by J. D. Tyler
Rowan felt the blood drain from her face. “With what? How? He seemed fine when I left him!” But had he, really? Now that she thought about it… he hadn’t seemed like himself. There was also that fever the doctors had been concerned about.
“You know about wolf shifters’ mates, right?”
“Some. The other day, I didn’t want to leave Aric. The idea alone made me sick, and it physically hurts to be apart from him. Before I left, Micah told me to ask Aric if he felt the same pull I did. So I asked, and he denied it. Christ, it still hurts.”
Kira took her hand. “Honey, Aric lied to you. He felt drawn to you, like you did to him.”
“That’s what he said in my dream. What does it mean?” She blinked, making the connection at last. Damn, she was dense. “Wait, are you saying we are mates?”
“Yes. And he’s known it all along.”
The truth ripped through her, the pain almost too much. “Why would he lie? Does he not want to be tied to a cop? Or he doesn’t want any mate?”
“Nothing like that. He doesn’t feel worthy of your love, of being your Bondmate.”
Rowan stared at her. The light shone through. “Because of Beryl and what happened to Micah and the team.”
“Exactly. He feels like he should pay, and to him that means denying his mating. When a wolf shifter doesn’t claim his mate within a certain amount of time, he gets sick. Jax got sick because he didn’t want to push me into mating before I was ready, the idiot.”
“Hey, I heard that!”
“Anyway, what Aric is going through runs deep. He honestly feels he’s doing the right thing, and is unworthy.”
God, this was messed up. “How does he claim me?”
“He bites you. Pretty simple, or it would be if he was conscious. They’ll have to try to rouse him so he can do it.”
She didn’t want him to die. No matter her remaining doubt about them as a couple, she would not let that happen.
They fell silent for a few minutes. Then Rowan looked at the hand still holding hers and felt the tears well up. “Thank you for being here. It helps.”
“You’re welcome,” Kira said softly. “But there’s one more thing you need to know. After you mate, there’s a good chance you could turn into a shifter, too.”
“Sure, why not?” Her laugh was a little desperate. “I’ve encountered just about everything else, why not me getting furry?”
“It’s not so bad. Actually, it’s really fun to run with Jax through the woods while we’re in wolf form. And then there’s the hot, naked forest sex when we shift back.”
This time Rowan’s smile was real. “You do make a good point.”
“I thought so.”
They lapsed into silence and Rowan fidgeted for the rest of the trip. After what seemed forever, the plane was touching down. Scrambling out, she turned to reach for her duffel and Jax waved her off.
“Go on. I’ll take this to the room you were in before.”
“Thanks. I appreciate you guys coming to get me in the wee hours.”
“Not a problem.”
Rowan hurried to the infirmary, Kira at her side. They burst in and Noah jumped up from the desk on seeing Rowan.
“Thank Christ! Come on, the docs are waiting for you.”
He hurried her to one of the rooms, a couple of doors down from Micah’s, and ushered her inside. Nick, looking haggard, was propped in one corner. The two doctors hovered on either side of the bed, Melina taking Aric’s vitals. There were bundles wrapped in towels, one sitting on Aric’s chest, others tucked against his sides. Rowan walked over, laid her hand on one bundle. Ice packs.
“He was literally burning up,” Melina told her. “Those seem to be helping.”
“How is he, really?”
“Not good. Honestly, I don’t know if he’ll be able to bite you—if you agree to it.”
“Of course I do! I lo—” She stopped herself, took a deep breath. “I want him to be the first to hear how I feel. But, yes, I agree.”
“Great. Now we need to get some of your blood into his mouth, try to stimulate his instinct to clamp down on you. Give me your finger.”
Rowan held out her arm, palm up. Melina snapped on a pair of latex gloves and took a finger-pricking device from the counter. Rowan hated those things. The doctor wiped the tip with alcohol and positioned the instrument, then let it snap. Blood welled and the doc squeezed to get a nice, fat drop, then swiped the drop onto her own latex-protected digit.
“I’m going to put my finger in his mouth, and hope your blood stimulates a response. It’s worked before, so hopefully it will again.”
“Why not let me put my finger in?”
“You can, after I make sure he’s not going to become too aggressive. Step one.”
“Okay.”
Melina used one hand to pry Aric’s jaw open. It didn’t appear too difficult, as lax as his muscles were. Then the doctor eased the finger with the droplet between his lips, and seemed to be massaging his tongue. Though it was to save his life, a big part of Rowan coiled in anger at the idea of anyone touching her man’s tongue, or any other part of him.
After a moment, his jaw moved. His lips closed around the finger and he began to suckle like a babe at his mother’s breast—another image she could do without.
“All right, come here and we’ll replace my finger with the one I poked. Be sure to squeeze out more blood first.”
Rowan did as the doctor said, and slipped her finger inside Aric’s mouth as Melina removed her own. It felt weird, his tongue curling around it, hot and wet. Even that small connection was far too intimate with an audience, but she resolutely ignored them. This was for Aric.
With her free hand, she stroked his hair. “Come on, baby,” she whispered. “Come back to me, you stubborn man. Why the hell did you do this to yourself? Wake up so I can yell at your stupid ass.”
Making a noise in the back of his throat, he sucked a little harder, more eager to get her essence. She doubted he was aware of what he was doing or why, but maybe it would bring him to the surface. A few more minutes passed, however, and he seemed to be tiring again.
“I have an idea,” Rowan said to the group. “Scoot him over so I can stretch out next to him. If I envelop him in my scent, maybe that’ll bring him around.”
“Excellent idea,” Mac said. “At this point anything is worth a shot.”
Nick assisted the women in moving Aric over just enough for Rowan to lie next to him. She situated herself on her right side, facing him, and stuck her finger back into his mouth. “Now do me a favor and give us some privacy, please? He’s going to bite me, or he won’t. Either way, we don’t need an audience hovering.”
Obviously reluctant to give her assent, Melina thought for a few seconds before replying. “All right. But we’ll be back to check on you both.”
The group filed out and Rowan let out a sigh. “Well, at least we can talk privately. Or how about I talk and you listen? You’re going to be a good wolf and bite me, do you understand? And then if you don’t want a mate, I’ll go back to California and you’ll never have to see me again.”
A small growl rumbled in his chest, and she took that as a positive sign. Snuggling closer, she nuzzled his cheek and his hair, doing her best to make sure he couldn’t escape her scent. This had to work. If it didn’t…
She would not lose him. Not an option.
Resting her head on his shoulder, she began to talk. And talk, until her voice was hoarse.
He floated, twisting in agony. Nightmares of fire and death consumed him.
He’d surfaced now and then, but the pain was too much. Not just physical, but the awareness of all he’d lost. He was ready to give up, to embrace the end.
And then a sweet flavor burst on his tongue. Delicious. There was something in his mouth, and it carried whatever tasted so good. Candy? No. It was warm, alive.
Flesh. Someone’s finger. And… blood?
That made no sense. He was a wolf, no
t a vampire. But wolves liked blood when they ate a rabbit or a deer. This taste wasn’t from an animal, though.
As his thoughts became more lucid, he became aware of warmth at his side. Instead of adding to the discomfort of the internal fire that raged, it was a comfort. So was the heady scent teasing his nose. Ocean spray and flowers wrapped around his senses, giving him peace, soothing the agony.
His wolf recognized the owner of that wonderful scent before he did, and whined, needing to get closer. Mate. Mine.
Rowan?
Had he said her name aloud? He tried again. “Ro?”
“I’m here, honey.” Arms wrapped around him and his face was pushed against her skin.
Jesus, she smelled so good. Felt right against him. He nuzzled the curve of her neck and his canines lengthened. He longed to claim his mate, thought he shouldn’t, but couldn’t remember why not.
“Bite me, Aric,” she whispered. “Make me yours.”
Parting his lips, he let his teeth graze along the delicate skin. God help him, he couldn’t resist one more second.
He struck, sinking his teeth into her neck. Her ambrosia exploded on his tongue and his body detonated. Rode wave after wave of ecstasy as his mate screamed her pleasure.
Mine!
His. For always.
“Bite me, Aric,” Rowan whispered. “Make me yours.”
For a second, she didn’t think he would give in. His teeth scraped the curve of her neck and shoulder, and he hesitated. And then he sank his canines deep.
Instant, unbridled, bone-melting joy lit her like a torch, from the inside out. A golden thread wound its way through their souls, binding them together for always. She actually felt it, and saw it in her mind’s eye, and knew it was real.
Vaguely, she was aware of screaming. That’s me. God, it’s so good!
Footsteps came running, the door opened. Then they must’ve quietly slipped away, because as she drifted back down to earth, she opened her eyes and they were alone together.
Withdrawing his fangs, Aric licked the wounds. “Mine,” he rasped. “My mate.”
“Yes, yours. And you’re mine.” She hugged him close.
Then his body went slack. At first she was alarmed, but then she realized the horrible heat that had radiated from his body was noticeably lessened. His face was relaxed, but he wore a faint smile, as though he’d just seen heaven. He was simply sleeping.
“Thank you,” she said to whatever higher power had saved him. Or maybe he’d saved himself. But she had to thank someone.
And she owed him a butt-chewing when he woke up, for scaring the shit out of them all.
Sunshine. Warm, on his face.
The light didn’t burn, and to Aric’s surprise, he wasn’t hot anymore. In fact, he was damned cozy, with someone snuggled against his side. Prying his eyes open, he let his vision adjust and craned his neck to look down at the woman whose head was resting on his chest, brown hair fanned out. He liked being her pillow, and smiled a little.
But wait—he was supposed to be sick. Dying. How was she here, and he was… normal?
Yeah, he felt fine. Tired, but okay. Thinking hard, he cast about for an explanation—and remembered. “Oh, God.”
He’d bitten Rowan. Claimed her.
Mine, his wolf rumbled, immensely pleased with himself.
The man, however, was ashamed. How could he have done this? Tied her to the likes of him forever? “Rowan,” he said quietly, jostling her gently. “Baby?”
She stirred some. “Mmm?”
“Ro, wake up.” He kissed the top of her head, his heart beating a strange tattoo in his chest. He wanted to deny what he’d done, but he felt protective of the bond. Like his soul absolutely would not accept his denying it now.
Stretching, she raised up and gave him a sleepy smile. “You’re awake. How do you feel?”
“Pretty good, actually. Better than I should.”
“Oh, no. We’re having no self-pity in this mating,” she said firmly. “Grow a pair of balls, wolf, and use them.”
His eyes widened. “Are you calling me a pussy?”
“If the vagina fits.”
He choked, not sure whether to laugh or be pissed. He went with amusement, as he just didn’t have the heart to be mad at his mate. She’d obviously rushed to his side, and saved his sorry ass. “Is that so? I don’t care how tough you are, officer. My balls will always be bigger than yours.”
“Thank God for that.” Her chocolate eyes were soft with emotion. “I’m so happy the bite worked. I hope you’re happy, too.”
He cupped her face. “I don’t deserve to be, but yes, I am.”
“See, we’ve got to work on that ‘I don’t deserve you’ thing. It’s self-destructive, and you’re wrong. Beryl and Malik are the ones who’ve orchestrated every step of their plan, no one else. Isn’t it time you stopped taking the blame for that bitch’s manipulations?”
For the first time, he really thought about that. The truth seeped in, and looking into Rowan’s beautiful face, he was freed. From the horror and the guilt. All of it. “Yes, it is. I’m not saying it will be easy, but I’m willing to put it behind me for you.”
“For us.”
“Right. For us.”
“Will you talk to Mac? Let her counsel you so you can heal? I want you healthy, honey, inside and out. It’s the only way we’ll make it.”
He could refuse her nothing. “Sure.” Something else occurred to him, a big stumbling block. “What about your job? I know how much you love being a cop.”
“I do, but…” She thought for a moment. “When I left here, I felt like my heart was being ripped out. Yes, a lot of it was the mating pull, but that’s not all. This place, with you in it, feels like home. Micah is here, and I know if I stay, eventually I’ll be as close to the guys as I am to my own brother.”
Anxiety made his pulse pound. “What are you saying?”
“That I want to stay.” Tracing his lips, she whispered, “I love you.”
This is happiness. I’ve waited so long.
“All my life I’ve wanted to hear those words from someone who meant them,” he said in a tight voice. “Baby, I love you, too.”
Their lips came together and his body ignited—in the best way possible. His cock hardened between them, demanding to get in on the lovin’. “I need to be inside you,” he gasped. “I can’t wait.”
“I don’t think you’re in any shape to do the actual deed just yet.” She smiled when he made a noise of protest. “But I can help with your problem.”
Scooting lower on the bed, she pushed the blanket aside to reveal his naked body. A couple of towel-wrapped bags fell on the floor on the other side of the bed, and he vaguely remembered being iced down. Now he relished the good kind of heat and she leaned down and licked the leaking crown of his cock.
“Do you feel naughty?” she murmured. “Getting head from your mate when anyone could walk in?”
“Shit,” he moaned. “Please…”
“Well, since you beg so nicely.”
Her tongue traced circles around the tip, captured the tiny beads that continued to seep out. He was hard as a freaking rock, the shaft red and throbbing. When she slid him into her mouth, down her throat, he thought maybe he’d died after all. She sucked him, putting just the right amount of pressure, laving the ridged underside. His hips canted upward and he buried a hand in her silky hair, urging her on.
“I’m not gonna last, sweetheart,” he panted. “Oh, so good.”
The tingle started at the base of his spine and his balls tightened. True to his word, he couldn’t have stopped if he’d wanted to. There would be more time, all of their lives, to make love any way they wanted.
That thought alone made him lose control. With a shout, he shot hard, pumping his seed endlessly down her throat. She drank him greedily, not spilling a drop, then released him to sit up and wipe her lips, grinning.
“Next time, I want this bad boy inside me,” she said in a na
ughty voice. “As soon as you’re on your feet.”
“Nothing will keep me away from you. That’s a promise.”
“One I look forward to you keeping.”
They snuggled together again, and Aric focused on healing. For himself, and his mate.
Sixteen
“Aric? Honey?” Rowan called across the rec room to her man, who was busy in a life-or-death battle with Jax on the Wii.
“Yeah?” Her mate continued leaping around like a frog as they played whatever stupid game they’d started almost an hour ago.
“Is the honeymoon over already?” she muttered, scratching her arms.
“What?” He jumped again, and hooted as he scored a point against Jax.
“I’m itching.” The more she scratched, the worse it got.
“Stop scratching!”
“I can’t!” Damn it, it was everywhere. Her arms, neck, stomach, hands, and feet. “I’m about to lose my mind.”
Finally he stopped playing and walked over to her, frowning in concern. “Did you use some of that cream Melina gave you?”
“Yes, and it hasn’t helped.” She sighed. “I’m going back to our quarters to take another shower.”
“I’ll go with you.” Taking her hand, he called “Later” to Jax and walked back with her. Once there, he punched in the code and let them in. “You want something cold to drink? It might not help, but it would taste good, right?”
Bless him, he really was worried now and was trying to be of help. She gave him a smile and kissed him soundly. “Sure. Some kind of soda would be great.”
“Okay. Be right there.”
She continued on to the bedroom, started stripping off her clothes. Every fiber of her shirt and jeans seemed to aggravate the problem, and it was annoying as hell. Once naked, she inspected herself in the dresser mirror, and saw nothing out of the ordinary. The only marks visible were the ones from her own fingernails as she’d scratched like a dog with fleas.
Or wolf. Could it be… ?
Just then, a sharp pain gripped her stomach. Clutching her middle, she gasped, managing to stifle a cry. Maybe it would pass, and she didn’t want to scare Aric. But a second pain followed on the heels of the first, this one radiating to every limb. Her legs folded and she hit the floor with a thud, but that didn’t hurt an ounce compared to the knives stabbing her arms and legs.