"God, Altheia,” he moaned. “Please.” His hips jerked uncontrollably. “Don't stop,” he pleaded.
Altheia smiled in feminine satisfaction and she released his hands. Splaying her fingers across his stomach, she stroked through the thick nest of curls.
Michael jumped as though shot. Finding them free, he thrust out his hands, twisting them tightly in her hair, accidentally breaking the strand of pearls still intertwined there. The mass of curls tumbled through his fingers as the pearls scattered across the bed. With a growl, he tugged her head lower.
He felt her cool hands encircle him, lightly stroking ... teasing him. He twitched and throbbed within her fingers. Suddenly, he jerked, as if struck by lightning.
Altheia had willingly lowered her head and took him in her mouth!
Michael thought she would incinerate him. Her mouth was wet, but so hot! It seemed her tongue would fan the flames until there would be nothing left of him. But like the Phoenix, he found himself seeking the flames that would immolate him, secure in the knowledge that he would rise again. With total abandon, he surrendered, letting her consume his very soul.
When his hands released her, Altheia crawled to his side, wrapping her arms around his body. His chest heaved as he struggled for breath, like a newborn learning how to breathe for the first time. Her hand stroked soothingly across his smooth chest. His body twitched and jerked sporadically beneath her fingers and it took a while for his heartbeat to return to normal.
Gradually Michael's awareness returned and his arm tightened around the woman at his side. He gave a deep sigh of contentment.
"I love you,” he whispered against her temple as he turned his head to place a kiss there.
"Was it worth waiting?” she asked quietly as she let her tongue slide silkily across his nipple.
A shudder of remembrance rippled through his sated body. “Definitely,” he answered. He pulled her even closer.
The night passed as they slept in each other's arms.
Michael was the first to wake when the sun was still a smudge on the horizon. His cheek rested against one soft pillowy breast and his hand was splayed possessively across her stomach. Turning his head slightly, his tongue flicked over the soft nipple near his hungry mouth. Suckling gently, he felt it soon peak, pebble hard.
His hand began to stroke in ever widening circles till his fingers touched the soft curls between her thighs. Her body slowly started to undulate beneath his fingers. A gasp told him she was awake.
"I need you,” he told her, pleadingly, as he thrust his erection demandingly against her hip. She was wet and hot beneath his fingers and he ached to bury himself in her warmth.
With a whimper, Altheia reached down and took him in hand, gently leading him over her.
Michael shivered as he knelt between her thighs. Her scent intoxicated him and the warmth from her body nearly scalded him. Taking her hips in his hands, he lifted her to meet him. Then, unable to resist any longer, he thrust deep within her welcoming core. Her heat made him gasp. He lowered himself against her writhing body. Crying out his name, her hands moved to his hips, urging him on. Her hips rose to meet his every descent into paradise.
Together they strove for the ultimate release. Michael's growls were punctuated by Altheia's cries of passion. As he neared the limit of his endurance, he began to thrust faster ... harder. She whimpered, her nails raking his back as she reached her peak, her body stiffening, then shaking in orgasmic pleasure.
Her body clamped around his, brought a groan to his lips. With one more uncontrollable thrust, he buried himself deep within her spasming warmth, his release pouring from him into her welcoming sheath.
He collapsed on her softness, his air-starved lungs painfully gasping for breath. He smelled the sharp, metallic tang of blood and realized her nails had dug deep in her uninhibited response to their shared pleasure. He smiled at the thought of her claws ripping into him in her mindless passion. She is definitely as impassioned as any she-wolf, he thought with undisguised joy. All he could have wished for.
Rolling over, he turned her with him till she was sprawled over him. Making her comfortable on his chest, he tucked his chin into her hair and they slept again.
TWENTY-FIVE
They spent the next couple of days honeymooning, taking in a few sights like Hoover Dam. They did a little gambling and lost a few dollars. They saw a magic show and a burlesque. And they ate a lot. Of course, they made love often.
It was late when they returned to the suite on Sunday. Michael had seemed a bit distracted all night, and now Altheia was curled up on the couch watching him pace restlessly.
"Michael, what's wrong?"
He started at the question, turning to stare at her a moment before silently resuming his pacing.
After watching him for a few more minutes, she suddenly thought she understood what was bothering him.
"Michael,” she asked, “why don't you go out?"
"Go out?” He stopped his pacing and came to stand in front of her. “Go out where?"
"I can see you want to change and I hope you realize I understand if you feel the need. It's all right with me."
Michael studied her face as if he could see into her mind. He hadn't realized that he wanted to change until she'd voiced it. He was surprised at her insight and more so at her acceptance. He did feel the need. It soothed him, and this week, while pleasurable, had left him restless.
Michael reached down and gripped her arms, pulling her to her feet. One hand gently pushed her hair back off her face.
"What did I do to deserve you?” he questioned with wonder. “And how did you learn to read me so well?"
"I love you.” She turned her head, brushing a kiss against his hand. “Somehow, it's like I can feel what you feel."
He tugged her into his arms, burying his face in her hair.
"God, but I've felt so alone for so long."
"No more, Michael. Now you have me.” She tightened her arms around him. “I'll always be here. Why don't you go? You'll feel so much better. I'll be all right for a little while. Maybe I can even get some sleep."
He chuckled, “If you've gotten no sleep, whose fault do you think it was? Moi?"
"Both, if I were to hazard a guess. Not that I'm complaining.” She stepped back so she could see his face, “Go. You'll be glad you did."
"But I don't want to leave you. I like being with you."
"I know, but it won't be for long. I'll keep the bed warm for you,” she teased.
"More like hot,” he laughed.
He raked his fingers through his hair as he turned away, unsure of what to do. He would love to get out, feel the wind in his hair, the sand beneath his feet. But he also felt the need to be near his mate. Suddenly, he stopped, his head jerking up. Spinning around, he went to her, grabbing her by the shoulders.
"Come with me."
"What?"
"Come out to the desert with me. I want you with me,” he begged. “I need you near me. Can you accept that?"
Altheia was surprised. She understood his need to change, but she hadn't realized his need to share this part of himself. She had wondered a little about this other facet of his nature but had figured she would just have to learn to accept it unquestionably.
"Yes,” she agreed nodding her head. “I would love to go with you. How do we get there?"
"I don't know.” He thought about it for a few minutes. “I guess we'll need Charles."
"But you can't let anyone know what you are!"
"No, I won't. We'll have him leave us out there alone and come back to pick us up.” He sure hoped that would work.
"I don't know, Michael.” She was shaking her head.
"It will be all right. You're not afraid are you? You know you'll be safe with me.” Michael hugged her close in his arms.
"I'm not afraid as long as I'm with you."
"Good. Go get a jacket. It's probably cold out there. I'll call for Charles. We won't stay long. Only about an
hour. It's already late."
Twenty five minutes later they watched the taillights of the limo as it drove back into town. Charles had argued to no avail. He thought they were stark raving mad. What in the hell were they thinking of, to want to stay alone out in the desert? People got lost out there and badly hurt, or died, all the time. When Michael finally reminded him who was paying for his services, he grudgingly agreed. He would go back to town and return in an hour to the same place and pick them up.
Michael took her hand in his. “Come on,” he said and turned to walk out into the desert away from the road. When they were about a quarter mile in, he stopped. “This is fine. You all right?” he asked as he turned to her.
"Yeah. Sort of excited. What do you want me to do?” She stood in front of him, a little unsure of herself. What did he expect of her?
"Don't worry, nothing you don't want to do. I just wanted you with me. Okay?” She nodded. “Good. Why don't you make yourself comfortable,” he said as he took off his jacket and laid it on the sand.
While she sat, he stripped the rest of his clothes off and placed them on the ground next to her. He dropped to his knees and took her in his arms.
"Want to play?” he asked as he gave her a kiss. Before she could reply, he stood and walked a few feet away. Looking up at the night sky, he began to shake. Silently, he fell to his knees. As the tremors grew more violent, his head dropped forward. Then, almost without warning, Wolf was in front of her.
Altheia breathlessly watched Michael become Wolf. The sight still had the ability to awe her. That this fantastic creature was her husband was hard to believe. Perhaps she needed this affirmation of who and what he really was. It had been easy to forget in the last few days, as if it had been only a dream. She couldn't understand how someone so unique would want a simple human like herself.
She then remembered what he had said at the hotel about being alone. She vowed to never make him sorry that he had to settle for her.
As she watched, Wolf lifted his head to stare at her, quickly turned and raced off into the darkness. The sound of his paws in the desert sand was lost as he vanished from sight. After a few minutes, she began to feel apprehensive. Here she was, sitting alone, in the middle of the night, in the desert. Where was Wolf?
As if in answer to her thoughts, a howl pierced the night, the sound echoing around her. He sounded so far away. She uncontrollably started to panic.
"Michael!” she screamed into the darkness. Hugging herself, she stifled a whimper. Damn it, she thought, I will not become hysterical. Michael will be back ... I can wait.
Seconds later a shadow came hurtling out of the dark and Wolf was all over her. His sheer size knocked her to the ground. Whining, he nuzzled her all over as if trying to understand why she had screamed. Satisfied that she wasn't hurt, he stepped back and looked at her with his head cocked.
Altheia sat up and caught her breath. Looking up at Wolf, she giggled. “Where in the hell did you go?” she complained. “You didn't say you were going to leave me here alone."
Wolf pranced back few steps, his tail wagging madly. He hadn't meant to scare her. He just needed to run a bit to let off some tension. Well, he wouldn't leave her now. He wanted to be here with her. If only they could run together, he thought. But Wolf was determined to make the best of it. After all, she had come with him.
He grabbed her foot in his teeth and pulled.
"What do you want?” she asked. She started to stand up, but he grabbed her foot again and almost pulled her off her feet. Then it dawned on her. “You want me to take off my shoes?"
He moved back and gave a short bark. They could learn to communicate this way. He sat and anxiously waited for her to remove her shoes.
"Okay, now what?” she asked when she was done.
He sprang up and went to his pile of clothes, rooting among them for a moment.
"What are you looking for,” she wanted to know. “Can I help?"
Just as she got to her feet to help, he pulled back with a grunt, his socks in his mouth. He trotted over to her and dropped them in her lap. He yelped happily and his tail wagged madly. Michael had turned the socks inside out together so they wouldn't get lost.
"You want me to throw this?” she laughed. “It makes one hell of a ball."
He barked and surprised her by grabbing the socks out of her hand. Growling, he shook them. With a toss of his head, he let the socks fly over his shoulder and turned to her expectantly.
It only took her a second to understand. She lunged for the socks, reaching them seconds before Wolf made a move for them. Twirling them in the air, she tossed them away.
Wolf leapt through the air in a wild attempt to catch them in flight. Missing, he hit the ground, rolled and reached them just before Altheia. He came to his feet a short distance from her. Whining, he came close as if to give them to her. But when she reached for them, he jumped away.
"You little devil. Want to play rough, do you?” She made a lunge at him, but slipping in the sand, she went flying, face down.
Wolf dropped the socks and ran to her. But when he attempted to see if she was all right, she rolled away and onto her feet and sprinted for the socks. Wolf realized too late that he'd been tricked.
Laughing, she danced in the sand. Wolf tried to steal the socks but she was too quick. When he grabbed from the right, she tossed them to the left. With a whoop, she dashed for them ahead of him.
This time he was determined to win. With a burst of speed, he side-swiped her, sending her sprawling in the sand. Grabbing up the socks, he came back and dropped them at her side.
"Cheat,” she snarled as she reached out and grabbed him around the neck. Suddenly they were rolling around in the sand like a couple of kids, laughing and whining. Wolf was finally the victor. Altheia found herself sprawled on the ground with Wolf straddling her prone body. With a little whimper, he began to lick her face.
His tongue was rough and she tried to push him away but he was too strong. Abruptly, he stopped and looked down at her. Tremors started to run over his body. Altheia watched in fascination as the change swept over him. Then Michael's naked body was crouched over her.
Her breath caught in her throat as she stared. In the pale light from the stars, his hair shimmered. His eyes glittered like obsidian in the dark. Like some dark creature from a fairy tale, he was poised to ravish her. Her body shivered in response, passion flaring unchecked.
She sighed as his head fell and his lips met hers. His hands explored and his fingers teased. Suddenly she was naked, the cool desert air caressing her heated skin. She whimpered against his lips. Her body began to writhe beneath his, seeking closer contact.
With a growl deep in his chest, he pulled away and flipped her onto her stomach. His teeth nipped her shoulder as he pulled her to her knees. Now, in the wild, he needed his mate. Still growling, he buried himself deep into her warmth. Primal lusts consumed them both and they mated with abandon in the dark, their cries echoing in the night.
* * * *
When Charles returned, he found them sitting in the sand where he had left them. They were quiet on the ride back and when they reached the hotel, Altheia was asleep.
Michael gently picked her up in his arms. With her head resting on his shoulder, he carried her up to their suite.
Later that day, they were on their way to the airport for the flight to Vermont. After spending a quiet night in Burlington, they drove to Michael's mother's in Canada.
TWENTY-SIX
As they stood before the door of the small frame home, Altheia was nervous. Michael hadn't let his mother know they were coming or that they were married. What if his mother didn't like her? What if she didn't approve?
As the door opened and a petite and very pretty Indian woman stood in the doorway, she felt Michael's hand tighten around hers. He tugged her closer to his side.
"Hello, Mother."
"Michael!” she exclaimed as she threw her arms around him. “What are you doing her
e again so soon?” Noticing Altheia, she stepped back. “Aren't you going to introduce me to your young woman?"
Michael actually flushed under his mother's scrutiny. He pulled Altheia in front of him. “Mother, this is Altheia, the woman I told you about."
"Oh, I'm so happy to meet you,” she said as she took Altheia's hand in hers. Then her eyes caught the wedding band on Altheia's finger and she looked at Michael with a question in her eyes.
"We were married Friday, Mother,” he said, answering her unspoken question.
"So, you are the one who has managed to capture the spirit of my Greywolf. You love him?” she asked.
"Oh yes,” Altheia answered. “With all my heart."
"Good,” she smiled. “Come in. You must be tired from your ride.” Turning back to Michael, she stopped him from entering.
"Your cousins and my husband are at the meeting hall. Go tell them to prepare a wedding feast."
"Mother!” he exclaimed. “I have just arrived. You mean to banish me from my wife?"
"Yes,” she said with conviction. “You would not deny your Mother this, would you?"
Michael bowed his head in shame. He had not let his Mother know he was getting married and could see the hurt in her eyes. He did not want to hurt her more. Looking at Altheia to see what she was thinking, he saw her smile and nod.
"Very well, Mother. But I don't intend to be gone long,” he warned.
"Nonsense. You will return for the wedding feast, not before.” Dismissing him, she closed the door and turned to Altheia.
"Well, why don't we go sit and get to know each other?” She led the way into the living room. “Would you like a cup of tea?"
"Tea would be nice,” Altheia answered as she looked around the simple but comfortable room. “Did Michael live here with you?"
"Oh yes, this is my home. Michael lived here till I remarried two years ago. But enough for now. Let me get the tea and then we can sit and talk.” She turned and left.
She returned a short time later with a tray of tea and cookies. After pouring two cups, she sat back and looked at the woman before her.
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