Her Dark Moon (House of Wolves and Magic Book 1)

by Helen Scott

  I took a deep breath and said the words that I never thought would pass my lips. "I'd like to join your pack."

  24

  BEING BACK at Roman's apartment was a balm on my frayed nerves. I knew I was safe, Jax and his men would have no idea where I was, and I was actually able to start relaxing. The more relaxed I became, though, the more aware I was of Roman.

  He'd given me some shorts and a T-shirt again when I told him I needed to shower. The bathroom was sleek and remarkably clean for a guy’s bathroom, not that I'd been in a ton of them, but the ones I had been in? Let's just say I didn't even want my ass to touch the toilet seat they were that gross.

  The black, white, and red theme that he had going on was surprising. I'd expected monotone, but not the pops of red. There was one of those fancy water toothpick things on the sink next to an equally fancy toothbrush. I didn't pry and go looking through the cabinets, even though I wanted to. Now that I had a chance to breathe, my curiosity about this man was rising by the minute.

  The shower was warm almost instantly unlike the one in my apartment that felt like it took forever to get even lukewarm. I stripped off, leaving my clothes in a soggy, sandy pile on the floor. The scrap of paper that had his number on it was destroyed, but that didn't bother me since I was there with him now.

  Steam billowed out from the glass door when I opened it. The moment the hot water hit my skin I moaned, slapping my hand over my mouth a second later when I realized that Roman had heard me. I felt the lust that moan stirred through the mating bond and suddenly became extremely conscious that I was naked in his apartment. He was only a few feet away.

  The more I focused on him the more I could picture him, or at least sense where he was. The living area. Pacing. Once or twice he came toward the bathroom before backing off again. Each time he did I held my breath in anticipation.

  I couldn't tell if I wanted him to come in or not.

  I started to lather my hair using his shampoo, and it smelled woodsy and sharply clean, like how you expect a stream to smell, unless you find yourself in the one I was in this afternoon. That definitely did not smell clean, which was the entire reason I was in the shower. I continued cleaning my hair then onto my body.

  My skin felt overly sensitive as I moved my hands over it, spreading the soap around. It seemed a little rude to use his shower pouf without his permission, so I stuck to my hands. The problem was that only made me more sensitive as my brain couldn't stop replacing them with his hands, imagining him touching me.

  It felt like a fire had been lit within me and the heat of the shower was only making it worse. Part of me wondered if he could feel me the same way I felt him. I wasn't sure. I knew the mating bond allowed for all kinds of things to pass between the two mates, but I also knew that everyone experienced it differently.

  Could he feel me washing my body? Could he feel how turned on I was at just the thought of him touching me?

  Roman was unlike any other shifter I'd known. He'd never treated me as lesser, like I was inferior to him just because I was a woman, or because I didn't have a pack. He was, from everything I knew about him, the polar opposite of most male shifters I knew, especially Jax. Roman saw me as a person with their own wants and desires, not a possession to use when he wanted and left alone in a room when he was busy with other things.

  If I was honest with myself he was the kind of shifter I'd always dreamed of meeting. A prince among men. No, that wasn't right. Princes were stuck up and full of transient desires, whereas Roman was down to earth and gave the impression he knew what he wanted and wasn't going to be done with it anytime soon. Or maybe that was me projecting. I knew he was the kind of man I was interested in though, and that surprised me in the best way.

  By the time I was done in the shower my mind was so full of Roman and my curiosity about him and my need that I could barely bring myself to dry off, each touch and scrape of the towel only added to my arousal. I wanted him more than I thought possible. I'd always pictured having a mate as having a noose around my neck but instead it felt like I was running free through the forest as my wolf. It was intoxicating and I wanted more, so much more.

  I wrapped the towel around myself and left the bathroom, the steam trailing after me as I exited. The bond told me exactly where Roman was, so I didn't waste any time searching for him elsewhere, I went straight to the kitchen. He was standing with his back to me but as soon as I stepped into the room he turned, his eyes widening as he took me in.

  There was no hesitation in my steps as I approached him. He seemed to know what my goal was because he opened his arms for me, and I practically ran the last few steps into them. As soon as our bodies touched, the flame that had been ignited within me, burning steadily through my shower, turned into a roaring blaze.

  "Roman," I sighed as his hands pulled me close a moment before his mouth descended on mine.

  After I released the towel I was able to thread my fingers through the shaggy locks of his hair as I kissed him back like I had no tomorrow. I knew how true that might be. If this was my only chance with Roman I was going to grasp it with both hands and not let go.

  I wanted to rip his clothes off but every time my hands went to the buttons on his shirt or pants he'd redirect them elsewhere, or distract me by kneading my ass like it was bread dough. He would have been an amazing baker.

  He pulled away after a while and asked, "Are you sure you want to do this, Nina? I don't rush things. If you need more time, just let me know."

  "Yes, Roman. I want you."

  The fire that blazed in his eyes at my words went straight to my heart before heading down to my core. "If that's the case then come to the bedroom. I don't want our first time to be on a kitchen counter." His hand slid down my arm until his fingers wrapped around my own. "Come."

  I followed him down the same hallway I'd just exited from, my towel forgotten on the floor somewhere behind us. The door we entered led to a room that felt much different than the rest of the apartment. It was dark, luxurious, and sensual. Velvet, silk, faux fur, it all had a space here, as did leather, which was the only kind of animal hide a shifter would be comfortable owning.

  "Lie on the bed for me. Let me see my mate."

  I hesitated for a moment, but when I looked in his eyes I didn't see any judgment, just hunger, one that matched my own. It was because of that hunger that I did as he asked, climbing up on the soft sheets and over the crushed velvet throw blanket until I reached the super fluffy pillows. I turned and lay down, my eyes latching onto my mate as soon as they were able to.

  Roman's eyes weren't locked with mine though, his gaze was traveling over my body, taking in every inch of me in a way that made me feel like one of the most beautiful people in the world. The moment seemed to stretch forever, and the longer it went on the faster my heart sped in my chest until finally I asked, "Are you going to join me?"

  My words seemed to snap him out of whatever trance he'd been in and slowly he began to undress. Each sliver of skin that was revealed to me was like a puzzle piece telling me more about its owner. His creamy skin looked supple and soft and I couldn't wait to run my hands over it. When his hands went to the fly of his pants I felt my heart pitter-patter in my chest.

  This was the cock I'd be fucking for the rest of my life.

  Gods, I hoped it was a good one.

  The gods didn't disappoint. As Roman shucked off his pants and boxers along with his socks I could see his cock standing firm and proud and I swear my mouth, and my pussy, literally watered at the sight of it. It looked perfect. Long and thick, but not overwhelming.

  He took a step toward the bed before pausing and asking, "Are you a virgin?"

  I shook my head no and bit my lip. Would that turn him off?

  "Oh, thank the gods. I don't think I could have handled that," he mumbled as he took another step toward the bed, stopping when his knees hit the edge of the mattress. "Spread your legs."

  I felt a flush rise on my cheeks and hesitated.
I'd never had sex like this before. It had always been quick and dirty and with a human so there was no chance of imprinting. Were shifters different in bed? I knew I'd never been completely satisfied when I'd walked away from an encounter before. At first it had been about curiosity, but after that was satisfied it had always been more about taking the edge off than anything else.

  "Spread your legs, angel. Let me see you."

  This time I took a deep breath and did as he asked, feeling exposed and vulnerable, but also sexy and desired.

  "Beautiful, and so wet for me already." Roman climbed onto the bed, his eyes never leaving my pussy as he prowled toward me.

  His head dove between my legs as soon as he was close enough and his tongue swept from the bottom of my slit to my clit, making me yelp in surprise. His hands clamped down on my thighs spreading me even further and tilting my hips so I was easier for him to devour.

  "Hold your legs like this," Roman said as he pushed my ankles toward my hands.

  I did as he asked, and his mouth immediately returned to my pussy, his lips latching around my clit and sucking before he flicked his tongue against me, making me buck and writhe beneath him. His hands slid up over my ribs to the mounds of my breasts where he ran his fingers lightly over my nipples making them pebble and peak.

  A moan escaped my lips as his teeth grazed over my clit ever so gently, and my hips flexed trying to get me closer to my pleasure. When one of his hands left my nipple I wanted to howl with disappointment until I felt his fingers part my slick folds and one slowly enter me. It felt good, but it wasn't nearly enough and I whimpered.

  I felt him smile against me as he pushed another finger in, thrusting into me over and over again while his tongue circled my clit, making me feel wild with the need for release. Each time I was getting close he would slow down or change what he was doing and I felt like I was going out of my mind.

  "Please," I murmured over and over again like a prayer while my body tingled on the edge of an orgasm.

  "I want to be inside you when you come, angel."

  "Then get inside me already," I pleaded.

  He chuckled, the low rumbling sound practically vibrating against me before he removed his mouth and fingers from my body. "As my angel wishes." In a move that was so smooth I almost didn't catch it he climbed farther up my body, his lips capturing mine while he grabbed a condom from the nightstand drawer.

  I could taste myself on his lips and tongue, something I thought would gross me out, but didn't. I was sweet and musky in a good way. The taste made me think of sex.

  When Roman pulled back and rolled the condom over his cock I almost whimpered again. My body was so desperate for that sense of completion. As he nudged at my opening, lining himself up, I groaned. Just that small sensation was enough to almost push me over the edge.

  In what felt like the slowest movement of all time Roman pushed into me. His cock filled me in a way I'd never experienced before, making me gasp and wiggle under him.

  "You said you're not a virgin," he groaned down at me.

  "I'm not."

  "Gods you're so fucking tight. I don't know how long I can last, angel." His voice sounded pained.

  "Then don't, but for the love of everything holy, let me come as well."

  He leaned back and his hands gripped my breasts, fingers pinching my nipples as he said, "Next time I'm going to fuck you properly, but right now I just want to hear you scream my name while I fill you."

  "Fuck yes," I breathed as I watched his blue eyes go wide.

  Finally, his hips really started moving and the steady beat of his skin against my own had me focused on nothing but the feeling of him inside me. Enough so that I was actually surprised when one of his fingers circled my clit. As his speed increased with his thrusts so it did with his finger and soon I was gasping and twitching unable to keep pace with him as my body had its own plans.

  "I—I—Roman!" I screamed as the orgasm took me with the force of a hurricane. My whole body clamped down around his, my back bowing and my hips bucking as wave after wave of pleasure assaulted me.

  Somewhere in the distance I heard him call my name as his own body reached the peak of his pleasure. His cock was still twitching inside me when I came back down from my orgasm high.

  "Holy fuck," I breathed.

  "That's one way to put it," he said with a chuckle. "I'll be right back."

  He gently withdrew and disappeared through a door into what I assumed was another bathroom. When he returned his body was still glistening with sweat and his chest was heaving. He lay down next to me and placed a warm washcloth between my legs.

  Roman's fingers slid through my hair as his eyes traced the planes of my face. "So beautiful."

  "You're not so bad yourself," I replied with a cheeky grin before grabbing his chin and pulling him down into another kiss.

  I wasn't sure I'd ever be able to get enough of this man. If that was the first time we had sex, I couldn't even begin to imagine what it would be like once we got to know each other. All I knew in that moment was if the price of this feeling was being part of a pack then I'd pay it. A thousand times over.

  My only hope was that there wasn’t a hidden catch, a loophole that Roman’s pack could use to force me to do what they wanted. Basically, I was praying to the gods that this pack was better than my old one, that they valued women enough to treat them like real people with dreams and ambitions of their own instead of a way to breed the next alpha. It was a chance I had to take if I wanted this bond with Roman, and I did. I only hoped my wolf was steering me in the right direction and not getting revenge for being locked away for so long.

  25

  THE DYNAMIC between us had shifted, and I didn't hate it. Everything felt more intimate and both new and old at the same time, like we'd known each other forever but were also acutely aware that we'd only just met really. It was the first part that made me trust him, and the second part that kept me terrified.

  Apparently, there was a weekly council meeting where the pack discussed any news or announcements and it was tonight. I thought we'd have a few days to get to know each other or something, but no. We'd literally just mated for the first time physically and now we were off to announce it to his pack. Talk about awkward.

  "I'm going to get in the shower and get ready to go. Do you mind if I borrow more shorts and a T-shirt?" I asked, hating that I had nothing, that I'd basically come to him with nothing to offer other than my body and a weird set of skills.

  "No shower," he growled in my ear. Something feral in his voice before he took a deep breath and seemed to calm himself. He rolled over and pinned me to the mattress again. His cock already hard and pressing into my belly. "We're announcing our mating and you want to wash my scent away?"

  I was quiet for a moment, debating how to respond, or whether to respond verbally at all when I could just reach between us and slide his cock into me again. He wouldn't object. I knew that, but I also knew that this council meeting was important to him. "Roman, I haven't been part of a pack for most of my adult life, and definitely not when things like mating were a serious possibility. You have to be patient with me while I relearn everything I cut out of my life," I said gently.

  "I need you to smell like me or I will go insane having you around other shifters. Letting you go earlier was my mistake and I couldn't handle it if I'm being honest. When you called it was like a lifeline being thrown out to me. Whether you are ready to admit it yet or not, we are part of each other’s souls. I am yours completely, and I know you are mine, but that doesn't mean that I want you to scent like an unmated female around a bunch of male shifters." His dark eyes bored into my own, pleading with me to understand, and I did, to an extent. I wasn't sure I'd ever fully get the male possessiveness though.

  "Well if you need me to smell like you then you better get to work," I said, nipping his lower lip.

  Roman growled and snagged a condom from the night stand, rolling it on as he pulled back before spearing
me on his cock once more. Bliss was the only word I could think of to describe it. We stayed in bed pleasuring each other until the very last moment we could without being late to the council meeting.

  "I got you something after you ran off. If you don't like it we can return it, but I thought it might be nice to have something of your own to wear to the first pack meeting." He rolled out of bed, walking to the closet and putting that gorgeous ass on display to the point that I wanted to crawl over the bed and drag him back down so I could bite it. Whatever had happened between us with the mate bond had made me insatiable apparently.

  I resisted though.

  He pulled a pair of pants and a blouse from the closet as well as a bra, panties, and shoes. "There's more in there for you to look through if you want, but there was something about this that just reminded me of you. I won't be offended if you hate it though."

  "You bought me undies as well?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

  He shrugged. "Personally, I think it's hot knowing you're wearing something I picked out. Even more so if it's underwear or lingerie." His eyes darkened as his gaze dipped and ran over my body once more. I could tell exactly how hot he thought it was.

  I held out my hand and he passed over the clothing. My eyes kept drifting to the boots though. Knee high black leather, low to the ground with a heel that was no more than an inch. Those babies looked more expensive than anything I would have been able to afford, and I couldn't wait to slip them on.

  The panties and bra were first to go on, and when I noticed Roman watching I stopped and gave him a spin, earning myself a growl of approval. When he was done ogling me I put on the soft black pants and the blouse which was a soft gray color with a blue undertone to it. After I was all dressed, boots included, it was my turn to watch Roman get dressed, and as much as I hated watching all that glorious skin disappear, the man made a suit look damn good. The navy-blue suit was paired with a crisp white shirt and gray tie. The man looked delicious.