by Aline Hunter
Then she realized where it came from.
The wolf.
It was the first time it had happened and caught her unawares. He'd told her to keep the connection open, so she had. Only now, her bestial side wasn't willing to stand back and watch. She'd ached for him so much—for so fucking long—she would no longer be denied. A growl crept up her throat, the gums near her canines practically throbbing, and a surge of awareness had her ready to fight the beast within her soul.
"Stop. Now," Shane snarled, sliding his hand up and placing it against her belly, using enough force as he splayed his palm over her abdomen to keep her in place. Authority came with the command. Luna wanted to do what he wanted and tried to, shaking as she struggled to listen and control the animal inside her. "I told you, little wolf," he growled, the words so deep and thick they were hard to make out, "You belong to her, and she belongs to me. You will behave yourself."
The wolf listened, backing off, allowing her to breathe easy again.
"She wants you so badly." That was an understatement.
The beast felt uncertain, desperate for the union to be cemented once and for all. Luna understood because it was the same for her. The orgasm felt amazing, revealing just how good it would be between them, but she needed more. Once she had him completely, he'd never be able to let her go. Both she and the animal craved that very thing.
"She won't be happy until she knows you're hers," she said, shaking all over.
"I know," he said softly, lowering his head and kissing her stomach, moving upward to lap at her throat. "We have all the time in the world, but my wolf feels the same way. They've been apart for too long. They want to wrap themselves around each other and make sure this is real. If you want, we can show them everything's going to be fine."
She breezed her hands under his arms, grasping his back. "I want."
His chest glided against her abdomen, up her sternum, and his lips brushed hers. She took part in the kiss, teasing his tongue with her own, burying her nails into his skin. He was so much larger than her, his broad and muscular form caging her beneath him. She liked that, feeling like he was a shield that would protect her from harm, deflecting anything that came her way.
She shifted her hips, aware of the long and hard length of him prodding the entrance of her sex. He let her work around for it, rolling her hips until she managed to notch the head at the slick entrance. She drew a deep breath, aware of what that meant. She'd felt him before, aware his length and width wouldn't be easy to take. As much as she wanted him, she wondered just how uncomfortable the first time would be.
"Easy, lovely," he sighed, like he'd read her thoughts. "I've got you."
He started with shallow plunges, carefully working his way inside of her. He entered and retreated, rocking his hips, going deeper with each thrust. The fit was snug, becoming uncomfortable as he advanced. She took a deep breath and tried to relax. He reached between them and stroked her clit, forcing her to focus on his touch. The man certainly knew what he was doing, using his clever fingers to increase her excitement. As he caressed her, the discomfort turned into pleasure, and all she could think about was having him inside her.
In seconds, she was matching his movements.
"That's it. There you go. We're going to be a perfect fit." His voice had changed, the words almost a raspy purr. He didn't stop, careful as he pumped his hips and pushed forward. She didn't reveal that the motions were starting to hurt again, holding her breath, knowing this was part of what she'd asked for. She willed herself to be calm and steady. "You're so soft and hot, taking me so sweetly. We've almost made it." He growled, the hands against her fevered and desperate, drawing her closer. "Stay with me. We're nearly there."
He sank the rest of the way into her, filling her to the limit, and they groaned in unison. Although holding him within her was slightly painful, she embraced the inner ache. After all this time, it had finally happened. They'd found each other, their mating a done deal. She inhaled raggedly, shaking all over. The stress of the last year faded, the relief so profound tears came to her eyes.
"Hey, none of that now." He nuzzled her ear, intuitive as always, identifying the cause of her distress and addressing it straight away. "I'm right here, and I'm all yours. I belong to you now." He flexed his pelvic floor muscles, causing his cock to pulse inside her. "Feel that, mate?"
"I feel you all over."
He gently rocked against her. "Does that hurt?"
Despite the feeling of fullness, there was no more pain. "It doesn't hurt."
"Are you ready for more?"
She decided to use words he'd spoken to her earlier. "Pretty please."
"That's all you have to say."
He eased back, his cock slowly withdrawing, leaving her feeling empty. This time he returned with a harsh thrust, forcing her attention on him and not her emotions. He felt even larger, his length brushing against sensitive areas inside her, causing her to buck against him and cry out.
"Fuck, you feel good. You're so hot and tight."
"You feel good, too."
She rolled her pelvis, and he growled in approval. "Keep moving like that."
He withdrew and came back with a snarl, causing skin to slap against skin. He groaned when he bumped a delicate place within her, so deep she'd feel him even after they'd finished. She didn't pull away, trying to drag him closer.
"Oh yeah, that's it," he groaned, clutching her waist, his fingers digging into her hips. "Hold on, mate. I'm going to make both of us very, very fucking happy."
When he started moving, establishing a fast and steady pace, she increased her hold on him, keeping him as close as possible. He'd lowered his head, resting it beside her, placing his shoulder near her mouth. Her gums tingled again, the urge to bite him even stronger.
Despite the urge, she held off and took everything in.
His muscular form felt like heaven, and the fine hair tickling her thighs was exquisite. When she slid her hand around his nape, she found the short strands there were damp with sweat. His heavy breathing resonated in her ears, the sound of their bodies coming together in absolute unison building her anticipation. When her instincts took over, demanding she take the next step, she provided him a warning, giving his neck a sharp nip.
"Don't hesitate." He moved to give her more room. "Mark me, Luna."
Her teeth sharpened and elongated, the wolf snarling in her head as she struck. She bit him hard, sinking her fangs into his soft flesh. Even though it had to sting, he didn't make a sound, maintaining his rhythm. The heat in her belly built, another orgasm steadily approaching. She let him go and moved in a way that would send her over, grasping his sweat-slicked back. His lips settled on the curve of her shoulder, but he didn't penetrate the skin.
He increased the pace, thrusting into her almost violently.
He gave her his mark as she came, his teeth sinking deep, shaking his head slightly as he created a scaring that wouldn't be missed. Pain and pleasure combined, causing her to shake and thrash beneath him. He didn't stop spearing into her, growling as he gripped her harshly and rode her hard. As the pleasure faded and his teeth eased from her skin, she relaxed beneath him, aware that he was close to climaxing himself.
He held her still, pistoning his hips, moving faster and faster.
His growl carried through the room, and he pressed his full length inside her. She felt a pulsing deep within her. He not only marked her flesh, he coated her with his unique scent. Any male that came near her would know she'd belonged to another, able to smell the lingering fragrance that was all him all over her.
Finally.
She didn't have to dream anymore.
He was here. This was real.
"You're mine." He sounded content and sated as he lowered his weight onto her, his tongue bathing the area he'd marked, his hands tender as he caressed her. "There's no denying that now." He lifted his head, carefully stroking the area he'd injured. "I'm sorry if I hurt you. I wanted to make sure anyone
that comes near you sees this. I'm a lucky fucking bastard, and I want everyone to know it. The way you feel makes me want to lose my head."
His fingers whispered over her brow, the touch almost reverent. "Not that you have to worry about that. I'll never hurt you, lovely. I'll do anything for you."
She could sense the honesty coming from him. "You really mean that?"
"I swear it, Luna. You never have to be afraid." His voice changed yet again with the declaration, and she could swear the wolf was speaking with him in unison. She sighed in bliss, letting him pet her, absolutely content when he said, "I should be a gentleman and clean you up, but I want my scent all over your body. I'm not ready to wash it away."
"Then don't." Staying as she was appealed to her as well. "I want it on me, too."
"Hmm." He gave her a quick kiss and brushed his nose against hers. "How about this? I'll cook and get some food in you. Then I'll run a bath, and we can take one together. I don't want to be away from you. Not for long. Not unless I have to be."
He's too good to be true. "Sounds perfect."
He withdrew from her, his movement cautious and slow. He left the haven of her body, and she almost cried out at the loss. The bed shifted as he climbed off the mattress.
She sat upright, about to cover herself, when she decided to break the habit.
After what they'd done, it was too late to be modest.
They'd marked each other. That meant the relationship was signed, sealed, and delivered. There would never be another for either of them. Even if he wanted to deny her, he couldn't. The scarring along his neck and shoulder would tell every single female he encountered he'd found his mate, accepted her, and wouldn't transgress on that union.
She still couldn't believe it.
They belonged to each other.
He returned and said, "Arms up."
She did as instructed, discovering he'd retrieved his shirt for her to wear. It was too big for her, the sleeves dangling down her forearms. As he helped her rise, she felt the hem brushing her thighs. The cotton was comfortable, and his scent clung to the garment. In the future, she planned on wearing his things as often as possible. He didn't bother with anything else, covering her with the shirt alone.
He kissed her again, his lips and tongue tender and soothing.
It suddenly hit her that her mate was everything a female could want and more. He'd searched for her, found her, and hadn't been bothered that she wasn't like other werewolves. When she'd given him permission, stating that she wanted him, he'd claimed her without hesitation, bringing them together as a mated pair. She'd been wrong when she thought he'd abandoned her.
This was a male of worth, one that fate had given her.
He said she was stuck with him.
She was thrilled about that.
Chapter Eight
Shane left Luna with her food, indicating he was taking Max outside while she refueled and relaxed. While that was true, he had a reason he wanted to be out of earshot. He took the canine to a cluster of trees and retrieved his phone. With the mating official, it was time to talk to Jackson.
The Alpha answered on the second ring. "Everything good?"
"No," Shane growled, thinking of what Luna had revealed to him, eager to draw blood. Wade had offered some information about Luna, but he'd neglected a very important fact. Perhaps he knew what had transpired, perhaps not. Either way, Shane was dealing with the matter. "The timing isn't good, and I know you have enough shit to deal with, but there's something you need to know."
Jackson sighed. "Go ahead. Tell me. I'm listening."
"Luna's former Alpha has to go."
"Go where?"
"In the fucking ground."
"Give me a minute." Jackson told Chloe he'd be back. Thankfully, Shane hadn't called when they were in the middle of something. If he had, the Alpha would be pissed. Seconds passed and Jackson said, "All right. What's going on? Explain."
He'd do that, but he had a question to ask first. "Did Wade tell you who Luna attacked when she lost control?"
"No," Jackson answered, sounding confused, "should he have?"
"If he's aware of the entire situation, he should have. The one she went after knew she'd found me and that she'd gone into her mating heat. He was aware that being around her was dangerous for both of them. He didn't give a shit."
"What does that have to do with her previous Alpha?"
"He's the one she tried to kill."
Jackson exhaled roughly into the receiver. "Fuck."
"Now you understand why I called."
"When are you going to challenge him?"
Jackson understood right away, which was good.
There was only one problem.
Shane didn't mind facing the asshole on his own, but the male's previous behavior indicated he didn't do things fairly. Likely he'd have his beta at his back in the event things went sideways. While he'd gladly fight the two at once, knowing the Beta would be weak since the Alpha didn't have the balls to accept others equal to him in his territory, Luna needed to be protected.
He'd be a fool to take her anywhere near that kind of action.
"I'm not waiting for a full moon, so the sooner, the better. He not only came after my mate, he's taking advantage of other females in his pack. My understanding is he gets around, and it's an established fact. I imagine he doesn't keep males that can oppose him in the pack. He's flown under the radar for a reason."
"Wade did indicate his pack is small. I thought that was odd, since he's been in charge for so long. I assumed he preferred to keep things simple until he found his Lupa."
Of course the asshole wanted to keep things simple.
He reaped the rewards from it.
If Shane's hunch was correct, the male was happy he was unmated. He'd probably been lying to Luna's sister if he'd indicated there was potential for a mating if they slept together.
The sorry sack of shit liked fucking around.
"I'm not sure if you know of an Alpha that's ready to take on a pack, but if you do, now would be a good time to reach out to him."
"You're not interested in the position?"
Shit.
He wondered if Jackson would ask, having a good idea the Alpha might.
"I thought about it, but Luna needs my complete attention. I can't give her that if I'm taking over a pack with members I don't know. They'll require a lot of time. I'm also not willing to risk another female challenging her if they want to take her place at my side. Her wolf is strong enough to defend her, even if she can't see, but the fucker went about teaching her all wrong. I have to untangle the knots he's created."
"There's a solid chance you can do both at the same time. You're strong enough."
"It's not a matter of my strength." Jackson didn't understand. Time to clarify. "She's shifted before, but today is the first time the animal and the woman communicated and explored. Fuck, man. It's the first time they've played. That's why her wolf is unstable. It welcomed me because of who I am, but it would have attacked me if I'd been anyone else. It's going to take time for the wolf to learn she doesn't have to lash out at pack or strangers."
There was more to it. Jackson had a right to know.
"Luna also needs time to acclimate. I don't know how she was raised, but I can tell you she's been confined to her home for God knows how long. When I took her to town today, she acted like I'd brought her to an entirely different world. Everything was brand fucking new to her. She was so happy to be free. I felt like shit when I had to end the trip." He recalled what she'd told him and he growled, "She's only been able to shift a handful of times, and she's been limited to minutes. She still thinks like a human and doesn't understand her bestial side at all. Their communication is nil. Her sister took her to the goddamn back yard to shift like a dog."
"Damn." Jackson's tone changed, his anger evident through the phone. "No wonder her grandparents are so protective. She might as well be a newborn."
"So you understand
my dilemma."
If he killed an Alpha, he'd assume the role himself. He didn't want to do that as he couldn't guarantee Luna's comfort and safety. While he'd still take the male out—his very nature wouldn't allow the insult heaped on his female to stand—he didn't want to be a complete bastard. Killing an Alpha and ditching a pack was a cruel thing to do.
"I need to find someone who can take the responsibility." Shane hesitated before he asked, "Do you think Gavin would be interested?"
"I'm not sure. He's strong enough to face any potential challengers, and he could repair the damage. You'd have to help out if wolves get out of line if he decides to go. Declan helped me bump some heads before I took over Gavin's pack. They know what'll happen if they get antsy, but I can't guarantee there won't be any problems."
"Would Chloe agree?" She was finally getting to know her father and might not like the idea.
"She will when I tell her what's going on. It's not like he'll be that far away. The issue will be with him. You know how he feels about her."
"Talk to him. See what he says."
"Hold up," Jackson growled, his voice changing once again, this time in agitation rather than fury. "I do this for you. You need to do something for me."
Of course things wouldn't be that easy. "What do you need?"
"Wade's fallen in line, but his daughter has caused enough damage. I want her gone. If we can get your female situated, you could eliminate that issue."
Fuck. He was dodging becoming the Alpha of one pack only to be guided to another. "You're asking me to challenge him?"
"If you consider things, it makes the most sense. The mated pairs in Wade's pack are ready to have children. I also have a few in mine who are ready to try. The females that are mated almost outnumber those that aren't. If someone wanted to challenge Luna, they'd have to go in order of dominance to get to her, and that won't happen. Too many females want to expand their families. They'll get involved if a sweaty bitch tries something."
Wade had been in arranged mating, hence his only child Simone. Things didn't work out, and he'd denounced his mate decades ago. When that happened, the pairs in the pack weren't allowed to have more children. In general, a Lupa was required to balance an Alpha and watch over the interests of the pack's young.