“I hate that you feel the need to cover your body,” he growled against her lips, his hand fisted in the hair at the back of her head to keep her mouth close to his.
Winn gave him a sexy smile. “I’m pretty sure it won’t take me long to remove these.”
“Hurry,” he commanded, releasing her hair so she could undress.
She stripped out of her clothing, revealing her toned body to him. No matter how many times he saw his mate, he was still in awe at how beautiful she was.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Winn looked down at her mate, and her body tightened with lust. His cock stood at attention, practically begging for her touch. She licked her lips, and Cord groaned.
“Not this time, honey,” he told her. “Come over here and ride me. I can’t wait to slide into your body, and I can tell you want me just as much.”
“Always,” she breathed out. “I always want you, Cord.”
As she positioned herself above him, the ground softened beneath Winn’s knees, molding to her body. Her power flowed into the welcoming soil, making her moan, a sound Cord immediately echoed.
“Fuck, Winn,” he ground out. “Your energy is vibrating all around us. It’s amazing. You’re amazing.”
Grabbing his cock, Winn positioned the tip at her entrance and slid down his shaft. She didn’t need any preparation. She was already aching to have him inside her. As their bodies connected, the power flowing into the ground beneath them increased, humming around them and sending vibrations through her body.
Cord hissed, and his hands gripped her hips. “What are you doing?” he panted out.
Winn’s eyes locked with his, and she felt more than Cord’s connection to her; she felt his connection to the land. He was more than her mate; he was a part of her world. His life flowed around hers and into the soil as it welcomed their powers. “We are part of it all,” she said in awe. “We are connected to the land—not just me.” The ecstasy running through her body was so intense, she screamed. Every part of her pulsed as power—hers and Cord’s—combined with her all-consuming arousal.
Her hips began to rock back and forth, and their merged power moved up through the soil, caressing her skin. If Cord’s groans were anything to go by, the power was moving along his skin, as well. Winn struggled to keep her movements slow. She placed her hands on his chest to brace herself as she moved against him. The strokes of her power became more intense, and she soon felt as if it were pushing her body to move faster. Cord lifted his hips to thrust against her. Every part of her body tingled and ached with the nearly unbearable need to come.
“You’re killing me,” Cord rasped out, before lifting her and setting her on her hands and knees. He pushed her hair to the side, exposing his mark before slamming into her body, so hard, she nearly fell forward. She expected him to continue his violent thrusts, but instead, he stopped moving and reached a hand around to stroke her clit. When his fingers hit the sensitive nub, they seemed to vibrate.
“Please,” she whimpered, not entirely certain if she was begging him to continue stroking her clit or begging him fuck to her hard. She needed both desperately. Cord’s finger continued to move against her clit until she was rolling her hips against him and whimpering with need. Her body tightened, but her orgasm seemed just out of reach until Cord leaned forward and put his teeth on his mark. Her body exploded with pleasure, and she screamed. The power that had been sliding along their bodies shot out around them, looking like ice melting before it rained back down on their bodies. Distantly, she heard Cord’s hoarse shout of completion as the power hit their skin like a violent rainstorm.
When the storm settled, Cord was still leaning over her body. Both were panting and slick with sweat. Cord slid from her body and collapsed onto his back beside her.
“What just happened?” he asked, sounding dazed.
“I think this would be how a mage mates,” she mused, rolling to her side and giving him a shaky smile. “I’d always heard mages don’t take mates, but I feel like we’re bound in a different way now.”
Cord rolled to his side and leaned in to brush his lips against hers. “That was incredible. You are incredible.”
Winn laughed, feeling alive in a way she’d never expected. “Winter never could have imagined our power creating something like that. It definitely wasn’t cold.”
Cord frowned. “You can’t keep pretending you aren’t Winter.”
“Do you really want to talk about Winter?” she began, reaching out to stroke him. “Or would you rather see if you can make me scream again?”
For just a moment, it seemed Cord wanted to push her to discuss her refusal to accept that she was still Winter, but he quickly decided against it. Pulling her into his arms, he breathed in her scent and sighed. “I think I’m going to need a little more time to recover. That was pretty intense.”
“Is the big strong cougar tired?” she teased.
“I don’t see you standing up,” he told her.
“Good point,” she agreed with a sated smile. “Can we stay here forever? I’m not sure I can walk.”
Cord chuckled. “Just give me a little time to recover, and I promise to carry you back to my home and make you scream again.”
“I like the sound of that,” she agreed. “Especially the part where I don’t have to walk.”
Chapter Thirty-Three
Vexx knew she should have headed back to the cougar territory as soon as she caught the scent of jaguars. It was foolish to try to hunt them down on her own. Her concern for Winn was the driving force behind her decision to try to trace the scent. She suspected if she went back for help, they would lose the jaguars. It wasn’t her intention to confront them, merely to find their encampment.
So far, none of the shifters or vampires had been able to track down the jaguars or the vampires with them.
The jaguars’ scent grew stronger, and Vexx also picked up the scent of vampires nearby. While she couldn’t completely mask her scent in cougar form, she could mute it. That, combined with her size, made it more likely they’d assume she was a regular cougar if they saw her. Edging closer, she tried to listen in without drawing attention to herself.
“How were we to know he’d blow up the bridge?” a male vampire demanded.
“Knowing our enemy is important,” a jaguar shifter remarked in a bored tone. Despite his appearance of not caring, the male was angry. That anger radiated from every pore of his body. He was an attractive male, and clearly an alpha among his clan. With smooth brown skin, and golden brown eyes, he probably had no trouble finding female companionship. She imagined he would be a demanding lover.
Vexx cursed the direction of her thoughts, which were clearly brought on by her impending heat cycle. The males, jaguar and vampire, scented the air, and Vexx suddenly realized that she’d stopped muting her scent. Edging back slowly, she drew on her power, trying to mute her scent again and hoping to get away. The problem was, her cougar side wanted a male and didn’t want her scent muted.
“Don’t move, female,” the male jaguar who’d originally spoken commanded. “We’re not going to hurt you. Why don’t you come out and play with us? It’s been a stressful day, and we could use the distraction. Based on your scent, you could use a male, and more than one would be nice, right? Come to me and shift so I can see both forms.”
In human form, she would have snorted at his arrogant assumption she’d simply follow his command. Since there was no way she was letting any of these males get near her, it was time to run. Leaping through the bushes, she ran as fast as her legs would carry her, already hearing the jaguars catching up with her. She was in serious trouble. The larger jaguars were moving too fast, and they seemed very motivated. Thankfully, the vampires hadn’t given chase.
When a jaguar slammed into her body, knocking her off-balance, she quickly rolled so the jaguar didn’t end up on top of her in a position of power. While she was a good fighter, her size put her at a distinct disadvantage in most fights.
She simply wasn’t strong enough to win if she didn’t use her speed and cunning to her advantage. Surrounded by three male jaguars, there was no escape. When she tried to maneuver around them, they quickly blocked her, and it was obvious they were toying with her. Every time she made a move to run, one would push her back. Baring her teeth, she snarled at the jaguars as they backed her up.
In lynx form, Jase burst from the trees, knocking one of the jaguars to the side and snarling at the other males. He was soon joined by five other lynx—three male and two female. The jaguars didn’t seem to want her enough to stay and fight the lynx, so they took off into the woods. Four of the lynx gave chase.
Jase shifted to human form as she prepared to make a break for it. “Don’t run,” Jase told her, and she hesitated, mostly because there was a big part of her that wanted to stay, even knowing it was a bad idea. “Why don’t you shift so we can talk?” He was clearly trying to sound calm, but she heard the frustration in his voice. Whether that frustration had to do with his attraction to her or the danger she’d put herself in, she had no clue.
She backed away, knowing she couldn’t shift in front of him. If he was confused now, she could only imagine how he’d react once he figured out who she really was. Having a member of his clan witness it would only make matters worse. This was something she needed to do in private, preferably after her heat cycle.
The other remaining lynx shifted, and based on his appearance, she was sure he was Jase’s brother. “We aren’t going to hurt you,” he assured her in a kind voice.
“She knows that, Zane,” Jase told his brother without taking his eyes off her. “We’ve met before, and she’s not afraid of me.”
Zane regarded his brother for a moment before nodding and returning his attention to her. “We just want to make sure you get back to the cougar territory safely. These jaguars are bad news.”
Clearly, Zane was able to read her expression because he laughed. “Yeah, I guess you already figured out they’re bad news. I can see why you’d want to avoid being in human form among strange males near your heat cycle, but you don’t have to worry about us. You're safe with us, little cougar.”
Jase hadn’t taken his eyes off her, and he wasn’t confirming what his brother had said, making her wonder if he either didn’t agree or if he simply wasn’t focusing on anything but her. For her part, she was unable to look away from Jase. While she’d been turned on by the jaguars, it was nothing compared to what she experienced standing this close to Jase. “Shift,” Jase ground out, startling his brother.
“What the fuck, Jase?” Zane demanded.
Jase shook his head as if to clear it before running a hand through his tawny hair. “Sorry,” he told her.
She began edging away again.
“Wait!” Jase called out. “Just let us see you to the edge of the cougar territory. I promise I’ll behave the entire way there. My other clan members are searching for the jaguars, but they may not find them. I want to make sure you get home safely.”
Vexx wanted to tell him no for two main reasons. First, being close to Jase was too confusing. Second, things wouldn’t go well if her father saw her with Jase. Still, she wasn’t stupid enough to believe the jaguars weren’t still a danger to her. She’d been an idiot for following their scent, and the lynx were the only reason she was safe. Turning, she moved out slowing until Jase and his brother shifted and fell in step with her. Jase took his place at her side, much too close for her comfort.
The run back to the cougar territory was wonderful and awful at the same time. It was insane how conflicted she was around Jase. It wasn’t how she normally felt around any male. Then again, Jase was the real deal, and she was beginning to think Winn was right about her needing to be honest with him sooner rather than later.
At the edge of the cougar territory, she stopped and leaned into Jase’s much larger body. The rumbling sound that came from him was part growl and part purr. Vexx wanted to stay with him, but she needed to talk to him away from his clan. Pulling away, she motioned with her head that he should leave, and thankfully, he did.
Vexx needed to figure out a way to talk to him alone the moment her heat cycle was over.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Winn had grown bored with sitting around, and Cord was uneasy when she explored the woods, so she’d set out in search of something to do. She and Lark were currently mending clothing.
“You smell funny,” a young cougar stated as he sat by her side.
Winn smiled at his blunt assessment of her smell and set down her sewing as he leaned in closer to her. With a mop of dark brown hair and pale brown eyes, he was an adorable child. He leaned in and inhaled deeply.
“That’s very rude, Tad,” Lark admonished, which was even more amusing since Lark frequently leaned into Winn’s side to smell her. “You’ll have to forgive Tad. He’s only five, so he doesn’t know proper etiquette.”
“I didn’t mean to be rude,” Tad told her, flashing an adorably contrite smile. “I just never smelled anyone like you before. Mama says you’re a mage and a jaguar. What’s it like being a jaguar? Can you climb trees really well? Did you ever eat a monkey?”
“I can climb trees, but I’ve never eaten a monkey,” Winn replied.
Tad looked disappointed with her answer. “I was hoping you had. Mama said jaguars eat monkeys.”
“The others in my clan ate monkey, but only after their first shift,” Winn explained. “I haven’t lived among the jaguars since I was only a few years older than Lark.”
“Do you miss your clan?” Lark asked, leaning into Winn’s side to offer comfort. Tad settled himself on her lap and wrapped his tiny arms around her.
“I would be very sad if I had to leave my clan,” Tad stated. “Did your mama go with you?”
“Yes, my mother went with me,” Winn replied. “She’s not part of my clan. I miss them from time to time, but I never really belonged there.”
“Where is your mama?” Tad asked.
“I don’t know,” Winn admitted. “We were never close, and I don’t miss her. My father and brothers were close to me at one time, but I’ve been alone a very long time.”
“You’ll never be alone now,” Lark assured her.
“You’re ours,” Tad added. “Cord never sends any of us away because clan is family.”
“It’s been a long time since I’ve had a family,” she admitted.
Tad inhaled deeply and snuggled in deeper. “I like the way you smell. It’s different from us, but you still smell like clan.”
Winn laughed softly. “That is the nicest thing anyone has said to me all day.”
“Are you trying to steal my mate, Tad,” Cord teased as he sat beside her. Dressed in only a pair of pants that hung low on his hips, he was definitely an impressive sight.
Tad cuddled in closer. “I don’t want Winn to forget we’re her clan. She needs lots of love from us all.”
“You’re absolutely right, Tad,” Cord agreed. “Thank you for doing such a good job of making my mate feel welcome.” His gaze shifted to Winn and turned serious. “You are part of our clan now. We’re your family.”
Winn wasn’t sure how to respond, and the emotions were somewhat overwhelming. Even in her childhood, she’d never had this. Her clan had always planned to let her go. Cord’s loyalty and devotion to all members of his clan, her included, was much different from what she was used to.
“Don’t cry, Winn,” Lark told her, reaching up to brush the tears she hadn’t realized she was shedding from her cheeks.
“Why are you sad?” Tad asked, pulling back to look at her.
“Winn isn’t sad,” Cord replied for her. “She’s just not used to having a real clan.”
Tad sighed. “I’m glad you’re ours.”
“I’m glad I’m yours, too,” Winn admitted before turning to Cord. “I want this,” she said, gesturing to Tad on her lap and then Lark cuddled into her side.
“The clan?” he asked, sounding somewha
t confused. “You have the clan.”
“I want to be a mother,” she clarified. “I want this kind of love, the kind my own mother should have felt.”
Cord grinned at her. “I’ll be more than happy to help you with that.”
Lark rolled her eyes. “I’m leaving before you start talking about sex.” Standing, Lark made a great show of dusting off her shorts and reached out a hand. “Come on, Tad.”
“But I’m not ready to leave,” Tad whined.
“Trust me,” Lark began. “You should definitely come with me.”
Tad stood with a pout and walked off with Lark.
“You’ve scared off my sewing partner,” Winn accused.
Cord chuckled. “I’m always amazed at how proper Lark gets at times. She’s a shifter, so she’s not at all shy about sex.”
“She’s at an age where she’s probably less comfortable talking about it around her father,” Winn explained. “You have other daughters. I’m sure you’ve been through this before.”
Cord considered what she’d said as he grabbed the shorts Lark had been working on. “It’s been over a century since I’ve had one Lark’s age.”
“You’re going to help me finish the mending?” Winn asked in surprise.
“Males do just as much sewing as females,” he replied.
“The leader doesn’t usually do much in the way of sewing,” she pointed out, and it was true. As the leader of the cougar clan, Cord’s role would keep him busy.
“That’s true,” he admitted. “I haven’t helped with clan sewing in a very long time. I actually can’t remember the last time, but I’m sure it’s been well over three-hundred years.”
“You seem very good for someone who hasn’t sewn in that long,” she remarked.
Cord finished the shorts and grabbed a shirt. “I prefer to sew my own clothing. It doesn’t take me long, and then I don’t have to worry about getting my stuff back. That’s why I prefer to do my own wash, as well. The bad thing about our process is it’s not uncommon to end up with another cougar’s clothing.”
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