Savage Possession

by Belinda Boring

  It was difficult not to reel from the onslaught and to give in to the temptation. Clenching my teeth, I pierced my bottom lip with my sharpened incisors as I struggled to maintain common sense. This was his test. This was something I couldn’t fail. I cried out as I felt myself buckle under his invasion, but I didn’t relent. I would be stronger than him. I wouldn’t give in to my weaknesses.

  “Drink!” Zane ordered, pressing hard enough that I didn’t understand how his thumbs didn’t completely pierce through my palms. All the while, he was calm while I shook under the strain, fighting against his verbal compulsion.

  “No!” I answered through gritted teeth.

  “Give in to what you want.”

  “I. Don’t. Want. To.” I fired back, even as each word felt like a lie.

  With lightning fast reflexes, Zane released me. Slicing at his neck, his life force trickled forth from the cut and I almost lost my mind. “What about now?”

  With strength I didn’t know I possessed, I jerked to my feet and staggered to the cage door. His blood was like a siren’s call—beckoning me with its sweet enticements. I was a newborn. He couldn’t fault me if I slipped and took what he offered. Even if it set me back, my body ached to drink from him.

  It would’ve been easy, but it would’ve confirmed my worst fear. Not that I was insane, or that I’d made the wrong choice, but that I’d truly become a monster and that no matter how hard I tried, the ones I loved would never be safe around me.

  The roar of his blood was loud. What I needed was something stronger to focus on. Without hesitation, I latched onto the silver bars and screamed as the contact began sizzling at my skin. The pungent stench of burning flesh filled the air, but I didn’t let go. I would welcome this new pain until the temptation to feed on Zane passed. I would always make this choice—pain over hurting those I loved and considered friends.

  “Enough, Darcy. Be still, child. Be still.” I’d been so focused that I hadn’t felt him or seen him move. The instant he touched my shoulder, I released my death grip on the silver. I couldn’t stop shaking as shock took over. It had all happened so quickly.

  “I didn’t want to hurt you,” I muttered over and over.

  “I know. Please forgive me; but I had to know. You, my dear girl, have completely surpassed my expectations and shown incredible fortitude. I don’t even know if Devlin could’ve withstood such a test. I have no doubt that you are safe to leave this confinement. Continue your exploration with Devlin and Vivien; but as for me, I deem your conversion complete. You are sane and whole.”

  It was like I was hearing him through a wind tunnel. My chest heaved as I struggled to return my breathing to normal. But something sank in—I’d passed. I’d faced the challenge head on, and won.

  Suddenly, I was scooped up into familiar arms and I flailed a little. “No, Mason, wait. My hands. Wait.” But even as I tried to show them to him, they had already healed, all evidence of the trauma gone. As a werewolf, my healing had always been quick, but not this rapid. Here was a vampiric trait I could appreciate.

  “I release her to you, Alpha. She is yours to watch over, protect, and govern. While I am her king, I abdicate my authority to you. Most of all, she is yours to love and cherish.”

  With a brief nod, Mason pulled me tighter into his body, kissing the top of my head. “Let’s get you cleaned up, sweetheart.”

  Right at that moment, I didn’t care where he took me or what we did.

  If I never saw this room again, I’d die happy.

  Chapter Nine

  Mason

  She was free. And if it wasn’t for the fact that my sole focus was on getting us back to our bedroom without being stopped by curious Pack members, I would’ve taken a second to simply appreciate the moment.

  And sob tears of relief.

  My Darcy was whole and in one piece. Although she may be different now, essentially she would always be that beautiful woman I fell in love with—at first sight, completely.

  I hadn’t waited around for small talk with Zane. There would be plenty of time for that later. Right now, the only thing that mattered was her and me.

  So help me, I was determined to wipe away the horrors she’d experienced in the past few days and replace them with a night full of cherished touches and adoration.

  “Mason?” she asked softly, and once again I marveled at just how small she felt in my arms. She may have just inherited the strength and invincibility of a vampire, but she was mine to protect. The way her body shook against my chest showed her vulnerability.

  “Yes, sweetheart?” Reaching our room, I carefully opened the door and kicked it closed behind us. I carried her over to our bed and not wanting to release her, sat with her still firmly in my lap. “You’re safe. It’s just you and me.”

  It’s as if my words opened up the floodgates as she took in a deep ragged breath and released a torrential downpour of tears. It broke my heart to listen, knowing there was nothing I could do to ease her exhaustion or still the pain radiating from her. Gut wrenching gasps escaped as she clutched the front of my shirt like I was her only lifeline. I did the only thing I could do—I calmly stroked her back, hoping that no matter how inadequate I felt, somehow I was comforting her.

  Time wasn’t important. Nothing was, as the silence surrounding us was replaced by her anguish filled moans and cries. Tears fell from my own eyes as I held on to her tightly, giving her the anchor she needed to purge the pressure that had been escalating since we first learned what was needed for her to live.

  Kissing the side of her head, I offered her small words—tokens of affection and commitment—anything I could think of that would reassure Darcy that things hadn’t changed between us. I was still here for her, willing to do whatever it took to help carry her new burden.

  Finally, her crying turned into soft whimpering and she slowly relinquished her death grip on my shirt. “Sorry,” she whispered.

  “For what?” Brushing her hair away from her brow, I leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.

  “For ruining your shirt.” She tried smoothing it out, but where she’d been resting, the fabric was soaked. “I didn’t mean to fall apart the second we were alone.”

  “Baby, if there was ever anyone who deserved a good cry, it’s you. I don’t want you to worry about anything, okay?” I was hoping the light tone in my voice would ease her. All it did was make her frown more.

  “Mason, I feel like everywhere I look, every thought I have, revolves around a billion things to worry about. I don’t think there’s a way for me to avoid it.”

  “Well, how about you give me some of that worry and we’ll face whatever happens next, together? You’re not alone, you know.”

  “I wouldn’t blame you if you decided you wanted out.” Darcy refused to meet my gaze, her admission muffled, but I heard it loud and clear. There was no way I was going to let her try and push me away.

  I couldn’t imagine my world without her in it. I’d gone crazy waiting for her to be returned to my safekeeping; so there was no question that whatever thoughts were flittering through her head right now, they needed eradicating. She may think she was saving me, but if she walked away now, she’d ruin me.

  There was no me without her and that thought confirmed exactly how we should spend the rest of the evening. I needed to show her that nothing had changed between us—that whatever flaws and imperfections she felt she had now, they didn’t matter. They never would, for as long as I breathed.

  “How about we get you cleaned up?” I suggested, picking her up and carrying her into the master bathroom.

  “Did you hear what I said?”

  “Yes.” Giving her a smile that didn’t show how much her comment hurt me, I placed her on the counter, next to the sink, my hands resting lightly on her thighs.

  “And you think bringing me in here is appropriate? We need to talk, Mason. I attacked you.”

  “I know.” My thumb traced a lazy trail over her leg and I was su
ddenly impatient to get her undressed. I needed to touch her skin, feel her beneath me. But my own desperation to reconnect wasn’t my number one priority. She was.

  “And?”

  “And what?”

  “Quit being impossible.” Her temper was starting to flare, but I didn’t back down. Turning my back to her, I bent over the bath and reached for the faucet. Streams of water began filling the deep tub and, after testing the temperature, I returned to face her.

  “Quit looking for a way to leave, then.” I gave her a hard look as I picked up the bottle of bubbles and twisted the top off. “This is your favorite, isn’t it?” I took a quick sniff and the familiar scent of vanilla made me smile. It was.

  She nodded, distracted by my question. That was my intention. “I don’t want to,” she replied, watching me pour the fragrant liquid into the water.

  “Then good, we agree. We both want to stay. Now let’s get undressed so we can enjoy our evening together.” I pulled my shirt over my head, kicking my shoes off at the same time.

  “But that doesn’t mean it’s the right thing to do.” She hadn’t moved.

  “The only thing you need to do is join me for a long, luxurious soak. You’ve been through a lot and I’m sure your muscles would appreciate the heat.” Completely naked, I raised my eyebrows at her, silently warning that if she didn’t follow suit, I was more than willing to help relieve her of her clothing. My fingers itched to remove the offensive barrier between us.

  Her face softened as a gradual smile slid up to her eyes. Something inside me relaxed. She wasn’t going to fight me. I held out my hand and waited until she was ready to take it.

  The moan she released as she eased herself into the steaming water bordered on sinful—unleashing the desire I’d been stifling since leaving the cage room.

  Biting the inside of my cheek, the sharp pain was enough to help rein in my urges. Darcy scooted forward and I slipped in behind her. The instant my body grazed hers, I groaned.

  I’d missed her. Missed this. The beautiful intimacy of being us.

  I watched as she let herself go, her limbs loosening as the tension she’d been holding melted away. The knots in her neck slackened and her head rested back against my shoulder. I swore there would never be a more perfect moment than right now. It had nothing to do with sex, even though I craved to reacquaint myself with her every curve. It was the trust she showed me, her belief that I would never hurt her.

  That one act of submission told me everything. She would never leave me. She knew that in me she would always find her safe haven—the one person who would always be there.

  “Thank you,” she spoke with a dreamy lilt.

  Caressing the top of her arms as they rested on the tub ledge, I whispered in her ear. “You’re welcome.”

  “You don’t know what I’m grateful for.” Darcy grabbed my hand and entwined her fingers with mine.

  “Does it matter?”

  “Well . . .” Lifting our hands to her mouth, she brushed her lips back and forth over my skin. The gesture sent chills up my spine and she chuckled softly when she saw goose bumps flare.

  “I’m right where I want to be, sweetheart. Don’t ever doubt that.” My answer told her I understood exactly what her thank you was for. She’d lost control and I was still here.

  “I’m scared.” She dropped my hand and shifted ever so slightly to look up at me. “I don’t ever want to hurt you.”

  “Haven’t we had this conversation before? Remember when you worried your witch nature would explode and I’d get caught in the crossfire?” When she nodded, I continued, “I wasn’t worried then, and I’m not worried now. I’m scared about what the future holds in store for you, for us; a lot still remains uncertain, but I’m scared for you, not of you.”

  Tears filled her eyes and my thumb caught a stray drop as it streaked down her cheek. “I love you, Mason. I was scared after how I acted toward you, that you’d stop loving me.”

  The idea was so absurd that I burst out laughing. I embraced her tightly and still kept laughing. Before long, Darcy joined in and it was then that I knew we’d be okay. Life would never be easy; but together, it would definitely be interesting.

  “Think that’s funny, huh?”

  “When are you finally going to understand that I lost my heart to you the second you opened that door and found me there for our blind date? You have owned me completely, and nothing will ever change that. I will always love you.”

  “To the moon and back?”

  “And further.” I loosened my hold on her so she could roll around and face me. She was beautiful—my miracle—and I wished she could see herself through my eyes. “What do I need to do to prove that?” She studied my expression, her heated gaze making every inch of my body burn. Helping her get comfortable, her hip resting against mine, I cupped her cheek and repeated my question. “Darcy?”

  “Nothing. I was just being stupid.”

  “Never stupid,” I whispered and pulled her in for the kiss I’d been impatiently waiting to give her.

  I don’t know whether it was because of what we’d faced, the fact I’d almost lost her, or the intoxicating scent of the vanilla on her skin, but the second her mouth opened to me, the world vanished. Drowning in her kiss and the sensations she stirred deep inside me, any hope of keeping my hormones in check evaporated.

  I was like a man drinking his first glass of water after surviving the desert. Savoring was not the word for what I was experiencing. As my tongue dipped into her mouth, I all but vibrated with need. She responded in kind, showing me by the way her body involuntarily rocked against mine that the time for talking had passed.

  We’d said all we needed to say. What came next would be enough to put any doubt or confusion behind us.

  Threading my fingers through her hair, my grip tightened as I deepened our kiss, my other hand holding her steady. Water splashed around us, spilling over the sides, our skin slick and slippery. I wanted more, needed to get her out and back on our bed where I could continue what we’d started here.

  Breaking the seal of our mouths, I feathered kisses across her jawline, before licking the water droplets from her neck. She tasted so good and I didn’t want to wait any longer. “I think bath time is over, sweetheart.”

  With her hand on my chest, she pushed herself back. There was a fire blazing in her eyes—one fueled with mutual desire. “Absolutely.”

  Somehow we managed to get out without breaking our necks, more water sloshing over the tiled floor and dripping from our bodies, but neither of us cared. Now that we’d begun, it was impossible to not touch, caress, and steal small kisses. For the first time tonight, Darcy laughed freely, the sound an elixir to my soul.

  Finally dry, I scooped her up, carried her into our room, and not so delicately dropped her onto the bed. She didn’t complain though, sliding upward so her head rested on the pile of pillows, strands of her damp hair fanning out.

  “I love you, Darcy O’Connor,” I murmured, climbing up her body, laying haphazard kisses along the way. Each time my lips pressed against her soft flesh, she trembled. Her reaction told me she was ready.

  I was ready. Even though I’d wanted to take my sweet time with her, something about the way she arched up into me screamed this wasn’t the time for slow. I was all but bursting out of my skin and mind with anticipation.

  “I love you, Mason O’Connor,” she panted, her fingers grazing over my shoulders. When I reached her mouth, my tongue traced her bottom lip before sucking on it gently. Her nails dug in a little harder, and my hand made a straight line for her hip, gripping it as I positioned myself.

  Just one more move, one more breath.

  Her interruption wasn’t what I expected. “Wait, what if?” Once again, concern flooded her features. “What if I lose control?”

  I knew exactly what she meant, and it was enough to make me pause. I didn’t want her feeling anything but pleasure. Even though her body screamed she was ready for this, her
question told me she needed a little more time. At least enough to be reassured.

  “I trust you, sweetheart.”

  “But I don’t trust me. We’ve never done this with me being a vampire. And it’s not exactly something I’ve talked to Devlin about.” The thought of having a sex talk with her uncle made her skin flush a sexy red. I mentally cursed and willed myself to focus. She was genuinely worried and I needed to take it seriously.

  That’s when I remembered. “When’s the last time you fed?” Devlin was supposed to bring her blood, but had postponed it on Zane’s orders. As far as I knew, she’d had nothing for several hours, and now it was me who felt like an idiot. Her hunger was something neither of us could ignore, regardless of our other needs.

  “It’s been a while. I knew I should’ve taken care of it when Zane released me, but honestly, all I wanted to do was be alone with you. I ignored my thirst,” she replied, crestfallen.

  “You can’t do that. Unfortunately, your hunger comes first from now on.” Without hesitation, I bared my neck to her, tilting my head to the side. “Take what you need.” She licked her lips, but instead of leaning forward, she seemed to shrink back into the pillow. I realized my mistake instantly. “Or how about I go get something for you? Devlin’s still here in one of the guest rooms; I can grab one of the blood bags for you.” I hoped the candid way I talked about this showed her I was all in.

  “Thank you.” Darcy’s smile was a little crooked, the faintest trace of a dimple appearing. “I’ll get better at this, I promise.”

  I was already up and pulling on some sweat pants, my body missing hers as each second passed. Returning to the bed, I quickly kissed her again before winking. “I’ll be right back. Don’t go anywhere, okay?”