Watching him stand before her in all of his male glory set a fire to every nerve in Mina’s body. Raw need pulsed through her. The force in which the desire struck came like a bombshell, swift and sure, hitting her harder than she could have envisioned.
She wasn’t sure if the need came from her or her wolf, or a combination of the two.
Rafe may be her Alpha, but that didn’t mean she wouldn’t leave her own mating mark on him before the night was through. Mina would stake her own claim if it was the last thing she ever did.
“You know, I was hoping for more of a mutual show. The two of us slowly teasing each other while we lazily plucked each stitch of clothing off of one another. Instead, I seem to be the one under the spotlight, giving you a free show. I’m not entirely sure how that happened.”
Mina tried not to pout when the foamy bubbles covered Rafe as he stepped into the water.
Her Alpha’s strip show was one she saved in her mind to replay whenever the mood struck. My own little kinky reality TV show. Stripping the Alpha.
Taken by surprise, she gasped when he pulled her onto his lap, his hard length pressing against her back.
“I think you owe me for the little show I put on for you,” Rafe teased, his hands working their way over her shoulders.
“Maybe. But for now—don’t stop. It feels so good.”
Practically melting into his skillful hands, every tense muscle relaxed in minutes flat. She was once again putty in his hands.
A breathy moan filled the air when Rafe pushed her hair to the side, biting her neck gently, exactly where he’d left his mark the night before. His tongue flicked back and forth over the mark, sending a jolt of awareness through her and on to her wolf. Liquid heat pooled in her belly.
It was time.
Chapter Nineteen
“Mina,” Rafe’s deep timbre whispered breathlessly against her neck.
Wantonly, she pulled his arm around her, placing his hand against her lower abdomen, encouraging his exploration.
Her sighs and moans of approval assured Rafe that she liked exactly where his fingers roamed. Arching her back against his chest, Mina angled her head ever so slightly, bringing her lips closer to his.
Mina’s heart sped when his lips crashed down on her. Their tongues caressed and parted, creating an intimate dance that left the duo panting, wanting more.
She rocked against the hand parting her legs, needing to feel the delectable friction that was sure to send her flying above the Heavens.
“I need to be inside of you,” Rafe whispered as he broke their kiss. His day old stubble grazed the delicate side of her face.
“Please,” Mina begged.
“Hang on tight.” Rafe spun Mina on his lap into a cradled position before he stood and stepped out of the tub, carrying her out of the water. “Let’s get you dried off.” He set her on the floor and grabbed two of the long bathrobes hanging on the wall, wrapping one around her and another around himself.
“You sure know how to spoil a girl, Rafe Erickson.”
“Only you, Mina. Only you.” Rafe swept her off her feet and back into his arms, carrying her to the four-poster bed.
“You can’t carry me everywhere. You know that, right?” Mina joked.
“I don’t see what the problem is.”
“Sometimes, there are things a girl would like to do for herself.”
“Really? Like what?”
“Why don’t you put me down and I’ll show you?”
Begrudgingly, he obeyed Mina’s wish. “Fine.”
When Mina’s feet were firmly on the floor, she did exactly what her wolf told her to do. Never before had she listened so thoroughly to her wolf while in human form, it was almost as if she couldn’t defy the commands she was given.
Mina untied her robe, allowing it to fall to her feet before untying Rafe’s robe and pushing it from his shoulders. Her fingers brushed over his chest, then lower to his abs, feeling rope after rope of muscle. Her other hand wrapped around his thick length, stroking him from tip to base and back up again, allowing her fingers to spend a little extra time teasing the head.
A satisfied smile spread across Mina’s face when Rafe groaned in pleasure with each pass her hand made over his cock.
“It’s not nice to tease,” Rafe warned.
An unfamiliar boldness swept through her. “Hush. I’m not teasing, I’m exploring.”
Her fingers continued on their journey, gradually making their way to his back. She traced each line of the Nordic wolf that stretched from shoulder to shoulder. Thick black lines outlined the majestic beast.
“This had to have taken forever. He looks so beautiful…powerful.”
Just like her mate.
Rafe shivered when her tongue swept across his back.
Her fingers continued their tour, making their way back to the front of his torso.
“Mina, I can’t take much more.”
She took that as her cue, pushing him backwards onto the bed.
Shock fluttered across his face when she straddled him. Rocking against him, her hot core rubbed against his length, teasing even more.
“Mina—”
“Shhhh.” She leaned in to kiss him as her hips circled once again.
“Woman, are you trying to kill me?” Rafe growled as her tongue swept over his neck.
“Maybe, just a little.” Her fangs itched to descend, her wolf demanding that she bite him.
Without warning, Rafe sat up and pulled her legs behind him. Glowing hazel eyes met hers.
“Your eyes are glowing.”
“As are yours, love.”
Rafe gently lifted her hips, positioning himself at her moist entrance. “I need to feel you around me.”
“Yes.”
Mina knew with absolute certainty she’d found her wolf. The one who would be hers forever. All she had to do was complete the mating ritual.
Fear should have paralyzed her at the thought of barely knowing her mate and the forceful marking, but it didn’t. Mina was destined to be his mate. She’d never been more sure of anything in her life.
Her heart skipped a beat as she slid down onto his cock, taking as much of him as she could. Mina cried out in bliss when Rafe was fully seated deep inside of her.
Thankfully, he gave her time to adjust to his size before he started to move. She gasped when he grabbed onto her hips, pulling her up and down. Pleasure cascaded over her in ways she had never felt. Her wolf howled inside of her, demanding once again to claim her mate.
Allowing her fangs to descend, Mina struck before she talked herself out of it. Her bite was swift and sure, hitting her mark dead on. Blood poured onto her tongue, coating her throat. A surge of energy shot through her body as her wolf rejoiced.
Mina worked herself up and down on Rafe’s shaft, faster and harder. She tossed her hair back, and cupped her breasts, pinching and squeezing her nipples.
She had never felt so damn good. Her body raced for the finish line, but Rafe grabbed her hips and slowed her motions before flipping her over and onto her back.
“It’s my turn.”
He leaned in, smashing his lips against hers. Their kiss sizzled with passion and need. His thrusts forceful, slamming himself deep into her wetness.
“Your pussy is so tight. I can feel you squeezing my cock.”
“Is that a bad thing?” Mina bucked against Rafe, seeking relief from the pressure building in her core.
“Never.”
Again, Rafe slowed his pace, driving Mina to the brink of madness.
“Please don’t stop. I’m so close.” Mina’s body shook with need.
“I want you on your hands and knees.” “Yes,” was the only thing she could say.
The sight of his mate bent over, waiting was too much for him to handle. His wolf surged forward, wanting to take over, but Rafe quickly yanked him back.
The man inside of him was just as wild as the beast, spreading her legs wide. With one forceful thrust, he
sank deep inside of her.
“Oh yes, Rafe.” Mina’s fingers grasped the sheets as Rafe pounded her from behind. Without warning, Rafe struck hard and fast, burying his fangs in her neck.
The Alpha’s bite tipped Mina’s orgasm over the edge. A white light flashed around her. Stars flickered about her as pleasure pulsed through her veins.
Rafe bucked once, then twice more, filling her with his seed, completing the mating ritual.
Chapter Twenty
Mina woke to a volley of sounds filling the house. Glancing at the clock, she realized it was almost nine. Flashbacks of the night before bombarded her mind.
With each stretch, she felt twinges of the previous night’s lovemaking deep in her muscles. Phantom touches brushed against her body, reminding her of the pleasure she shared with her mate.
Expecting to see Rafe sound asleep beside her, she rolled over and was disappointed to find his side of the bed empty. “Where are you?”
Rafe’s tender voice filled her ears.
“Good morning, love. Throw some clothes on and meet me in the kitchen. I have a surprise for you.”
“I’m beginning to love your surprises, though I was hoping to give you one of your own this morning.”
“Do tell. What did you want to surprise me with?”
“You’re just going to have to wait until later to find out. I wouldn’t want to ruin it for you.”
“Tease.”
Mina grabbed the first thing she could find to throw on. A pair of Yoga pants and one of Rafe’s T-shirts. She headed for the bathroom, quickly dressing and pulling her hair into a messy bun. This is as good as it’s going to get today.
Making her way to the kitchen, she passed several members of the pack, who scrambled about with a variety of boxes and totes.
“What’s going on?” she asked Rafe as she entered the kitchen.
“The whole pack is here getting ready for tonight’s celebration.” Rafe grabbed a mug from the cabinet. “Coffee?”
“Tea, please.”
“Oh, how the Fates have cursed me.” Rafe smiled. “I thought my mate would surely share my coffee addiction. How will I ever survive?”
Mina squealed as he pulled her into his arms. His lips slanting over hers. “Did you sleep well?”
“A little too well. I never sleep this late.”
“Well, you know, last night was pretty vigorous. Highly intense. I’d say I’m sorry for keeping you up so late, but I’m not. What if I said it was all my wolf’s fault? Would you buy that excuse?”
“Are you telling me your wolf is the naughty one?” Mina giggled as she wrapped her hands around her big strong Alpha.
“I am and he is very naughty. I don’t know what we’re going to do about him.” Rafe nibbled at her lips.
“Are the two of you always going to be this lovey dovey?” Bree asked as she strolled into the kitchen.
Mina looked up at Rafe and winked. “Yeah. I think we are.”
“It’s okay, sis. I’m just giving you a hard time. I’ve never seen you this happy. It’s pretty cool. Maybe one day I’ll meet an Alpha and he’ll—”
“Oh no, you don’t!” Mina cut her off, not knowing what would possibly come out of the girl’s mouth next.
“You need to concentrate on your studies and finish high school, maybe even college first.”
Bree rolled her eyes. “Now you sound just like Mom.” She grabbed a bottle of water and bolted before the motherly lectures from her sister started.
“So, what are we up to today? What all needs to be done?”
“Shopping. You and I have some shopping to do. Loads of shopping to do. I can’t even begin to express how much shopping you and I have to do. In fact, your sisters might be able to help us.”
“What about the decorating, the cooking? Shouldn’t some of us stay here to help?”
“Don’t worry. Between my mom and your mom, they can handle it. Besides, I’m not letting you out of my sight today.”
Rafe sent a quick text to Lucas and Eddie, telling them to meet him at the house in a half hour. He wanted a few of his men with them just in case Griffin tried to make a move.
“Did someone say something about shopping?” Kenzie bounded into the room.
“At least we know your ears work fine,” Mina joked with her sister.
“I thought you and Bree would like to go shopping with us in the city.”
“OMG, OMG,” Kenzie squealed. Her fingers flew across her new cellphone.
Seconds later, Bree appeared. “You better not be joking.”
“Ask Rafe if you don’t believe me.” Kenzie crossed her arms and huffed.
“Are we really going shopping?”
“That’s the plan. I was thinking we could head into the city today,” Rafe confirmed.
“The city! We can’t go looking like this! Let’s go.” Bree grabbed Kenzie’s arm, hauling her out of the kitchen.
“We’re going to leave in about a half hour,” Rafe shouted to the fleeing, squealing girls.
“You just made their year. You know that, right?”
“Really? It’s that simple?”
“They’ve never really been shopping before, and definitely not in the city. None of us have. It’s something that we could never do when we were at Twisted Tail. There was never any money.” Mina shrugged.
Rafe swallowed a deep sigh. “I just don’t understand how Griffin got away with treating an entire pack the way he did for so long.”
“How much do you know about Twisted Tail? The pack history?”
“Not much, I’m afraid. They were never on our radar, not until we found your brother. I know my dad asked around a bit, but I don’t know what ever came of it.”
“Griffin isn’t the first to be heavy-handed. Living there has always been tough. Every Alpha since Magnulf prided themselves on being tough with their pack.”
“What do you mean?”
“For example, if a baby was born with deformities, the parents were ordered to kill it.”
“What?” The thought of anyone killing a baby made Rafe’s blood boil.
Mina shook her head. “If the Alpha declared you weak or unfit, that was your death sentence. There was no one to negotiate with. No one to appeal the decision to. What the Alpha declared was law. I think the worst part was when families objected, they were sentenced to death, too.”
“Bastards. These people are monsters. I don’t know how they could treat their pack brothers and sisters like they were disposable.”
“Believe it or not, it was worse under Griffin than anyone else. The other Alphas, while cruel in their own right, followed Twisted Tail Pack Law. Griffin, on the other hand, seemed to get off on torturing pack members.”
“What would you like to see happen at Twisted Tail?” Rafe wanted Mina’s opinion. It was her former pack.
“I would love to see them move into the twenty-first century with a good, fair Alpha. Someone who will teach them right from wrong. Someone who will strengthen the pack instead of ripping it apart. There’s nothing for the people to do. There are very few jobs. There used to be a mill that kept most of the pack employed, but it closed its doors many years ago.”
“When I talk to the Council, I’ll bring up your suggestions. I’m sure they can find a way to help the people who need it.”
Mina smiled at her mate, wondering what he was up to. “Why do you care, Rafe? I mean, these people, my old pack, they’re nothing to you. You don’t owe them anything.”
“Just because I don’t know them, doesn’t mean I want them to suffer. It’s up to those of us in power to advocate change in situations like this. We have to think about our species as a whole.”
Chapter Twenty One
Rafe seemed too good to be true. That was the theme running through Mina’s head. Could she have really won the mate lottery? With her luck, she highly doubted it. The thought alone made her snort.
Doubts scurried through her head, driving her crazy. She had
absolutely no reason to doubt his sincerity. Every chance she had, she glanced into his mind to see if she could find even a smidgen of evidence to disprove what he said.
She found none.
She did, however, find thoughts of him delivering the death blow to Griffin.
Eh, I’m okay with that. Her wolf was, too. The wolves at Twisted Tail would be better off without him. Hell. Who was she kidding, the world would be better off if he suddenly stopped breathing.
“What are you thinking about?”
Rafe’s voice pulled Mina from her thoughts. She glanced over to the driver’s seat, expecting to see his eyes on her. A smile pulled at the corners of her mouth. He looked so handsome and rugged. All serious, with his eyes glued to the road in front of him.
“Who cares?” Bree interrupted. “How long until we get to the city?”
“Bree Ann, you had best mind your manners. You’re speaking to the Alpha, who is also my mate. We can turn around and take you home if you don’t chill the hell out.”
Bree rolled her eyes. “You sound just like Mom.”
“Good!”
Rafe glanced in the rearview mirror, trying not to chuckle at the exchange. Bree was full of spunk and sass. She was going to be a handful. “We’ll be there in about twenty minutes.”
Bree popped her earbuds back in.
“You didn’t answer my question,” Rafe prompted Mina once again.
“I was thinking about you.” She opted for the honest answer.
“Oh yeah? What about me?”
Time to go for broke. “I was wondering if I won the mate lottery or if you’re full of hot air?”
Rafe laughed at the straightforwardness of her answer. He liked seeing this side of her so much more than the shaking, timid Mina.
“Time will tell, love. Time will tell.” He reached over and grabbed her hand, holding it as he continued the drive.
“That’s it?”
“What can I say, Mina? It’s going to take time for you and the rest of your family to trust me. I understand that. I actually wouldn’t have it any other way. I want you to know here at Black Paw our word is our honor. If I say I’m going to do something, I’m going to do it. The pack already knows me, they know how I operate, but you don’t. And I get it.” Rafe shrugged.
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