Night Surrender

by Godiva Glenn

  The jubilant shine in her eyes melted away the last of his reluctance. Damon had been right, yet again. Nancy didn’t need fancy things.

  He pointed to the wall next to him. “I can line this with bookshelves, and there will be more under the stairs.”

  “Can I pick the paint colors?”

  He placed a hand on the wood frame. “I don’t see why not if you like the door.”

  “Of course. The door makes everything.” She peered out a window. “Can we put a table out back? With a place for a nice campfire?”

  “Of course.”

  “And can we invite our friends over and roast marshmallows?”

  “Ah… sure.”

  “And can I get a cat?”

  He stopped himself from automatically saying yes. “Maybe?”

  “I’m kidding.” She flew into his arms and squeezed him. “How long until it’s done? How can I help?”

  “Maybe a month or two, depending on my missions. And you can help by making it feel like a home.” He kissed the top of her head. “My old place doesn’t feel like a home. But you do. You feel like everything I need.”

  NINETEEN

  Wyatt traveled through the forest with only one thing on his mind. His fingers gripped and toyed with a small bronze owl paperweight, a trinket from his last mission. There was no good way to leave Nancy for random periods of time, but bringing her something back always made her smile, and lessened the pain in his heart a tiny bit. Three months had passed since she’d joined the pack, but he’d already forgotten what life had been like without her.

  The bright blue door of their home made his blood race. He guessed she’d be reading in their bed, which is how he almost always found her. It was a beautiful sight.

  He opened the door and peeked to his left, but the loft was empty.

  “Hey there, handsome,” she called from the kitchen.

  He entered and dropped his backpack by the door before being yanked down for a scorching kiss. Her hands burrowed and pulled his shirt, and though he wanted nothing more than to fuck her on the kitchen counter—his third favorite spot—he needed a shower.

  “I missed you,” he said pulling back.

  “I missed you more.”

  He pressed the owl into her hands. “I got you something.”

  She grinned, admiring the hefty bird. Looking over her shoulder at the bookcase, which was almost to the brink of overflowing, she hummed under her breath. “I think I know a spot for it.”

  He scratched his scalp as she deliberated where to put her gift, holding it in front of each shelf before tucking it next to a row of books on poetry. There wasn’t room for clutter in their tiny home, so he usually brought her gifts that were temporary. Flowers. Chocolate. Wine. But he’d been gone two weeks this past mission, and guilt gnawed at him. The way her face lit up for him was precious, but even now, smiling, there was an emptiness about her.

  “I hate leaving you,” he said softly. He couldn’t keep the regret out of his voice. He’d once thought that his mate would be content to stay home while he traveled. But in that dream, she’d have been occupied with his children. The reality was nothing like that.

  She smiled and returned to him. “I’ll get a bath ready.”

  “I’m serious.”

  “I know.” She looked down. “It’s hard. Harder than I expected, honestly.”

  And there it was. “You aren’t happy.”

  “I’m happy,” she insisted. She pulled him to the other side of the house, toward the roomy garden tub that contradicted the otherwise small and cozy layout.

  “I can quit being a runner,” he said.

  She rolled her eyes. “No, you can’t. And I don’t want you to. I know what it means to you, and I understand how important what you do is for the other packs.”

  He removed his shirt while she turned on the water and held a hand under the stream. Last year, heck, only a few months ago, he’d have never even considered it. Now, if giving up his calling meant keeping his mate happy, it was an easy sacrifice.

  “You’re lonely,” he guessed.

  She flicked the water from her fingers and helped him pull his belt loose. “No. Mija and Charlotte keep me company, and when they’re busy or gone, well… your family visits often.”

  “Then what?”

  “It’s not your issue. It’s on me,” she said cryptically. “I didn’t think everything through.”

  “Tell me.”

  Stepping back and leaning on the sink, her eyes traveled him. “I’m… bored. Possibly more bored than all the books in the world can cure.” She met his gaze. “And it’s strange because when I was working, I always wanted to stop. But this doesn’t feel like a vacation.”

  “There’s stuff you can do,” he replied lamely. He really had no idea what she could do. There had to be something.

  “I’m a terrible cook, and that’s not getting better,” she joked. “I think I’m not the stay at home type. And that’s not your fault.”

  He shut the water off and took her hands in his. She stared at his chest, and he knew it wasn’t because she was horny but simply uncomfortable. He’d warned her that this life wouldn’t be a fairy tale. He’d worried that she’d regret it and leave him.

  “We’ll find something,” he promised. “Everyone in the pack has a duty.”

  “I know.”

  He kissed the top of her head.

  “Deep down, I think you feel bad about leaving because you know I’ve got nothing but you,” she whispered.

  Perhaps, but he didn’t admit to it. It was strange, how it was easier to do his missions at first because he knew she was back here waiting for him, but lately, things become increasingly painful for the same reason. “Don’t worry about me and how I feel.”

  “That’s not how it works.”

  She pushed him away playfully and pointed to the tub. “Water’s getting cold.”

  He held onto her hand. “Join me?”

  “Of course.”

  * * * *

  To Wyatt’s delight, Nancy absolutely loved the monthly gatherings the night before a full moon. Tonight, while his dad was flipping burgers and discussing secret sauces, Nancy was easily chatting away with his female cousins. They had a book club, whatever that was.

  It was a relief to see that at least in one part, she’d found her place. He could imagine how strange it was on both sides, for meeting an entire community hidden away, and for the rest of his pack to adjust to life with a human.

  Why he hadn’t tried to find her more to do than sit around their home escaped him. It should have been his first priority. The novelty and excitement of her even being around probably clouded his mind, but now he wanted to set things straight.

  He finished his beer and scanned the group. Reid was standing off to the side, as he often did with clan functions. He wasn’t the type to be the center of attention.

  Wyatt joined Reid, standing quietly at his side for a moment. Reid had a calming presence, but Wyatt found it hard to be completely at ease. In the last three months, Reid had yet to assign Wyatt his punishment, the one he was owed for bringing a human into the pack without warning, violating several rules.

  “This summer air is refreshing,” Reid commented. “It’ll be a nice run tomorrow.”

  Nodding, Wyatt took a deep breath. The sweetness of distant wildflowers clung to the warm air, underneath the scent of food. It was an interesting blend. One that carried with it memories of previous summers.

  “You want something,” Reid said.

  Past the point of beating around the bush, Wyatt replied, “I was hoping you could help me brainstorm something for Nancy to do. For the pack, I mean.”

  “She wants a task?”

  “Desperately. She’s bored. It’s not fair that I leave her, but she doesn’t want me to quit running. She hated her old job, but it was a job. Something to do.”

  Reid tucked his hands in his pockets and rocked on the heels of his feet. His attention had tu
rned toward Nancy, who was giggling and blushing and, on her way, to getting way too drunk if Wyatt didn’t intervene. She was too much of a lightweight for the beer he supplied, but she never kept count.

  “There has to be something,” Wyatt said.

  “You helped Charlotte find her way if I recall.”

  “That was easy. Charlotte had a readable spirit and clear interests. Nancy though… she’s not lupine. She’s not great outdoors. Her interests vary, but there is nothing I can shape into a pack responsibility.”

  Reid turned to him. “What does Nancy really want?”

  “To not be bored.”

  “No,” Reid chided. “What does she need?”

  Wyatt didn’t know how to respond. If he knew what to tell Nancy or had any clue of a direction to push her in, he wouldn’t be asking for help. “I don’t know. Structure? Meaning?”

  Reid sighed. “I have an idea. Bring her around tomorrow. Unless she’s hungover, I suppose.”

  Wyatt dipped his head. “Thanks.”

  “Of course.”

  Wyatt took a step away then spun around. “Reid… you’ve yet to assign my punishment.”

  Reid gave him a strange look. “You’ve chosen a difficult path. Punishing you for setting a course many of us aren’t strong enough to follow seemed cruel.”

  True enough, but Wyatt didn’t mind the hardships that he and Nancy faced. The fear that she’d leave would probably always linger in the back of his mind, but his heart knew they were forever. He left Reid to himself and retrieved Nancy to bring her home and sober up a bit before bed. He was curious what Reid had in mind and was eager for enlightenment.

  * * * *

  Nancy stretched her hands out and wriggled her delicate fingers over the fire. They’d retired from the party for their usual pre-transformation ritual. The next night she’d be alone, so he always did his best to keep her entertained beforehand.

  “I over-did the marshmallows,” she groaned. A sticky skewer burned on the edge of the pit.

  “You always do.”

  “You never stop me.”

  He laughed. “I grew up with wolves. You don’t take food away unless you want to get bitten.”

  She grumbled and sat back. Her eyes turned to him. The deep brown reflected the orange burning fire, making her look magical. “Tonight?”

  Her entire demeanor had changed in a blink. Gone was the silly, softly smiling, buzzed Nancy. He knew what she wanted, and she had asked for it before. He glanced up at the moon, which hid coyly beyond the distant clouds.

  His wolf stalked in a circle, having already made its own decision. The magic of the ancestors hummed along his skin, and they too seemed to be communicating their opinion.

  Nancy stood and walked to him. He’d hung back while she’d savored the last of her burnt sugar treats, the scent being a little too powerful for his nose to handle. She licked her lips and rose on her tiptoes to close the gap between their heights.

  She smelled like beer and sugar, flowers and fire… and arousal. She parted her lips, but he didn’t let her speak. He slipped his tongue against hers and devoured her words, which became gentle moans.

  Her spirit may not have been lupine, but it called to him and it called to his wolf. He’d put it off long enough. It was time to claim her properly.

  Tilting his head back, he looked into her eyes as his hand swept the nape of her neck and took hold of her soft hair. “It’s going to be rough.”

  She swallowed, an audible sound of encouragement when combined with her musical pulse and intoxicating scent.

  “I should grab a blanket… something for your knees,” he murmured.

  “I’ll be fine.” Her lips curled wickedly. “I like it rough.”

  He took her hands and pulled her a safe distance from the crackling fire. Tonight would push her to her limits, but he didn’t intend to add fire-play to the fun. He kicked away the twigs and leaves, but Nancy wasn’t as interested in clearing a spot so much as stripping down.

  Within seconds she’d tossed everything aside and stood in a sheer blue bra and matching underwear. His nostrils flared at the sight.

  “Those are new,” he observed.

  “It’s your favorite color, right? Blue?” She tugged at a thin strap and let it snap back against her shoulder.

  To his knowledge, he had no favorite color and had never mentioned it. But blue was as good as any and she made a damn good argument for it being the best color in the world. A desperate whine left his wolf. “I love it.”

  “I thought perhaps you could rip these off.”

  He could already imagine the feel of the fabric ripping away. He yanked off his shirt and stood close to her. “Every time I think I’ve gotten used to that wild mind of yours, you go and surprise me.”

  She shivered and ran a fingertip down the center of his chest. “It gets wilder, but it’s waiting for you to take the next step.”

  Inhaling and savoring her scent, he tucked two fingers around the center of the thin fabric of her bra. He didn’t know if it was expensive, but he hoped not. He planned on buying her more for this same pleasure.

  He yanked and tore it from her body. Her flinch let him know it stung, but she wanted it. He loved how much she wanted it. Cupping the side of her face, he rubbed his thumb along her cheek. “Kneel.”

  She did as told, and watching her sink down onto the ground in front of him made his head rush. He whipped his belt free with a smooth action and shoved his jeans down, freeing his aching erection.

  He’d learned that blowjobs left Nancy soaked, and that’s what he needed tonight. It wasn’t the only reason for it, of course.

  Her soft tongue flicked around his tip, teasing him. As he stared, she parted her lips and took him in. Her soft pink mouth around his cock was a dizzying sight and he had to close his eyes. They both wanted this too much. He worried that he’d become too eager and wild and hurt her badly.

  Energy rose from the earth, or perhaps he imagined it. He wanted to believe that the ancestors would bless them somehow. That there could be a true bond between lupine and human because their love was strong enough. And with that belief came the reassurance that he needed, that Nancy would be safe tonight.

  Nancy sucked hard on his shaft and slid up and down in just the right way. She could play his body like a delicate instrument. One of the upsides to being bored, he supposed. They’d gotten to be experts on each other’s sexual needs. He knew her every magical spot, and she knew his.

  She squeezed him at his base and wiped his weeping tip across her swollen bottom lip, spreading his slick arousal before licking it clean. Her throat made hungry noises that called to his primal side. She wanted his cum, and he would give it to her.

  “On your breasts,” he said, straining to speak clearly. Every muscle had tensed in anticipation.

  She kissed the head of his cock and leaned away. The moon and fire cast conflicting shadows and patches of light, but he could still see her perfect body, ready to be ravaged. A low guttural sound whispered through the back of his mind, his wolf appreciating the moment and responding to the anticipation. His fists clenched at his sides. He didn’t hold her for fear of his claws slipping free, and even as he came, his nails bit the skin of his palms.

  He hissed as the pleasure she’d given him compounded and shot through him like lightning. Taking in her lust-heavy eyes, he spilled stream after hot thick stream onto her chest. The white liquid clung to her breasts and dripped from her hardened nipples like decoration.

  Her dark eyes studied him as if she thought he’d back out. There was absolutely no chance of that. His wolf was breathing down his neck, his cock was already hardening at the thought of filling her again, and there was no reigning in his own fierce craving.

  “All fours.” He glanced to the ground.

  Stepping back, he drank in the scene. They’d never done anything this intimate outdoors. To him, it was all about the wait. The right time. Every step and action careful and certain t
o ensure there would be no regrets.

  The wait had been worth it, he could already tell. He removed the remainder of his clothing, taking care to place his jeans close-by, and knelt behind Nancy. Even through her underwear, her moisture couldn’t hide. It had slipped past the fabric barrier and coated her inner thighs in a delicious gloss. He curled a finger around the soaked center exposed to him and tugged, gently stretching it away from her body.

  “I really like this color,” he murmured.

  She whimpered in response. With a quick flick of his wrist, the delightful tear of cloth sounded through the air and she shook in response. His fingers sought the source of her moisture and slid along the warm path. Tracing from the bottom of her slit to the sensitive bud at the crown of her pussy, he watched her body tremble and sway.

  “Ready?” he asked.

  Her head dipped a moment, then the side of her face turned to him. “Aren’t you going to… you know.”

  “What?”

  “You usually make me come,” she whispered. “First.”

  He usually did, but that was because they were preparing. “Tonight, you’ll only come if you do it on my cock.”

  “Oh.”

  He curled over her back and licked her ear. “Which means you will. Again and again. Until I get tired, or you pass out.”

  “Oh…”

  “Of course, I’ll never tire of fucking this tight pussy so…”

  The flutter of her heart was a delightful echo in his ears. He sank back on his heels for a moment and circled his wet fingertips over her clit before standing.

  The beams of silver light from the moon felt like a weight on his naked shoulders. Not a weight of burden, but one of an embrace. Nancy had seen his lupine form a handful of times now, but tonight she’d experience it. There was responsibility in his hands to carefully tread a balance between the wildness she desired and the primal violence that he’d need to suppress due to her fragile human form.