Blissful Agony

by Rivers, Brandy L

  “Bastards,” Slater growled.

  Clint continued, “When I started to resist, they found me with my human girlfriend. Axel commanded me to hurt her. Then he forced me to change her. She died in the process. They shot me and set my house on fire, leaving me to die. I crawled away, stole a car, and now I’m here.”

  “We checked after he arrived. The owner had recently passed away, peacefully, and no longer had need of the vehicle,” Slater offered with a sad smile.

  “Thankfully not. I was eighteen when I made it here.”

  Elias shook his head. “That’s heavy.”

  “How long were you with the Elm Wood Pack?”

  “A year. Ran away from home a few months before that. Mom left. Dad…” Elias glanced away. “I thought what he did was bad. Then I was attacked, and I learned what bad really meant.”

  “No one’s going to hit you here. No one’s going to beat you, tear you apart, insult you, or make you hate yourself. No. We’re going to do everything in our power to keep you safe, and teach you how to defend yourself from those assholes. Got it?”

  Elias nodded. “I believe you.”

  “Stick with these two.” He nodded at the pair. “Slater helped me when I got here. I turned out all right. You will too.”

  He smiled. “Axel said you were a bad man, and deserved to be treated like shit.”

  Clint sighed. “And I suppose they told you it was your fault they beat you. Or that your dad hit you? It wasn’t. No one deserves that.”

  Elias nodded. “I don’t want to leave.”

  Jess placed a hand on his shoulder. “You don’t have to. We want you here. We’ve already told you that you’re welcome to stay.”

  “Thank you,” he whispered.

  After draining the glass of milk in one long swallow, Clint said, “Cookies were wonderful. Thank you, Jess. Now I need to get going. Emily is expecting me soon.”

  Jess spun around. “You’re welcome. I’m so happy for you two. Hold on to her.”

  “I have every intention of it,” he promised.

  Chapter 12

  “You sure you’re okay?” Liz asked for the millionth time since they started back.

  “Positive. I pushed too hard, but I always bounce back. I’m fine. Clint will probably have dinner ready. Food always helps.”

  Liz shot her a glare. “I would have stopped to get you something. You don’t know how much this means to me, and I want to show my appreciation.”

  Emily smiled sheepishly. “You have, and I want to eat with Clint. I promise, you don’t need to worry about me.”

  “All right. You win. And Clint will take care of you.”

  Emily’s excitement grew. “It’s weird. I thought I’d be afraid going there, but I can’t stop thinking about it. I want more.”

  Liz laughed softly. “Oh, when you have the right man, it’s easy to forget about past horrors.” A frown pulled at Liz’s mouth. “I never told you this, but I was raped before Tremaine brought me to your home. Managed to kill him, but if Tremaine hadn’t shown up, I would have suffocated in the fire. Robert helped wash away those memories. Being with him was always right. Even our first time.”

  “I didn’t know.”

  Liz stared straight ahead, laying out the facts as if they were nothing. “It was your uncle, Sinclair. I didn’t even tell Robert who, until a few months ago.” She parked the car and stared out the window.

  Emily knew Liz shut away the painful things in her past. She’d always seemed so unaffected, but the truth was she didn’t want anyone’s pity.

  Reaching over, she gently squeezed Liz’s arm in support. “He was evil, through and through. I think that’s where James got it.” She let out a sigh. “It’s not your fault.”

  “Remember how you freaked last night? I did the same thing after Robert made love to me the first time. Woke up from a nightmare, screaming my head off. He calmed me down, chased away the fear, and reminded me of how much he had always loved me.”

  “Clint calms me the same way. If he hadn’t been there, I might have fallen apart.”

  “The nightmares will fade. You’ll get used to Clint, and won’t want to sleep without him.”

  “Already there.” She sighed. “How are you feeling after my poking around inside?”

  “Amazing. And embarrassingly horny.”

  Emily laughed out loud. “Good luck, but don’t wait too long to tell them. I did my best to make you extra fertile. Hopefully, it works. Do you know who you want to be the father?”

  Liz shrugged. “Would it matter? I suppose I should ask them, but really, unless I made one wear a condom, it’s not like we can decide.”

  “I’m trying not to picture my brother, you, and Tremaine naked. I can’t even imagine how you all do it together.”

  She squinched her eyes shut. “It works. Not something you’ll ever have to worry about. Makes me happy though.”

  “All that matters.” She smiled as Clint pulled in.

  “Hey, Emily, thank you again. It means the world to me.”

  Emily turned toward her. “My pleasure. I’m glad we’re friends.”

  “Me too. Now go on. Your mate’s home.” Liz winked and climbed out of the car.

  Emily hopped out and hurried across the street before Liz could wave. Despite her questions, she’d finally accepted that life was life, even if one person’s decision wasn’t how she would choose to go about it. The more she craved actually living, the more knowledge she wanted to devour.

  Clint climbed out of the car with a grin. “Hey. Missed you.”

  “Missed you too. I’m starved, want to go out?”

  “What did you have in mind?”

  “Anything. Really, just need food.”

  He frowned as he hurried around to open the passenger door. “In 2 Deep is fast. That all right?”

  She nodded, and tiptoed up to kiss him before sliding into the seat. “Mmm… you taste like chocolate chip cookies.”

  “Jess made a batch for Elias. She let me have a few.” He moved back to the driver side and climbed in. “Why are you so hungry?”

  “Healed someone. Took more energy than normal. It’s nothing. Please drive. Later, I plan to tie you up and have my wicked way with you.”

  “Em.” He looked over with a soft expression. “If you’re not comfortable, you don’t have to.”

  “Won’t know until I try. And Clint, I want to please you too. Not to mention the thought of you tied up and at my mercy is awfully tempting.”

  “Oh, you please me all right. This morning, you took me by surprise, but it was everything I wanted and more.”

  She grinned, leaning over to lay her head on his shoulder. “Still wanting to at least try. And I know if I can’t, you won’t be upset when I change directions.”

  “This morning, I wasn’t sure how else to make love to you and let you have control.”

  “Didn’t need control then. You’ve brought out my beast.” She winked.

  He gathered her hand, twining his fingers in hers and kissed her knuckles. “I’m looking forward to tonight.”

  * * * *

  The girl’s muffled cries tore into Ava. She hated watching the brutality, but she wasn’t going to argue, or show any sign of distress. If she did, Axel would turn around and do worse to her.

  Gina was held down by four of their biggest werewolves while Axel carved the word “Remember” into her back with a silver blade. Of course, Axel tasked Ava with delivering the so-called package.

  Jumbled thoughts ran through her head, potential ways to escape with the girl. None of them seemed viable. Axel would track her as he had anyone with the gall to run. Clint was the only exception, but everyone thought he was dead.

  Why chase after him? Obviously, Clint wanted nothing to do with taking Elm Wood from Axel. Ava wanted Clint because he would be a far better alpha, but he’d turned down her offer.

  Maybe after he saw what had become of the girl he loved, he would retaliate and kill Axel. He
’d loved Gina, that much she knew.

  She’d watched Clint with Gina for two years. Jealousy grew within her, but she held it back. Axel had made it his goal to tear him down, but that young woman held him up.

  Ava wanted that. When Axel found out, he meant to destroy them both. But then ended up keeping the girl. Clint attempted to kill Gina to keep her from Axel’s grasp, and earned a whole new level of respect from Ava.

  If she had known he lived years ago, she would have done something. Axel had been busy with his latest toy, which didn’t last long because the girl didn’t put up any resistance. She’d checked out mentally, and Ava couldn’t blame her.

  Back then, she truly believed Clint had died. Axel shot him with a silver bullet, then set the house on fire. She couldn’t fathom how he escaped.

  Axel looked up with a vicious smile. “Once I’m done, collar her with the silver chain and take her. I want the bastard to find his gift without having to search.”

  Ava fought down the nausea and nodded. “Of course.”

  * * * *

  Clint let out a low groan as Emily slapped his ass. The sting lingered, and his cock hardened instantly. Obediently, he hurried his pace up the stairs, grinning to himself. She smacked his other cheek and he hummed in pleasure.

  “I like that sound,” she murmured excitedly.

  He reached the door, his chest heaving with heavy breaths as she slapped him again. He let out a breathless gasp. “Again,” he moaned.

  “Open the door.” Her voice held a husky rasp.

  He obeyed and stepped inside. The door clicked shut and then her hand made contact, the pain instant, but pleasure radiated through him.

  “Get naked,” she ordered. He yanked his shirt over his head as her blouse fell to the floor before his feet. As soon as he dropped the shirt, her nails scored down his back.

  “Fuck, that’s good,” he groaned, opening his belt, then his pants, kicking them off his legs with his boxers.

  The sound of her knees hitting the floor startled him. Then her sharp teeth sank into his ass and he nearly came. She licked over the sting as he tried to catch his breath.

  “Lie down. Face up. And tell me what you want me to use to secure your wrists.” The gravelly tone to her voice was the sexiest thing he’d ever heard.

  He climbed onto the bed, and lay back. “There’re silver cuffs in the drawer. Don’t worry, they’ll burn, but an hour after they come off, I’ll be healed.”

  She chewed her lip a second, her eyes drifting down his body. Her smile widened. “Pain really does this to you?”

  “Yeah, I’m a freak. I—”

  She pinched his nipple hard and he groaned, his hips jerking.

  Emily met his gaze. “No more than me. I’m getting off on your reaction. Needed to be sure you really want the silver.”

  He met her gaze and nodded. “I do. If you can’t, there’s rope.”

  Her brow cocked as she reached into the drawer. Her eyes danced as she looked over the toy assortment. She grabbed the cuffs with a smirk and pulled one arm above his head, clicking the shank tight before threading the other through the bars and yanking his right hand up, snapping the second shackle around that wrist.

  The dull burn spread immediately, heightening his arousal.

  Emily pulled out something that made his heart race.

  “Are these nipple clamps?” she asked breathlessly.

  His mouth was so dry he couldn’t find the words, so nodded in answer.

  “Like them?”

  Another nod.

  “Like this?” She attached one and he grunted, his head falling back. Then she hooked the other on him.

  “Yeah,” he panted.

  “Then what?”

  “Yank them off when I come, or when you’re ready to come. I’ll be right there with you.”

  She nodded, her breath coming faster. Her perky breasts moved with the motion and he couldn’t help watching her pink nipples tighten as she looked over him.

  Emily reached out and pulled one clamp, not hard enough to remove it, but sufficient to burn.

  “Shit, yes!” His hips bucked, he needed her. “Want you so bad, Em. Please.”

  She climbed up beside him and wrapped her hand around his base, stroking slowly as she bent down and licked the glistening drop from his slit.

  “Mmm.” Her mouth slid down his shaft, sucking as her hand moved lower.

  “Come here, put your sweet cunt over my mouth so I can taste you too.”

  She sat up so fast she almost fell. “What?”

  He grinned. “Straddle my face and let me make you come if you’re going to stay down there.”

  “You like the way I taste?” she whispered.

  He nodded enthusiastically.

  She moved over him, her hands on his stomach as she looked back. “This way?”

  He lifted his head to tease her clit. “Exactly like that.”

  “Oh, that’s… oh.” She moaned, then bent back over him. Her mouth closed around his crown and glided down and up as he explored her slick folds, finding what made her moan in pleasure.

  She brought him to the brink and his head fell back. “Want inside you. Please, need you, Em.”

  In complete agreement, she shifted around, and slid over him. Her pace was hard and fast. Her nails hooked into his skin as she rocked up and down.

  “So damned tight, Em. Like heaven.” He groaned. Emily caught the chain between the nipple clamps and yanked it off with her cry of pleasure. He came hard, her body milking his as she stopped, her eyes blazing molten bronze. Magic danced over him in a warm wave, awakening his senses.

  He couldn’t tear his eyes away as she leaned down to kiss him full on the lips. Her tongue slid against his and he rolled his hips slowly, loving the sensation of her pulsing walls around his still-hard cock.

  He’d never craved delving his fingers into someone’s hair so bad in his life, but he didn’t complain as he thrust into her, her body undulating as they kissed in tempo with their lovemaking.

  She reached out and touched the cuffs. They fell away. His hands glided over her skin, needing more contact. So much love flowed through him as her fingers threaded into his hair.

  “Want you over me. Need you in charge.” Her desperate plea was all he required.

  He rolled Emily to her back, and propped himself over her with his elbows. His fingers sank into her hair as her legs and arms wound around him.

  This time he moved in slow, powerful thrusts as he kissed her senseless. He’d never taken someone so lovingly, ready to do anything in his power to please her. Emily pulled down his chipped wall, and filled him with peace so deep the memories were a distant echo, no longer a threat.

  Her legs shuddered as her back arched, a cry escaping her lips. He followed her into release, holding himself tight inside her body. Panting, he rolled to her side, pulling her into his arms as he kissed down her neck, his hands caressing every inch of skin as he held her.

  “So beautiful, Emily. Never felt like this. You push the memories away.”

  “Love you,” she whispered, her eyes drifting shut. Then her hand slapped over her mouth as her eyes widened in shock at her admission.

  “Love you too,” he whispered, pulling her head against his chest. “Tell me if this is too much.”

  “Perfect,” she murmured, relaxing into his embrace before drifting off to sleep.

  Chapter 13

  Muted sobs yanked Clint out of sleep. The clinking of chain brought him fully awake. He shot off the bed and grabbed his jeans, pulling them on before running to the front door.

  He flipped on the porch light and stepped outside. The sight stopped him dead in his tracks. A frail girl with cropped hair clawed at the silver chain around her throat. The word “Remember” carved across her shoulders, oozing with blood and puss around the blistered skin.

  Her sobs became frantic pants laced with whimpers.

  Clint moved around her and dropped to his knees with his hands
outstretched. “Shh, it’s going to be okay.”

  Her eyes snapped open, locking on his. His words dried up as horror filled him. His worst nightmare, his biggest regret, sat in front of him. Skin and bones, filthy, and clearly haunted.

  “Gina?” he whispered.

  Her eyes filled with tears. He reached for the collar. The links were silver, but the padlock simple steel. He twisted the lock, busting it open, and the chain fell away.

  She fell against his chest as his own sobs joined hers. “You’re alive?”

  “I need to help her,” Emily gently interjected.

  He looked up at her and his heart broke. Guilt rolled through him as he looked back down at Gina, a shell of the girl he once knew.

  “Gina, what did they do?”

  She whimpered, pressing tighter, her frail, naked body trembling in his arms.

  That night came rushing back.

  He stood over his girlfriend, chest heaving and tears flowing as he stared down at her bruised and broken body. He’d finally broken Axel’s hold and stopped hitting her, but it was too late. Her skull was bashed in.

  “Change.” The power in Axel’s voice pushed the change through him. Before he could get his bearings, he was on all fours, panting in pain. “Change her!” Axel yelled

  His jaws clamped down on her throat and he bit hard, hoping to break her neck instead. Being a wolf in Axel’s pack was the last thing he wanted to put Gina through. He wished now he’d dumped her when he was first changed.

  He’d tried, oh, did he ever. She didn’t make it easy though. Wouldn’t let him go, and he was so in love he kept the secret to protect her.

  How could I have been so stupid?

  “Enough. Back away slowly. I want to inspect my new toy.”

  Her chest rose once, and fell, never to rise again as blood pooled around her body. Sanity settled in as he changed back to human. Kneeling on the floor, relief flooded him. Dead, Axel couldn’t torment the one ray of light in his dark world.

  The click brought his attention to Axel as he fired a huge revolver at point-blank range. The bullet passed through his chest, chipping bone on the way. He fell back as the air in his lung ignited, burning through him. Tiny stars burst through his vision.