Howl’s Beauty (Woodland Pack Book 2)

by V Vee

  She just didn’t think she could listen to him tell her that they couldn’t be together as true mates again. Her heart couldn’t take that pain one more time. Talia fumbled with the buckle of his pants, wanting to feel the heat of his shaft in her palms.

  “I want you,” Howl gasped as she rubbed his erection through the fabric of his jeans.

  “You have me,” she promised, slowing her movements. She leaned back, staring at his handsome face as she took her time saving every sound of the zipper sliding down. “Forever.”

  Talia needed to remember that this was the last time she would feel the warmth of his body against his. Howl’s hands mapped across her stomach, flattening his palm on her rounded belly, resting his touch against the spot where their children were growing. It tickled, but it was in a way that made her want more, that made pleasure race through her veins. She was desperate for his touch.

  “Howl,” she gasped as his hand slipped under her panties, sinking into her pubic hair. It made her arch her back, shoving one of her breasts in his mouth. He abused her nipple, licking, biting, sucking, leaving it raw and sensitive.

  It burned, and she loved it.

  His fingers found her swollen clit as hers released his cock from the confinement of his pants, wrapping her fist around the heat of his girth making him shudder. Even with him being so angry with her Talia always felt so powerful with him, like she could do anything she ever wanted.

  She pumped once, twice, and he shouted, digging his hands into the skin of her hips. His fingers ran over her clit at a fast pace causing her thighs to quiver. She needed to be naked. Talia wanted to spread her legs as far as she could, she wanted to open herself to Howl for him to take, for him to use, to consume, to own.

  She wanted it all.

  Because she would never feel his touch again after that day.

  “I need you,” she whispered.

  He nodded. “You always have me, always,” he confessed, and Talia’s heart soared for a moment, before she realized that he no doubt meant she would always have him in that way, to fuck her, to keep her alive. To keep their bond secure. So she merely gave him a thin smile.

  Howl slid down her panties, before standing to take off his pants. His body was so beautiful. The waning sunlight streamed through the blinds of her bedroom, casting the room in a warm, dark orange glow. It highlighted all the fine lines of his body in a seductive way. Parts of his muscles were shadowed making him look dark, dangerous, and eternal, like the flame she felt in her heart for him.

  Once his pants were off, his cock bobbed, the length glistened from the precum that coated it and his heavy sack was darkened by the shadows, but she knew what was there and it made her mouth water.

  “You want to suck my cock, baby? Will you let me feel those lips around me?” He stroked his cock, from root to tip.

  Talia nodded, he’d never let her do such a thing to him, usually preferring to simply make sure she was wet enough for him to slide into, before he fucked her, filled her up, bit her at the point of his climax, and left once again. She sat up until she was eye-level with his girth. It was an impressive sight. It was at least nine thick inches of beautiful, cut cock. The helmet was fat, a little wider than the rest of his shaft, but not by much, it was the perfect ratio.

  She placed her hands on her thighs, staring at him as he walked forward. Howl placed his right hand on the back of her head, the left one at the base of his length, guiding it into her mouth. She felt the tip sink between her lips, the helmet gliding past her cheeks.

  Talia swallowed, groaning at the taste of him. Her hands wandered to his thighs, his hairs tickling her palm as she made her way to his heavy sack, cupping them and feeling the skin between under her fingertips. She slurped, deep throating him as far as she could before she had to pull back. He thrust himself further inside, moaning her name as he fucked inside her mouth.

  “Talia,” moaned Howl, “your lips feel so good around me, baby. So good. I could never get enough of you.” Talia wasn’t sure if that last part had been meant for her to hear, but she was certainly glad that she had. It only reaffirmed her decision to solve the problem with her father and to make sure Howl and his family were safe.

  Howl’s thumb rubbed against her cheek, and she was glad he didn’t feel the tear that had escaped. She would never get enough of him either, but this would have to last her a lifetime.

  Last them a lifetime.

  Howl tangled his fingers through her hair, yanking her back. His cock popped out of her mouth, spit dribbling from his cock as he bent over. Talia’s mouth stayed open, awaiting his tongue that he was teasing her with. He flicked it against her lips, pressing one more kiss against them, before pushing her back against the bed.

  He curled an arm around her head, using the other to spread her legs, and shoving his cock deep inside her without warning, making her shout to the ceiling.

  “Oh my god,” Talia exclaimed. Bliss and just the smallest bite of pain exploding through her.

  His quick insertion was unexpected, but a wonderful surprise. For a moment she had forgotten how good he felt, how perfect they were together, she didn’t want to think about that right now. She wanted to get lost in pleasure, not emotion.

  Could she have one without the other with him? Could she truly live the rest of her life, however short it may be, without him?

  She was a fool to believe she could, but she knew she had to try.

  “Your pussy feels so good,” he groaned, pushing and pulling his cock in and out of her. The bed scraped against the cherrywood floor with every pound she received from him.

  “Howl,” whimpered Talia.

  “Yes, say it. Tell me who this pussy belongs to,” he said as he gripped the headboard, using it to pull himself deeper and harder inside her. She held onto his shoulders, throwing her head back and screaming as her swollen folds tightened around his cock, her orgasm washing over her in waves.

  Howl kept using the headboard to ram inside of her over and over until his hips stuttered, pouring his seed deep inside her, shouting her name. “Talia,” he whispered after long moments, his hair dripping sweat as he met her eyes, kissing her until her body came back to life. He adjusted their position, until he was behind her, kissing her shoulders until they both lay still.

  “I love you,” Talia whispered, her heart thumping so loud, she was certain he could hear it.

  Howl didn’t respond, instead he growled, flipped her over quickly on the bed, causing her to bounce slightly on the mattress as he tore off her shirt and threw it to the other side of the room.

  “I’ve missed you, Talia. I always miss you.” His hands roamed her body, sliding the rough calluses over her body, leaving tiny scratches in their wake. He bent over, kissing her as he ground his cock between her legs. He tore his lips from her mouth, breathing fast and hard like he couldn’t control himself. He pulled her legs closer to him, so she was lined up to his groin. She could feel the heat from his girth against her pussy. It was searing, but it didn’t feel like she was getting burned. It felt like she was getting branded.

  “You’re always so soaked for me,” he said, slapping the heavy weight of his cock against her clit.

  He rubbed his fingers through her juices, thrusting three of them inside her tight hole for a moment, making her shout, before he pulled them back, shoving them into his mouth.

  “Always for you,” she whimpered, giving into his commands as he groaned around his fingers from her taste.

  “This will always be mine,” he slapped her clit again with the broad head of his shaft, “Say it.”

  “Forever, my mate. Only yours.”

  He lifted her legs up, pushing between her tight, wet lips. His cock was engulfed in her sheath, moaning at the feel of how right it felt as he slid in deep. “Fuck, it’s always so good,” he grunted, curling over her until he was seated so deep his balls were against her ass.

  Once again, he didn’t take it easy on her. Howl rammed inside her. It was mo
re than sex. It was more than a good fuck. It was always more.

  He found her mouth, kissing her, lapping at her lips. It was messy, but it was perfect, and she wanted more. Howl thrust inside her so hard she heard the bedframe crack, but it only seemed to turn him on more. He flipped her over, spanked her ass causing her to shout, before pushing back inside her.

  He held on to her hips, pulling them back with every thrust making her land on his cock harder.

  “Howl,” she moaned.

  “Oh, I miss that. I miss hearing my name on your lips the nights I’m not here,” he said as his balls slapped against her clit making her body tremble.

  Howl traced his fingers down her back until his hands were firmly planted on her ass again. He brought his hands down on her ass, alternating between ass cheeks, gripping them to the point of pain. She could feel every inch of his length sliding inside her, touching the deepest parts of her. If she wasn’t already pregnant, she would be this time.

  It was a hot moment to think about.

  “Howl, Howl, harder, faster, more!” she shouted, fucking down on his cock with every thrust he gave.

  “I’m not coming without you,” he spanked her ass again, making her shout.

  “Make me come then!’ she demanded. He flipped them again, this time he was on his back, and Talia was straddling his hips. She sank down on his long shaft, swiveling her hips as she rocked against him. Her hands clawed his body, leaving her marks for all to see.

  “Yeah, baby. That’s it, fuck that cock,” he groaned as the tendons in his neck looked like they were about to snap. He was so sexy like this, laid out under her, laying there for the taking.

  “Howl, yes!” Talia felt her orgasm approaching when Howl latched onto her hips and helped her speed up. Her clit ground against him, making her world shatter into a million pieces once more. Bright lights burst in her eyes as she came, riding his cock.

  “Yes, baby! Oh, fuck, Talia!” he shouted, pumping his come inside her while she collapsed on him. He rode out a few waves of his orgasm before he kissed her on the forehead. Something he’d never done before. She waited for him to get up out of the bed and leave, but he didn’t. Instead he settled down on the mattress next to her.

  Hesitantly, Talia lay her head on his chest and sighed in contentment when Howl wrapped his arm around her, pulling her tightly into his side.

  “I don’t regret it,” he said long moments later, sliding his hand down to her belly, before following the movement with his body, moving down Talia’s body until he was eye-level with her stomach. He kissed Talia’s belly, laying his head on it and holding her close like she was about to blow away. Relaxing deep into the mattress, Talia closed her eyes and fell asleep.

  He could feel his children growing inside her. Could feel the thread binding them together. The tug that tried to stop him from leaving. That wanted him to stay. But he knew he couldn’t. Knew that if he did, he’d regret it.

  Because if Howl stayed, mate or not, pregnant or not, he would kill Talia for her betrayal.

  Chapter Ten

  Recaptured

  Before she’d even opened her eyes fully that next morning, Talia knew three things to be true.

  One, Howl was gone.

  Two, she was no longer in her bed.

  And three, she was going to be sick.

  She sprang up and covered her mouth, hoping that wherever she was that she was close to a toilet. Her eyes widened when she realized that she was back in her father’s prison, but this time, instead of being locked up with her mate, having to fight her mate, Talia was in the cell with an older shifter. One who was looking at her with compassion, before he grabbed her arm and rushed her over to the toilet in the corner of the room.

  Talia couldn’t even offer up her thanks or gratitude before she was violently ill. She trembled as her body—her babies—rejected every morsel of food that she’d eaten the day before… was it the day before? How long had she been back in the cells? Was anyone missing her? Did anyone care?

  Soon, the violent tremors from her vomiting gave way to shuddering sobs as Talia finally gave into the grief, pain, and heartache that she felt.

  Grief over her mother’s illness. It had been months since she’d been able to check on Isadora herself. Talia had been relying on reports from others as to her mother’s well-being. First her father, and then Howl.

  Thinking of her father made all of the guilt she felt at betraying her mate return with a vengeance, and Talia cried harder. She covered her face and tried to bring her knees up into her chest, hampered by the bulge of her baby belly, which made her guilt all that more potent.

  Then there was Howl. Her beautiful soldier. He thought he was such a hardass, and while she knew he was angry with her, knew it would probably take a while for him to forgive her, she knew he would eventually. That was just, who he was. So many members of his pack had been sure to tell her that, whether in reassurance or in warning—though most likely it was both—Talia had been told that Howl had a big heart, forgave everyone… usually… but also had a deadly temper.

  Talia knew that last statement to be a fact.

  She sank back into the comforting embrace of the older gentleman with her. He reached past her in order to flush the toilet, then lifted her up into his arms and carried her back to the only cot in the cell. Talia wanted to protest, wanted to tell him to not put her in his bed, but she was just… so tired. So very, very tired.

  “You just rest now,” the older man said, his voice a pleasant tenor, sending waves of comfort and peace washing over her. It was a very strange sensation, something she’d only ever felt when Howl touched her, held her, or spoke to her. Talia had never experienced such a sensation with her own parents and yet the man before her, with his darkly tanned skin, hazel eyes, inky salt and pepper hair that hung in disheveled, yet surprisingly thick strands to below his shoulders, and his broad frame, induced such a reaction in her.

  He didn’t feel like a “mate” to her. The creature inside of her was quiet on that front, and yet, he felt a bit like… family. Which was strange in and of itself. She knew that neither one of her parents had any other children, besides her and her brother Perry. And both sets of grandparents had died long ago, and her mother’s sister had been killed, whereas her father’s many brothers were on the run. So who was this man? Why did he seem so familiar?

  “Rest,” he told her, offering her a kind smile. “You look like you need it. I will stand watch.” He shook his head sadly. “I do not think they will have us fight so soon after your arrival.”

  “Have us fight?” Talia questioned.

  The kind stranger nodded. “I heard them say it was my time to die, and that you… Talia Bianchi-Marconi, was going to be the shifter to do so… just before they killed you. They seemed to find it amusing, I know not why. Perhaps it is because you remind me of someone I used to know. Someone I loved.”

  Talia shook her head. “I won’t do it. I didn’t kill my mate, so I won’t kill you.”

  The elderly man simply gave her a gentle smile, patted her hand and helped her lay down on the cot. “I am not entirely certain you will have a choice, my dear. Besides, you have pups to worry about. Your father may be an evil, sadistic man, but I sense a light in you. A purity. You will raise your children with love and care. They deserve that, as do you. Don’t let an old wolf like me take that away from you.”

  Talia, acting on impulse, leaned forward and wrapped her arms around the shifter. She didn’t care what he said, she was going to figure out a way to not only get herself out of that cell, but to make sure he did as well.

  Her father’s reign of terror was going to come to an end.

  Chapter Eleven

  The Familiar Shifter

  Howl paced in agitation back and forth across the floor of his office, waiting to hear word from his brothers about Talia’s location. He’d left her alone in her bed, with every intention of keeping things between them simply instinctual, and not at all romant
ic or emotional, for a mere five hours, before he’d returned, intending to either sneak back into her bedroom, or to apologize for allowing his fear and anger at her lies continue to drive him away. If he was being completely honest with himself and with her, Howl wasn’t even that angry anymore. Neither was Angelo or Joi. As a matter of fact, it had been Joi who had made Howl see the error of his ways.

  “I would have done the same thing,” Joi said one evening as she placed a plate of homemade lasagna in front of Howl. Once again, they were discussing Howl and Talia. Wondering what they should do about the woman who was not only Howl’s mate, but also the one who’d betrayed them all. Only this time, Howl had shared Talia’s reasoning behind it. He’d expected Angelo and Joi to say that didn’t give Talia an excuse, so he’d been amazed when they’d taken Talia’s side.

  “You… what?” Howl asked, shaking his head and placing his fork down on the stark white tablecloth that covered the large family dining room table, next to his plate.

  “I would have done the same thing,” Joi reiterated. “My mother may drive me crazy. She’s loud and opinionated, and you can not tell her she’s wrong about anything… and she and my dad make love way too much for my liking, but, if she was sick? Like, coughing up blood, I think she might be dying sick? And someone—especially if it was my estranged father, whom I would do anything for just so he would spend time with me—said they had the cure for her, and all I had to do was lie to a few people that I’d known forever, to maybe betray my significant other, or even to set up someone that I barely knew? You bet your fucking ass I would do it. I would do whatever it took to save my mom.” She pointed her fork in Howl’s direction.