by Abigail Owen
“Ready?” Shyla asked.
Tala tipped her chin up and forced a steady pulse, a trick she’d mastered young. One her grandfather had taught her. Werewolves had excellent hearing, and the ability to control her heart rate gave her an advantage over those listening to it. They never truly knew her reactions.
She plastered a serene smile on her lips. “Ready.”
CHAPTER 2
Marrok waited for his bride at the front of the chapel. Like the exterior, built in natural stone, the interior of the building was simple, constructed of thick pine logs. Pews carved from matching pine wood stood in rows, with a single aisle down the center. A deep red velvet carpet led up to the altar and pulpit. Floor to ceiling windows at the front revealed an incredible view of the lake outside, which glittered under the brilliant light of the full moon.
Inside, the room was packed with people, the earthy scent of so many weres in one room filling the space with earthy undertones. The majority of those here hailed from their two packs. However, more invitees than expected had accepted, come to witness two alpha werewolves’ mating ceremony. Even Kaios, one of the oldest werewolves in existence, had deigned to attend—a coup for him and Tala, lending credence to their mating. As a demigod, Castor, his best man, also lent a certain weight to the ceremony.
While the idea to marry Tala hadn’t originally been his—had, in fact, been suggested by a woman named Delilah, who ran a consultant and staffing firm for paranormal needs—the plan was his best shot at ending the feud that had killed too many. On both sides.
A few snarling faces among those gathered, along with several missing elders from both packs, told him loud and clear that simply completing the ceremony wouldn’t be enough. He was going to have to show this combined pack how to change centuries of behavior and ignore their history. Time to make new history.
He had the sense, after only a minimal time in her presence, that Tala was the right woman to take this chance with. Strong, smart, and most of all, calm—she gave him the oddest sense of peace. Having her at his side made the success of this gambit, not to mention their mating, more likely.
The organ music rose in a swell of sound, and Marrok stood taller, shoulders back, every inch the alpha their people expected him to be. The double doors to the church opened to admit first Shyla, lovely in her blue-green gown, followed by his bride.
The entire church hushed, and Marrok stilled as the visual impact of Tala Canis in her wedding gown struck him like a sucker punch to the gut. Damn she was gorgeous—radiant in a form-fitting dress that hugged her lithe body to her knees, where it flared out. She’d left her shoulder-length dark blond hair down, her veil framing her lovely face. Every man in the place had to reel his tongue back in.
The pheromones they were both emitting had much to answer for tonight, but no one could deny Tala—tall and slender with generous curves he itched to mold with his hands—was the stuff fantasies were made of. Being mated to her would not be a hardship.
His wolf stood to attention, rumbling happily inside his head. The hound had a thing for their soon-to-be mate, which should make things easier since the animal inside him usually didn’t like anyone.
“You’re a lucky man,” Castor murmured.
Everything—their people, their futures, their very lives—started now. No turning back. “I hope so.”
Thankfully, the ceremony wrapped up in short order—the wedding portion of werewolf matings tended to be brief, as everyone wanted to get to the actual mating ceremony. Especially the bride and groom.
From the moment Tala had agreed to bind her life to his, a need had been building inside Marrok, pushed hard by his wolf, to claim his chosen mate. He’d been around couples preparing to mate before. The stronger the pair, the stronger the desire, and the more pheromones released. With both him and Tala as alphas, he’d never experienced what they were putting off before. Half was from him, but what she threw off increased his need a hundred times over. He’d played it cool up until now. Though he doubted others noticed, Tala was definitely skittish, and he hadn’t wanted to scare her off. But tonight…
Time to claim his mate.
Yearning and anticipation hung heavy in the air as he led his bride down the aisle, the gathering following behind. Together they made their way out of the chapel, along the river and over a wooden bridge that led them into the woods beyond, the peaks of the Rocky Mountains towering above, black outlines in a midnight sky.
The pheromones were flying now in anticipation of what was to come. As their lives were linked in the church, in the mating ceremony, so too were their bodies.
Once deep in the woods, the wedding guests stopped, allowing Marrok and Tala to continue on into the trees alone. Marrok had prepared a place for them to mate in private. Despite the offer of help from many women in the pack, he’d insisted on creating this haven on his own. An odd urge to make this moment entirely between him and Tala, with no other eyes or opinions, had driven him.
Over the last few months, he’d made sure to note the style of décor in her bedroom at her home, things she liked to eat, or items she’d looked at admiringly. Most of their interactions had been business based, and she presented an icy façade to the world, though he suspected fire lurked beneath the surface. Very few opportunities had presented themselves to gather information on her. Too late now if she didn’t like it.
“Stop here.”
She glanced his way but did as he asked.
“Close your eyes.”
Now she frowned, and a smile tugged at his own lips. He knew what he was asking. They were both alphas, fighters, predators. Instinct screamed to watch a predator closely. He was asking for her trust.
She gave him a long, hard stare, then slowly closed her eyes.
Victory surged through Marrok, pumping even more desire into his veins. He allowed himself a brief moment to study his mate. Flawless skin, high cheekbones, feline-slanted eyes of startling green currently hidden from him. Gorgeous.
“Are you going to stand there staring?” Tala kept her eyes closed but cocked a single eyebrow in question.
Marrok chuckled. “Just admiring what’s now mine.”
Something flickered across her expression, but with her eyes closed, he didn’t catch the emotion. Marrok pulled one of her hands through his arm. “Keep your eyes closed.”
Taking care she wouldn’t stumble, he parted a curtain of vines which appeared to cover solid rock, but, once pulled back, revealed a tunnel large enough to stand up in. He led her inside, where the air caressed their skin, cool and damp. Their footsteps, particularly her sky-high heels—what kind of woman wore stilettos in the woods?—echoed off the stone floor, the noise pinging around them.
Tala’s nose twitched. “Are we in a cave? It smells like wet rock.”
“Maybe. Not much further.” Unable to not touch her any longer, he circled his thumb over the pulse point on her wrist. Her small gasp filled him with satisfaction.
As they moved down the tunnel, a rushing sound of water grew louder and louder. Finally, he led them into a small chamber which faced the backside of a waterfall. He’d grown up in these woods before moving deeper into the mountains to join his pack. As far as he was aware, no one else knew this secret cave. A light mist swirled around the room, lit by thousands of twinkle lights. Wanting to provide a luxurious and comfortable setting, he had brought in cushions—silk, satin, chenille, any soft materials, all in the same emerald green as his bride’s eyes—and strewn them about the cave.
“Open your eyes.” Unaccustomed nerves gripped him as she slowly lifted her eyelids and took in the scene he’d prepared for them.
CHAPTER 3
No reaction.
Slowly she moved forward, taking in the details. He crossed his arms and waited. First, she examined the waterfall, trailing her hand through the downpour. With her back to him, he couldn’t gage her reaction though. Then she crossed to the pillows and leaned over to touch one, running her long, tapered fin
gers over the opulent material.
Finally, she swung around to face him, her expression unreadable. “You did all this for me?”
“Yes.”
Confusion flashed across her features so quickly he almost didn’t catch it. “But this is an arranged mating.”
“It may be starting that way, but you are my mate.”
She glanced away, once again taking in her surroundings. Then crossed the cavern to where he stood. With a feather light touch, she laid her hands on his chest and gazed up into his eyes. Her one simple touch, combined with her wildflower scent swirling around him, fired his blood. Slowly she trailed her hands down the flat planes of his stomach where she unbuttoned his tuxedo jacket and undid his pants. Already hard, he ached at her actions, but held back, letting her lead for now.
Pants loose, she pulled his shirt out and started on the buttons. With each exposed patch of skin, she laid those delectable lips against him in sweet kisses which drove him wild. Marrok fisted his hands, because the second he touched her, he knew gentle and slow would be over.
At the warm flick of her tongue against his abs, he groaned. “Tala. Baby, I can’t—”
He choked off the words as she snaked a hand into his pants and wrapped around him. She gave one hard pump and he shuddered.
Claim our mate. His wolf paced inside his head.
He reached for her, just as she dropped to her knees, freeing him at the same time. Before he could stop her, she wrapped those amazing lips around him. Marrok’s head dropped back and a feral growl ripped from his throat as his wolf howled his delight with his mate’s actions.
He buried his hands in her hair and slowly pumped into the warm, wet recess of her mouth. Once. Twice.
Sweet agony.
But his body was too primed, and she was going to send him over the edge before they consummated their mating.
“Tala,” he choked.
She chuckled, the tickle of it against him making the ache worsen, but she released him and glanced up. Her green eyes now glowed. She too was on the edge of shifting, losing control.
Time to take control of this situation. He reached down to drag her up, but before he got a grip on her, she rolled backwards, feet over head, and up to her feet in a move both lithe and athletic. There, she reached for the zipper at the back of her dress. In a flash, she peeled the silken gown off her body.
Naked. His woman was entirely naked under her dress. If he’d known that when she walked down the aisle, he might’ve mated her then and there. Screw the wait and the wedding ceremony and the audience.
“You want me, alpha? Then come and claim me.”
Her playfulness combined with challenge was like a spark to gasoline. He put on a burst of speed and had her on her back among the cushions, his body wedged between her legs, before she could even take a step.
A surprised laugh burst from her. “Hey. Big men aren’t supposed to move that fast.”
Wow. That smile. His heart contracted. Good thing she hadn’t used that on him while negotiating this mating. “With the right motivation…”
His wolf was demanding he take her, right there, but Marrok wanted to savor his mate’s body first. He dipped his head and took one tight pink nipple in his mouth, flicking it with his tongue. With his other hand, he molded her other breast. For such a slim woman, she was a perfect handful. She squirmed beneath him and grew slicker where he lay between her legs.
A rushing noise, like ocean waves coming into shore, filled the cavern. They both raised their heads to look to the waterfall, where the water behaved in the strangest fashion, streaming outward from the cave where they hid, as though the flow was being redirected around an invisible obstacle.
“Marrok,” she hissed.
“Shhhhhh…” He kissed her. “It must be Leia.”
“Are you sure?”
“Right now—” He ground his hips into her eliciting a needy whimper. “I don’t care.”
He took her lips in a deep, drugging kiss, his tongue dancing with hers. His kiss was possessive, dominant, but then so was her response. The sweet, ripe-berry taste of her flooded his mouth as she answered every kiss with a needy moan.
His wolf lunged in inside him, determined to take control and claim his mate. With a jerk, Marrok pulled back. “I’m going to take you now.”
She gave a vigorous nod, her eyes feverish, a deep flush slashing across her cheekbones. “Do it.”
“Don’t let your wolf maul me.” It had happened to other couples.
“Don’t worry about her,” Tala panted. “She likes you.”
Why did that knowledge make him even harder? With a single stroke he entered her. Marrok gave a shout of triumph as her wet heat clamped around him. Pure heaven. His muscles shook with his attempt at control. As he pumped his hips, angling to bring her greater pleasure, Tala went wild beneath him.
At that instant, the forest outside, which they could now witness with the water of the falls peeled away from the cave entrance, exploded. The wind whipped the trees into a frenzy. Pine needles rained down, filling the air with their zesty scent. Birds screeched their protest as they abandoned their nests and perches. The chaotic world around them echoed the desire slamming through him. Slamming through both of them if Tala’s feverish gaze was anything to go by.
He smoothed a hand over her thigh and bent her leg to wrap around him. Her shivery intake of breath and the way she dug her nails into his back told him she liked it. Damn but she was responsive. Their mating might be arranged, but her body’s reactions to his weren’t an act, and he relished every second.
Every movement, every moan, only drove him higher. As the culmination of their mating neared, he brushed her hair back from the nape of neck and licked at the spot he exposed.
“Ready?” He asked.
“Yes.”
Damn, he loved that word on her lips.
Marrok allowed his wolf to show, forcing his canines to drop. He leaned forward and sank his teeth into the sweet spot where her neck and shoulder met. The tangy taste of her blood burst on his tongue as he bit down hard.
Still he held off on reaching for his own completion, until the ripple of her orgasm feathered around him. That’s all it took. His body exploded, along with stars and swirls of color behind his closed eyes. His shout joined Tala’s scream as he pumped into his mate. Pleasure surged through him, as the perfection of her body, and an odd sense of connection, provided an intimacy he’d never experienced before.
The cacophony of noise from the waterfall and forest beyond suddenly ceased. The water splashed back down with an almighty roar, covering them in a chilly sheen of moisture.
Marrok didn’t care, too wrapped up in conquering the woman beneath him. Something clicked in his mind, the mating bond snapping into place. Suddenly he could sense Tala, not only beneath him, but inside him. The bond was tenuous—he couldn’t read her thoughts, and her emotions would come through in patches until their connection solidified. But that would require more time together.
He continued to move inside her until they’d both wrung every ounce of pleasure from their mating. Breathing hard, he lay over her, reluctant to pull away and break that connection. They both came down from the high gradually. With a satisfied grin, he kissed the mark on her neck which was already starting to heal.
He lifted his head and pushed her sweat-slicked hair back from her face. “Hello, mate.”
Our mate, his wolf crooned, equally satisfied.
“Hi,” she whispered back. “What was with the waterfall? And it sounded as though a tornado ripped through the area outside.”
“My guess is Leia got the nymphs to help her fake the prophecy.” He briefly considered the idea that the prophecy had actually come true but discarded it quickly.
Her brows pleated in concern. “She was sure they wouldn’t. I hope she didn’t do anything stupid for us.”
Responsibilities and the need to return to their guests intruded on his good mood. He grimaced. “We
should go. They’ll know we’re done.”
She scrunched up her face in a way he found rather adorable. She heaved a sigh. “If we must…”
Was that reluctance to join the others or reluctance to leave him? He couldn’t tell, but part of him hoped for the latter. Odd. He desired his mate, but an urge to spend time together smacked of a deeper emotion, which wasn’t part of the equation.
“We must.” Unashamed of his nudity, Marrok levered up to his feet and took a nice lingering second to leer at his mate, naked and on display for him alone. At her eye roll, he grinned and offered her a hand up. “I set up a vanity with a mirror in that corner, so you can fix…” he waved vaguely at her hair and face “…whatever.”
Was that surprise in her gaze? She blanked it too fast for him to tell. “Thank you.”
Tala sashayed across the room, scooped up her wedding gown, and slipped it on. “Can you do up my zipper?” She turned her back to him.
Marrok did as she asked but couldn’t resist placing teasing kisses on her back as he slowly did up the dress. She shivered under his caresses. He could get addicted to how responsive she was to his touch. Marrok found he was looking forward to a lot of alone time with his mate.
“Thank you,” she murmured, before moving away to fix her hair and makeup. She left the veil off.
He dressed quickly. “Ready to go?”
She crossed the room, appearing as though nothing unusual had occurred. Not a rumple in sight and her cool expression firmly back in place. His wolf huffed, not liking how quickly their mate had erased all traces of their claim on her. Marrok crossed the room and brushed her hair away from her neck. Satisfaction once again welled at the sight of his mark on her skin. She couldn’t remove all traces. He buried his face in her neck and inhaled. She carried his scent now, mingling with hers.
He gave a hum of contentment, which his wolf echoed. “Let’s go face the packs, mate.”