belly and throat. Never in a million years did Shade ever expect to see his Wolf do such a thing. The sight causing his heart to tighten in his chest. When his beast slithered forward, licking Marissa’s muzzle, Shade moaned aloud as pure unadulterated emotion flooded through him, body and soul. It took him a moment to hear Lana’s voice calling him, and then he felt Marissa’s fingers tightening their hold on his. Shade opened his eyes, sitting forward so fast his head spun as he gazed down at Marissa. Lana sat on the bed opposite him, her hand on Marissa’s wrist as she spoke nineteen to the dozen. “Hells fire, I’ve no idea what just happened, but she’s coming out of it, Alpha. Her pulse is stronger and just look at her color!” Shade was looking. His mate no longer looked near death, her pale skin no longer white as the sheet she lay on, but now tinged with a slight red hue on her cheeks. His heart soared when her eyelids fluttered, opened, closed, then opened again. A look of fear marring her dark brown orbs as she looked between him and Lana then back to him. Her gaze stayed on his face as he leaned closer, smiling. “Hey
there, glad to see you finally awake.”
“Who are you and where the hell am I?” Lana’s hand rested on Marissa’s shoulder when she tried to sit up, pushing her back to the pillow. “Stay where you are. You’re still weak . . .” Marissa’s head turned around, her skin puckering as she frowned. “I’m not weak, never have been and never will be. Just answer my questions. Where the heck am I?” Lana’s hand shot away, palms outward. “Sorry, didn’t mean to offend you.” Shade fought to keep from chuckling as he gazed at Marissa’s outraged face, he tugged on her hand and her eyes whirled to their joined hands then up to his face. He raised an eyebrow, daring her to pull away but she didn’t attempt to, instead she asked again. “Where am I?” “You’re in my bed, in my home, and in my camp. I’m . . .” “Shade,” she interrupted. “You’re Shade Shawcross, I remember, I think. You saved me from my father. Didn’t you?” “Yes.” Shade nodded, relieved that her memory didn’t appear to be affected from her collapse. “You
passed out and you’ve been here since we brought you back. Lana has been helping me take care of you.” Marissa looked over at Lana. “Sorry, didn’t mean to snap. Well, I sort of did, but that’s ‘cause I didn’t know where I was or who you were. Thank you for looking after me.” “That’s okay, sweetie,” Lana laughed. “I’ve heard a lot worse while taking care of a patient. Here, let me get that IV out and then I’ll go get you something to eat and drink. Then we can discuss your recovery with the Alpha.” Marissa waited until Lana left them alone before saying anything else, and what she did say surprised Shade. Her face flushing as her free hand covered her face. “Shit! You’re an Alpha and I fainted at your feet! How embarrassing! And please don’t tell me your Wolf is dark brown with a silver streak on its chest, because I just had a very weird dream before I woke up, but it wasn’t really a dream. It was telling me I had to wake and that I was safe but it was . . . damn, it was weird. It was a dream, wasn’t it?” Shade couldn’t stop his chuckle this time. She was adorable but wild, just what he needed in a mate. “Sorry but that wasn’t a dream. I used my beast to connect with you. You didn’t look as if you were
going to come out of that sleep anytime soon and I
was worried. My Wolf used our link to find you.” He added the last bit, sat back, and waited.
Marissa intently as his words sank in. Her body reacted first, her muscles stiffening, the hand over her face moving so her fingers opened so she could peek out at him. Her eyes wide as saucers and a blush making its way up her throat and finally covering her cheeks. Marissa’s chest rose and fell quickly as her breathing increased, the palm encased in his suddenly grew moist and she tried to tug it free. Shade refused to relinquish his hold and kept it firmly encased in his as he watched her process everything. Her voice was a high-pitched squeak, when she dropped the hand covering her face, and looked up at him. “Our what?” Shade tilted his head, losing himself in sheer beauty of her eyes. “Our link. You must feel it, Marissa.” He could see that she did but she seemed reluctant to accept it. Why? He was about to ask just that question when Lana arrived back with a tray of chicken broth and fresh baked bread. “I sent one of the guards to mine to pick this up,” Lana said as she nodded to Shade. “Could you help Marissa to sit up and use pillows to support her, please, Alpha?” Marissa struggled to sit up, her face full of indignation as she argued. “I’m fine. Really, I am. I feel better than I have in ages. That sleep did me the world of good.” Shade ignored her, reaching behind her and pulling her up with one of his arms at the same time as stuffing pillows behind her back. Her closeness to him as he held her was intoxicating, her scent billowing around him as she swatted at him to release her. Shade chuckled down at her red-faced indignation, going so far as to place a quick peck on her forehead before laying her against the pillows. “There,” he said, grinning. “Here you go.” Lana handed over the tray,
Marissa grabbing it before Lana had the chance to place it on her lap. “I said I’m fine. Stop fussing.” “You weren’t fine yesterday,” Shade pointed out. “Indeed,” Lana agreed before addressing Shade. “I need to go and check on that other patient. Make sure she eats plenty and she can have a shower, a short one, then back to bed for rest.” “Excuse me,” Marissa broke in. “I’m right here and I’ll decide what I do and when I do it, thank you very much.” Lana merely shook her head before reclaiming her satchel. “You know where I am if you need me, Alpha.” “Thank you.” Shade nodded as she left, turning his full attention back to his mate who studiously ignored him. He’d never seen anyone focus on a bowl of soup so intensely as Marissa was at that moment. She made some appreciative sounds as she gobbled the broth and bread, drinking the fresh juice that Lana had added to the tray in one go. When she’d finished, Marissa continued to play with the spoon, still refusing to look at Shade. He leaned forward, placing a finger under her chin and forcing her to face him. “We should talk.” “I could do with a shower.” “Later, once we’ve discussed some things. Important things, Marissa.” “I. . .” she stopped, uncertainty and a flash of fear crossing her features. “Let me start,” Shade kept his finger in place, refusing her the option of looking away. “First, you are safe here. You’re in my home and we have guards in place. You have no need to be scared.” “Who says I’m scared? I’m not. I just don’t like being,” she waved her arm around, “like this. Stuck in bed and what in hell am I wearing?” Shade smirked, his eyes roaming over her body that was now visible down to her waist, dressed in one of his white tees. “It’s mine.” “You, you, you . . . did this?” she asked, blushing scarlet. “What? No.” Shade sat back, shaking his head. “Lana did. She washed you and changed you while I went to our warehouse to get you some supplies. She sent me for clothes and other items that you’d need. Although I do admit I was a little upset I missed it.” Marissa took a swipe at him, barely missing his face. “Not funny. We don’t even know each other.” “But we do. Our Wolves know each other. Don’t they? And you know what we are to each other. You can’t deny it, Marissa. No Wolf can.” He saw a gamut of emotion roll over her, so many he couldn’t grasp one before another took over. Her heart speeding up and thundering in her chest so loud he could clearly hear it. “I’m a nobody. How can we be mates? You’re a damn Alpha and I’m a runaway from the Pack from hell. I’m no Alpha, Shade. I can’t be.” Fuck! Her voice rose and fell with fear and longing. His name on her lips tearing him up inside. Shade craved her, needed her, wanted her in his arms. Reaching over he removed the tray, placing it on the floor, then gently picking Marissa up to cradle her in his lap. She struggled for a few moments, before settling into his embrace, her fingers grasping tightly to his shirt. He remained silent as he waited on her calming, the turmoil raging inside her was as loud as if she were shouting from the rooftops. Her selfdoubt rolling off her in waves as she snuggled her head into the crook of his neck, inhaling his scent. That was exactly what he wished her to do. She needed to recognize him as her m
ate and there was no quicker way than smell for their kind to do that. “Oh hell,” she mumbled. “Shade, the Goddess has made a mistake. I’m not an Alpha, really, I’m not.” Shade gave her a squeeze and started to rub a hand up and down her back. “I’m assured the Goddess doesn’t make mistakes, but before we go there, I want you to tell me about yourself. Tell me everything, Marissa. I want to know why you ran, why you have scars, why your father is such an asshole that I wanted to rip his heart out. I don’t want you to leave anything out. After I know everything, then we can return to what the Goddess has done. Okay?” “You won’t like it, any of it,” she whispered against him, sounding like a scared child. “I don’t suppose I will, but I need to hear it.” And he didn’t like it. Not one word. Marissa didn’t hold back when she explained what type of Pack she’d ran from. The horrendous treatment meted out to females causing Shade’s inner Alpha to howl with anger and grief. In his world, women were revered, cherished, but also allowed to hold positions of power and strength. Hell, some of their fiercest sentries were She-Wolves, but not all women wanted that and that was fine too. Nobody was made to feel they needed to fit into any kind of slot, whether that be the homemaker, or the wild and dangerous fighter. Each and every one was valuable to the Pack and each and every one was cherished and loved. But it was when Marissa spoke of her father and the way he treated her that he nearly lost it. He had to use every ounce of his Alpha power to hide his anger and revulsion from her as she told her story, her tears soaking his clothes and dampen his skin. For every tear shed, he swore he’d make her father pay dearly. Just when he thought it could get no worse, no more depraved or cruel, Marissa revealed the final straw that sent her fleeing the Pack: her father’s plan to hand her to the Alpha for the sole purpose of sex to produce a son. A growl rumbled in his chest, unable to hold it inside any longer, Shade released it, tightening his arms around his mate. “I’ll tear his fucking heart out.” Marissa shook her head furiously. “No, he’s dangerous, they’re all dangerous. I don’t want you
going anywhere near that place.”
“He deserves to suffer for what he’s put you through, Mari,” Shade ran a finger down her face. “He’s a monster, a fucking monster.”
“I know he is but I don’t want you going anywhere, Shade, please. I won’t feel safe if you’re not here, and I hate to admit this,” she lowered her eyes briefly, taking in a gulp of air, “but I do feel safe with you. For the first time in my entire life, but if you leave then I won’t, and it won’t make a difference how many guards there are. If you aren’t here, then I’ll be afraid he’ll come for me.”
Shade lowered his lips, gently kissing the tip of her nose. “So we’re back to what the Goddess has done.”
Marissa shrugged. “I guess we are. I still think she’s made a mistake.”
“Damn, Mari, after everything you’ve gone through, what you fought to survive, and you don’t think you’re strong? Don’t think you’re fit to be Alpha? Hell, I’d argue you’re the perfect choice for me and you’re more than capable of being Alpha. All this Alpha stuff is going to be a breeze compared to what you’ve gone through, trust me, you’re gonna handle all this just fine.”
“You really believe that, or are you just trying to get in my pants?” Marissa asked with a tone that told him she wasn’t joking, but there was something else there. Something she hinted at but didn’t come right out and say. Shade was taken aback when a thought struck him. “Marissa, why was your Alpha so eager to bed you? Is it because nobody else has?” As crimson covered her face Shade got his answer. Well, shit. “Hell, you’re a virgin?” Shade asked, already knowing the answer, but she nodded anyway. Although her cheeks were pink, her eyes were defiant as she stared up at him. “I see. I guess I’ll have to rethink the wild and crazy sex that was going on in my head.” “Wild and crazy huh?” she asked as she prodded his chest. “I think we can work up to that, but I hope you won’t be disappointed and I don’t just mean in the sex department. I’m not exactly what most would call a ‘good catch’ in the mate department.” Shade’s temper rose each time she put herself down. In his eyes, she was perfect. “You are for me.
I’ve already told you, the Goddess doesn’t make mistakes. Are you going to argue with a Goddess? And a word of warning, little Mari, if you don’t stop putting yourself down at every turn, I’m going to get angry. You’re gorgeous, you’re brave, and you’ve got more strength inside you than you’ll ever know. And hey, with me by your side you just can’t fail. I’m a kickass Alpha and nobody messes with me, or mine.” “Gorgeous?” she breathed out, her pupils dilating as the vein in her neck throbbed with her heart rate rocketing. “That’s the one word you took out of that little speech?” he joked, lowering his lips to hers in a chaste kiss, savoring the first taste of his mate as her flavor exploded in his mouth as she opened to him. His tongue gently probed inside, tangling with hers, as she moaned into him. Shade forced himself to pull back, his hand cradling her face. “You’re mine, Mari, forever, and I promise I’ll always keep you safe. Do not ever doubt that, not for a second.” Her glassy eyes stared back, a flicker of doubt still remained. “I’m finding all this hard to take in, Shade.
Yesterday I was on the run and today I’m here, with you, and it’s all a bit much. Ya know?” “Sort of,” Shade replied, smirking. “I wasn’t looking for a mate. Hell, when we found what was wrong with me in our Archives, I can tell you I was more than a little shocked and in denial . . .” “Wait, back up there, big guy.” Marissa frowned. “What’re you talking about? What was wrong with you and what were you in denial about?” “I’ve been a little strange lately. I thought I was ill or something, just couldn’t seem to eat enough to fill me up.” Shade paused, not sure how to describe the all-consuming appetite that had taken over him. Marissa sat up on his lap, her eyes sparkling bright. “Are you trying to tell me you had the Hunger? The damn Hunger, Shade?” He cocked his head to the side, seeing the wonder in her face. “You’ve heard about that?” “Sure I have. The women in my Pack spoke about it like it was some kind of fairy-tale, like a Prince Charming sort of thing. But you didn’t answer my question . . . did you have that?” Shade nodded. “Yeah, but I had no idea what was wrong with me. Royce and Ash, my Betas, they helped me. Our Archives were recently transferred to digital, so we pored through them and Ash found a reference to this Hunger and what it meant. It took some convincing, but finally we took off, and my Wolf led me straight to you.” “Holy crap.” Marissa’s hand flew to her throat. “I can’t believe this, it’s ... sorry, I don’t have anything but . . . holy crap.” Shade chuckled at her awe-struck expression as she stared at him. “I assume that’s a good holy crap?” She nodded vigorously. “Yeah, I take it back ‘bout the Goddess.” “Good to know,” Shade grinned. “I think it’s time we got you showered and then back to bed for you.” “No.” Marissa disagreed. “Shower, yes, back to bed, no. I feel much better so I’m not spending my first day here lying around like an invalid. I promise not to overdo things but I’m not going back to bed. We have a lot to discuss, about, well, this whole mating thing and I don’t want to put that off. We both know the normal way things work with this and my skin is itching like crazy for your touch.” Her face flushed as she finished, looking adorably embarrassed to Shade. “I’m well aware of how things
go between mates, Mari. However, just yesterday you were unconscious and I’m not sealing our bond until I’m certain you’re all right. Why? Because when I do, I want to make love to you for hours on end. I want to adore your body from top to toe, and force so many orgasms from you that you’ll not know what damn day it is. I want you to scream my name so fucking loud that the entire Pack knows you’re mine, baby, and that’s not happening until you’re fit enough to take what I’m going to dole out.” Marissa’s body quivered in his arms, moaning softly, her tongue darted out to lick her lips as the scent of her arousal surrounded them. “Wow, I’m not sure what to say, but wow.” “I’ll show you so much pleasure that you’
ll not know what way is up, sweet Mari.” Shade tangled his fingers in her hair, holding her head in place as he pressed his lips to hers in a long, lingering kiss that left them both breathless. When he pulled away, her hands clung to him, her eyes popping open with a cheeky twinkle. “You’re a hell of a kisser. Then again, I’ve not got any experience in that department, so you could be really bad and I just don’t know it.” Shade’s head fell back, laughing. “You cheeky minx. I’m a fine kisser and you know it.” “Hey, just saying.” “There’s one thing I do need to do if you’re determined not to stay in bed.” Shade allowed his fangs to descend. “I need to mark you, Mari. Nobody can be in any doubt that you’re mine and are under my protection. Is that all right with you?” Shade waited for her answer, knowing he couldn’t allow her to roam free without doing this. No way in hell could Marissa wander around without his mark. No fucking way. Any Shifter would feel the same. For an Alpha it was doubly so and Shade’s need to mark her was so intense it was a physical ache deep inside his soul. His beast howling with yearning to ensure no other Wolf would mistake their mate for anything other than what she was. Theirs. Marissa nibbled her bottom lip nervously as she finally nodded. “Yes, I think that would be best. We don’t want any . . . misunderstandings. Do we?” Shade’s relief was instant, his grin splitting his face as he chuckled. “Indeed. I’m glad you see it that way too. I’ve already had my share of fights for the week. I don’t relish having too many more and
Shade: A Wolf's Hunger Alpha Shifter Romance Page 7
