by J. D. Tyler
“Aric!” she cried, tears welling. Curling into the fetal position, she grabbed her stomach.
“Rowan, what— Oh, shit!” The can of soda went rolling as he dropped to his knees and scooped her into his arms. Quickly, he laid her on the bed and started checking her for injuries. “What happened, baby? Where does it hurt?”
“All over,” she whimpered. “I—I’m being stabbed.”
“Where?”
“Arms and legs. It hurts!”
“I’ll call Melina.” He started to get up, but she grabbed at him.
“Don’t leave me! Just hold me, please,” she begged. Never had she been so needy. All she wanted was Aric. “I’ve never felt anything like this.”
“Is the pain better?” he asked anxiously. Sitting on the bed, he moved her into his lap, holding her protectively in the circle of his arms.
“Some. But I’m tingling and I don’t feel good. Sort of sick, like I ate something bad.”
He fell silent, rubbing her back. When he spoke again, he was much more calm. “Sweetheart, this is exactly the way I felt right before my first shift. And it was about two weeks after I’d been bitten.”
“Same as me.” As she looked into his face, sweat popped out on her forehead and her fear increased. “I don’t know if I can do it,” she whispered. “Not if it will always hurt like this.”
“It doesn’t, baby, I swear. Just the first time.” He kissed her, slow and soothing.
“I don’t know what to do.” She hated the whiny tone in her voice. Hated feeling weak.
“Okay, let’s see.” He thought for a second. “Try opening your mind to your wolf. Let her in. Do you feel her?”
Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath and concentrated on relaxing. Wasn’t easy with the pain still twisting her limbs, but she reached down with her mind. “I sense something. A presence?”
“I’d bet that’s her,” he said, starting to sound excited. “Do it again, and try not to think so hard.”
“Easy for you to say.” But she tried, delved deeper. This time, an image of a wolf came to mind. Sable, like Micah, but smaller. She gasped, and the image vanished. “Was that me? I saw a brown wolf!”
He grinned. “You’re getting there. You have to call her, and make her obey. Want me to shift? It might help.”
“Okay, let’s try it.”
She watched as Aric rose from the bed and began taking off his clothes. Lord, he was gorgeous and she was the luckiest woman alive. Naked, he knelt on the bed, his green gaze holding hers, auburn hair flowing over his shoulders. His full mouth quirked and his eyes smoldered. The man knew full well she loved what she saw, how he affected her.
He shifted slowly, and she figured that was for her benefit, so she could study the process in a way she never had before. His face reshaped, his nose becoming a muzzle, red hair becoming fur, ears tufting. His arms and legs became canine, his chest rounded. His tail was plush and wagging playfully as the change was completed, tongue lolling.
“You’re beautiful,” she said, rubbing his head. She laughed as he butted under her hand, obviously wanting a scratch. “I don’t know if I can do it…”
She’d barely finished that thought when her stomach turned over. The tingling under her skin became a swarm of bees. Inside, her wolf growled, making its presence known at last. She stared at Aric and saw concern. Encouragement, too, as he licked her face.
Then suddenly, she had no choice any longer. She yelped in alarm as the first of the changes jerked her body. A picture of Pinocchio came to mind as her face elongated, particularly her nose. Fortunately, her muzzle seemed the right size when it stopped growing. Then her arms and legs began to thin and fur sprouted. Her hands became paws, her torso reshaped. And something was sticking out of her ass… She turned as best as she could to see her brown furry rump, with a tail standing up like a flag. Giving an experimental wag, she found it worked just fine.
A happy bark brought her attention back to Aric. Her mate danced around her on the bed and nipped playfully at her butt. She nipped back at him, but then her attention was caught by her reflection in the dresser mirror.
Oh, my God!
But the words came out as a bark. Looking back at her was a sable wolf, smallish, just like in her vision. Her coat was full and shiny, her face delicate. She’d never been delicate in her life, so this was a nice change. I make a darned pretty wolf if I do say so!
You bet you do, beautiful! And you’re all mine.
She spun around to face Aric, stunned. You can hear me?
Yep. Kira and Jax can communicate like this, or so they’ve said. I didn’t know whether it was true, but apparently we can, too. Cool, huh?
Yes! I can’t believe this. I’m a wolf.
Pretty shocking for a big-city cop.
And then some.
Try out your doggie legs? He jumped off the bed and jogged to the door, waiting.
Here goes. She leapt, hit the floor and wound up in a heap. Aric’s laugh echoed in her head and she scowled. Or tried to. Don’t laugh at me, buddy. See if you get any tail, so to speak.
Hey, no need to get cranky.
Trotting over, he pushed his body into hers, encouraging her to get up. She stood on shaky legs and followed as he led her out, down the hall, and into their living room. For a while they simply walked around, letting her get used to the new form and moving on four legs instead of two. She did fairly well, and he began to nip and play again, wanting her to join him.
Throwing herself into the spirit, she nipped back, growling, faking being the baddest wolf. He snarled, showed his huge teeth and she yelped, taking off, jumping the coffee table, scrambling onto the sofa, and leaping over the back of it. He was right behind her as she sprinted in circles around the living room.
Fierce joy overflowed as they ran. She’d never been so free. She loved this man, her wolf, and was loved in return. He caught up and jumped on her, taking her to the floor, but he didn’t hurt her. He was very careful, even as they roughhoused. She enjoyed every second, thinking everybody nearby must hear their barking and growling.
Finally, they tired and lay on a rug, panting. Slowly, her mate shifted back and propped his chin in his hand, smiling.
“Okay, your turn. Shift back. Same way you did before, in reverse. Call to your human half.”
After the agony of the first impending shift, returning to human form was surprisingly easy. She imagined herself as Rowan, with human features. It worked, and the change happened smoothly, in seconds, leaving her naked and with an armful of horny mate.
“God, you’re beautiful.” He kissed her hard, and deep. “I could just eat you up. In fact, I think I will. Roll onto your stomach.”
“Bossy.”
“You love it.”
He had a point. She did as he said, and he spread her legs wide, crawling between them. She felt him lying down, the puff of breath on her sex. They almost made a daisy chain—well, one with only two links. That’s all there ever would be.
“I’m gonna eat that sweet pussy,” he said, his voice husky. “You want?”
A little jolt went through her at the dirty talk. Their last few times together had been sweet, tender. This was a side of him that called to her on a whole different level, especially now that they were bonded. Nothing was truly dirty as long as it was the two of them, and it fueled her desire all the more.
“Yes, please!”
“Say it,” he demanded.
“Please, eat me,” she begged, breathless.
“That’s my girl. I’ll take good care of you.”
She moaned as fingers opened her, and his tongue began to lick her core. It did naughty things no normal tongue should be able to do, sliding deep to fuck her. In and out, steadily driving her crazy. Feeling decadent, she spread wider. Take all of me. Do what you want.
Oh, I will, sweet baby. Count on it.
He licked her slit, teased the little button. She writhed, needing more, and lifted her hips to send him
the message. From his chuckle, he received it.
“You need my cock fucking your pretty pussy, baby?”
“Y-yes! Fuck me, please!”
His lean body covered hers, and the round helmet of his cock slipped between her folds. He pushed deep, thrust all the way to the hilt. Then began a sensual grind that made her nerves sing. The man fucked like he did everything else in his life—with his heart and soul. He worked his rod in her channel, driving them both to the edge.
She couldn’t last. Didn’t want to.
Her release exploded and she cried out, spasming around his length. He thrust two, three more times, and stiffened, filling her with his seed. His fingers twined in hers and he lay over her back, kissing her neck.
“Beautiful,” he murmured. “Thank you, my sweetheart. Love you.”
“Love you, too.” Lethargy set in and she felt herself melt into the rug.
“My poor tired mate. You’ve been through a lot today. Let’s take a nap, huh?”
“Sounds great.”
Vaguely, she was aware of him pulling out, standing. Gathering her into his arms. She rested her cheek against his chest, safe and warm.
She was asleep before he laid her on the bed and tucked her close to his heart.
Hell calls hell.
Go to her, Kalen. She waits.
Kalen dropped the TV remote, heart pounding. He stood, glancing around his apartment in fear, but Malik wasn’t there. Not in the flesh, anyway. The Unseelie king couldn’t break the wards to get into the compound—or so Kalen hoped.
“Go to who? Never mind, it doesn’t matter. Leave me the fuck alone!” he shouted.
Not going to happen. You need me, and I’ll not abandon you as everyone else in your life has done.
“I have the Alpha Pack now,” he seethed. “They’re good to me. They’ve become my friends. I’ll bet you don’t have any of those.”
I have something better—power. You have it, too, my little diamond in the rough. So much raw, untapped power begging to be developed, harnessed, channeled in the proper direction. I can do that for you. All you have to do is surrender to me, your master.
“My what? You’re a crazy bastard. Not gonna happen,” he snarled, tossing the Unseelie’s words back.
An amused laugh curled around Kalen, making him shiver. The faint crackle of electricity shimmered in the air around him, like someone balling up cellophane. A ghostly touch, like that of a finger, trailed down his cheek. Continued on, dipped into the vee of his black button-down shirt.
You belong to me now, and you’ll do as I order. You have no choice. Do not fight me.
The phantom hand skimmed his stomach, and finally, slipped to his zipper and the aching bulge there. For a moment, he allowed himself to drink in the pleasure. Would it be so bad to be owned by one so powerful, who could make him feel—
Gasping, he jerked backward, away from the forbidden. “No. I don’t belong to you!”
Yes, you do, my boy. Every inch of you is mine.
Never had he run up against a being whose power rivaled his own. Never even close. In spite of himself, he was intrigued. Lured. Darkness seeped into his mind and he knew that it was Malik. Tried to push him out. But the dark lord was stronger, and an image began to form, come to life.
Kalen’s body, naked. Spread in submission. Hands and mouths, devouring him. Consuming his body and soul. He wanted them to take all of him. Fuck and use him.
Beryl looked up at him from between his thighs. Give yourself to our master. He alone knows what we truly are, what we need.
“But, Mackenzie,” he began, voice breaking. He was weakening under their onslaught.
You’re not together, Beryl said. You made that clear to her. You belong to Malik now.
She took his cock between red lips, sucked him down. He wanted someone to claim him, longed to be loved. Malik answered.
I will give you everything you need. Allow me in.
“Yes,” spilled from his lips. “Master.” The blackness entered his heart, delicious. Like dark molasses. His cock drove into the hot mouth, fucked it with abandon. The wicked pleasure was too much and his orgasm rolled over him. He came with a shout, filling her mouth as she suckled him dry.
As the tremors of release faded, he looked down. Beryl was gone, and his clothes were still in place. His cock was softening, but a quick check revealed there was no come in his jeans. Had she ever been there? Was it just a vision?
Very good, my boy. You will have all the sex your body can stand, all the acceptance you desire. Do you want these things?
“Yes, Master,” he whispered, reaching for the pendant that wasn’t there. That would never again protect him from the evil that raced like heroin through his veins.
Then see to your first task. Go to the Pack’s basement and release Beryl. She has one last task to perform before she leaves us.
“Leaves?” He frowned, trying to clear his head.
Beryl was never meant to remain with us, my pet. She’s a tool, nothing more. Release her, then feign horror at what you’ve done. They must not know you’re mine now.
“I’ll do as you say.”
This was wrong. He knew it, but couldn’t find the foothold he needed to fight against such a dark being. Exiting his room, he walked the corridors, searching for the elevator to Block T—which stood for “Termination.” The witch would be executed soon, for her part in Malik’s heinous crimes, whether she talked or not.
Locating the elevator, he rode it down to the basement and got out. The witch’s cell wasn’t hard to find, as there weren’t many and hers was the only one occupied. She moved to the door and gave him a catlike smile, as though she’d been expecting him.
“Good blow job?”
“So that really was you?”
She shrugged. “No. It was Malik. You already know he can change forms, and he’s great at projecting his spirit-self.”
“But was it real?”
“Who’s to say? Malik is the master of the mindfuck. It’s as real as you want it to be.”
Cold sweat formed on his brow. He couldn’t think of that now. He had a task to perform. Quickly, he uttered a spell and the lock popped, then the door slid open on its track. Beryl stepped out and pushed into his chest, thrust her tongue into his mouth, kissing him for several moments before breaking away. “There’s more where that came from, later. Right now, I have to see to my task. Take the next elevator so we’re not seen together.”
He shrugged, but said nothing. Little did the witch know there wouldn’t be “later” for her. Either the team would kill her or Malik would. He didn’t care which.
As she left, he struggled against that fact—that he didn’t care about her life. That wasn’t him, but the feelings of empathy weren’t there. As though Malik had surgically removed them.
He waited. When the elevator returned, he followed.
“What have I done?” he whispered, leaning against the inside wall. The hated voice answered.
Your task, and you’ve done it well.
“Fuck you!”
A throaty laugh was the bastard’s only reply. Kalen’s knees shook as he wiped the sweat from his face. His stomach rolled.
What was Beryl going to do? Whatever happened, it would be his fault. Kalen hoped he could find the strength enough to do the right thing. He had to go against Malik’s order and stop Beryl.
God, please help me!
But He had never answered Kalen. Not once, in all his life.
And now he was prey to the one that would.
Aric held Rowan’s hand as they walked down the corridor together. A silly thing, but it made him happy. He was all domesticated, a state he hadn’t imagined himself in.
“I talked to my friend, Dean,” she said. “Told him I resigned from the LAPD.”
“What did he say?” He’d managed not to snarl when she’d said her best friend was some guy, and a handsome FBI agent at that. He congratulated himself on his calm tone.
&nb
sp; “He wasn’t exactly shocked. I’d told him about you. He’d like to come visit sometime.”
“Hmm. We’d have to clear that with Nick, but since you said he’s the one who learned about the compound in the first place, I’m guessing it won’t be a problem. I bet Nick will want to speak with him in person about that, to try to find out where the leak came from.”
“True.”
Something was eating at him, and he had to get it off his chest. “Ro, you know I’d move to L.A. with you, if that’s where you want to be. I mean that.”
“I know, and I love you for it.” She kissed his cheek. “But my home is here now, with you and the Pack.”
He was about to say something else when Sariel came around the corner. The Fae prince stopped and gave them both a blinding smile, rustling his blue wings. Aric thought those were kind of cool, but he’d never say so.
“Congratulations on your mating,” he said to them both. “Will you have what humans call a wedding?”
Aric glanced at Rowan, who shrugged. “I don’t think either of us has thought about it. But to me we’re already married, as shifters.”
“True,” the faery mused. “It’s the same with my kind.”
Before Aric could open his mouth, a deafening blast shook the hallway. Aric and Rowan were thrown to the floor, and as he fell, Aric saw the blast catch the prince high in his chest. Sariel flew backward, slamming into the wall with the sickening sound of the wall giving way and the crunch of breaking bones. He slid to the floor and didn’t move.
In an instant, Rowan shifted. To his horror, she ran, attacking Beryl from the side. He had no time to wonder what the fuck the witch was doing loose. The bitch spun and sent a bolt of light at his mate, which struck her in the shoulder. His mate spun with a sharp yelp and crumpled.
Rage suffused him, and the shift happened with no conscious thought on his part. He was a killing machine, bent on the one goal of killing the bitch who’d harmed his mate. There would be no more reprieves for Beryl.
She saw him coming, smirked, sent another blast. Aric dodged it and it sailed harmlessly to his side, smashing into the wall behind him. He had one split second of immense satisfaction when her eyes widened and she knew death had finally come to call.