by Kimber White
“Leo,” I whispered again. “I can’t do this. What if…”
“Shh. You can. Don’t hesitate. Just commit.”
Easy for him to say. Fear and desire poured through me at once, making my knees weak.
“Just do it,” he said, his voice a breathless whisper.
His heart pumped beneath the point of my blade. Sweat trickled down the side of his face. A bright moon rose. A breeze rattled the leaves of the maple trees all around us.
My fingers trembled. The hilt of the dagger grew warm in my grip. My eyes went to the brilliant red stone in Leo’s hand. Its crimson glow reflected in the Dragonsteel blade, making it look as though it were made of blood.
Kingsblood.
“Meg!” Leo shouted, his voice laced with a growl that stirred something dark inside of me.
Need pulsed through me. If I did this, I knew it would change something between us forever.
I took a breath.
“Now,” he said, his voice firm.
I exhaled. I drew the dagger back, then thrust it forward with all the strength I had.
It went in cleanly, the metal singing as I felt Leo’s flesh tear.
“No!” I screamed.
Leo’s eyes went wide. I let go of the dagger.
There was no blood. Not even a drop. The hilt stuck out of the center of Leo’s chest. His eyes traveled down to it, then over to the diamond he still clutched in his hand.
It glittered even in the dark. Its many facets caught the starlight and looked like tiny tongues of flame.
Leo took the dagger in his free hand and jerked it, pulling it out of his chest.
There was only a small, dark slit where I’d stabbed it. Right before my eyes, the wound closed. Leo dropped his chin and watched.
“Take this,” he said, gasping. He handed me the diamond.
“Leo!” I screamed as I realized what he was about to do.
He drew the blade across his wrist. Blood poured from the wound down his arm and he cried out. He waited for a beat. Then another. The wound wouldn’t heal. There was so much blood. He grew pale.
Gasping, he reached into his back pocket and pulled out a small vial.
He pulled off the rubber stopper with his teeth then poured its contents over his wound.
More blood. At least that’s what it looked like. A moment later, Leo grabbed his shirt off the ground and wiped his arm clean.
I stepped forward. The wound healed over. All that was left behind was an angry, red welt.
Leo dropped the dagger and took the diamond back from me.
“It’s real,” he whispered.
Lust flooded through me. I could barely breathe. I felt Leo’s nature. Primal. Dark. Dangerous.
Our eyes met. He took a faltering step back.
Power. So much power. I felt it well up inside of him.
His wolf. Oh, God. He was so strong. So fierce.
He gave me the diamond. I started to reach for him but he stepped away. His shoulders bunched and he dropped to all fours. Energy gathered around him. I felt it as rising heat far too strong to contain.
Leo threw his head back and let out a howl that sliced through me, making my knees buckle.
His hair grew long. His hands dug into the soft earth then turned to claws. His knuckles morphed into massive paws. His back arched like a bow.
Leo was gone. Leo’s wolf stood before me.
So beautiful. He looked just like I imagined in my dreams. His fur was burnished copper with waves of gold throughout. Those eyes. I’d seen them flash so many times. Now, they were twin, glittering sapphires and fixed straight on me.
I went to him. I put the diamond in my pocket. With two hands, I reached for him. I sank my fingers into his thick fur and ran my hands down his flank. It felt rough over his back, soft as sable closer to his belly.
“Leo,” I whispered.
He let out a keening wail, chuffed, and side-stepped. Instinct fueled me and I knew just what he needed.
I sank to my knees and gave him a slow nod.
Leo pawed the ground. He nuzzled my cheek. Then, with lightning speed, he charged to the top of a nearby hill. I could see him silhouetted against the moonlight.
Leo’s wolf threw back his head. His ears went nearly flat. Then, he let out a howl that I heard with more than just my ears. It went through me in a wave of heat. He howled again, giving me goosebumps. Even from here I could see those glowing, blue eyes.
He let out one more howl, then turned and charged back down the hill straight for me.
Chapter Fifteen
Leo
Invincible.
I never even felt Meg’s blade go through. Instead, an electrical charge poured through me, setting my nerve endings on fire. It was nearly orgasmic.
With that power, my need grew as well. The diamond might have made me invulnerable, but Meg stoked a greater hunger.
I focused on her lips, slightly bee-stung and parted. The sharp curve of her collarbone beneath the strap of her tank top. Her perfect breasts just waiting to be licked.
The power of my wolf surged through me as I gave the diamond to Meg and tore to the top of the hill.
Her heartbeat echoed through me. Her need fueled me.
Shift. Run. Hunt. Mate. I craved it all.
Before I knew what was happening, I was back down the hill and standing before Meg. Through my wolf’s eyes, she glowed. I saw her lust course through her as an infrared light. She knelt before me, burying her hands in my fur. She smelled so good. I knew she would taste even better.
The wolf gave way to the man. I rose on two feet. Meg gasped and took a step back. It wasn’t fear I sensed. It was marvel, wonder.
“Meg,” I said, my voice low but steady.
It was the only word I could say at that moment. I wanted to tell her how badly I needed her. If she stayed here...if I couldn’t…
“Leo,” she whispered, taking a step toward me. She put a tentative hand on my chest. I growled with desire.
But, it was a warning too. I couldn’t do this halfway anymore. She had to decide what she wanted.
I meant to say it. My primal nature took over. I slid my hands around her waist and pulled her close. I’d kissed her before, but this was different. I’d held back. Not now.
I wanted to devour her. God. She did taste as good as she looked. Meg sank into the kiss, opening her mouth. Her little tongue darted out, teasing, coaxing. She arched her back.
I brought my hands up, running my fingers beneath her shirt.
“Oh,” she gasped.
I wanted. I craved.
I found her nipples with my thumbs. Meg shuddered. I felt the heat grow between her legs. She was every bit as horny as I was.
“Baby,” I whispered.
“Yes!” she answered.
Yes. Did she know what I sought?
Meg hooked her fingers beneath the hem of her top and whipped it over her head. She threw it into the brush.
Her breasts swung free. So beautiful. Supple and round, her nipples were small and dark. I felt my fangs drop slightly. I snapped my jaw.
“Oh!” she cried out, turned on by that little bit of beast in me. My beauty answered by licking her lips and beckoning me forward.
“I want you,” I said.
“Yes,” she said. “Leo...please…”
God, I wanted that. I wanted her to beg. I wanted her to spread herself wide and submit. I wanted to bring out her own wild side and make her soar.
I stepped forward and tugged at her jeans. She put her hands up, lacing her fingers behind her head.
Oh, God. She knew just want to do.
I ripped open her fly and slid her jeans own, dragging her panties with them. Keeping her hands clasped behind her head, she stepped out of her jeans and kicked them aside.
I took a step back, admiring the lovely sight of her.
Meg was trim, but her stomach slightly rounded. I loved that. And her ass. Mercy. It was plump, giving me something to g
rab onto. She stood with her legs slightly apart.
I went to her. She waited, trembling as I made my next move.
“Stay like that,” I said. “Don’t move.”
A wicked smirk lifted the corner of her mouth. She stood before me, back arched, legs parted, hands behind her head.
I took one finger and dipped it inside of her. She was wet. Dripping for me. I tasted her sweet nectar.
“Please,” she whispered. “Leo…”
“Shhh,” I said.
I slid my arms around her waist. I couldn’t believe I’d maintained this much control. My animal side wanted to simply turn her, guide her to hands and knees and plunge into her. I would do that soon enough. And so much more.
But first, I wanted to work her. I’d sensed her desire for so long...since the second we met. Now, I wanted to savor it.
I slid two fingers inside of her and stroked her walls. Meg thrust her hips and slid her hands around my neck. She rested her cheek against my chest, sinking into the sensation.
I ran my thumb along the tight little nub of her clit. It grew hard as a pebble from my efforts. She was so slick. Her juices ran over my hand.
I used a third finger, gently preparing her for the rest of me.
Meg ran one hand down my back, then reached around. She closed her fingers around my rock hard shaft. I reared back and growled.
She went down, grasping my hips she slid to her knees. I threaded my hands through her hair and let her take me in her mouth.
I started out with so many plans. They went straight out the window after that.
Meg stroked me. Her mouth was so soft, so wet, so tight around me. She brought me to an apex. My nostrils flared and my fangs were fully out.
I pulled away from her. Panting, cheeks flushed, Meg looked up at me. The lust in her eyes nearly undid me.
“Baby?” she whispered.
I reached for her, turning her. She leaned far forward and planted her palms on the ground. I took a step back to enjoy the view.
She was so gorgeous like that. My earlier treatment had her gaping for me. So wet. So ready. So mine.
She arched her back, offering herself to me.
I stroked my length and positioned myself at her sweet opening. I took two fingers and spread her soft lips even wider, then guided myself into her.
Meg shuddered as I plunged all the way in.
Rockets went off behind my eyes. Light. Heat. Sparks. We fit. She was so small. I was so big, but it was as if she were made for me. I knew in my heart she was.
I wanted all of her. I wanted to taste her. Claim her. Own her. Her desire flooded through me, heightening my own. I braced her, holding her hips in place, then I dug my knees into the ground and thrust with abandon.
Meg cried out. She came almost immediately. I reached around and gently tugged at that little bud, working her even harder.
God, why had we waited so long? I never wanted to stop. To hell with the job. To hell with the diamond. I wanted to stay right here in these woods with my Meg and get her to make these sounds forever.
She panted through her orgasm, calling my name. Just when it seemed like she started to crest down, I found a little more to wring from her. Instinct told me just how far I could push her to find that sweet spot of pleasure.
She came over and over again. She wasn’t a virgin, but I knew in my soul she’d never had it like this before. She never knew this was in her.
I did.
I knew it the second I scented her. She was built for this, built for me. And I was made for her.
As she finally floated down, she did something I hadn’t told her to do. Her own instincts took over. She gathered her hair in one hand and exposed the nape of her neck to me.
My fangs dripped. Lord. A new, pulsing need formed at the base of her neck. She didn’t know. We hadn’t even talked about it.
She wanted me to mark her. The sight of her exposed neck sent my heart racing. I couldn’t help myself. I leaned far forward, pressing into her even deeper. I licked a trail along her spine from between her shoulder blades all the way up to that spot at the base of her skull.
Mine!
I would mark her. I would lick that sweet flesh and sink my fangs in deep. Meg would come again. She would see through my eyes. I would taste her blood. My magic would flow through her and back to me. She would heal in an instant. I would claim her. Make her mine. Brand her.
But...not today.
My own orgasm poured from me. I filled her. She took my hot seed and begged for more. She kept her hair to the side, begging me to mark her even though she didn’t really know what that meant. And that’s why I found the strength to hold that much back.
When I was spent, I pulled her against me, spooning her to me. I kissed that spot at the base of her neck. My spot. Maybe someday.
Chapter Sixteen
Leo
Meg turned in my arms. Her breasts pressed against my chest and already, I could feel the slow rise of new desire.
“My God,” she said. “Leo...that was...you were...It’s never been like that for me. Ever.”
I brushed the hair away from her face. I kissed her. Her lips were swollen from my kisses. She still wanted more.
“You’re mine,” I said.
She hesitated. Drawing up on one elbow, she met my eyes. “I know. I’ve known it all along. Fated mates, right?”
I sat up. I couldn’t be naked this close to her for much longer. I reached for my jeans and dragged them on.
Her movements awkward and unsure, Meg got dressed as well.
“Yes,” I finally said. “Do you know how badly I wanted to mark you?”
She bit her lip. “Yeah, actually. And the thing is, I wanted that too. You were supposed to bite me. It just...I didn’t know I wanted that. I just felt it.”
“It’s forever,” I said. “That’s the thing. If I give you my Alpha’s mark, we’re bonded for good. It’s a telepathic, biological connection. Our hearts beat together. The more I mark you, the greater the connection until we can read each other’s minds. And I’ll always know where you are. Your pain will be mine.”
“And you need it,” she said. She touched my face. “I felt that too. I’ve heard stories about mating sickness in Alpha shifters.”
I took her wrist and gently pulled her hand away. I kissed her palm. “That’s not on you. And I’m not that far gone. I just want you to be sure, that’s all. It’s one thing to feel it all physically. But, it has to be something you want outside of that physical connection.”
I leaned in and kissed her on the mouth. It was tame considering everything else we’d just done together.
“There’s more you need to know,” I said. “Now that we’ve...done it once...you’ll want it more now.”
“More?” she blushed. “Leo…”
“It’s called the Rise,” I said. “If we do fully mate...it’s a change you go through as our connection grows stronger. Eventually, it brings the Heat. You’re fertile then but not before.”
“Wow,” she said, running a hand through her hair. “It’s just...it’s a lot to take in.”
I got to my feet and held a hand out to Meg. She took it and stood beside me.
“Think about it,” I said. “I know where my heart is. But, we just met. The choice will always be yours.”
She looked down. The red diamond glittered on the ground.
“God,” she said, reaching for it. “Who would have thought finding out this really is the Kingsblood would be the least shocking thing that happened to me today?”
She smiled and handed me back the stone. I ran a thumb over its surface. I slipped it into my back pocket.
“Yeah,” I said. “We...uh...we have to have another conversation about that. For now, I want to get you and it back to the safehouse. It’s late. I’ve got to check in with Wolfguard. I have to tell them what’s happened.”
She swallowed hard. She took my hand. We walked out of the woods and back to the SUV.
/>
I’d left my phone under the seat. I grabbed it. I had seven missed calls and several texts flashed on the home screen.
“Everything okay?” Meg asked as I started the car. I swiped the screen.
As I read, I deliberately kept my breath steady so Meg wouldn’t feel a rise in my pulse.
It was Milo. He’d gotten a call from Payne. They’d gotten word from Meg’s father. The news was bad. The worst it could be.
“It’s fine,” I said to her, finding a smile. “We’ll talk when I get you home safely.”
Meg tilted her head and narrowed her eyes, but she trusted me. I said a silent prayer that I could keep earning it, then I hit the highway and left the woods behind.
Chapter Seventeen
Meg
Leo was quiet when we got back to the house. He was careful with me, almost stoic as he put a hand on my back and opened the door for me.
“Are you hungry?” he asked. “I could go out and get you something.”
“I’m fine,” I said. “Tired though. And...er...a bit saddle sore.”
His wolf eyes flashed, sending a fresh wave of desire through me.
The Rise. That’s what he’d called it. I’d wanted him before. Now, deep down, I could feel the build of a slow, burning hunger far more intense.
It was strange though. I sensed a calmness in Leo now that wasn’t there before. As soon as it occurred to me, I was pretty sure what it was. Leo was certain.
I was his fated mate and that was that as far as he was concerned.
“You should get some rest,” he said, his voice soft and kind. He leaned in, pulling me into another kiss. We’d kissed so much my lips ached.
“I…” he stopped himself.
My breath caught. It felt as if every cell in my body shifted, reoriented so that I was in tune with Leo’s needs and moods.
I love you.
He left the rest of it unspoken, but I knew in my soul that’s what he was about to say.
I love you.
I barely knew him, didn’t I? This wasn’t possible. Was it? I stood there, staring into the deep pools of his ocean-blue eyes. I wanted to say it too.