The Mating Challenge

by Bonnie Vanak

  Aiden licked his lips, uncertain of this gift, and the wolf’s motives.

  Tristan, you sly dog. What do you want?

  A foul, dangerous smell drifted into the glen. His ears pricked back and he growled, suddenly very afraid for those he’d left in the cabin.

  A troll, standing about seven feet tall, entered the clearing. His eyes gleamed red and his skin was covered in a thick, ugly black fungus.

  Aiden stared, his body poised in the flight or fight mode. He could fight the troll, perhaps even win, but if there were more…and the dark magick ringing this glen worried him.

  The troll stank like rotting mushrooms, as some kind of disease had claimed him. It moved forward, dragging a heavy club.

  The silver wolf growled and pinned the massive troll with his glowing blue stare. The troll backed away. Then the wolf snarled and blinked.

  In an instant, the troll vaporized, leaving behind nothing but ash. Damn, that was powerful.

  The silver wolf shifted into a tall, dark-haired man clad in black. Tristan leaned against a tree trunk.

  “I would never let him hurt you, Aiden. You’re a good leader, and she needs you.” The wizard sighed and Aiden blinked in surprise. Tristan seemed almost weary.

  “This is not a good place for you. For anyone. Return to your mate, give her the second rabbit. She will need all her strength soon.”

  Aiden licked his lips and nodded. He didn’t know what the wizard wanted, but his wolf sensed no threat.

  He picked up the kill and began to leave the glen.

  But not before stopping at a tree Tristan had sniffed and lifting his leg. Sniff this, wizard.

  As he raced off with the dead rabbit, he heard Tristan’s amused chuckle float on the wind.

  Chapter 12

  When Nia, Aiden and Rickie finally returned to the lodge the next morning, Carol, Rickie’s mother, ran outside to greet them, screaming with joy as she hugged her son.

  Rickie, who’d seemed to mature in the last day, pulled away. “I’m okay, Mom.” He looked at Aiden, who nodded.

  “I’m sorry I upset you by running off.”

  Carol hugged her son harder. “Don’t ever do that again. We’ll find a way to deal with whatever problems we face. As long as you’re with me.”

  Rickie looked up at Aiden. “You going to stick around? You’re not going to leave us like my dad did? My dad ran off five years ago and said he’d be back and he never came back.”

  Her heart turned over.

  Aiden smiled and ruffled the boy’s hair. “I’m not leaving. I promise.”

  Then he gave Carol a respectful nod, and took Nia’s hand, leading her back to her cabin.

  Aiden herded her inside, until they reached the bedroom. He swiftly undressed her, and then ripped off his shirt. Buttons popped as he tore it off. He sat and tugged off his boots, and then removed the rest of his clothing.

  As Nia climbed onto the bed, he joined her, kissing her and tumbling her backwards onto the mattress. She curled her fingers around his broad shoulders as he moved inside her. Aiden’s gaze glittered fiercely.

  Her hands rose up, fisted in his thick, silky hair. Nothing else mattered at the moment but having him inside her, now. Her aching, wet pussy squeezed with need.

  He kissed her, his mouth moving over hers in desperate, frantic intensity and she knew he felt the same frenzied need. After the horror of the storm, she needed to get lost in him, feel him so deep inside her Nia knew he would never leave.

  Feel him imprint himself on her flesh, brand himself upon her body so days later, she would walk and feel him inside her still.

  Brand him with her flesh, so she would stay with him, forever.

  All those fantasies she’d had of Aiden were girlish dreams compared to his hard body moving swiftly on top of hers, his strong hands pinning her wrists against the mattress.

  He sucked on her lower lip, releasing it with a slight popping sound. Nia writhed and moaned, eager to have him join his body to hers.

  Aiden growled again. She recognized his possessive need to claim her physically, to mark her as his own. To merge them so completely they could not tell where one began and the other started.

  This was Mitchell, her Mitchell, the alpha male who beguiled her, vexed her, wooed her and made her sweat and scream and beg in bed. She wanted no other. Her mate.

  He devoured her mouth in hot, hungry kisses and she gave it back to him with equal intent. Aiden’s palms skimmed up her belly, to her breasts and he flicked his thumbs over her hardening nipples. Then he bent his head and sucked her right breast, his tongue whirling over the pearling bud. Nia wrapped her legs around his narrow hips and opened her thighs wide.

  “Take me,” she ordered, panting.

  Lifting his head, he stared down at her, his gaze dark, a pulse beating strongly in his neck.

  “Please,” she begged.

  “Ask me again, nicely.” Aiden fisted a hand in her hair and stared at her. “You’re mine. Tell me you’re mine.”

  Beneath the arrogant words, she heard the faintest hint of loneliness, as if he needed her as much as she needed him. Not merely for sex, but something far bigger than themselves, to usher aside the dark moments when it seemed they were the only ones holding it together, the leaders whom everyone assumed would have all the answers, even when there were none.

  “I’m yours. Do it, now!”

  He entered her in one single deep thrust, and she stiffened beneath him. Pleasure and pain shot through her at the force of his entry. Nia squeezed her legs around his hips and pumped upwards to meet his demanding strokes. Panting, he stared down at her, his fingers laced through hers, his gaze wild, sweat beading his forehead.

  His scent wrapped around her like a blanket, intoxicating her more than any drug ever could. Aiden took her in hard, almost violent strokes, his balls slapping against her flesh, his cock rigid and slick with her juices.

  “More,” she demanded.

  They began a rhythm, male and female, a dance older than time itself. Nia’s throat closed tight as she stared into his eyes, darkened to onyx. She could have lost him to the Banshee Winds, and the mere thought made her want to weep. To see this magnificent, virile and proud alpha with the tender heart die, his heart forever silenced, his eyes vacant as they stared at the sky as the others had…

  A sob wrung from her throat. Tears filled her eyes as she clung to him, her fingers digging deep into the thick muscles of his shoulders. Don’t leave me, don’t ever leave me, please…stay here, love me….

  Tiny muscles in her sex throbbed and pulsed around his thick cock. Give and take, she thought in a haze of sensual pleasure. Male and female, each needing each other. The way it was meant for Lupines.

  He fucked her hard and fast, making her sob and plead. Then he drew back on his haunches, wrapping her legs around his waist. Aiden leaned over her, pushing into her, playing with her clit. The friction of him sliding over her, combined with the light flicks of his fingers, brought the tension to an explosive burst. Nia screamed as she climaxed, her body bucking and shaking. Waves of pleasure slammed into her again and again.

  Then he stiffened, giving a loud groan, his cock growing thicker inside her. The wolf’s knot, tying them together. He kept climaxing and each jettison of his semen sent her into fresh waves of orgasm all over again.

  His heavy weight pressed her deep into the mattress as he eased his body onto hers. Perspiration slicked their skin. Nia felt his cock throb inside her as Aiden rested his head on the mattress beside her.

  Aiden rolled to the side, taking her with him, their bodies still tied together. Finally his penis returned to normal and he slid out of her body. Cuddling against him, Nia toyed with the damp curls on his chest, her breathing ragged. She had never imagined making love with Aiden Mitchell could be this intense and exhilarating, and emotionally draining.

  He did not let her leave the bedroom for the next six hours. He brought her food, and drinks, and made love to her non-stop
.

  She’d sensed Aiden would be fantastic in bed, judging from his confident manner, the graceful way he moved, those muscles moving fluidly beneath his tight jeans. But nothing prepared her for the reality. Not even her wildest sessions with a vibrator.

  The alpha’s lovemaking contained an element of pure animal intensity, all wolf. He was gentle, but once she’d displayed her own ferocity, he met her evenly. His eyes glowed amber, showing his wolf surging to the surface, displaying an eroticism she found impossible to resist. He’d coax her to the brink of climax with his gentle hands, and then urged her to turn over onto her knees, and then he’d enter her from behind. Dripping wet, ready to receive him, she’d moan as their bodies became one, the sweat slicking them as his male flesh thrust hard into her, his body slapping against hers.

  He’d touch the back of her neck with his tongue, licking her skin, flicking over the sensitive part of her throat where he gave her his mating mark. And then just as she exploded into rapturous bliss, he’d gently clamp down on her neck, his big hands holding her still as he nipped at her skin, the ultimate alpha move of a male claiming his mate.

  It was if spending time with Rickie had sealed his own longing for a son.

  Nia lay in bed, exhausted as Aiden went into the kitchen for more food. She rolled over and hugged the sweat-dampened pillow.

  It was nice to stay here and dream they could have a normal life.

  For in a short time, she knew reality would intervene once more.

  Two nights after the Banshee Winds, all of Aiden’s pack returned to the Blakemore Ranch and joined with her people in the large dining hall of her lodge for the first formal, celebratory dinner between their two packs.

  Thanks to Aiden, she felt energized and more alert. He’d kept feeding her fresh, raw meat and for the first time in months, she felt Lupine.

  Now as she sat beside him, she felt ready to tackle whatever came her way. After the dinner, she would talk with Aiden and tell him the full truth about the disease. He needed to know.

  The thought of breaking her father’s promise had torn her apart, but she couldn’t risk any more lives. Rickie had refused to leave the ranch. He was in awe of Aiden, and wanted to stay close. And every minute the boy stayed on the ranch, he was more in danger of catching the disease, especially now.

  Tonight’s dinner was a joint celebration, served by both their packs. To show their loyalty and appreciation for the newly mated alphas, their people had joined together to cook dinner. The prime rib, new potatoes and mixed vegetables smelled terrific, but she had no appetite. As they ate dinner, surrounded by the one hundred and forty-seven members of their pack, she felt the ruse she’d woven begin to crumble, the mortar of the foundation of secrets turning to mud. How much longer could she continue to hide her twin?

  It had been a delicate balancing act with her pack alone, but they had respected her privacy and obeyed her edicts. Aiden’s pack?

  They respected her, but they were everywhere since arriving for the dinner.

  Nia touched Aiden’s hand. “After we eat, send all your people home.”

  To her surprise, he didn’t protest or question why. He simply nodded. “Good idea. But I’ll keep Garth here with me. He and Roxanne are showing a deep interest in each other.”

  Relief filled her. At least she’d get the guys out of here. Most of them. She glanced at her beta, who was leaning toward Garth, her face alight with interest as he talked. It would be lovely to see Roxanne settled and happy.

  “Maybe you should send Garth back, too.”

  “No. He’s one of my best hunters outside of Kyle and Arianna, and the best cowhand I have at assessing repairs. I need him to work on the barn.”

  Aiden gave her a steady look. “Dale’s also staying. And so is Beth.”

  She craned her neck, looking at the pretty, dark-haired Lupine who was a biologist. “Why?”

  “I want her to examine the rabbit carcass Darius and the others found. If your land is stricken with disease, she can determine what kind.” He rolled his shoulders. “She’ll need a place to set up a lab, put her equipment. I thought that basement beneath your cottage would suffice.”

  Panic clogged her throat. “No!”

  Heads started. She smiled at everyone and lowered her voice to Aiden. “If there is something dangerous that could affect Lupines, shouldn’t the lab be someplace where the specimen can be quarantined?”

  Aiden raised his brows, considered. “Of course. What do you recommend?”

  Goodness, the alpha was actually asking her advice. “I’ll find a private cottage for her. Maybe the old one by the barn.”

  Aiden slid his hand over hers. “Thanks.”

  She gave a relieved smile and returned her attention to the food she didn’t want.

  When the plates were cleared and they awaited dessert, the speeches began. Most were brief and courteous, acknowledging Aiden and Nikita’s new roles among both packs. Then Aiden stood and told them how they would take time to assimilate both packs together, but for the meantime, they would still operate under the old system each alpha had set into place.

  Nia stood to make her speech. She gazed around the room and then cleared her throat.

  The door to the dining hall burst open. Nia’s heart dropped to her stomach as Carl Chandler strolled inside. She had not seen the troll since her wedding day.

  Aiden frowned. “What the hell?”

  “Excuse me, everyone! I hate to interrupt your little feast, but I have a matter of importance to address with the alpha.” Carl looked at Aiden. “The male alpha.”

  Nia’s pulse raced. Aiden frowned as her pack gave questioning looks. How could she tolerate such rudeness?

  It was easy when she owed the man five figures for the past six months’ worth of groceries.

  “I hope that now that Nikita is mated, you’ll pay the little lady’s debts. Finally, I’ll get the money I’m owed.”

  Face flooded with heat, Nia stared at the floor. Could she be any more humiliated?

  Aiden tensed. Oh hell, he looked ready to beat the crap out of the troll. If she let him interfere, she’d lose what little respect she’d had among both their packs.

  Nia put a calming hand on Aiden’s arm, feeling him tremble with rage. “I’ll take care of this.”

  She stood back up and faced Carl. “You’re rude and boorish and trespassing on my land. I’ll give you two minutes to get your hairy ass off my ranch.”

  She glanced at the clock. “I’m counting.”

  Cheers went up from her females.

  Carl sneered. “You can’t order me around, Blakemore. You owe me $45,000 for the unpaid bills you ran up for your groceries. If I weren’t such a generous male, I’d demand you give me the cash right now.”

  He headed over to Lucy, who shrank back. Sitting next to her, Stephen growled at Carl, the sound rippling through the room.

  Carl ignored him. “But the real reason I’m here now is to make an offer. Give me Lucy here as my mate and I’ll forgive the debt. She’s a young, pretty thing. Should be good at warming my bed.”

  Stephen jumped out of his seat. Red-faced, he looked ready to slug Carl.

  “Stephen, stop it,” Nia ordered. “This is my business.”

  She raced over to the table, and put a comforting hand on Lucy’s shoulder. The poor girl looked pale and ready to retch at the thought of mating with Carl. “You’re not going to mate anyone you don’t want, sweetie. Especially not this hairy-assed troll.”

  With a nod of thanks, the younger Lupine seemed to relax.

  Carl began to tremble, his bony shoulders shaking. “How dare you—”

  Nia looked at the clock hanging on the dining room wall, thinking of all the insults she could pile on Carl. Perverted troll came to mind. “One minute. You have one minute left.”

  “You’re a loser, Nikita Blakemore. You couldn’t succeed at running anything, let alone this ranch. If not for mating with Aiden, you’d kill your pack. I wish you
’d shut the hell up and let your man talk for you, bitch.”

  Aiden stood so quickly his chair fell “You bastard. That’s it. You’re going down.”

  Carl’s insult stung the heart of her. Nia trembled, fisting her hands, struggling to leash her temper. As Aiden advanced, she went to him and put a hand on his chest.

  “Please,” she said in a low voice. “Let me handle this. I must.”

  The alpha’s face grew red with rage, but he took a deep breath and steadied himself. Nia faced Carl, lifting her chin.

  “My pack is my business. My people are loyal, and they will stand by me, as I will always stand by them. As for you… I wish you’d drop dead, you bastard.”

  Shaking his head, Carl laughed. He opened his mouth as if to speak. Then suddenly his face went pale. Staggering backward, he groaned deeply.

  Then Carl dropped to the floor with a groan and lay still.

  Darius, nearest to him, bent down and felt his pulse. The beta looked up, shock rippling over his handsome face.

  “He’s dead.”

  Carl had done exactly as she asked. He’d dropped dead.

  Chapter 13

  Pandemonium erupted. Several members of Niki’s pack and his started for the door.

  Aiden whistled, and his pack went still. He held up his hands. “Everyone! Calm down and go downstairs to the living room while we figure this out.” He glanced at Darius. “Dar, you, stay here with me. J.J., Rafe, get them all settled downstairs.”

  “What about her?” One of his pack pointed at the pale-faced Niki, who kept staring at the dead Carl. “She has dark magick in her words.”

  “You’ve had too much damn whiskey, Paul. For that remark, you’ll repair all the north fences for the next two weeks.”

  “Paul’s right,” said John, another of his pack, who gripped the hand of an attractive female. “How do we know Nikita didn’t wish him dead?”

  Aiden growled and John shrank back. “You’ll join Paul in repairing those fences. Now get your damn asses downstairs and see to the others.”