Catching Her Wolf: A Howls Romance (The Shifters of Sanctuary Book 5)

by Kasey Belle

  Janie smirked as if she could read his mind. Then again, he figured he wasn’t doing much to hide how he felt.

  “I’m going to claim you now, Janelle Marie Harper.”

  “Yes, please.”

  He sat back on his heals and raked his eyes over her body. He took her legs, lifted them up, and pressed them together before resting her ankles against his shoulder. He grabbed the waistband of her pants and tugged. He pulled them off her and tossed them over his shoulder. When he was done, she grinned and opened her legs placing one on either side of his hips. Wicked girl.

  He grabbed her hips as he stared at the most intimate part of her. She still kept the light hair between her legs perfectly groomed. The tiny trimmed triangle pointed toward heaven. His heaven.

  He leaned forward, pressing his hands into the mattress. He rolled his groin against hers. His cock jerked at the moist heat slicking his hard length.

  He reached between them and cupped her mound. Her gasp was music to his ears. He slid two fingers into her body and found her wet and ready for him. Her inner walls clenched. She lifted her hips wrapping her legs around his waist.

  “Oh, yes, yes,” she moaned. “Now. In me.”

  She didn’t have to ask him twice. He placed the head at her opening and pressed in. He wanted to go slow to savor the moment. His mate had other plans. She flexed her hips up and took his cock to the hilt. He almost came. She was snug and warm. He closed his eyes and willed himself not to climax. How embarrassing would that be? Two seconds in and bam! Nuh-uh. Not happening.

  He pushed out a long breath, steadying himself.

  Janie cupped his scarred cheek and watched him with a naughty grin as she tightened her muscles around him.

  “Woman!”

  She giggled which didn’t help matters any. The pulsing of her inner walls tightening and relaxing on his erection like an erotic massage sent an electric shock shuddering through his body.

  He gazed into her eyes. Neither of them looked away as he began moving his hips. The sense of rightness, of finally coming home washed over him.

  “Faster,” she whispered, the need in her voice matched his own.

  He growled and pulled back then slammed into her. She cried out her pleasure, so he did it again and again. He lost track of time. Nothing existed by her. A tingle raced down his spine and took up residency in his balls. He was so close.

  He pressed his face against her neck. She clutched his shoulders, digging her nails into his flesh. He hoped she drew blood as he was about to do to her. It was only fair he bore her mark since she would wear his.

  He pressed a hand between their bodies. He manipulated and pinched her clit. Her body tightened around him like a vice as she came. He sank his canines into her flesh. The sweetness of her blood washed over his tongue as he bathed her womb with his cum.

  Sated and bound. His entire body went limp as their souls connected. Once he regained feeling in his extremities, he tried to move off her for fear he’d crush her smaller body, but she wasn’t having it. She wrapped her arms and legs around him and held on like a baby koala.

  “I love you, Devon Stone.”

  He gazed into her eyes. “I love you, Janelle Harper.”

  “You’re going to marry me now.” A statement not a question. Damn, she was perfect.

  “Whenever you want.”

  She feathered kisses over his face. “I’ll figure out a date and let you know when my brain isn’t mush.”

  He so wanted to comment about fucking her stupid. He snorted a laugh but wisely kept his inappropriate thoughts to himself. She narrowed her eyes. Devon flashed her an innocent smile and kissed the tip of her nose before rolling them to their sides. She pressed in, tucking her head under his chin. Content he closed his eyes and let her rhythmic breaths lull him to sleep.

  Chapter 15

  Janie rolled over and snuggled against Devon. Okay she more or less draped herself over his body. She breathed him in. Damn he smelled good like a hot summer day of cooking out on the grill. Probably why she was a sucker for anything charbroiled. The thought brought a smile to her face.

  His heavy arm immediately wrapped around her waist and held her tight. “Mmm. Morning, baby.”

  She moved her head and placed a kiss on his chest. “Morning.” She sighed and pressed her ear back to his chest enjoying the steady beat of his heart. “I think I passed out after that last time.” Laughter rumbled from his chest. He’d been insatiable, not that she was complaining. “Did you sleep okay?”

  “For the first time in forever.” She was about to ask him what he meant when he explained, “I have nightmares. More often than not. Have for years. I was so stupid, Janie. I don’t mean the last few months.” He carded his fingers through her hair. She wondered if the action was meant to soothe her or him.

  “What do you mean?”

  “I thought I could survive it. I completely ignored everything I’d been taught about mates and their connection. Even without claiming the bond forms at first meeting and only grows stronger.” The sigh he breathed reeked of self-loathing. “Sometimes I want to go back in time and smack the shit out of teenage me.”

  “I thought we agreed on the whole can’t change the past thing. Let’s leave it there, okay?” He made a noise which she assumed was agreement. “Back to the nightmares. You didn’t have one last night?”

  “Nope.” She didn’t have to see his face to know he was smiling. It was in his voice. “Guess that means you’re my woobie. Do you still have it?”

  “Yes.” She giggled knowing he was referring to the old baby blanket she’d kept under her pillow until she’d gone off to college. She still had it only now she kept it in her hope chest. She looked up at him. “Do you have plans for today?”

  He glanced down at her. “What do you have in mind?” He leered at her and wagged his eyebrows.

  Janie goosed him in the side. “Not that. My lady parts are on lockdown.” He barked a laugh. “Besides, I have to work the afternoon shift.”

  Devon poked out his lower lip. His playful, pouty frown amused the hell out of her. “That’s not the answer I wanted.” He sniffed. “Leaving me all alone the morning after. Tsk. Tsk.”

  “I would call out, but I can’t. Maude phoned me yesterday to make sure I was coming in today. She said half the wait staff went home with the flu.”

  “All the more reason to stay away. You could catch the cooties floating around that place.”

  “Cooties? What are you twelve?” Janie pushed herself up and leaned on her elbow. She reached up and brushed Devon’s shaggy brown locks off his forehead. “Can I ask you something?”

  “You can ask me anything. I’ll answer if I can. If I can’t I’ll tell you.”

  Sounded like a solid plan to her. “Do you like working with Koda?”

  Devon’s expression said her question was nowhere near what he expected. “The work’s not bad. Nor is it particularly hard.” He shrugged. “I like hanging out with him and the others. It’s peaceful.”

  “But it isn’t your dream job.”

  He shook his head. “It was a place to heal and acclimate. Or as Koda put it, hide.” He playfully rolled his eyes making her grin. “My time there wasn’t meant to be permanent.”

  She studied him for a moment while putting the words she wanted to say in some semblance of working order. “Do you remember what you said to me just before you had your dad take you over to the recruiter’s office?”

  “I said a lot during that time.”

  “You said you desperately wanted to be in law enforcement, but if you stayed here, you had to wait until you were twenty-one. Once you got through boot camp and passed all the required shit, you could be military police before you turned nineteen. Did your time in the Marines change your dream? I wouldn’t blame you if it did. You went through something horrific.”

  His eyebrows shot up and he stared at her as if she’d confirmed the answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe, and everyth
ing had indeed been proven to be forty-two. She mentally sniggered at the thought.

  “I’ve been so wrapped up in my head I hadn’t even considered the possibility of living that particular dream.” He tugged her forward and kissed her hard. “You’re a genius, baby.”

  “I have my moments.” Janie donned a smug expression and playfully fluffed her hair. “FYI. Sheriff Wells is looking to expand his force because of all the new businesses that have opened up over the past year. He doesn’t want the fact that we have more people in town to equal more crime. He could use a man with your experience.”

  Devon cupped her cheek with his palm. “I know I’ve said it before, but it bears repeating. Thank you for not giving up on me, Janie. I don’t know how I survived without you.”

  “I don’t either. You were a mess,” she teased then sobered. “I couldn’t give up on the other half of my soul, Dev. Although, now that you’ve finally accepted our destiny I will admit I was ready to find a switch and beat your ass into submission.”

  He snorted and shook his head. “I would not have enjoyed that. Pain isn’t really my thing. However, if you feel like playing spank the naughty girl, I could probably get into that.” He shot her a suggestive wink.

  “Don’t hold your breath,” she said blandly. The thought intrigued her. Not that she planned to mention it at the moment. What was that old expression about holding your cards? She needed to keep some things a mystery until the time was right. Janie rolled over and hopped out of bed. “I need a shower then breakfast. Come on. I’ll let you wash my back.” She skidded to a stop halfway between the bed and bathroom door realizing she’d forgotten something last night. She needed to correct it before they started their day.

  Devon sat on the side of the bed. His eyebrows bumped together as he watched her with concern. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing. There is something important we need to do first. I got distracted last night.” She felt the heat on her cheeks and knew she blushed.

  Devon wore a lopsided grin. “Yeah, we did. We’ll do whatever you want.”

  “I’m glad you said that. I didn’t properly say hello to your wolf.”

  Devon rubbed the back of his neck. She didn’t need enhanced abilities to tell her his anxiety had amped up. “I don’t know.”

  “Look at me please.” He did as she asked. “Do you trust me?”

  “Yes,” he responded without hesitation.

  “Then trust me to know this is the right thing. Shift, please.”

  “I haven’t shifted since before.”

  He didn’t need to explain what before meant. She knew. “Then it’s about time. Don’t you think?”

  The blue glow she remembered surrounded Devon. It took only moments for him to complete the shift. Devon’s wolf had grown since the last time she’d seen him. His head reached her shoulders now when he stood on four paws. The wolf dropped to his butt and watched her with wary, copper eyes. His fur was the same mixture of tawny and golden brown only now there were patchy spots of missing fur due to his injuries. His body displayed the same scars as in his human form. The one on his face to stood out in stark contrast to the white fur on his muzzle. Just like Devon in his human form, Wolf was no less beautiful because of them.

  With his head hung low and tail tucked between his legs the wolf slowly approached her as if he feared her rejection. Silly wolf.

  Tears sprung in her eyes. The second he was close enough, Janie dropped to her knees and threw her arms around Wolf’s neck burying her face in his fur. “You’re so big and beautiful. Oh, how I missed you,” she whispered. “Welcome home, Wolf.”

  Devon’s wolf snuggled her. She felt his hot tears splash on her skin. She held him until her legs cramped. As if he knew she needed to move, Devon shifted once again. He stood and swept her into his arms. He gazed into her eyes before kissing her forehead.

  “Wolf says thank you,” he murmured against her skin. “Let’s take that shower. You have work and I have a job application to fill out.”

  Chapter 16

  Dev rubbed his sweaty palms on his jeans and took a calming breath before opening the door. He hadn’t been inside the sheriff’s department since he was sixteen after he and his friend Kevin got caught cow tipping while drunk over at the Double M. Both their parents had refused to pick them up and told the sheriff to treat their delinquent asses as he would with anybody else who broke the law. Sheriff Wells put the fear of God into them that night and made them sleep in a cell telling them if they didn’t change their behavior they needed to get used to the view.

  The cell was cold and damp. The cot with its one-inch mattress, scratchy thin blanket, and flat pillow had been extremely uncomfortable. Doing his business in front of god and everybody had been mortifying. But, it was looking out from inside the iron bars that affected him the most. The thought of spending more than one night in a cage scared the shit out of his adventurous wolf. The experience changed his life and put him on the straight and narrow. Before the sun rose that morning, Dev had decided he’d rather be on the right side of the law than lose another moment of freedom.

  Devon stood just inside the doors and glanced around. Chairs still sat along the wall to the left along with a water cooler for those waiting to see the Sheriff or one of his deputies. The old wooden gate had been replaced by a half wall with a walk-through to separate the waiting area from the work area. The larger section of the room still held three desks although the ones he remembered had been replaced as had the computers. He knew the hallway led to the sheriff’s personal office which was on the left. The server room, bathroom, and break room were on the right. If you kept going, the hall would take you straight to the holding area that consisted of two cells, one of which he had intimate knowledge.

  Francie Tyler glanced up from her monitor and smiled. She’d worked the front desk for as long as he remembered. Light, golden brown hair had been replaced with grey. She looked like somebody’s sweet grandma now, but Dev knew better than to be fooled by it. Francie ran the department like a well-oiled machine.

  “Well, Devon Stone. Look at you!” She rushed over and gave him a hug. “So glad you made it home. How are you doing, honey?”

  “I’m better. Thank you, Ms. Francie.”

  “I heard you were holed up at your cousin’s place.” She harrumphed. “Glad to see you got over yourself.” The snotty teacher-like voice she used made him grin. “Does that mean you plan on reconnecting with that sweet Janelle? She still loves you.”

  “As a matter of fact, I did.” He told her they were together again, and that he planned to marry her. Her parents would expect it. It didn’t matter that they were claimed mates. Most humans had no knowledge of such things.

  “You’re shitting me? Boy―” She smacked his arm. “It’s about time.”

  He chuckled. “Yes, ma’am. My Janie would agree with you.”

  “Because she’s a smart woman.” Her scolding expression was ruined by the impish amusement in her eyes. Devon was glad to see she hadn’t changed in that regard. “Not to rush you off or anything, but what brings you by?”

  “I heard a rumor.”

  “Oh?”

  “A reliable source informed me Sheriff Wells was hiring.”

  She grinned and studied him with shrewd eyes. “He is. Is there a certain ex-Marine MP who would like to apply for a job?”

  “Seems like.”

  She cocked an eyebrow and wagged her finger. “Don’t move. I’ll let Sheriff Wells know you’re here.” She rushed off before he could respond.

  Dev paced the reception area. He was nervous about the sheriff’s reaction. The problem with putting himself out there was the possible rejection because of his injuries and PTSD. The PTSD he had a handle on and the symptoms would be easier to control now that he’d claimed his fated mate. But still, the disorder made people uncomfortable mostly because they associated it with what they saw on television or the movies and not actual knowledge and truth.

  “Dev
on, my boy,” Sheriff Wells greeted him in a deep booming voice. “Come on back.” The sheriff met him halfway and held out his hand. Devon shook it. “I hear you’d like to talk to me.”

  He glanced at Ms. Francie. The older woman shot him a wink. “Yes, sir.”

  “Let’s go to my office.”

  He followed the sheriff down the hallway. He took one of the two leather chairs sitting in front of the desk marveling at how the office hadn’t changed much in ten years. Sheriff Wells sat in his desk chair and leaned back eyeing Devon with friendly curiosity. “You look good, Devon. Any loss of mobility?”

  Devon appreciated the sheriff’s straightforward question about his injuries. He hated it more when people went out of their way to ignore his scars than when they stared at them. It seemed less rude somehow. “No sir. I move around fine. I’m just not as pretty as I used to be.”

  Sheriff Wells chuckled. “Chicks dig scars.”

  “Mine certainly seems to.”

  Sheriff Wells whooped and slapped his thigh. “You and Janie?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “About damn time boy.”

  “That certainly seems to be the general consensus.” He grinned thinking back to last night and how she’d slammed the door in his face. He’d planned to walk away until Wolf put his foot down and refused to move a muscle. Devon was glad he did even though he ended up freezing his nads off and his back ached from spending the night on the hard wood. He felt whole for the first time in his life. His and wolf’s souls were bound to Janie’s until the end of time. As it should be.

  “Snatched a knot in your ass, did she?”

  “With some help.” He explained his cousins and friends’ involvement in the plan to bring him and Janie together. Devon left out the whole fated mates thing of course. It really wasn’t needed for the story, anyway. When he got to Matt’s role the sheriff was laughing his ass off at Devon’s jealousy of his barely legal cousin.

  “I’m glad you didn’t kill the boy. I like that kid.”

  Devon grunted. Whatever. He’d still find a way to give Matty a little payback. His little cousin wouldn’t expect anything less.