”
“It’s a good cock.” If he did say so himself.
“Good? Please, Logan. It’s all right.”
Logan narrowed his eyes. “Want me to show you exactly how all right my cock is? Don’t you remember riding it last night, calling my name and screaming because I filled you up so much you felt like you were ready to burst.”
And there went his cock again, ready to go.
“Stop making me almost come at your words. We need to get going. As for your nickname, I’ll think of something that won’t elicit a reaction from my brothers.” She patted his chest and grinned. “I’ll take care of you, though, if my big bad brothers come at you.”
He snorted then gave her another quick kiss before hopping off of her. “I’m sure you could. But I’d still refrain from using big boy in company. Not unless you want to make everyone jealous?” He gestured toward his still-hard cock, and Cailin wiggled her eyebrows.
“Dork.” She licked her lips.
“Your dork.” Damn, that sounded good coming off his tongue.
Her eyes darkened as her hand went to the very deep mating mark on her neck. “Yes, all yours. Now let’s shower so we can start our day.” Her eyes clouded this time, and he could feel the sadness over the bond. He was still getting used to that, feeling what she felt if only a fragment, a whisper.
When she stood in front of him, he slapped her ass, earning a rake of nails down his chest—not too much of a punishment as his wolf begged for more to add to the numerous marks already on his body—and pulled on his pants. If they took a shower together, they’d never get anything done, and they needed to stop by Kade’s. The elders were meeting with the new Alpha to discuss Caym and the evacuation of the Pack.
Things were rolling; he’d been spending so much time recently worrying about Cailin and himself, it was time to focus on the Pack.
The mating bond flared, and he knew Cailin felt the same way.
He’d have to get used to that. Cailin knew what he was feeling as well. Though they didn’t have the connection Maddox and Ellie did, where they could hear each other’s thoughts, he knew their bond was strong. It would last through a war and so much more.
It had to.
He had to believe.
He started the coffee and got a slab bacon and a carton of eggs. Maybe he’d make some toast to go with the protein, but whatever. Not the most romantic breakfast, but he was damn hungry, and he knew he’d worked Cailin enough that she’d be hungry too.
The satisfied smirk he knew lay on his face made his wolf preen once again. His wolf might have had the taint of darkness that came from the moon goddess, but right then, it was practically a tamed puppy.
Cailin did that.
He’d just taken the bacon off the grill when he scented her ice, temptation, and roses over the smell of breakfast. He faced her and grinned after turning off the stove. Last thing he needed was to burn down his kitchen or have grease splatter over his bare back because he couldn’t keep his gaze off his fucking beautiful mate.
“All clean?” he asked. He traced her body with his eyes, wanting to take in every bit of her. He’d been holding back for so long, not wanting to crowd her, that he felt as though he could finally be himself around her.
“Yep and you’re all dirty. Just how I like you.” Her eyes widened, and she smiled. “Oh my God,
coffee. Give me.” She held out her hands, and he filled a mug, handing it over as he grinned at her bouncing.
Too bad she’d put on a bra with her jeans and top.
At least she was barefoot so he could see her feet.
Since when did he have a foot fetish?
He cleared his throat, determined to get through the day—at least the next hour—without jumping her. “Creamer and sugar are on the island.” The kitchen island where he’d enjoy eating her out one day soon. Maybe after their meeting. “I know how sweet and creamy you like your coffee.”
“Don’t knock my sugar addiction.”
He held up his hand. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”
She opened her mouth to say something, but just as she did so, the atmosphere in the room…changed. Sharp tingles broke out over his arms and leg and his ears began to ring. Logan clutched his head, the pressure in the room becoming unbearable. The mug slipped through her fingers, crashing on the floor, but he couldn’t hear it.
He held out his hand, reaching for her and she did the same. He had no idea what was going on, but they needed to get out of there. Fast. A gust of wind blew through the house even though the doors and windows were all locked tight. Cailin’s hair whipped around, hitting him in the face and he pushed it out of the way, trying to see a way out of whatever the hell was going on.
Her fingers brushed his, and he leaned, clasping her hand and pulling hard. She hit his chest, and he looked down into her eyes. Yes, there was that same fear he held, but the anger and determination radiating in her body made him stronger.
“What is it?” she screamed over the roaring wind.
He held her closer, his limbs heavy. He couldn’t move from the spot, but at the same time he hoped he stayed there and not get blown away. If they weren’t careful, Logan knew this might be the end.
Whatever this was.
“I don’t know!” he shouted back. “Just hold on to me.”
“Not letting you go,” she mouthed.
His wolf knocked against his skin, begging to get out and fight, but there wasn’t anything solid to fight. Just a nothingness and roaring wind.
But was it wind?
It didn’t knock anything off the counters or walls. It just rammed into them, pushing them closer together until he felt as though his bones would break if something didn’t change soon.
This had to be the fucking demon.
He clutched Cailin to him even as he tried to find a way out. Cailin’s eyes were on her surroundings, her body trying to move, trying to pull him with her. They were protecting each other even when there wasn’t a way out.
That was why she was his mate.
A darkness surrounded them, as if a void of magic had opened up and swallowed them whole. Dark clouds pummeled them and bright spurts of light arched over the clouds, creating a storm of hell he’d never seen before. He screamed as what felt like hot pokers stabbed across his skin. He tried to cover Cailin’s body with his own, but whatever magic attacked them seemed to run through him and hit her anyway. She arched into him, her body shaking and her face pale as the magic cascaded then slammed back into them.
Blood trailed from her nose and he knew that he must have the same on his face. Whatever pressure pressed into them was slowly killing them. If they didn’t make it through the other end of the vortex—or whatever the fuck this was—soon, they’d die.
He couldn’t lose her just when he’d finally found her.
Just when he thought they’d never get out of the tunnel of wind and pain, they slammed into the ground. He’d rolled in the air, taking the brunt of the pain, but Cailin had still hit as well.
They were both on their bare feet, bleeding and ready to fight in the next breath. Cailin pressed her back into his, covering him.
They were fighters then.
Pack.
His wolf growled, trying to take over again, that dark magic in his blood ready to fight any threat. Again, he pushed it away. Cailin’s safety was priority.
“Where are we?” Cailin asked. He knew she was looking around the room just as he was.
They were in a cement room with no doors. No windows. He had no idea how they’d gotten there. Not really. And he had no idea how to get his mate out of there. His wolf rebelled, growling, clawing. It wanted out. It wanted blood. The darkness that seeped into his blood and his soul, threatened to overcome him, but he held it back. He’d let it out to defend his mate and himself against the demon, but not in front of his mate.
Not alone.
He didn’t trust himself enough.
He reached back and squeezed her hand. She clutched it tightly before letting go. They would both need their hands to fight.
If that was what this was to be.
Logan inhaled deep, scenting Centrals and cursing. “Central land. Or at least we’re near some of the bastards.”
“I’ve got that much. Fuck. I didn’t know Caym could do that. Bring us here.”
He could sense the rising fear in her words, but then she pushed it away. This was his mate—strong and fierce. They could succumb to their fear later.
Right then they needed to find out exactly where they were and devise a plan to get the fuck out of there.
“I don’t see an exit, do you?” she breathed.
The air in the room shifted, and Logan growled.
Ready.
Caym appeared in front of them as if sliding through smoke. “Welcome.” The demon smiled, all sharp teeth and evil temptation.
Cailin growled near him, low, deadly. But she didn’t move. Neither did he. This was the man, the demon, who’d killed her parents. They hadn’t yet finished grieving, yet here the damn thing was.
And yet they were all ready to fight again.
Though the elders of the Redwood Pack were trying to find a way to take down Caym, they hadn’t succeeded yet leaving Logan and Cailin shit out of luck.
He’d just have to pray Caym was merely toying with them. Showing them his power before letting them go.
At least that’s what he hoped.
“Fuck you,” he spat. The demon could kill them in an instant—even as they pleaded. There was no use playing nice.
Not anymore.
“Tut tut, little wolf.” Caym licked his lips, his gaze on Cailin. “Don’t anger me too much, or I’ll have to see how tasty your sweet mate is. Oh yes, love the markings. You bit her hard, did you? Like the taste of her blood in your mouth? The power that comes from tearing into her flesh as you pound into her? Maybe you’re a little more demon than I thought.”
Logan growled, not letting the demon bait him into attacking first. Not when there wasn’t an exit.
“Now, you’re probably wondering why you’re here. That’s easy. You need to die.”
Caym smiled, and Logan gripped Cailin’s arm. She didn’t move, but he could feel the pain through the bond. She was ready to add more scars to Caym’s face like Lexi had done or even remove the bastard’s head altogether.
But without the magic of the moon goddess—more light than he possessed—they wouldn’t stand a chance.
And they all knew it.
“I’ve already tried to kill the two of you before, and we know how that ended up. Don’t we?”
Logan growled again as a wave of fresh pain slammed into the bond. Cailin was holding on by a thread and he wasn’t doing much better.
“You two are such hard wolves to kill, what with people dying for you left and right.”
Why was Caym focused so much on him and Cailin? That would be something he’d think about once they were safe.
If they ever were safe again.
He needed to get Cailin out of there, or he wouldn’t be responsible for what his wolf did. He wasn’t strong enough to save her in this room—maybe in any room—and the failure plaguing him enraged his wolf even more.
“Watching the mighty Alpha of the Redwood Pack fall for the little brat was mighty satisfying. Even if that wasn’t my intended purpose
. Killing his mate? Oh, that was a two-for-one deal.”
Cailin whimpered, and Logan cursed. He knew she had to be kicking herself for showing that weakness, but at this point, there was no denying it.
They were weaker than the demon.
Fuck it all.
“Funny how dear old Patricia died before you mated.” Caym tilted his head. “Makes you wonder if you two only mated to make sure her death meant something. Or whatever other sentimental babbling bullshit you need to sprout. Do you two even like each other? Or is all the sex just guilt? Something to think about.”
“Fuck off, Caym. You’re reaching here for words to hurt us.” Sure, they were working, but he’d be damned if he’d let Cailin think he didn’t want her. He’d already done that once trying to protect her. He wouldn’t let the demon do it to her again.
Caym’s smile vanished, and he snarled. “Watch your tone, wolf of darkness. You might think your secrets are yours alone, but you can’t hide them from me.”
He felt Cailin’s curiosity along the bond, but she’d have to stay curious a bit longer. He’d explain everything to her once they got of there.
If they got out of there.
“Now, where was I?” Caym asked then snapped his fingers. “Ah yes.” He opened his hand, and a long whip covered in razor blades and crushed glass appeared in his hand.
Holy fuck, how much power did this demon have now that he was the Alpha of the Central Pack with their life forces connected to him?
Logan had a feeling he was about to find out.
“Ready?” Caym grinned.
Logan turned, flinging himself over Cailin as they hit the ground. The first flare of the whip dug into his skin, flaying his back.
Cailin screamed under him, and he ground his teeth, blood seeping down his back, soaking their sides.
“We’ll get out of here,” he whispered through clenched teeth.
“Logan,” she breathed.
The next sting of the whip cut into his shoulder near the mating mark, and he howled.
They had to get out of there.
Soon.
Or all would be lost.
Fighting Fate (Redwood Pack #7) Page 11