Terr4tory

by Bliler, Susan A

  Finally, stormy eyes locked on his. “What in the hell do you think you’re doing?”

  “I’m holding my mate.” He grinned unabashedly, his eyes twinkling.

  “Don’t call me that,” she hissed quietly, eyes scanning to ensure no one was around.

  “Hmm.” He adjusted her so he was more comfortable.

  There was no hiding the hard length of male iron that poked at her ass.

  “Let’s see. I can’t call you my mate…even though you are. And I can’t call you beautiful…even though you are.” He turned a mischievous grin on her. “So what am I permitted to call you?” He hadn’t forgotten their near kiss from the previous day, and was eager to attempt it again, and soon, but for now he’d settle for flirtatious banter.

  “Alpha!” She bit the word out angrily, earning herself a hard laugh.

  “My Alphina.”

  “No!” She opened her mouth to correct him when he butted in.

  “I can see your reluctance at being called my mate, but why so averse to me calling you beautiful?”

  She jerked her head straight to stare out at the property.

  Holy shit! He sat up straighter. “You’re fucking kidding me! You… You don’t think you’re beautiful.” Disbelief colored his tone, and confusion tugged at his brow. “Do you?” How in the hell had this radiant creature gone through her whole life without knowing just how fucking breathtaking she was? “Willa?”

  She tried to scramble out of his grasp, but strong hands on her hips hauled her back as he grew serious.

  “Answer me.”

  She rolled her eyes, but wouldn’t look at him. “You’re joking, right?” When he didn’t respond she peeked a glance over her shoulder to find him scowling at her, waiting for her answer. She heaved a great sigh and settled on his lap, crossing her arms. “For Christ’s sake, Barron. Look at me.”

  “I am,” he growled, not liking where this was going.

  Willa waved a hand down her body. “My ass is too big, my chest is too flat.” She waved a hand to the sky. “The sun exposure has given me freckles on my nose, and my hair...” She chuffed a disgusted laugh. “Let’s not go there.” She shook her head. “Just don’t call me that.” She made to get up, but a strong hand collared her throat.

  At first she pushed against the dominant gesture, but Barron wouldn’t relent. Slowly, he pulled her until her back was pressed tightly to his chest, her ear nestled against his jaw as her heart rate kicked to life.

  “Barron?” Her voice was husky, her wolf curious at his intentions, while the woman stayed wary.

  The hand gripping her throat didn’t move, but the other slid up over her knee and smoothed up the jean-clad plane of her thigh.

  Willa swallowed hard.

  Barron’s hand kept moving and when it got to her hip, he slid it down until his fingers snuck between their bodies where he squeezed her ass cheek.

  Her breathing hitched.

  “This,” he hissed. “Is fucking beautiful.” Then his hand was moving again. It brushed her side and skimmed her breast as he lifted it to grab a strand of hair and rub it between his fingers. “This,” he nuzzled her hair with his nose, “is fucking lovely.”

  She was breathing hard now.

  Barron dropped her hair and moved his hand in front of her face to slide the tip of a finger down the slope of her nose. “This is fucking adorable.” Then his hand lowered. “And these…”

  Willa’s heart slammed into the wall of her chest, and her breathing hitched when his hand cupped one of her breasts. Right there, out in the open, for all eyes to see.

  “Are fucking perfect!”

  She couldn’t control her body’s response. He was too Alpha for her wolf to ignore. Instead of jerking away from him like she knew she should; her traitorous body relaxed back against him, and he took the opportunity to massage her breast, sending heat shooting straight to her core. Fuck. She wanted him, and it was humiliating. She was the Alpha! She wasn’t supposed to want or need anyone. But right now, right at this moment, she wanted Barron so badly she could taste it. Her tongue darted out to wet her lips and a growl rumbled in appreciation at her back. The sound wet her panties and had her arching into his touch, which pushed her ass harder against his erection.

  “Willa,” he growled, and his hand slid from her breast, straight down to her pussy where he rubbed over her jeans.

  The sensation was delicious and had a feminine mewl leaving Willa’s lips. The sound shocked her because one, she’d never made it before and two, it sounded so fucking womanly and…needy. But God did she need. She needed that thick rod at her ass sliding into her pussy to relieve the ache that was building there. Christ! She felt like she was in heat.

  Barron rubbed a little faster, and she knew he’d soon be able to feel the dampness between her legs if he didn’t already.

  He growled again and his lips nibbled her ear. “You smell so fucking good.”

  Just hearing him say the word ‘fucking’ had her gasping.

  “So fucking good, I could eat you.”

  That was it. That was all it took. With the friction, the words, and the allure of being caught out in the open, Willa came right there on the front porch still fully dressed.

  Chapter 18

  Willa’s breathing slowed as she came down from her high, and Barron murmured at her ear as her body hunched forward. “Easy, beautiful.”

  When she jerked from him this time, she caught him unaware and was able to shimmy free.

  “Don’t! Fucking. Call. Me that.” She hissed angrily and then spun away as embarrassment singed her cheeks.

  Slowly, Barron stood. His chin dipped so he could frown down at her from under angry brows. “What are you doing?”

  “What are you doing?” She challenged him angrily, lashing out because she was upset with what she’d let him do to her. “We’re supposed to be out here working, but you’re screwing around, trying to get laid. If you want sex, take your ass to town and find a floozy.”

  His hands curled into fists, but Willa couldn’t seem to stop herself. “And the next time you feel inclined to grab me and play with me…well, just don’t!”

  “I know what you’re doing,” he growled, a low warning in his tone.

  “Of course you do.” She threw her hands in the air. “The great and mighty Barron Kane knows the answer to every fucking thing!” She didn’t notice when some of the pack came out of the house to check on the commotion.

  “Don’t take it out on me, Willa, if you’re mad at yourself.”

  “Fuck you, Barron.” “Willa,” he warned in a low growl.

  “Don’t Willa me! This is my pack, my land, and my body. You’re no better than those punks at the mall.”

  That got his attention.

  “He pinned me on that table because, like a typical male, if he couldn’t scent a man on me, then I must be his.” She squared her shoulders. “I am not a fucking toy!”

  Barron tensed. He hadn’t heard the entire story of what had happened before he’d arrived at the pizzeria, and he certainly had no knowledge of David pinning Willa to the table. “What did he say?” he snarled, his own anger surging forth.

  “That my mark looked old. That I didn’t scent of a mating.” Her eyes narrowed accusingly. “They knew I wasn’t yours.” She stepped forward, ignoring the fact that his eyes had changed to reflect his wolf close to the surface. “This plan isn’t working, and you’re taking liberties that aren’t yours to take.” She turned her back to him and headed for the house. “Deals off!”

  “The hell it is!” He caught her just before she got into the house and spun her to face him.

  “We’re not fooling anyone!”

  The growl in his voice made his words almost unrecognizable. “We will.”

  She didn’t even get the chance to blink before he caught her wrist and bending, shoved a shoulder into her midsection and stood. He stomped across the porch with a kicking and screaming Alphina over his shoulder. To their
credit, the pack parted and watched in amazement as he stomped into the house and up the stairs, hauling Willa with him. The loud slamming of a door was the last thing the pack heard.

  Sarya was the first to speak. “Sh-should we go up and…”

  “And what?” Cortez cut her off. “Get our heads kicked in by the Alpha for disturbing the claiming of his mate?”

  Silence fell over the pack and, unsure if they should rescue their Alphina or support their Alpha, they shuffled off the porch to find chores outside that’d keep them busy.

  ***

  Once in her room, Barron tossed Willa on the bed. She bounced hard, and by the time she righted herself and shoved the hair out of her eyes, he’d already shucked his shoes and ripped off his shirt.

  “What in the hell do you think you’re doing?” She scooted to the edge of the bed only to be shoved back as Barron cut off her escape.

  “I’m claiming my mate.”

  Willa stilled, and for once, she was absolutely silent.

  Barron wasn’t. His hands made quick work of his jeans and when he was naked, Willa dropped her gaze to the thick cock that pointed straight at her before she jerked her head away.

  “We are not doing this.”

  “The fuck we aren’t.” One hand caught her ankle and pulled until Willa was flat on her back. Barron reached for her shirt and she fought him, but it was no use. The shirt came off in shreds.

  Angry, she kicked out at him and he caught her ankle. Bad move on her part, because his free hand reached up and ripped open the front of her jeans before they were engaged in a tug of war, her fighting to keep her jeans on and him easily winning to get them off.

  Pissed, Willa rolled to her knees in nothing but her bra and panties as she growled at him furiously.

  “I’m done giving you time, Willa.” Barron stalked around the bed and she tracked him with her eyes. “I am taking what is mine!” Then, he lunged.

  Willa fought, but she only heard the rending of cloth and felt a few tugs before she was sprawled naked under Barron’s hard body.

  She reached up to claw at his face, but he easily caught her hands and pinned them with one of his own above her head.

  Growling, he snapped at her face making her still. His incisors had elongated and his eyes were bright yellow. His wolf was being held back by a thread.

  Chest heaving beneath him, Willa noted his warmth and how good it felt to have his sweat-slick, corded body pressed against her own.

  Still trying to control himself, Barron stared at her throat as his hips shifted. She felt the nudge of his cock as it probed her pussy. She was so wet for him, aroused by the battle and his show of dominance, that he knew he’d slide right in if he moved to do so.

  “Show me,” he growled around his wolf’s fangs.

  Willa swallowed hard. She knew what he wanted. When she didn’t comply, he rolled his hips and just the tip of his cock eased into her, evoking a gasp as her heart thundered in her chest. God, how she wanted to give him what he wanted.

  “Willa!” He growled and slowly inched into her body just a little further.

  Involuntarily, Willa threw her head back and moaned, but for Barron it wasn’t enough.

  “Show me,” he commanded, and Willa’s heat-filled eyes snapped to his.

  She rolled her hips and tried to take him deeper, but he pinned her hips tightly to the bed with his free hand to keep her from moving. She growled in frustration, baring fang and snapping at him.

  He shook his head and commanded again. “Show. Me!”

  Willa’s eyes locked on his, and he could see the war waging within. She was terrified of trusting him, because it didn’t mean trusting him with just her life, but with that of her pack as well. But she’d have to decide. He couldn’t take the chance for her. She’d have to take everything she knew of him so far and decide whether she thought he was the right fit for the pack, whether she thought he was the right Alpha for her.

  Long moments passed with him buried, unmoving, inside her as she glared at him. Finally, when he was just about to give up hope, her chin slowly started to move.

  Eyes still locked on his, Willa let her tense legs fall open as her head turned to the side, exposing her throat and showing him that she and her wolf submitted to his dominance.

  It was the most wonderful thing Barron had ever seen, and he took advantage of the display, knowing they’d be few and far between. Lunging, he shoved his cock deep as his teeth struck, biting into her neck as his hips began a furious pace to seed her, to mark the inside of her, to claim her as his.

  Willa screamed at the bite, but not in pain. Her orgasm shot through her when his teeth locked into her, and when Barron began working his hips, he only prolonged the bliss that crashed over her in wave after wave. She came apart in his arms and didn’t stop as he shuttled back and forth inside her.

  Somewhere in the frenzy she tasted blood and realized she had bitten him too, marking him as hers. Then his hips slammed home as he shot his release deep inside her, as another wave of euphoria enveloped her.

  “MINNNNE!” He snarled and Willa’s wolf moaned in sated bliss.

  When he finally pulled from her body, Willa rolled away from him to allow sleep to claim her, but Barron wasn’t having it. He took her tirelessly throughout the night, each encounter more demanding and sexual than the first. By dawn, she felt full with his seed as it spilled from her to coat her inner thighs. She’d made to get up, with the intention of getting clean before having some much needed rest, but Barron had grasped her wrist and drew her back toward the bed. She’d stood there, uncertain of his intentions, when he slid a strong hand between her legs and swiped it through the semen that coated her thighs. He lifted the hand to smear his essence on first one breast, then the other, before returning to capture more. He coated her in his release, his scent, and Willa was surprised at how erotic she found the gesture. Who knew there could be such pleasure in feeling owned?

  Pulling her back into the bed, Barron crushed her to him and curled tight around her body before falling into an exhausted slumber. Willa considered sliding free for a quick shower, but recognized Barron’s gift for what it was. By morning, there wouldn’t be a wolf for a hundred miles that wouldn’t believe that she truly belonged to him. For the first time in ages, she felt hope spring forth and, content, she fell asleep feeling safe in Barron’s warm embrace.

  Chapter 19

  Brave little Arden had been elected to check on Willa. He rapped on her bedroom door, and when Barron quietly summoned him, the boy slowly entered. His relief at finding Willa unharmed was evident. She was asleep in Barron’s arms, tangled in the sheets. Arden met Barron’s amused grin then ducked his head sheepishly. “Cortez is taking us to town for breakfast.”

  Barron eased from the bed as he nodded once.

  Willa stirred. “Mmmm?”

  To Barron’s secret delight, Arden didn’t accept Barron’s unspoken permission. He peeked up at Willa again. “Willa.” He spoke a little more loudly. “Cortez is taking us to town for breakfast.”

  Vibrant green eyes snapped open and Willa sprang from the bed, holding the sheet to her chest.

  Barron knew she’d been about to protest, so he caught her wrist and pulled her back into him before tossing her back onto the bed. “Go.” He paced in naked glory to where his jeans were slung over the chair. Rifling through his pockets, he pulled out a wad of cash and handed it to Arden. “Be careful, and keep an eye on the others.”

  The last bit had Arden lifting his gaze to Barron’s.

  “You’re in charge.”

  Willa’s heart startled at the edict. What if something happened? Arden shouldn’t bear that burden. She’d been about to say something when Arden’s face cracked in a beaming smile that forced her to keep her mouth shut.

  “Straight there and straight back,” Barron boomed, turning to stalk back toward the bed.

  “Straight there. Straight back.” Arden repeated and then beamed at her. “Okay, Willa?�
�

  She nodded once, swallowing down her uncertainty and watching in worry as Arden hurried from the room. Her apprehension only mounted when she turned to flick her gaze toward Barron as he climbed back into bed beside her.

  “Don’t look at me like that, beautiful.”

  She immediately blanked her expression, unsure of exactly how she’d been looking at him.

  Relaxing back, he threw an arm behind his head and pulled her to him with the other. He held her tight and nuzzled her hair. “You smell good.”

  Willa didn’t know how to respond. Why was he being so casual? This had been a planned event, a strategy. It wasn’t real. “Barron, maybe we should…”

  He tensed, and then sighed heavily. “I know what you’re feeling Willa. I can scent your uncertainty, and it’s only barely covering your fear. The kids’ll be fine. Challengers aren’t coming for them. They’re coming for you.” He smoothed a finger up and down her arm in leisurely strokes. “And as for us...” He rolled quickly until she was pinned beneath him. “We better make sure everyone knows who you belong to.” His smile was contagious and his meaning was clear.

  ***

  An hour later found Barron straddling the bench at the picnic table with Willa pulled tightly into him as he sucked syrup from her lips. One hand was clamped possessively behind her back, and her legs rested over his thighs as she straddled him. Alone in the house, Willa had only pulled on a T-shirt that reached mid-thigh when Barron called her down to breakfast. After they’d made love, she’d dozed off. When she came down to the kitchen, she found Barron piling pancakes onto a single plate that they’d shared. He fed her, taking bites while she chewed. It was very intimate, and damn if it didn’t feel right.

  Clad in just his unbuttoned jeans, they exposed enough of his lower abdomen to keep Willa distracted.

  “This syrup is good,” he moaned, drawing her attention as he licked her bottom lip after one long suck. “But it’s nowhere near as good as yours.”