Fever (Blood Moon Rising, #1)
Page 11
She stood by him, holding his hand, both of them dressed in the white ceremonial robes of the mating couple. Nik was performing the ceremony, a sort of “were wedding.” A roaring bonfire sat behind Nik, warming the altar laying on the grass in front of it. The altar was much like a bed, with silk blankets and flowers strewn along the rim. Danica’s cheeks burned as she stared at it. Gage had explained to her how it worked, that they must consummate their vows before the pack. Having sex in front of a group of strangers made her stomach crawl with butterflies, but she couldn’t deny the thrill at finally becoming one with the man she desired more than anything else in the world.
Gage looked handsome, the firelight bouncing off his freshly shaved face. Clean-shaven, he looked a few years younger, and his eyes were alight with happiness as he gazed at her.
“Do you, Gage Johnson, Packmaster of the Moonstruck Pack, hereby take Danica Williams to be your queen?”
“I do,” Gage said, his gaze never wavering from hers.
“And do you, Danica Williams, Marked by PackMaster Gage Johnson of the Moonstruck Pack, vow to take Gage as your king?”
“I do,” she said, nerves tickling her belly.
“Hold out your palms.”
Danica wasn’t too crazy about this part, but she knew it had to be done. Nik produced a ceremonial dagger and ran the blade first across Gage’s palm, then hers. He was as gentle as he could be with hers, making a light incision. “Join hands.”
Gage took Danica’s palm in his own. “You okay?” he whispered.
She nodded. “Never better.”
He smiled wistfully, leaning his forehead against hers.
“By taking this blood oath, you are bound for life. Do you both swear to remain faithful to one another and protect one another until you draw your last breaths?”
“I do,” Gage and Danica both answered at the same time.
“Then let it be.” Nik ran the bloodied dagger through the flames and embedded the blade in the ground. “Do our brothers acknowledge this alliance?”
“Yes,” the other weres answered.
“Then let it be known from now on you are lawfully mates. Please proceed to the mating bed.”
Finally, the last stage of the ritual. Danica’s heart rate kicked into high gear as Gage led her to the bed and removed her robe. It fell away and he tossed it onto the grass. The night air, along with the desire coursing through her veins like fire, made her nipples swell and harden. Gage let his hungry gaze rove over her bare body, and she caught her breath as she finished untying his belt and removed his robe.
He was beautiful. Though she’d seen him naked before, he seemed to glow with a pale blue light. Her eyes fell on the erection that was already hardened between his legs.
“Are you ready?” he whispered, taking her hands in his.
Her heart hammered inside her chest, making her breathless. She nodded and her voice shook when she spoke. “I’m ready.”
Tenderly, he lowered her onto the silk sheets. He lay beside her, shielding her from the onlooking stares of their packmates. “Don’t think about them,” he said into her ear. “This night - this moment - is for us.”
“For us,” she murmured as he gently brought his mouth down on hers.
The kiss was tender and sweet as his fingers probed her, testing her folds, seeing if she was prepared for him.
She moaned as he touched her, spreading her legs as her juices coated his hand. Slowly, he repositioned himself over her, spreading her legs apart so her knees were on either side of his hips. “Don’t let me hurt you,” he breathed. “Tell me if I’m hurting you.”
He lowered himself inside her, pushing her walls apart as he made her stretch. She sighed with pleasure as he went deeper, and she brought her hips up to meet his, allowing him full access. “Deeper,” she breathed. She reached around and pressed his butt down. Another inch and he was fully sheathed.
He groaned deep in his throat, arching his back and holding that position for a few seconds before beginning to work his hips. He kissed her, and she closed her eyes, forgetting she was lying under the stars, being watched by a group of strangers who began chanting in a language she didn’t know.
The strange blue light enveloped them both, seeming to leak out of his skin and covering hers. The tattoo along her hand lit up like starlight, as did the Mark along his shoulder, where he explained his maker had bite him.
Faster and faster Gage pumped, their lovemaking turning into something feral. She could feel herself coming to climax, could feel the fire growing with every stroke. The light intensified, lighting up the area.
“Danica,” Gage breathed against her neck.
“Yes,” she said, clawing at his back and whimpering. “Yes, more. Oh, Gage.”
She cried out as she came, arching her back and writhing as pleasure exploded deep inside her. Gage growled about the same time, arching his back and pumping hard and deep as he deposited his seed inside her. The light burst from them, and the crowd cheered with whoops and hollars.
When the light receeded, Danica and Gage lay there soaked in sweat, staring at each other. Her eyes followed the traces of swirling blue tattoo along his shoulders and arms. An identical one ran all the way from her hand and up her arm, flowering along her chest and down the other arm. Only mated wolves had these types of “complete tattoos,” Gage had explained to her the night before. Which meant…
“Are we…?” she breathed.
“Yes.” He reached up and pulled her face toward his, kissing her softly. “We are one.”
She rested her head against his. “Forever.”
He smiled. “Forever.”
***
The party commenced shortly thereafter. Gage, cloaked in his ceremonial robe again, stood near the fire watching his mate with a smile. The other members of the pack were greeting her, welcoming her into their fold with hugs and kisses on the cheek.
A warm glow filled Gage’s chest. He had heard the mating bond was unlike any kind of human tie, like literally becoming “whole.” It had been a long time since he’d seen his pack this happy, and his Danica was all smiles as she warmly embraced her blood brothers, though her eyes kept cutting to him every now and then.
His cock quivered in anticipation of later that night when he took her back up to his - no, their - bedroom. Mating with her had been everything he had dreamed it would be. And he planned to make her dizzy with pleasure later.
Nik came up beside him, taking a swig of a beer. Tables had been setup with refreshments, including several kegs, and a stereo system had been brought outside with an extension cord. “Congrats,” Nik said.
“Thanks.” He sighed. “I’m glad I can stop worrying about this whole mating fever thing now.”
“But now you have a mate to take care of.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Nik grinned and offered him the beer. Gage accepted it and took a long pull. It was ice-cold, the only way to drink a beer in Gage’s opinion.
“So I just got a call from Verika,” Nik said.
Gage raised a brow. “Thinking about rekindling things?”
“No, no. Some things are best left alone.” He smiled ruefully.
Gage had never said it aloud, but he thought some part of Nik hadn’t let Verika go. She was the closest he’d come to loving someone, but when he didn’t Mark her, they both knew it was only a matter of time before he found his mate and the bond tore their relationship apart. Gage felt bad for them. It was both the gift and the curse of being a were.
“She subpoenaed the calling records from the manor.”
Gage tensed at the grave expression on Nik’s face. “And?”
“Turns out, several late-night calls were going to a private number.” Nik looked at him. “Gage, the calls were all coming from the manor.”
“Do we know whom the calls were going to?”
“No,” Nik said with a frustrated sigh. “Someone’s got the line protected by magic. Ver
ika’s working on breaking it.” He was quiet for a moment. “You know what this means, right?” he said quietly.
Gage inhaled a breath and let it out slowly. “Yeah.” He looked his brother in the eyes.
“It means someone in my pack has possibly betrayed us.”
END OF BOOK 1
Book two, Protector, coming soon.
If there’s one thing Nik Johnson can’t stand, it’s the thought of finding his mate. Which, apparently, he’ll have to do soon since his mating fever has finally arrived. With his thoughts still hung-up on his former lover, he’s given up the hope of ever finding a love that perfect again. Until he meets Alara….
Alara Crescent has had anything but a charmed life, despite her family’s status as ruling family within the werewolf world. Ridiculed constantly for her weight by her cruel mother and father, she’s beginning to wonder if she’ll ever be accepted for who she truly is. Then one fateful encounter delivers her right into the arms of the man she’s destined to have.
When someone starts assassinating the royal family, Nik takes it upon himself to protect the woman he’s Marked - a woman who would as soon bite him than love him. Despite their prejudices, can the two of them find true love before the Blood Moon rises?
***
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OTHER BOOKS BY LOLA TAYLOR
Her Dark Desires
Carnal (now .99!)
Sinful (coming soon!)
Blood Moon Rising
Fever (now .99!)
Protector (coming soon!)
ABOUT ME
Lola Taylor is a pen name for my, erm, “steamier” novels. I like books that make me laugh, gasp, and swoon, which is what I try to shoot for in my stories. I’m a sucker for fantasy books, particularly those involving vampires and the supernatural – especially while said vampire is sweeping a gal off her feet. I like horror movies, playing around in Photoshop, and wearing the battery down on my e-reader. I have two rescued kitties, and a husband who hates to read but gives me his unconditional support, all the same. During the day, I work in a cubicle for customer service and hash out new story ideas in my many notebooks. At night, I get down and dirty with my keyboard. I love Game of Thrones, reading manga, and have a slight Hobby Lobby addiction.
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