THE HEALING HEART

by Zelda Clemens

  When they finally reached the cabin, Lelani shifted back into her human form swinging her hips tantalizingly as she walked in the front door. She grabbed her clothes which hung on the wall just inside, then threw Gideon his sweat pants over her shoulder. She could hear him give a frustrated sigh as she headed to the kitchen.

  “Aw come on Gideon. It wasn’t that bad, you only had to wait half an hour this time!” She looked over her shoulder at the man, who stared at her with an eyebrow arched.

  “Come on, I will make those steaks you brought back from last night’s kill.”

  “I’m going to take a shower.”

  He grunted at her. “I’ll be back out when the food is ready.”

  “Don’t forget to let me if you hear or smell anything suspicious.”

  Lelani finished the sentence for him. “I know, I know. Get going, will you?”

  Lelani fried the venison steaks with some potatoes and onions while she pondered Gideon’s problem. The trouble was he needed to get out of pack territory and meet a few women who weren’t intimidated by his status in the pack. Lelani knew a few nice female werewolves who lived in the nearby town. However, after the incident five months ago, she had been forbidden from returning to town by Rodney. The town was outside of pack territory, and it was considered too dangerous for her to go down there without several wolves in attendance. If she tried to go down there with just Gideon, she would get both of them in a lot of trouble. More trouble than it was worth.

  Lelani sighed as she turned the steaks in the pan. Her life would be so much easier if she just… Lelani stopped and blinked a few times, as a realization hit her. If she were to take a mate, all her problems would be solved. She wouldn’t need a guard anymore. Jem would have no use for a mated Nubian. Plus, her magic would help her adjust to her lover’s lifestyle. She wouldn’t feel like such a stranger in the midst of her sister’s new family. Who would the lucky werewolf be?

  She mulled over her options as she pulled the steaks from the frying pan. Then she heard Gideon come out of the bathroom and call down the hall to ask if the food was done. A devilish smile spread across Lelani’s pretty face. Perfect, she could get rid of both of their problems in one fell swoop.

  “Dinner’s ready!” she called down the hall in her best fifties housewife voice.

  While the two ate, Lelani carefully considered how she could seduce the big werewolf. Lelani knew it wouldn’t be easy. After five months of chasing her around, Gideon was savvy to most of her usual tricks. If she simply tried to slip into bed with him one night, he’d throw a fit. Not to mention that her lack of experience made outright seduction a bad option. Getting him drunk wouldn’t work either.

  First off, Gideon could drink her under the table, easily. Plus, her Nubian magic worked far more easily when both partners were willing. Seducing a man in a drunken stupor wasn’t the best way to start a relationship.

  “Why are you staring at me like that?” Gideon’s annoyed voice broke into her musings.

  Startled, Lelani gave him her most disarming smile.

  “No reason. Is the new episode of that fishing show you like on TV tonight?”

  Gideon grunted and confirmed that it was, although he wasn’t sure how the reception would be.

  “Weather report says there is a big snow storm coming in tonight, maybe tomorrow.”

  She sighed appreciatively.

  “You may be a pain in my ass she-cat, but you sure can cook. That was a fine steak.”

  Clearing his plate, Gideon headed to the front door.

  “I’m gonna check in with Rodney. You stay put, I will be back.”

  While Gideon was gone, a plan began to form in Lelani’s head. A few miles down the ridge line from her cabin was a small cave. She had found it on a hunt a few months after she moved in. Sometimes she used it as refuge when she wanted to spend some time away from the pack. She had made a little den inside, and kept it stocked with some blankets, a few books, a lantern and a few other necessities. Everything she would need to spend a few days away in relative privacy and comfort. Gideon knew exactly where it was, he had tracked her to the cave several times. If she could lure him out there, right as the storm hit, they would be marooned together, in a small space. That should give Lelani ample time to convince him that their relationship needed to take on a new dimension.

  When Gideon returned, he was surprised to find Lelani already dozing on the couch. Carefully, he picked up his charge and carried her to her bedroom. He groaned a bit when she reacted to his presence by cuddling into his arms. Lelani hid her half smile as she snuggled against him. Just as she’d thought, he wasn’t as immune to her charms as he pretended. She felt him gently place her on the bed, and then carefully tuck the blankets around her. She heard him sigh as he left her bedroom, and Lelani smiled beneath the blankets. He was already halfway hers.

  Lelani did allow herself several hours of sleep before she woke up. It was the dead of night, and the cabin was nearly silent around her. All she could hear was the sound of Gideon’s breathing coming from his bedroom.

  Looking out the window, Lelani saw to her satisfaction that the snow was falling heavily outside. There was little wind, so visibility was still good. The weather seemed perfect for her plan. Lelani stepped away from the window, butterflies beginning to flutter in her stomach. What if she was mistaken about the attraction she thought she had seen? What if she couldn’t get Gideon to make love to her? What if something bad happened while they were out there, by themselves? Lelani shook off her apprehension. Now was not the time for doubt. Now was the time for action!

  Slipping out of the cabin and into the snow, Lelani snuck around the cabin until she reached her bodyguard’s window. She loudly wrapped on the glass pane until she saw him start out of bed and face her. His furious expression told her she had his attention. She gave her guard a chipper little wave.

  “Hi Gideon! Isn’t the snow gorgeous? I’m going to go out for a run! Bye!” Like that, she shifted into a black lioness and ran off into the night.

  Lelani didn’t actually go very far. She stopped when she was hidden from sight in the nearby woods and listened closely. She could hear Gideon bellowing furiously at her, first from the window, and within a few moments, from the door.

  With a final, “Damn it all you crazy she-cat!” he shifted form, and she could hear canine footsteps head in the direction she had fled. Then she was off in full force, headed for the cave. She loved having Gideon chase her. It always gave her a thrill to know he was just behind her, that he might catch her at any moment. A few times she had even let him catch her, his massive bulk slamming into her and pinning her into the ground.

  Tonight was no exception. Lelani ran through the woods. Behind her she could hear Gideon beginning to catch up. He chased her through the snow, the white fluff outlining her black body, making her easier to tail.

  Ahead Lelani saw the ridge that her cave hideout was built into. She made a slight turn towards the cave, allowing her to make certain Gideon was still close behind her. When the werewolf realized her destination, he began to speed up, towards her flank. He was intent on cutting her off. That was a tactic of his Lelani knew well. Instead of letting him flank her, Lelani stopped short. Gideon blew past her before he realized his mistake. By the time he had turned around, Lelani was off again, this time sprinting towards the cave. By the time he caught up Lelani was already inside the cave, stretched out naked on her pile of blankets.

  “Oh, there you are, Gideon. I was wondering what took you so long.” Lelani told the werewolf as he shifted in front of her.

  “What the hell, Lelani? Have you lost your furry feline mind? What part of snowstorm were you confused about?”

  Right on cue, the wind began to howl outside the cave, blowing the snow into a nearly solid white sheet. Gideon glanced over his shoulder at the weather outside. Then he angrily threw the heavy wool blanket she had pegged up to act as a door down over the cave entrance. When he moved towards her, Lel
ani realized he was favoring his left leg.

  Alarmed she sat up. “What happened to your leg?” Lelani asked him.

  “It’s fine” he grumbled at her angrily.

  “I just strained my ankle a bit on that last turn. You really need to stop doing this, she-cat. It’s too hard on my body.”

  Gideon sat down next to her looking defeated. “What are you running from Lelani? Is it me? Do you want me to ask Rodney to assign you a new guard?”

  “What?” Lelani gasped, horrified.

  “No, of course I don’t want a new guard. I’m not running from anything. I just want… I want…” Gideon looked at her and sighed.

  “What are you after Lelani? Can’t you just tell me? I realize these last few months have been hard on you. I know you didn’t ask to become a pack member. All of us are trying our best to help you fit in. If there is something you need, just say so, I’m not a mind reader.”

  Lelani stared at Gideon. She hadn’t realized that her behavior had been so hard on him.

  “I’m sorry, Gideon. I didn’t mean to cause you so much trouble.”

  She touched his cold cheek with a gentle hand. “I thought you enjoyed chasing me. I enjoy it.” She could feel his cheek heat as he flushed.

  “Well, I can’t say the chases don’t have their moments…” Gideon admitted.

  Lelani leaned in close to him. “Do you want me to ask Rodney to assign me a new guard?” Lelani asked him quietly.

  Gideon shook his head. “No, I don’t.” He said as their eyes met.

  “Good.” Lelani answered quietly, and brushed her lips tenderly against his.

  For a moment, Gideon froze under the soft kiss. Then, as if a mighty storm had been brewing inside him, had finally broken, he struck. In a moment Lelani found herself encased in his arms, lying under him, as his lips claimed hers in a passionate assault. The Nubian magic flowed through her letting her meet his passion with a wild abandon of her own. While the storm raging outside, the couple’s wild passions raged inside.

  “May I touch you?” he asked seductively.

  She nodded but remained silent. She closed her eyes as she felt him standing before her. She could smell the champagne on his breath, so appealing. His left hand rested on her hip while the right one ran along the side of her face. She nearly lost control of her body, her knees weak and her bladder ached with pleasure.

  His finger continued to run along her neck and down to her heaving chest. His hand cupped one of her boobs.

  “Your boobs are so firm and hard.” He acknowledged. She nodded again but still remained silent. Her lips were slightly parted in a silent invitation to be kissed by him. He leaned in and brushed his lips across her ear while whispering, “It suits you.”

  He was seducing her, this wasn’t her typical roses or candle lit affair, it was intoxicating and an erotic encounter that was making her lose her mind.

  “Turn around,” he softly said. He wrapped his hand fully around her waist, holding her against him as he placed his left hand on her forehead. He pulled her head to the side. His mouth covered the skin of her neck. He sucked and licked her until I was gasping for air. This was now becoming urgent. She could feel his desire.

  She wanted to see him but the experience was so exquisite that she couldn’t open her eyes. She couldn’t turn to face him because she was not allowed to. She heard the low sound of desire boiling inside of him.

  It was as if he was growling as his body began to writhe against hers. His lips moved hungrily on her neck and shoulder as his hands wondered from her breast to belly and back again. He was an animal but in a sweet way. She felt like he was losing control of his senses, he was now about to unleash his passion on her. Her pussy was swollen and twitching at the same time. She felt the sense of desperation building up within her.

  With his hands on each of her hips, he led her to the bed. He pushed her until she was lying face down on the bed. Her heels slipped from her feet to the floor. He massaged each foot tenderly with his palms. His hands ran up the back of her calves and rested on her ass. He kneaded them like dough between his strong fingers. She was exposed and felt vulnerable.

  She felt she had chosen the best thong underwear and a thigh high stocking. It seemed to appeal him because he moaned as he kissed the back of her thighs and her round, tight ass. She could feel her pussy coating the fabric of her thong with her wetness.

  “Turn over and lie on you back,” she did as he instructed.

  “Now raise your hands and grab the headboard.” He continued.

  He removed her thigh high stockings and used it to tie her wrists to the bed. Her heart and mind frantically raced. She was not sure whether she wanted this or not, yet she couldn’t say no. She felt so confused yet so aroused. She chose to remain silent.

  She wanted to gauge the level of danger that existed. She could smell the mixture of his cologne and champagne. She felt the heat in her wrist from the friction from the stocking. Her inner thighs trembled.

  He gently placed a hand on her knees and gently pulled them apart. She tried to relax and let her legs open, exposing her fully shaved and dripping pussy. Before she realized it, his face was buried between her thighs. His tongue moved swiftly on her clitoris. She was breathless.

  She could hear him slurping and sucking her, he pushed his tongue in and out of her while lapping the juices that were flowing from her. Her palm held around the headboard, shaking and sweating as he devoured her. He held her ass so tight, squeezing her cheeks with his face on her pussy. She felt her orgasm building up.

  “Oh, fuck me.” She screamed as the orgasm gripped over her body.

  He pulled his mouth just she began to squirt her juice all over the bed. Before she could think, she felt the head of his cock rubbing against her gaping hole. She felt dizzy.

  “Fuck me,” she pleaded with him begging him to fuck her. She wanted to feel his dick inside her and feel his hips banging her pussy and ass.

  She pushed her hips towards him, moaning in a primal way. He reacted to her pleasure and fucked her like she’d never been fucked before. She enjoyed every thrust.

  He lifted her left leg onto his shoulder while thrusting deep in her. He slid his hand and rubbed her ass. It felt so good that she melted. His forefinger slid slowly towards her gaping asshole. She wasn’t sure how she’d feel but as he drew nearer, she panted from desire.

  She found it amazing as his finger slid in and out of her ass. The orgasm ripped through her the first time. Her mouth opened in a silent scream as her veins throbbed in her temples. He joined her, holding his dick as it spilled its milky treat inside her.

  Their lovemaking was fed by Lelani’s magic and a mutual longing which had been building for the last five months. Lelani hardly felt any pain when Gideon claimed her virginity, the tiny wave of pain lost to the greater pleasure that washed over the two of them as they lost themselves in each other.

  *****

  The next morning, Luna awoke to find Rodney gently shaking her shoulder.

  “I have already spoken to James. Jem managed to finally bring Lelani to the Claw’s headquarters late last night. Seems she gave him quite a run for his money. He has agreed to return her to me, if we meet him in person, and can prove her status. We will meet him and Jem in neutral territory in three hours. I had Angel bring you something to wear. You should get dressed. I will find you something to eat on the way out there.”

  Rodney gave her a kiss and after a long moment had to force himself away, lest they be delayed by a repeat of last night’s lovemaking. Luna smiled at the look of longing on his face as he walked out the door. She lay back in bed for a moment, her hand resting lightly on her womb.

  Then Luna sat up and turned to find the proffered clothes sitting on the edge of the bed, a hair brush sitting neatly on top of them. Luna chuckled as she dressed. She pulled the brush through her hair then walked out into the living room of the cabin. Rodney was waiting for her by the door.

  Rodney held the d
oor of the cabin open for her, and Luna walked outside to find the entire Steel Fang pack waiting for them outside. Sampson approached her, and ritualistically stepping into her space put his hand around her waist. Rodney’s answering growl was instant and terrifying. Sampson quickly backed up obviously a bit shocked by the vehemence of what was typically a ritual response. One of the two women Luna had seen the night before, a petite blond, tried to move past Luna to approach Rodney. Luna blocked her path and screamed an outraged snarl at the interloper. The blond jumped in the air and quickly moved away, back towards the comfort of the pack. Luna was surprised at her actions. She had not anticipated that she would want to protect her mate. He was after all, practically a complete stranger.

  Suddenly she found she didn’t want another female within twenty feet of her man. The alpha pair bond having been tested and accepted by the pack, they all knelt before the couple.

  Rodney gave her a comforting squeeze. “You will get used to it. Come on, we need to go.”

  Three hours later she and Rodney were standing next to each other in a forested clearing, the pack arrayed behind them. From the other side of the woods, James Teberith and his son Jem came walking out. Luna noted with satisfaction that Jem looked worse for the wear. Lelani followed the two, escorted by an elderly female member of the pack. It was fairly clear by the look on her face that the elder did not approve of Jem’s tactics for acquiring a mate.

  Luna caught Lelani’s eye from across the clearing. She looked tired and angry, but uninjured. When Lelani tried to walk towards her sister, James stopped her. “Not yet, little cat.” Luna could hear him tell her.

  Rodney called out across the clearing. “James, you are holding a member of my pack against her will. I am asking that you release her peacefully.”

  The Crimson Claw’s alpha shook his head no. “My boy desires to claim this Nubia as his wife. Last I heard Rodney, you had no alpha female in your pack. Yet now you show up with a strange woman at your side, and claim pack status for a female you didn’t even know existed until yesterday? I’m not buying it.”