by Jade Royal
“I’m just hungry,” she said instead. She pulled her knees to her chest again. Her eyes were still glowing with arousal. She was able to resist now, but soon, that ache would become too powerful. Wolves who found their mates couldn’t resist each other because of the literal pain it caused them. Kellan touched her leg, and it zapped them both. They jumped away from each other. Kellan stood immediately as arousal pumped into his shaft. Touching her, and smelling her arousal, Kellan felt the first lance of pain that came with resisting your mate. Even with his shaft growing, he felt his balls begin to grow as well, weighing down on him heavily.
“You’re in pain,” Bliss commented. She saw his clear discomfort.
“It’ll pass,” he commented. Rita entered the room with two plates of food. She gave one plate to Kellan and the other to Bliss, but Bliss didn’t miss the way she smiled at Kellan. Like before, something territorial and protective started grumbling through her. She was growling without even realizing it.
“Rita,” Kellan said softly. She didn’t look at him. She continued to stare at the newly turned wolf whose eyes were still glowing, and she was snarling as if she had canines, but there was nothing but her human teeth.
“She can’t hurt me,” Rita said.
“But that won’t stop her from trying,” Kellan said. “You know that.” Rita didn’t like backing down from a challenge; her wolf loved to fight, but she knew Bliss couldn’t help it. Rolling her eyes, Rita went clear across the room away from Kellan. Bliss immediately stopped growling and looked down at the food. The meat was tender enough for her since she didn’t have canine teeth to bite through anything tough. They ate cooked food, but in wolf form, they sometimes ate meat raw.
Bliss wasted no time devouring the meat. Beef had never tasted so good to her. The flavors burst across her tongue, and she couldn’t help but scarf it down like she was starved for days.
“Slow down,” Kellan said taking the plate from her. She nearly bit his head off, but he gave her a slow growl that had the wolf inside her cowering, but he picked her head up like he’d been doing and slowly fed her. He used his hands, and Bliss couldn’t help but lick at his fingers and suck on them like they were lollipops.
Rita was uncomfortable as she watched the mates interact with each other. She wasn’t vengeful or bitter towards Bliss. She understood how their world worked, and while she liked Kellan, he just didn’t belong to her. She knew who her mate was and just couldn’t have him, so she was jealous of Bliss in a way because Rita just wanted her own mate. She longed to have pups of her own, and it would make her unfulfilled to have pups with someone who wasn’t her mate, and if Kellan ever became alpha and Bliss was the female alpha, Rita wouldn’t be able to have pups until they did. That was just the way of a pack.
“I’m gonna go for a run,” Rita said. She couldn’t stay there watching them anymore.
“Rita, I don’t know if you should be out there.” They both knew Maverick was trying to get her back.
“Then I’ll just pace around the house. You may not feel it, Kell, but it’s hot as hell in here.” Oh, Kellan felt the heat. He felt much more than that.
Rita took their empty plates and walked out of the room leaving them alone. Bliss rested back, her stomach full. She gave a satisfied sigh and licked her lips.
“My wolf…wants you to be close to us,” she said softly. Kellan crawled onto the bed next to her. The moment he laid down, she wrapped herself around him, digging her nose into his neck. For a minute, Kellan thought she was asleep until he felt her small tongue licking at his neck. Her blunt teeth began biting at him. Kellan thought it was super cute; she was already trying to mark him. She probably didn’t know why she was doing what she was doing. Her arousal leaked to his nose.
“Bliss, baby.” He groaned.
“Yes?” She breathed. He turned slightly and ran his hands over her creamy thighs. He parted her legs so he could find her center. It wasn’t hard since the heat emanating from her core was scalding. He began returning the favor of licking at her neck while he parted the underwear she had on, but the moment he touched her slippery core, she jumped and drew back from him. Kellan saw fear and pain in her eyes before she hid it. Her arousal immediately began to recede. Kellan took his hand from her.
“What’s the matter?” he asked softly.
“I’m tired.” She lied. Kellan knew she wasn’t telling the truth. Bliss didn’t want t to tell him that sex didn’t feel good to her. Not after the way Maverick treated her. Even if she was aroused, she knew that there would be nothing but pain once he tried to penetrate her. That, plus she couldn’t be content in having sex with a stranger. Wolf or no wolf.
She turned away from him and pulled the covers up to her neck. Once she gave him her back, he dropped the conversation and just rolled over onto his back and left her alone.
Chapter Seven
Kellan nearly drove himself crazy sleeping next to Bliss. Her tantalizing smell only became stronger and stronger as the night progressed. She slept rough for a female, but Kellan realized she was having nightmares. He tried to comfort her as best as possible, but the moment he touched her skin, she began moaning with pleasure. Kellan literally couldn’t take it, so he just had to let her go. His wolf was confused on why they weren’t able to claim their mate, but the wolf never understood the human dynamic. And unfortunately, he had to let his wolf starve on its need to bond until he could explain everything to Bliss, but with her going to go through a change for the first time, that was more priority than anything.
Just before the sun rose, Kellan got out of bed. He stretched his aching limbs. His wolf was longing to come free and go for a run through the woods when it was still chilly from the night. It was just barely fall, so the days were still warm, and the nights were cool. Most wolves hated the heat, so if he didn’t have to change, he only shifted at night or before the sun rose. Bliss didn’t wake as he got out of bed, so he crept quietly out of the room. Rita was asleep, but she woke when he walked by her.
“Want to run?” he asked her. He knew her wolf was just as cooped up as his was since she didn’t get to take the run she wanted earlier.
“Yes,” she said.
“Let’s go.” Rita patted his shoulder. They headed towards the front door as humans but pounced outside under the moon as fully shifted wolves. Rita shook her fur out and stretched. Kellan did the same, loving the feel of the cool dirt of the forest under his claws. Giving off a single howl, he led the way deep into the forest, running as fast as he could. Rita kept up well, but she stayed behind him like a wolf did for their alphas. Kellan noticed she was doing that, but he didn’t comment on it. Right now, it was all about the run, all about the wind through their fur, their tongues lolling out of their mouths, and the fresh scent of the earth. To be a wolf was to be free, and Kellan couldn’t imagine being caged in a human body for eternity.
After their run, Rita and Kellan trotted back towards his cabin. They didn’t speak, only listened to each other breathe and their hearts pumped.
Where are you? Kellan heard the panic in the voice of his mate drift into his mind. He began trotting faster before eventually running back to the cabin.
I’m here, baby, Kellan called, emerging from the forest. He took no time to rush through the front door. He shifted back into his human form. Rita followed suit. Bliss was in the living room pacing. She turned to look at them quickly. Her eyes glowed when she saw Rita standing naked next to Kellan. She growled in pain as her gums began to ache. Her nails pulsed and pushed at her skin. When she looked down, her hand was bleeding as claws emerged. Kellan immediately went up to her and grabbed at her wrists. He didn’t expect her claws to come out so soon, but if he wasn’t holding them, they would be trying to scratch at Rita.
“Calm down,” Kellan said in an even tone. She gripped and growled trying to run after Rita.
“Bliss!” Kellan forced her to look at him. He let his eyes glow at her, and what he expected to be submission was everything but
. She just glared back at him with glowing eyes. Kellan found it interesting because if he’d given the stare to Rita, she would have backed down, but because Bliss didn’t, she was clearly just as dominant as Kellan was, so the universe had dealt him a dominant mate who would serve great as an alpha female, but yet, still, Kellan had no intentions of being an alpha.
Now, the only way to stop her from wanting to assert her dominance on what her wolf thought was hers, was to distract her. Kellan dipped his head and licked her across the neck. He let his canines fall and bite into her skin tenderly. At the thought of being marked, her wolf immediately forgot about a fight and wanted to submit herself to being branded. His mouth traveled up from her neck to her lips. He held her at the neck and kissed her deeply. Her claws slowly receded as she held onto him.
“Get a room.” Rita teased. Bliss ripped her mouth from Kellan and growled at her.
“Do you want him?” Bliss asked her suddenly. She hadn’t drawn her claws out again, so Kellan moved away so he could grab his jeans that were on the floor from when he shifted.
“No, I don’t want him,” Rita said. “We’re good friends, so you’re gonna have to get used to it and stop trying to fight me every time.” Bliss huffed like she wasn’t happy about that ultimatum. “I promise I won’t touch him. He’s all yours.” Bliss looked over at him as if she was snapped out of a daze.
“All mine? Don’t be ridiculous.” Kellan and Rita looked at each other. This was new to the both of them. Her wolf was driving all her instincts, but her human side was fighting them when it could.
“You nearly attacked me for him. Again,” Rita said.
“Well, Kellan said I’ll be going through these changes. You know I can’t control this stuff, and it’s-” She stopped and sniffed the air. Her eyes went to the front door. Kellan smelled the intruder the moment she did, but then he realized it wasn’t just an intruder. It was his best friend, and then came the smell of blood.
“Go to the bedroom.” Kellan demanded of Bliss.
“No,” she responded quickly. Kellan huffed realizing his mate was going to be a handful. He kept her back and went to the front door. He thought his friend was hurt, but instead, it was Jayce in wolf form who was carrying a small wolf on top of his back. He huffed in exhaustion and fell over. Kellan ran over to him.
“What the hell happened?” Kellan asked. Jayce slowly shifted back to his human form.
“The alpha attacked her. If left in the pack, she would have died. I didn’t know where else to bring her. She’s been healing, but if she doesn’t shift back to her human form, she’s going to be lost. I’m surprised she hasn’t shifted back yet, even though I was afraid in human form she’d die immediately.” Kellan looked over the small she-wolf. The wounds on her neck were healing fine, but the ones along her stomach were slowly closing up, but still, it should have been enough for her to shift.
“She’s afraid,” Kellan said listening to her heart beat. The wolf’s heart was running a mile a minute, and after such a vicious attack, Kellan could understand why. Yet again, Maverick had endangered someone else’s life.
“Kellan?” Bliss’ voice came to his ears as the sun slowly came over the horizon. He turned around to see her walking out of the cabin. The rays of the sun hit her almond skin, and Kellan’s heart picked up its pace. She was so beautiful. Her curly hair was in disarray, but the wildness of it reflected the new beast within her. Jayce sniffed the air and zoned in on the female. Everyone knew a new wolf when they smelled one, and it didn’t help that Bliss didn’t smell like a mated female. Kellan watched as Bliss noticed Jayce. She looked him up and down, gasping at the fact that he was naked. Kellan’s wolf wasn’t happy. He radiated his dominant vibes towards Jayce. Rita felt it and immediately cowered. Jayce looked at Kellan and respected him enough to turn away from Bliss.
“Can you go inside, Bliss?” Kellan asked her.
“She needs help,” Bliss said. “She’s asking me to help her.” Jayce and Kellan looked at each other. The small wolf hadn’t mind spoken to any of them, but apparently, she had to Bliss. That was weird seeing as Bliss was a complete stranger.
Bliss was following those instincts again. She wasn’t showing fear, and she was exuding comfort to the small wolf who was hurt, and by just that, the wolf was reaching out to her.
Help me, please. I can’t shift. My wolf won’t let me, she said to Bliss.
Stay calm. Kellan will help you.
No. I need an alpha female. Please, my wolf doesn’t trust any male. Bliss knew what alpha female meant, she just didn’t understand why it was being directed at her. She was no alpha female. Bliss walked slowly towards her. When she approached, the wolf immediately whined and bumped at Bliss’ legs. Bliss kneeled down and let the wolf lay its head on her lap.
What’s your name? Bliss questioned.
Kyra. Bliss massaged the fur on the wolf’s head, stroking back and forth. The wolf inside her was standing but offering a comforting vibe which is what Bliss in turn exuded.
“I know you’re trying to protect her.” Bliss spoke to the wolf. “But you’ve helped her heal, and now she’s ready to be human again. Keeping her from coming out will hurt her, you know?” the wolf whined and shook its head.
“Don’t give me that sass, little miss.” Bliss scolded. “Now, trust me. Let me take care of Kyra. I promise she’ll be safe with me.” Bliss locked eyes with the wolf and let her eyes glow so the wolf saw the truth in them.
Kellan and Jayce looked on at what was happening with their heads tilted to the side. Bliss shouldn’t even be this comfortable interacting with another wolf.
Whose alpha female is this? Jayce asked.
Mine, apparently, Kellan replied. Jayce looked at him with shock.
You haven’t marked her. She doesn’t smell mated.
I just turned her, Jayce. I didn’t want to mark her because she’s not ready for it yet.
You mean to tell me that woman right here who’s handling an injured and scared wolf was human only days ago?
Yep.
Jayce hit himself on the forehead. The dynamics of this was all too new to him, but that’s the way the universe worked. He turned his head and looked at the unmated female that stood near the cabin whose ripe, pomegranate smell he was trying hard to ignore. She looked at him, and her eyes flashed wolf, but she looked away. Jayce turned back to the scene in front of him. He was awed by Bliss at the way she was speaking with the animal.
“Let Kyra out. I need to help her. You don’t want her hurt, do you? Come on, it’s okay. She’s safe.” Bliss stroked the wolf slowly until the animal shimmered in her lap and a small naked female took its place. She gasped as if she had been holding her breath. Bliss turned her on her back immediately to look at the wounds on her stomach.
“Do you have a first aid kit?” Bliss asked Kellan. “And I need warm water and a wash cloth.”
“Um, yeah.” It was Rita who ran into the cabin to fetch the kit.
“The wolf took care of keeping away infection, but we have to close the wounds and clean them.” Now that she was human, Kyra began bleeding.
“How do you-”
“I’m a nursing student.” Bliss cut Kellan off. “Or well, I was before you bit me.” Rita came up to her with the kit and a bucket of warm water. She found the tools she needed to close Kyra’s wounds. She pressed gauze against Kyra’s wound to get it to stop bleeding. Bliss made her eyes glow, and she looked at Kyra. The woman’s eyes glowed a bright blue.
“Help her heal from the inside,” Bliss said, speaking to the animal inside of Kyra. Kyra closed her eyes. Bliss saw the proof of her wolf helping her heal when her wound slowly stopped bleeding. Kyra let out a tired sigh. Bliss worked quickly cleaning the wound. She cleaned the wound with the warm water. She figured for a wolf, Kyra would heal on her own eventually, so maybe she didn’t need any stitches, so Bliss cleaned the wound, used antibiotic ointment to keep infection away, and taped the wound down with gauze to keep it covered a
nd safe. When she was done, Kyra sat up slowly. She couldn’t shift back into her wolf form, so she bowed her head low in a display of respect and allegiance.
“What’s she doing?” Bliss asked confused.
“That’s what wolves do when they recognize an alpha.” Kellan told her.
“That’s what she called me in my head,” Bliss said. “An alpha female, but I don’t get it.” Kellan scrubbed his face. Bliss just knew there was more to this that she realized. Kyra slowly picked her head up and looked around. She had no clue where she was, but she wasn’t going to leave.
“Don’t send me back.” Kyra pleaded with Jayce. “You’re head beta, but I can’t go back there.”
“Right, I’m a beta, Kyra, not an enforcer, so I can’t really make you do anything you don’t want to.”
“Well, I’m staying here with Bliss.” Kyra got close to the alpha female who her wolf felt was the only one who could protect her.
“Kyra, this isn’t my place. This is Kellan’s place.” Bliss informed her.
“Can I stay with the alpha, please?” Kyra asked Kellan. He’d been silent since they arrived.
“Kyra, you know I’m an omega, don’t you?” Kellan asked. “You know that it poses danger to you if you stay here.”
“But-but, what about her?” Kyra asked pointing to Rita.
“I was going to find a new pack for Rita, and Bliss, I just have to teach her some things.”
“But-but, why don’t you become alpha? You have a female and-”
“You know things are more complicated than that!” Kellan interrupted her.
“He’s forcing me to have his pups,” Kyra said lowly. “He got mad because I said I wasn’t in heat. He tried to ruin my chances of ever having pups with my mate, but Jayce saved me. I can’t go back there. He’ll kill me.” Kellan knew she was talking about Maverick, and he knew he couldn’t send her back there. Not in good conscience.
“Nonsense, no one is sending you back anywhere a man is hurting you!” Bliss exclaimed. Kellan saw the fire in her eyes, then he remembered she had Maverick’s scent all over her, plus Rita found the bruising between her thighs. Anger churned in Kellan’s gut. He wanted to rip the man apart that dared to hurt his mate.
