by Jinx Neale
Zane laughed softly, his fingers delving beneath her panties, sliding through her slick, hot flesh. “You are so fucking wet. Open for me.”
Faith shuddered at the command in his voice, spreading her legs, and he shoved two fingers right inside her, forcing her up on her toes.
“You want this,” he growled, and Faith mewled helplessly in agreement. She did, more than anything. Zane claimed her pussy with slow, deliberate thrusts that drove her crazy. His fingers were long and thick, and Faith wondered wildly if his cock would ever fit. She hadn’t been with a man for a very long time. One hard thrust made her whimper as she stretched around him, and Zane stopped. “Okay, baby?”
“Yeah,” she said shakily. “It’s been a while.”
Zane grunted in satisfaction. “Good.” He pulled out, to Faith’s disappointment, but then his thumb found her clit, rubbing it gently in a slow, insistent circle that made her cry out. “Ah, you like that.”
Like it? She fucking loved it, as he kept touching her, his fingers returning to stroke her, inside and out. He began to thrust again, first gently and then harder. Faith felt the first quiver of her approaching climax. She began to pant, the muscles in her thighs shaking. Zane had magic fingers, she thought, her brain hazy with lust. He added a third finger, easing it inside. Her pussy clutched at his fingers. God, she was going to come. He bit her shoulder and Faith convulsed beneath his touch. The only thing that existed in the universe was his fingers moving inside her, over and over, until she climaxed again. He yanked down her jeans and placed her on the counter, pushing her legs wide and stepping between them.
Zane flicked open his jeans. His cock surged through the slit in the fabric, hot and hard. Faith reached for him, but Zane grabbed her hands and held them over her head against the backsplash, letting her know he was in charge. And Faith wanted that, too. He pulled her closer with his other hand on her hip, and slowly pushed into her, so deeply that Faith cried out. He was huge, his cock forging a path through her tight passage.
“You can do it, Faith,” he urged, hot breath gusting her ear, “take all of me.”
Her legs splayed helplessly as Zane surged inside, past her cervix, deeper, until she was full of him. He paused, allowing her time to adjust to his size. His cock pressed against the sides of her passage, causing little electric currents to sizzle around him as he pulsed inside her. His, her body whispered, only his. And then he began to move. Faith struggled against his hold, wanting to touch him.
“No, little girl, I make the rules,” he told her in a soft, dangerous voice that made her clench around his cock. “So fucking good,” he muttered. “That’s it, baby, use those muscles.”
Faith obeyed, tightening around Zane as he groaned out his pleasure, increasing his tempo. Fast, hard thrusts, the friction tugging at her clit. She panted, almost dizzy, as another climax fluttered on the horizon.
“Wait for me, Faith,” Zane ordered. He released her and shoved both his hands beneath her bottom, bringing her tight up against him, grinding his pelvis against her. It was too much. Faith came with a scream as Zane emptied himself inside her. He collapsed against her, his breath hot on her skin, Faith’s hands clutching his sides. She had never felt more complete.
Finally, Zane eased off her. “Are you hungry?” he said in her ear. Faith’s tummy rumbled in response, and Zane chuckled. “I guess I have my answer.”
“I have to shower first.”
Zane moved away from the counter, having lost his jeans during their lovemaking, and Faith’s gaze traveled appreciatively over him. Zane noticed, like he noticed everything. “Even if you wash my scent off your body, you still belong to me, Faith.”
“Whatever.” Zane’s ice-blue gaze kindled, and Faith backed down. “I’m kidding, Zane. Just give me ten minutes.” He headed to the bathroom. “Alone. Otherwise, we’ll never get there.”
Zane threw her a grin over his shoulder. “I’ll leave you to it.”
Faith stared at his very fine ass as he left the room and then she collapsed against the backsplash, her entire body glowing with completion. Damned shifter love god.
Chapter Seven
The barbecue was held at a campsite, owned by the pack, on the other side of the mountain. Janet had told Faith how the kids enjoyed sleeping outside under the stars. A huge fire burned in a pit in the middle of the site. The barbecue grills were set to one side, alongside several picnic tables, burdened with bowls of potato salad, coleslaw, and sweet potato casserole. Alec held court at the grill, expertly flipping steaks and pork chops, which scented the air with the mouth-watering aroma of cooked meat. Faith finished setting out a platter of deviled eggs and looked around. There were around twenty pack members gathered tonight and spirits were high. A few children chased each other around the fire, under the watchful eye of one of the young men, whom Janet had placed in charge.
“Poor Max. They’re running him ragged,” Brock observed as he came to stand by Faith. Zane had left her to check on supplies.
“He looks like he’s enjoying himself,” Faith said.
“Yeah, Max loves kids. We all do. Wish we had more of them running around.”
Faith considered the book she had purchased that afternoon. “Are there restrictions on bearing children?”
Brock shook his head. “In a wolf pack, only the alpha male and female produce cubs. We’re not like that. But don’t make the mistake of thinking we’re just like people, because we’re not.”
Faith watched the children leap and run with a fluid grace that wasn’t human. “I see that.”
“Wolves mate for life.”
Faith nodded. “I think I read that.”
“We take in outsiders, to strengthen the pack and to increase mating opportunities. For example, Clara comes from Minnesota.”
Faith wasn’t going to touch that. Not when Clara was studiously ignoring the heated glances that Brock kept sending her way.
“But how does it work? Are you structured like a wolf pack?”
Brock seemed happy to answer her questions. “Each pack has an alpha pair, like Mom and Dad. Pack property is owned collectively by the pack, but the alpha has the final say in any dispute.”
“Like the CEO of a corporation.”
“Pretty much. Except a CEO isn’t likely to tear the throat of his opponents.”
Faith suppressed a shudder. She couldn’t forget they were shifters, no matter how human they might seem.
“When the alpha steps down, the next strongest male takes over the leadership. In our pack, that’s Zane.”
“Sounds about right,” Faith muttered, tearing her eyes away from the fire, where a pretty blonde girl sipped a beer, laughing up at Zane. She was so not jealous.
Brock surveyed the blonde with an appraising eye. “That’s Melinda Dawe. She’s always had a thing for my big brother.” He shrugged. “Nice ass, but that laugh would shred my last nerve after a while.”
Faith giggled in appreciation.
Brock flashed her a grin. “That’s better. I was starting to think you didn’t enjoy my company. As that is statistically impossible, I was worried about your mental health.”
“Statistically?”
“Four out of five women would date me.”
“And the fifth?”
Brock looked across the clearing, where Clara was helping hand out the hamburgers. “The fifth? She just needs time.”
“I hope, for your sake, that you’re right,” Faith said earnestly. “I like her.”
“Of course, I’m right. I’m always right. It’s part of my charm. Don’t tell me you can’t sense it.”
Faith slugged his shoulder, and Brock pretended to flinch. As if. His muscles felt like steel beneath her hand. She had a sudden memory of Zane’s bare chest, painted in sliding shadows by the dark and the flickering flame of the fire. She tamped down the surge of arousal the image produced. Zane’s head swiveled toward her, his pale gaze intense, nostrils flaring in a swift inhale. Zane chugged the rest of hi
s beer and shook off the blonde’s clinging hand. Then, he walked straight toward her, his gaze never leaving her face, striding across the clearing like a conqueror. Faith’s stomach lurched. She wanted to run, but a slight shake of his head prevented her. It was as if he held her in place by the sheer force of his will.
Zane grabbed her hand, tugging her away from the clearing toward the forest. When she dug in her heels, he just kept walking. Faith gave it up and followed him. He led her to a huge birch, out of sight from the crowd.
Zane placed his hands on her hips, drawing her in close. Faith held back, embarrassed at the public display, but Zane wasn’t having it. He jerked her closer, his hands drifting down to cup her ass. Faith shoved at his chest, but the man was immovable. He ran his nose along the edge of her jaw. God, was he smelling her? Zane pressed a kiss behind her ear and then his lips traced a warm path down her neck. His tongue flicked into the hollow of her throat, and she moaned softly. His hand moved to her hair, tugging her closer to the hard length of his erection. He felt huge, grinding slowly against her pelvis. Zane’s lips found the hard bud of her nipple beneath her shirt, and he sucked it into his mouth, cloth and all.
“Zane, stop,” Faith murmured.
Zane’s breath was hot on her skin. “Why would I want to do that?”
“There’s too many people about.”
“They’re pack, I don’t care, and I’m done talking.” He grabbed her wrists in one large hand, holding them over her head against the tree, while he unsnapped her jeans. His hand skated over the soft swell of her belly, delving beneath her panties to touch her folds. Faith closed her eyes, shamed by her slickness. She had never wanted anything more than his touch, right here and now.
“That’s it, little girl. Shut off that busy brain of yours and just feel.”
Faith leaned into him. Zane pressed one long finger inside her, and she bit her lip at the surge of sensation. He added a second finger and began a slow thrusting that made her moan with the exquisite pleasure of his touch.
A howl suddenly echoed across the forest and Zane swore, his fingers leaving her.
Faith’s eyes flew open. “What’s going on?”
“Pack discipline. Come on, I have to be there.” He tucked in her shirt and fastened her jeans, before taking her hand. The glance he leveled at her was satisfied and possessive.
“What do you look so happy about?”
“The rest of the males will smell me on you.” Zane’s grin was smug. “It’s considered a claim and no one will move in on my territory.”
“Your territory?” Faith’s voice rose.
Zane pulled her in for a hard, hot kiss. “Yeah, you’re mine, and now everyone will know it.”
“Savage,” Faith muttered.
“Yup,” Zane said.
* * *
A young man, his chest bare, staggered to his feet in the firelight. The rest of the pack encircled him, the circle closing when Zane and Faith joined them.
“What did he do?” Faith asked quietly.
Zane’s stern gaze remained on the man in the middle of the pack. “Draven stole food from the pack.”
“That doesn’t sound so bad.”
Zane’s face was grim in the firelight. “It’s one of the worst crimes a shifter can commit. We carry our ancestral memories and we remember when food was scarce and our cubs died. Draven stole a truck, backed it up to the clubhouse, and tried to make off with all the meat we had stored for the barbecue. It’s too bad for him that he’s a lousy thief and he got caught. Now, he has to pay the price.”
A flame leapt up and Faith saw the second man in the circle was Alec. He held up his hand and addressed the crowd. “The law is the law. The first blow has fallen. Who next will punish the thief?”
Zane stepped forward. “I will, as second to the pack leader.”
Draven turned, bouncing lightly on his feet, his fists raised. Zane moved in slowly, taking his measure. Draven rushed him, landing a jab to Zane’s jaw. Zane’s head went back, but he shook it off, attacking the younger man in a blur of speed. It was a fair fight, but Zane was stronger, finally dealing Draven a solid cross hit. The young man wavered on his feet and collapsed.
“Justice has been served,” Alec said and a collective sigh echoed around the circle. The crowd broke apart and Alec bent to help Draven up, speaking to him in low tones. Draven stumbled, but managed to stand, eyes lowered in submission.
Zane walked back to Faith, a bruise already blossoming on his jaw. She swallowed her questions at the sight of his grim expression and went to find an ice pack. Draven was being tended to by an older woman, obviously scolding him. Zane accepted the ice with a quiet thank you. He smiled slightly. “You might as well ask me those questions I see in your eyes.”
Faith shook her head.
“You have a very expressive face. I’ll tell you anything you want to know.” Zane ran a finger down her cheek. “You’re curious about us. It’s only natural. I want you to understand us.”
“Fine. If the man’s a thief, why not just call the police?”
“We punish our own, Faith. If Draven was convicted and sent to jail, he wouldn’t survive. He couldn’t change in captivity, he’s not strong enough, and without the change, we die.”
“I guess I don’t understand. I thought werewolves had no choice in changing shape.”
“Werewolves.” Zane laughed softly. “You’re adorable. We are shifters, Faith, and we follow the moon to find our wolf selves. Draven is omega, the lowest status among us. Without the moon or an alpha to assist him, Draven would be trapped in his human self, his wolf blood tearing him apart, with no change to relieve him. Dad would never let that happen.”
“So, Draven had to fight instead. If you hadn’t knocked him down, what would happen next?”
“If a male shifter transgresses, he must fight against the pack, until he falls. If it’s a woman, she gets spanked. We have too few female wolves to risk them being seriously injured. We cherish our women.”
Faith’s mouth dropped open. “By spanking them in front of everyone?”
“We are pack, not human. We do as we have always done. The law is the law.”
The music started up and the shifters, male and female, danced. It was wild and athletic, the males leaping and twisting, as they danced around the women, who swirled gracefully, their movements too sinuous to be human. Faith watched them, entranced and excited.
“Don’t worry, they won’t shift,” Zane said in her ear. “This is a Dark Night event.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means we will remain in human form. On Moon Nights, the pack changes and we run to the woods.”
Faith’s eyes widened. “Wow.”
“Yeah.” Zane’s eyes glittered in the firelight. “It’s amazing.”
Melinda was suddenly beside them, slinking in close, her hand grazing Zane’s chest. “Dance with me, Zane?”
He gripped her wrist and pushed her gently away. “I have chosen my mate.”
The blonde’s narrowed gaze swung to Faith. “You picked her?” She sniffed Faith. “The bitch isn’t even a wolf. The pack will never accept her.”
Zane’s tone had ice in it. “You forget your place, Melinda.”
The woman froze, fear widening her eyes. “I’m sorry, Zane. I overstepped. I ask your pardon.”
Zane nodded. “Given. Now, apologize to Faith for your bad manners.”
Melinda hesitated, until a low growl issued from Zane. “I apologize, Faith.”
It wasn’t exactly heartfelt, but Faith said quietly, “I accept your apology.” Melinda scurried back to the fire.
Zane stroked Faith’s hair. “Melinda doesn’t have enough power to sense your wolf. You acted well. Some wolves merely need a firm hand.” He gripped the back of her neck, steering her away from the fire, back toward the birch tree near the edge of the forest. Faith shivered beneath his firm touch. “Is that what you need, little girl?” Zane whispered in her ear.
/> She licked her lips. “I-I don’t know.”
Zane halted under the tree, his pale gaze zeroed in on her mouth. He pulled her in closer, until Faith could feel the warmth of his body, smell his scent of wildness and musk. He kissed her jaw and the hollow behind her ear. Then, his lips traced a path down the side of her neck, stoking the fires of need he kindled with his touch. Faith swallowed a moan, leaning into him. She clutched the front of his shirt and he growled his approval, pushing her to her knees.
Faith fumbled with Zane’s zipper, her fingers shaking with desire. The scents and sounds of the forest surrounding excited her, combined with the distant crackle of the fire and the murmur of the crowd. Zane’s fingers tangled in her hair, urging her on. Finally, his fly opened and Zane’s cock, already hugely erect, sprang free. Faith wrapped her fist around him, sucking him hungrily between her lips, reveling in the taste of his salty essence.
Zane moaned, holding her head in place as he plumbed the depths of her mouth, reaching for her throat. She welcomed his hard presence eagerly, relaxing her throat to take him as deep as she could. She closed her eyes against the sensation of Zane claiming her here in the woods, where anyone could see them.
Suddenly, he pulled free, and Faith groped for him in the darkness. He knelt behind her and pulled down her jeans and panties, finding her drenched and hungry core with his hard fingers. Zane pressed her legs further apart and bent forward, inhaling her scent, just before he licked a line of fire down her pussy. She quivered against his mouth, desperate with desire. He flicked her clit with his tongue and closed his mouth over it, suckling as Faith screamed her pleasure.
