by Bonnie Vanak
“For a short walk. Alone.”
Nia raced down the stairs, then followed the gravel pathway down to the pond. A short while later, she jogged through the woods, pushing past the overgrown brush. Dry leaves and twigs crackled beneath the soles of her boots. She climbed the hill until reaching a wide, open space. Mountains rose in the backdrop, jagged and proud peaks that had guarded this land for centuries.
Her parents had always wanted to be buried here.
She dropped to her knees beside two plain marble headstones engraved with their names. Her family was gone, except for Nikita. First their mother during childbirth. Then they’d lost their eldest brother to the disease, then their second brother.
Dad followed him to the grave ten days later.
Nia stared at the gentle curve of each headstone. She brushed dead leaves away from them and touched the marbled engraving of her father’s name.
“I miss you,” she whispered to the cold stone. “I miss you hugging me and calling me your princess. I miss how you used to make us pancakes on Sunday with little smiley faces drawn in syrup. I miss how you propped your feet on the coffee table and ate all the popcorn when we watched movies. I miss how you used to hunt with me, always behind me to watch my back.
“I miss you so much. Dad, I wish you were here to tell me what to do. I feel like I’m walking in a fog.”
Burying her face in her hands, she sobbed for all she and her twin had lost. Their family. Their innocent childhood. Most of all the love of the parent who was fiercely dedicated to guiding them through life.
She didn’t hear him behind her, but detected his warm, rich scent of pine. The masculine aroma made her feminine senses tingle amid the misery. Or perhaps it was because they were mated now, and her body recognized her man.
Two gentle hands settled on her shaking shoulders, massaging as he murmured to her in his deep voice. Then she felt him settle on the ground beside her, and Aiden pulled her into his arms. Nia cried against his chest, releasing the flood of grief she’d stemmed for years, grief she’d refused to show because there had been too much to do, the crisis paralyzing all her pack. Someone had to take charge.
So she had.
But now it felt too damn good not to be the strong one, the one who didn’t weep when they buried yet another once-strong male, or the ranch’s stores of food and supplies ran low. Now she could finally cry for her family, lying beneath the cold earth.
She lifted her wet face and he wiped away her tears with his thumbs. “Don’t cry, sweetheart,” he murmured. “I’m here now. Tell me what’s wrong.”
“I need to be alone. Please. I’m sorry, but I need time with my dad.” She pulled away from him and touched the gravestone. “Just for a little while.”
He traced a tear with his finger, two lines indenting his forehead. “Nikita, I’m your mate now. I’m here for you, whatever you need me for. I wish you’d open up to me.”
Oh, she was sorely tempted. But the years of disciplining herself to keep everything shut inside her had honed her control. And her twin had begged for a few more days so she could focus on finding the cure.
“I’m the alpha. They can’t see me break down. You understand. This is the only place I can truly be alone, have privacy to mourn.”
He closed his eyes for a moment, and then squeezed her shoulder. “I understand. I’ll be at the cabin. But if you’re not back in thirty minutes, I’m coming after you. I don’t like you being out here by yourself. There might be more gnomes who decide you’d make a lovely wolf snack.”
“I’ll be fine. I’ve taken care of myself for years, Mitchell.” She scrubbed her face with a fist and added softly, “Thank you.”
He dropped a kiss on her forehead. She heard him heave a deep sigh and then walk away, shuffling his feet in the dry, dead leaves.
Aiden couldn’t believe it. He’d been mated for less than a day, and his mate wanted to be alone in a graveyard.
He swore quietly as he returned to her cabin. Niki was supposed to be lounging in bed, pampered by him, not weeping by a grave. He felt helpless at the sight of her tears. Hell, he’d do anything to make her happy, but she still remained guarded and cautious.
Except in bed, where she turned into a wildcat, eager and clawing in her need. Oh yeah, no problem in that area.
But outside of bed, she was still prickly.
When would she open to him?
He reached Nikita’s cabin, walked up the back steps, opened the door and went through the hallway into the living room and ground to a halt.
Niki sat on the sofa, leafing through a magazine. She looked up, and blinked in apparent surprise. Then a smile touched her face. No tears. No signs she’d been crying.
He looked around, stunned. How had she beaten him back here? Yeah, he’d made a few detours, checking out the barn and the pond, but still…
“Hi.”
Aiden’s nostrils flared. He felt confused and off kilter. Hell, Niki had made him feel like that ever since he’d met her five years ago. But not like this, as if he didn’t know her.
It was her fragrance. Her scent, it was different. Just a little. A touch of the fragrant lilies and spring flowers he loved, laced with vanilla. Vanilla was the essence of childhood Lupines and Lupines who’d never had a lover. But Niki’s scent should have changed by now. Certainly they had made love enough to warrant such a change.
“What are you reading?” he asked.
She held up the magazine. “Wildlife journal. Habits of wolf packs.”
He grinned. “Because of all that howling you did an hour ago?”
Niki stared at him as if he’d spoken a foreign language. Aiden rubbed his chin, puzzled.
He studied her face, really looked at her, and noticed for the first time that her upper lip formed just a little more of a bow. Odd. No scar, either. What happened to her scar? Did she cover it with makeup?
He peered at her face. No makeup. Fresh, wholesome skin. That was all.
“Are you happy?” Niki asked him.
Taken aback, he stared. “With you?”
She nodded.
“I would be happier if you weren’t so damn close-mouthed about everything and you’d open up to me.”
“But are you happy?” The magazine trembled in her grip. “Happy having me as your mate. Making this kind of forever commitment. Promising to care for me as long as your heart keeps beating.”
Never had he seen Niki this uncertain. Aiden sat down beside her and took the magazine, tossing it aside. He clasped her hands, wincing at how cold they were, and looked into her eyes. She swallowed hard and pulled her hands away. Blood drained from her face. Startled, he frowned. She looked too pale. What happened the rosy cheeks? The healthy pallor that his mate had since he’d stuffed her full of food?
“I’ve wanted you for five years, Niki. No other woman would do. Mating you was a commitment I’m damn glad to have made, and I’d promise to care for you into the next lifetime, or whatever follows this one. No regrets.”
A tremulous smile touched her mouth. “Good. I’m glad of it.”
He pulled her into his arms.
“I’ll be even happier if I can taste you instead,” he murmured, and covered her mouth with his own.
She stiffened, her fingers tightening on his arms, digging into the muscles like claws. She tasted of cherries and sharp, tangy spices, not the sweet honey and fresh peaches of his mate. The kiss was flatter than two-day old beer, missing Niki’s fire and passion.
Aiden immediately released her. Shock, dismay and then disbelief filled him. How could he have not seen?
Niki stared at him, her face paling. “I have to throw up.”
She raced for the kitchen sink and began vomiting. Aiden stared at her, feeling all kinds of dismay. His kiss made her sick? What the hell?
But when they made love, it was all fire and passion.
Maybe she was pregnant. No, she hadn’t yet gone into heat. Aiden shook free of his thoughts and grabbed a
bottle of water from the refrigerator. He uncapped it and handed it to her as she wiped her mouth with a paper towel.
Niki took the water and drank deeply. Sweat dampened her hair. “I’ll be all right. Thank you.”
“I make you sick,” he said slowly. Way to go, Mitchell. Talk about an ego deflator.
“I have to go. Fresh air.” She set down the bottle and started for the door.
But he hadn’t made her sick before…it was as if this Niki was an imposter. And then he recalled Tristan’s prophetic words: “You may win the leader of the Blakemore pack’s hand, but never her heart. She belongs to another who has claimed her first and she will surrender her virginity to him. It is in her destiny.”
He’d thought the sly wizard had been yanking his chain, testing him to see how far Aiden would go to claim Nikita. But what if there were two…
Aiden’s gaze sharpened as if he saw his mate for the first time. The scar. The way she got physically ill around him. One way to tell.
“Let’s go.” He started toward her.
She gave him a wary look. “Where?”
“The bedroom. You promised to do something very interesting to my anatomy.” He scanned the kitchen. “Where did you put the honey? You said only organic would suffice.”
She gave him a panicked look. “I’m not in the mood.”
Of course you’re not. You won’t be around me. Because you’re not my Niki, my mate.
Maybe this Niki will give me answers.
Aiden leaned close as she backed up against the door. “What’s going on here, Niki? Why are you so secretive and why are you so eager to get me out of here and send me packing to my ranch?”
Those blue eyes widened in apparent surprise, but she quickly recovered and shrugged. “I’m sure you have a lot of work to do back on your ranch.”
“Sure there isn’t another reason?” He kept his hands to his side and his voice gentle. “I’d never hurt you, or betray you.”
A flash of vulnerability on her face, then her expression shuttered. “I’m fine. And I don’t need your help. I need fresh air.”
Right.
He reached for the zipper of his jeans. “You sure, sweetheart? Because about twenty minutes ago, you were raring for another shower with me.”
Red suffused her cheeks. “I’ve showered enough for one day. My skin is wrinkling.”
He considered. “Maybe. Have to check for myself. Come on, darling, get undressed and let me see that gorgeous tattoo you got for our mating day.”
Now her eyes nearly popped out of her face. “Tattoo?!”
Aiden threw up his hands. “What’s wrong with you? Were you drunk when you got it? It’s so cute. Just a little old heart with my name on it. Stamped right on your pretty little ass. Remember how I kissed it last night?”
She began backing up against the door. “I have a headache.”
He heaved an exaggerated sigh. “Damn. Mated one day and already the little woman pleads a headache. I could pound on you all night and never stop.”
Raising his brows, he winked. “Want an aspirin?”
Blood draining from her face, she ran out the door.
Aiden’s smile faded as he looked out the window after her. She walked down the pathway snaking down the hill and ducked out of sight.
He hoped she’d be okay. She truly had looked ill.
Anger filled him, cold rage shoving aside his concern. His Niki had a lot of explaining to do when she returned.
And yet, for all the questions racing through his mind, he knew he had to tread delicately. For Niki hid a huge secret she’d been hiding for years…
Her identical twin sister.
Chapter 10
Nia didn’t know what had gotten into Aiden.
She returned from the graveyard, her eyes swollen, her face blotchy, Aiden took one look at her and kissed her hard. She kissed him back, needing his touch, needing connection. For years she’d distanced herself from everyone but her sister, and even with her twin, she’d kept part of herself hidden.
But with Aiden, she could find abandon in sex, and release her emotions through touch. The kiss had been long and left her breathless and panting for more. He pushed a gentle hand through her hair and gave her a long, thoughtful look.
Nothing more.
Then he swept her into his arms and kissed her soundly, then framed her face with his big hands and kept staring at her.
As if seeing her for the first time.
“You okay?” he asked roughly. “I hate seeing you cry.”
She nodded.
“Is there anything you want to tell me? I don’t want secrets between us.”
Oh boy, that was a good one. She had secrets leaking out of her ears.
“We’re alphas, Mitchell.” Her voice softened. “We wouldn’t be good ones without having secrets that protect our pack.”
To distract him, she slid her arms around his neck and pressed a gentle kiss against his mouth.
“Let’s go into the bedroom,” he said in a husky voice as she pulled away. “I missed you.”
She touched his arm, feeling the warmth of his skin. Aiden got warmer when he was sexually excited. She didn’t need to look down. All she needed was the heat in his gaze, caressing her.
Nia felt an electrical charge pass from his skin to hers, a current of erotic promise. Her groin tingled, and the space between her legs grew wet.
They made it into the bedroom.
Her panties were soaked as he kicked the door closed. He stared at her, his gaze hot amber, and he growled deep in his throat.
She knew he could scent her.
Her breathing turned ragged with need as he pulled her into his arms, nostrils flaring, his mouth unsmiling. This wasn’t love. It was pure carnal need.
They were made for this.
She kneaded his muscled ass, reveling in the firmness of his buttocks beneath her exploring fingers. Nia stared up at him, her core pulsing with hot need.
He pressed close, letting her feel his enormous erection.
Nia dropped to her knees and unzipped his jeans, freeing him. He was huge, hard, engorged with blood. A clear droplet wept from the red tip of his Lupine penis. His penis was slightly triangular. It made penetration easier. She shivered with anticipation.
Nia took him into her mouth, working her tongue over the shaft as Aiden gripped her shoulders. He tasted a little salty and spicy. He threw back his head and groaned.
She liked hearing him like this, knowing she caused it.
His erection grew larger, stretching her mouth. Then he pulled out, his penis bobbing and covered with her saliva, as he stared down at her with those incredible wolf eyes.
“It’s time,” he said in a guttural voice.
Nia stripped off her clothes, tossing them aside, and lay upon the bed, her legs spread wide open in invitation. Aiden stood at the bed’s edge, ready to take her.
He guided his penis to her soaked center, and pushed, entering her slowly. She winced, for each time he entered her, Aiden met resistance, as if her body didn’t want this submissive invasion. But she tilted her hips up and he surged forward.
The friction was incredible as he gently thrust, looking down and watching his penis enter her body, as if this claiming fascinated him. He kept thrusting forward, then he growled deeply.
Aiden pulled out, flipped her over to her stomach. He climbed upon the bed.
She felt his penis push between her soaked folds again as his hands gripped her hips, holding her still.
His whole length was inside her, filling her, and she moaned. She could not move in his steely grip, nor did she want to move. Nia let him control the pace, let him take her, wolf that he was, and fisted the bedspread in her hands. She lowered her head and pointed her ass upward, desperate to come.
Panting, he drove into her as his flesh slapped against hers. Aiden fisted a hand in her hair as he thrust into her. He bore down, penetrating deep and deeper still. Then the tightness blossoming
in her core spread, and she cried out. The orgasm rocked her so hard she nearly saw stars.
Craning her head, she saw him go still and stiffen. Aiden groaned came, spurting hotly inside her. This wasn’t mere sex. It was hot, baby-making sex, the alpha determined to impregnate her so his line would continue.
They both collapsed to the bed, Aiden’s heavy weight resting upon her. He tossed aside her hair and kissed her damp neck.
Gradually, he pulled out and lay beside her. After a little while, he made love to her again, this time each movement gentle and filled with tenderness. For a little while, he made all the nightmares fade away.
But she knew they would return soon enough.
The meeting with her pack didn’t go quite as Aiden expected. He’d thought Niki’s people would be relieved to know he planned to stay while he and his men fixed the ranch and restored it to its former glory. Relieved that they didn’t have to move to his ranch, and leave behind everything familiar.
Instead, they kept looking at him with worried eyes. One or two even voiced their preference for leaving.
“There’s nothing here for us anymore,” a woman said, holding her young son in her lap. “We need a fresh start.”
Niki had remained silent, letting him do the talking. But his mate’s earlier preferences echoed that of her people: fresh start, let’s all move.
He wondered about that.
Dinner that night was awkward. He said little, watching her, wondering if she was going to finally admit the truth. She cooked him a fine steak dinner, grilled to perfection. After the dishes were washed, she sank onto the couch and fell asleep.
Seeing the strain on her face, the smudges of exhaustion beneath her eyes, he let her alone, though inside, he wanted to wake her, demand answers.
So he found a fleece blanket, put it over her and watched her sleep. Tomorrow, he’d confront her.
Niki, or whoever she was, looked young and vulnerable in her sleep. She had grown up without a mother. It must have been tough. Hell, he’d lost his mother and it turned him inside out.
But to watch her father and two protective brothers die, and then be left with the responsibility of protecting her pack, hiding her twin? And why the deception?