Hearts Unleashed: A Limited Edition Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy Collection

by C. D. Gorri

  She stilled and stared at him. Her hair was wet, and she was wrapped in a large white towel. How the thing stayed put during the scuffle, he didn’t know. Her black eyes changed to blue, and she frowned at him. “What was that loud crash?”

  He relaxed. “The front door. I think I broke the wall.”

  “Why?”

  “I didn’t do it on purpose.”

  She rolled her eyes and wiggled her wrists. He released her but didn’t get off of her. He liked having her under him. “Were you in the shower?”

  “Nope. I was soaking in the tub with one of the bath bombs. Thank you, by the way. I must have fallen asleep because the next thing I knew, I startled awake with a crash and someone running up the stairs.” She brought her hands between them and faced her palms to him and laughed. “See, raisin fingers.”

  He chuckled and rolled to sit on the floor at her hip. She sat up and faced him, rolled her gaze over him. A sensual smile lifted the corners of her lips. “And you're naked. So tell me again why you broke the wall and raced up the stairs like a demon on fire?”

  “I panicked,” he muttered. “I scented you here but didn’t see any form of life.”

  “So you thought the boogie man got me?” She laughed. “Honey, who do you think they call to keep the boogie man in line?”

  When she moved to stand up, he touched her hand. “This isn’t a joke.”

  “I’m not joking.” She sat back down and locked gazes with him. “I’m going to get dress. I suggest you do the same because what I need to tell you might have you changing your mind on whether I’m the right mate for you.”

  Without another word, she rose to her feet and went to the bathroom, closing herself inside. He stared at the door for several seconds before he got up to put clothes on. Nothing she could tell him would ever change his mind about claiming her.

  She was his. End of discussion.

  *.*.*.*

  Nyla leaned her back against the bathroom door with her eyes close and her heart hammering. She was much better at voiding major life decisions. But she was adulting and it sucked big time.

  The thought of Kasen rejecting her made her ill because once reality settled in around her, she knew he deserved the truth.

  Pushing off the door, she dressed then used her magic to clean the bathroom. After another pause at the door, she opened it to find Kasen sitting in the armchair near the large picture window on the far side of the room.

  “Whatever you have to tell me isn’t going to scare me off.”

  “We’ll see,” she muttered as she crossed the room to sit in the middle of his large king size bed.

  After a long stretch of silence, Nyla began talking. “My mother was a powerful witch from one of the oldest bloodlines. My father saved her from being burned during the witch trials and took her to his home in Hell.”

  She met his gaze. “I was born a year later, and we lived happy lives until Mom was killed when I was sixteen. An uprising started. I can’t remember why because they happened all the time. Mom was caught in a crossfire because Dad was one of Lucifer’s guards.”

  That was a hundred years ago, and it still felt like it just happened. “I watched as she gutted in front of Dad. I couldn’t control the rage that raced through me like a bullet. Everything happened so fast I didn’t even remember what I did. Dad said my eyes went black and I attacked. I killed the demon who gutted Mom first, then the dozen or so who cheered them on.”

  The bed dipped, making her snap her attention to Kasen as he crawled onto the mattress to sit closer to her. “You were avenging your mother. There’s nothing wrong with that.”

  “I didn’t stop. After I slaughtered them, I went searching for others. Anyone who dared cross Lucifer or my family. We’re demons, but we have rules and some mortals.” She sighed and rolled her neck. “Lucifer reward me by making me one of his guards.”

  Kasen stroked her cheek and tucked her damp hair behind her ear. “Not changing my mind.”

  She shook her head. “I’m not finished. Dad and I fought many wars and uprising at Lucifer’s side right up until Dad met Lisa. We left and moved to Ashwood Falls. This was before they merged with Moonriver. Before Felix waged war on the packs.”

  Kasen stared at her with pursed lips. “Still not changing my mind.”

  “I loved living on Earthside and with the leopards. I love Lisa and Kirk. But it all changed. Lucifer called us back home. We left and walked into a full-on civil war. My demon side snapped back like a switch was flipped and broke on the on position. After years of fighting, we thought we finally had a handle on things. We were winning. Then a trusted ally said I was being targeted. Apparently, news had spread that I was Lucifer’s secret weapon. Dad panicked and tossed me out of Hell and sealed the portals. He’s still there, fighting.”

  Kasen picked up her hand and held it. “I’m sorry about your father. But I’m not seeing how this is supposed to scare me away.”

  Staring at him, she asked, “Did you not hear where I killed thousands of demons? My hands are bloodstained. Many of the demons had powers that I absorbed, making my witchy side stronger. I relished in it. Even now, I enjoy working as a hired killer. Who loves killing people?”

  Shaking his head, Kasen gripped her thighs and turned her to fully faced him. Then he tugged her closer, so her legs draped over his. He framed her face in his hands. “Listen carefully. You were surviving the only way you knew how. You killed to protect your home and your family. The marks you go after are cruel people. They deserve whatever you do to them.”

  “I attacked you in your own home.”

  “Because I let the thought that something had happened to you get the better of me. If I heard a crash and someone running up the stairs, I would have killed first.” He took a deep breath and released it slowly. “I have to stay in constant control over my impulses and my wolf.”

  “My demon blood will taint your bloodline and your pack. I can’t bring that darkness to them.” She moved to put space between them, but Kasen wouldn’t let her leave from her spot.

  “My great grandmother was a fallen.”

  Erin’s earlier words drifted back to Nyla.

  “I’ll have you know dear friend, that is impossible because we already have demon blood that runs through the Wilde family.”

  Nyla thought Erin was being metaphorical and not literal about having a demon in their family tree.

  Fallen were one step below Lucifer in the magical scale. It was rumored that the original seven sins were fallen. “I thought the Wilde bloodline was pure.”

  “When the alpha power is transferred, it becomes more and more powerful. That kind of power can make a person go insane. So Great Granddad fell in love with and mated a Fallen. Her blood and magic balanced the alpha power. Sure the aggression and feral personalities are still there, but we don’t run the risk of going rogue or insane.”

  “Isn’t rogue and insane like the same thing?”

  He chuckled and pulled her until she fell across his lap. “Depends on the rogue.”

  “Ah. I see.” She rolled to her back and stared up at him. “So, since you really are a psycho wolf demon, what do you want to do about this mating thing?”

  When she reached up to flip his hair from his eyes, he grabbed her hand. A thrill raced up her spine, spark off the desire she always tried to suppress. Locking gazes with her, he lowered his head and took her fingers in his mouth. The sensation of his lips closing over her fingers and the warmth of his tongue sent a hum through her whole body.

  She rubbed her thighs together and had to force herself not to take control of the situation. The only time she lost control was while she was under Fealin’s. That was a mistake she wouldn’t repeat ever.

  However, with her mate, she’d give him an inch of control. Trust had to start somewhere.

  Kasen released her fingers, then dipped his head so his mouth covered hers in a raw, hungry kiss. Every nerve ending in her body flared to life as if they’d been shocke
d by electricity. Desire burned in her belly and traveled lower.

  She fisted her hands into his short hair and tugged him closer. Yet, he wasn’t close enough. Kasen cupped a breast, stirring up the ripples of pleasure bouncing between them. She closed her eyes and moaned as he rolled her tight nipple between his fingers. Pinpricks of sensation covered her skin, and her pussy throbbed, begging for his touch, his caress.

  A moment later, Kasen grabbed her ass and lifted her from his lap to stretch out on the mattress. She couldn’t take her eyes off the gorgeous male hovering above her. There was no denying that he was hers. Not anymore.

  His warm fingers caressed her belly as he stared down at her, hunger in his blue depths.

  “You are so beautiful.” His voice came out husky.

  He dipped his head and pressed a kiss to one nipple and then the other before he nipped his way down her stomach to the inside of her right thigh. A half-growl, half-moan escaped her when he gently bit down.

  When he slid a finger inside her, she nearly came. “Fuck, that feels good.”

  He chuckled and held her gaze as he lowered his head and licked her from her entrance to her clit in a slow, lazy stroke. Pleasure overtook her as Kasen closed his mouth over her, sucking her lips as he slid another finger inside and pumped them in and out until she was drunk with pleasure.

  She fisted her hands in his hair and moved against him, riding the wave of passion. Each lick of his tongue sparked the flame within, making it grow brighter and hotter. Her own magic flowed through her, wild. Pleasure built, and she picked up the pace, her body jerking as she climaxed.

  Kasen withdrew his fingers and crawled up her body, stopping to suck on her nipple as he did. Goosebumps covered her body, and her pussy ached, wanting more of him. She grabbed his arms and tugged. “I need you inside me, now.”

  The power was growing. She felt as if she’d explode at any moment.

  Wrapping a leg around him, she flipped them over and sank down on his impossibly hard cock. Fuck, it felt good to have him inside her. She moved her hips and began to ride him. Kasen gripped her hips, squeezing.

  As her pleasure built, so did her magic. When she slowed the tempo, worried she’d lose control, Kasen flipped them once more, so he was on top. He cupped her face, forcing her to meet his concerned stare. “Your mine.”

  She didn’t have time to respond before he thrust inside her and bit her neck. She cried out, scoring his back with her nails and tightening her legs around him. Pain from the bite turned to dizzying pleasure that flowed through her like liquid heat.

  Kasen’s body jerked, and his muscles tightened under her hands, then he roared in release. A moment later, Nyla screamed as the orgasm burst inside her.

  She rode the wave of bliss as Kasen jerked in his own release.

  He gathered in his arms as he rolled to his side, holding her to him. It was like he didn’t trust that she’d stay.

  Oh, she’d stay. She was too boneless to move. Poking him in the chest, she lifted her head to peer down at him. “Our future, like way in the future, kids are going to be demons.”

  “We’re all demons.”

  She laughed, then growled at his phone when it buzzed. He kissed her forehead and rolled over to grab his phone. She had brought it in earlier with his clothes when he sifted.

  A deep frown formed as he read the message. “What is it?”

  “Dana, the Alpha of Huston Reed Pack, said she was in town about five minutes ago and saw Roz. He looked comfortable like he belongs there. Or just hiding out.” He met Nyla’s.

  “Let’s go get him.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Nyla used her magic to dress, but before she could teleport to Willow Glen, Kasen grabbed her by the waist. “We go together.”

  The brush of his hot breath against her sensitive skin made the desire that was still racing in her veins to explode in a wildfire.

  She took his bottom lip between her teeth. A growl rumbled from him. She felt his desire through the mating bond. Abruptly, she stepped out of his embrace. “Then hurry up.”

  His eyes burned as he watched her. It took him a few breaths to gain control of his wolf. “We’re not even sure he is still in town.”

  Only one way to find out. She waved her hand and dressed him with magic. “If he isn’t, then someone down there had seen him. All I need is something that had come into contact with him to do a locating spell.”

  Kasen glanced down at his jeans and t-shirt. It was a little out of his style. Too casual, yet he looked hot. “Not my first choice, but it’ll work.”

  Together, they raced out of the house and jumped into Kasen’s Range Rover. Kasen peeled out as he whipped the SUV round to head down the mountain to Willow Glen.

  Once they reached the town, their first stop was Wilde Claw. It was a sports bar that Dalton owned. Rumor had it, the profits of the bar were split with Kasen.

  When they met at the Wilde Claw’s front door, Nyla asked, “Is it true that all business in this town split the profits with you?”

  He stopped with his hand on the handle and stared at her. “The money doesn’t go to me. It’s paid to the corporation—Wilde Wolves, INC. That’s pack money. I’ll explain everything to you after we get Roz.”

  She clamped her mouth shut and waited for him to open the door. Another burst of emotion flooded the mating link. Anger, fear, love… The latter wasn’t only coming from him. She was falling. More like already fell and ignored it.

  “Let’s go kill us a rogue.”

  He chuckled and opened the door. “After you.”

  They approached the bar and waited for the bartender. Erin appeared. “What up?”

  She grinned and looked from her brother to Nyla several times before Kasen held up his phone with the picture of Roz. “Has he been in tonight?”

  Erin tilted her head. “Not since I’ve been here. I’ve only been on the clock for ten minutes.” Then she yelled for some. “Jay.”

  A few moments later, a tall human male moved behind the bar. “Yeah.” He nodded to Kasen and Nyla.

  Erin point to Kasen, who showed him the photo. Kasen asked, “Have you seen him today?”

  Jay nodded and pointed to a table behind them. “Yeah. He just left.”

  Nyla turned and saw a drink glass still on the table. “Was that his glass?”

  She was moving before she finished speaking. Jay said something, but Nyla had already picked up the glass and called to her foresight magic. She hadn’t purposely tried to use it in months so she wasn’t sure it would work.

  With her hands wrapped around the glass, she closed her eyes and focused on Roz. “Where are you?”

  She didn’t always need a map and herbs to do a locator spell. Her gift of foresight along with her magic showed her what she wanted to see. At least she hoped it would. Visions had come to her as easily as they once did.

  Today, however, her powers seemed to be amped. She knew why. Kasen’s alpha power flowed through her now, and it seemed to balance hers out. All the little fragments that broken apart due to her torture and captivity were piecing themselves back together.

  The image of Roz flashed in her mind, and she smirked. Diving deeper into the vision, she focused on his surroundings. Something familiar nagged at her and it wasn’t long until she found what she was looking for. “Gotcha, bastard.”

  When she pulled out of the vision, she locked gazes with Kasen and took his hand. “Ready?”

  He nodded, and she teleported them within twenty feet of where Roz was staying. He was living in a van parked at the base of the mountain just outside of Kasen’s territory.

  Roz was standing outside the van when they materialized. He twisted around and shifted one hand into a claw and bared his teeth with a growl. He rushed forward, and Nyla threw out her hands, sending a blast of magic at him.

  The energy bolt slammed into the center of his chest, sending him flying backward. The van stopped his backward progress. However, the hit didn’t knock any
sense into him because the bastard jumped up and charged at them again.

  Something wasn’t right about Roz. He was too strong for a shifter. That was what he was. She couldn’t detect any type of magic in him. He wasn’t a witch or a demon or anything else magical.

  Why the hell was he able to jump back up after being blasted with an energy bolt?

  On the heels of her internal question, four more rogues stepped out of the shadows of the forest. Nyla grinned and conjured a sword as she fell into a defensive stance. “Now we have a party.”

  Kasen chuckled beside her while shifting both his hands in claws. She felt his wolf pace. Emotion from both the man and the wolf vibrated through their bond. Kasen growled low. “I like parties.”

  Ha! So did she. Gathering her power into her core, she used her mind control to connect to the newcomers and found the weakest minds out of the group. There were two out of the four. Perfect!

  She entered their minds and sent them a command. “Fight on our side.”

  They blinked, then turned to the other two rogues and rushed at them. Nyla swung her sword in a circle and met Roz’s shocked gaze. “Now that they are taken care of, I want some answers.”

  She moved closer to Roz with Kasen at her side. He was anxious, and she knew he didn’t like her in harm’s way, but he also trusted her. That deepened her love for him.

  She threw up a magical circle around Roz. he tried to break through it to escape but failed. He might be strong, but he wasn’t magical. He couldn’t break through her barrier. “You know, the funny thing with this barrier is that I can pass through it and you can’t.”

  The look of defeat and fear on Roz’s face told her she had him where she wanted him. So she added, “And oh yeah, Kasen can too since he is my mate.”

  Together, she and Kasen stepped inside the circle. Nyla reached out with her telepathy and mind control, but Roz’s was strong-willed. She was able to pull some thoughts out that were at the surface. One word stuck out to her.

  Dynatoxin.

  What the hell was that? “Tell me about this dynatoxin.”