The Call of Her Wolf (Paranormal Shifter Romance) (Whiskey Springs Pack Book 1)

by Stella Night

  Ella set the coffee down and looked at him.

  “I need to tell you something — “

  “You didn’t have to run away. I would have understood if you had just said you were scared.” When she didn’t answer, he pushed on, the words spilling out of him. He paced around the room as he spoke. “I can understand that the whole idea of the pack, of what we are, could be overwhelming, frightening even. I know it’s a lot to ask, and if you just can’t do it, I’ll understand. I get that — “

  “Josh, what are you talking about?”

  He kept speaking as if he hadn’t heard her. “I’ll get Celia to help you pack your stuff up.”

  “I love you, Josh Masters. I’m not going anywhere unless you and your pack chase me out of town.”

  ***

  Josh turned away from her and paused for just a moment. “You said you couldn’t be with me — “

  Ella cut him off. “I know.”

  Josh made a snorting sound as he poured coffee into his cup. He cursed as the hot liquid spilled on his hand. He put the cup down and sat in the chair facing Ella. “So you were leaving.”

  “No, I was coming back to you, to tell you I wanted to stay here.” Ella’s eyes narrowed. “Are you even listening to what I’m saying?”

  She sighed and stood up, moving to stand before the fireplace. When she spied the broken crystal, she turned to him, one brow lifted. Josh looked away.

  Full of nervous energy, she sat down again and leaned toward him resting her forearms on her thighs, cup clasped tightly in her hand. “I have a confession to make.”

  Josh closed his eyes as his brow furrowed. When he opened them, the brown was so dark they looked black. She could see hurt and confusion swimming in their depths.

  His voice was gruff as he spoke. “Ella, you don’t have to explain anything to me. And you certainly don’t have to lie to spare my feelings. Not everyone is cut out to live with shifters. It’s alright to admit it.”

  Had he not heard what she said? Reaching her hand out, she grabbed his. “I’m not lying to you, Josh.”

  Josh pulled away from her hand and sat back. He didn’t relax into the chair, but sat stiff, arms crossed over his chest, pouting like a hurt, petulant child, refusing to meet her eyes.

  She frowned at him. What is wrong with him?

  Standing, she stood and paced the room, touching a book spine here and there. She could feel his eyes on her as he watched her every move, like a predator watching its prey. She shivered at the thought - not out of fear but desire. What would it be like to have him chase her down, pull her to him, take what he needed, give her what she craved? Ella’s breathing increased and heart heart was pounding.

  Turning, she met his gaze, still confused by his hurt and anger. She took a deep breath and tried to calm her racing heart.

  “I was scared,” she repeated. “I was afraid of what you and the pack are, afraid of what you wanted. I was even more afraid of being hurt.” She paused. “And I was scared to death of falling in love with you.”

  When he didn’t respond, she walked over to the bar. Looking on the shelf, she found what was left of a bottle of single malt - Josh’s preferred liquor. Liquid courage, her mother used to say. She poured some into a glass and gulped it down, gasping as its fire spread down her throat into her belly. Through watering eyes, she watched the corner of his mouth twitch as he fought a smile. So he is paying attention.

  She took another deep breath. Time to lay out all her cards. “I was also convinced that I was putting you and Celia, as well as the pack, in danger. So, yes, I did consider leaving.”

  “What are you talking about, Ella? I’m fully capable of protecting the pack,” he growled. He still hadn’t moved from the chair.

  She shook her head. “Not from this.” She moved to stand near him. “I got these text messages.” She reached into her pocket and pulled her phone out. “Here, read them.”

  Josh’s glanced at the phone for a moment, but made no move to take it.

  “Read these.” Her voice was harsh as she shoved the phone at him. She watched as he read the messages.

  “Ella, who — “

  Her words spilled out. “I know you’re hurt. And I know I shouldn’t have run away from you. I should have trusted you enough to let you know what was going on. I should have believed you when you said you wouldn’t let anyone hurt me. But I did what I thought I had to do, because I love you — ” Ella held her breath.

  Josh stopped talking. His eyes searched her face. “You love me?”

  Ella nodded her head. She smiled as tears filled her eyes. “I’ve been trying to tell you that.”

  Without another word, he pulled her to him and kissed her.

  Chapter 24

  Josh cupped her face in his hands. His eyes searched her face.

  “You love me?”

  Ella nodded her head. Her eyes shone with tears.

  Josh pulled her close and closed his eyes. “I can’t believe I was so stupid.”

  She pushed him away gently. Smiling up at him, she put her hand against his cheek. He turned his head to kiss her palm. Then she chuckled.

  “Stubborn, maybe, but not stupid.” She snuggled into his chest and sighed. “The pack is beautiful. And did you notice that your sister shifted? She told me the other night at the meeting that she regretted not being able to ‘shift’. Now I know what she meant.” Her voice was soft, not much more than a whisper.

  He sat in the chair and pulled her into his lap. He played with one of her curls as he frowned. “When I think about how close I came to losing you, I can’t see straight. And if I find Liza, she’ll pay for what she did.”

  “She didn’t do anything, Josh.”

  “What do you mean? She sent those texts, threatening you. Threatening my sister.”

  Ella pulled back from him. Her sapphire eyes bored into his. “I thought they were from Liza. But I thought she sent them because you and she had a relationship, even if it was over.” At his confused look, she chuckled and clarified “You know, a relationship?”

  His eyes grew wide when he understood her meaning. “Oh.”

  Letting out a breath, Ella said. “Really? All you can say is ‘oh’?” When he tried to speak, she squeezed his arm. “Convince me that if the tables were turned, you would not have thought the same thing?” When he shrugged, she went on. “But the last message scared me so badly that I all I could think of was leaving to keep you safe.”

  “Those texts. I can’t believe she would be so devious.”

  Ella sat up, her brow furrowed by a frown. “Liza didn’t send them. David did.”

  “That was David in the clearing?”

  Ella nodded. “Yeah, that was David.”

  “That would explain the familiar scent I couldn’t place. It must have been on your clothes.”

  “I thought it was Liza sending the messages, too. I mean, the texts echoed almost exactly what she kept saying.”

  Josh pulled her close again. “You heard those arguments?”

  Ella nodded. “Well, I only heard her part of them which, I think, is what she wanted.” When he growled again. Ella put a hand on his arm. “Josh, she saved you. She saved me.” She kissed him lightly as she stroked his hair. “I came pretty close to losing you, too.”

  He shook his head. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “Because I didn’t want to put you in danger.”

  “No, why didn’t you tell me?”

  Ella smiled. “Oh. Well, I was afraid of what it might mean. But I’m not afraid anymore.” She kissed him gently. With her lips still against his mouth, she whispered “I love you, Joshua Thomas Masters.”

  “And I love you, Ella Jane McInery.”

  The kiss, at first gentle and sweet, deepened until she felt the warmth that only his touch could bring. Then he growled and pushed her back.

  “But things still aren’t settled between us, Ella.”

  ***

  Ella sighed into Josh’s n
ext kiss. She could feel his muscles ripple as she ran her hands up his back. There was no uncertainty, no fear.

  Josh pulled away from her. She made a small noise of protest, which caused him to smile.

  “Patience, my love.” He gave her a quick kiss, then knelt to pull her pants off. Standing quickly, he pulled her shirt over her head. She stood before him in nothing more than lacy lingerie. Neither of them moved. The room was silent except for the crackling of the fire burning brightly in the fireplace.

  Ella made no move to cover herself. She stood proudly before him, knowing that in his eyes she was beautiful. When Josh’s glowing eyes met hers, she gasped. Then she smiled.

  Reaching out to gently cup his cheek, she murmured “My beautiful wolf.”

  He smiled, then took her hands, placing gentle kisses on the rope burns around her wrists.

  “No one will ever hurt you again, Ella.”

  Tears filled her eyes as she whispered “Not as long as I’m with you, Josh.”

  He pulled her into another kiss. His hand cupped the back of her head. The other hand reached behind her to unfasten her bra. She dropped her hands and it slid soundlessly off her shoulders. The cool air of the room caused her already hardened nipples to pucker even more. He released her head and started kissing her neck. She dropped head back and bared her throat to him. Then Josh bent to place kisses across her collar bone, then the tops of her breasts. When his head dropped lower, she brought her head back up and stepped back.

  She smiled and whispered “My turn.”

  She knelt before him and unbuttoned his jeans. She slid them down over his bare feet and pushed them away. She stood and grabbed the hem of his polo shirt. She smiled, then pulled it over his head and tossed it into the chair behind him. She put her hands on his shoulders as she leaned in toward him.

  She raised up on her toes then tilted her head up as she offered her mouth for another kiss. Josh wrapped his arms around her. She could feel the beat of his heart against her sensitive breasts, could feel his hardness where it rubbed against her belly.

  Josh picked her up and carried her closer to the fire where he put her down on the Aubusson rug. She stopped him when he began to kneel. Confusion marred his fine features, which caused Ella to smile. She dropped to her knees before him. Then she grabbed the top of his boxer briefs and slowly slid them off him. They joined his shirt on the chair.

  She was stunned by the expression on his face. His eyes still glowed with an amber light. His lips were slightly parted, his chest heaving. And when she reached out and touched him, he gasped.

  “Ella.” Josh’s whisper was harsh in the quiet room.

  Without taking her eyes off his, she wrapped both hands around his thick cock. His head fell back as his breaths quickened even more. She raised up just enough to wrap her lips around the head. She teased the slit with her tongue as she moved her hands up and down, slowly. He released a moan that sounded almost like a soft howl.

  Ella increased the pressure in her grasp as she took him deeper into her warm mouth. Josh’s hands were tangled in her curls as he held her there, guiding her movements up and down. Suddenly, he gasped and held her head still. She pulled her mouth off him slowly, still holding him in her hands. She looked up in confusion.

  “Are you alright, Josh?”

  He looked down at her. His face was flushed, his eyes still shining. His breathing was labored. A fine sheen of perspiration gilded his muscles in the firelight. She could feel his legs quivering against her. She watched the movement in his throat as he swallowed.

  Gently pulling her hands away, he dropped to his knees in front of her. He still had her hands in his when he leaned in to kiss her softly. He rested his forehead against hers as he breathed deeply.

  “I’m fine, my love. It’s just that you were about to make me loose the little bit of control I have right now.” He smiled at her then took another deep breath before he spoke. “Did you know you smell like the woods after a rain? And there’s a bit of spiciness to your scent. I’d know it anywhere, Ella.”

  Ella kissed him, her mouth lingering for just a moment. She smiled against his mouth.

  “Josh, I want you to mark me.”

  She felt him go still. Then he leaned back from her. His eyes searched hers, moved over her face. His put his hands on her shoulders, his thumbs moving restlessly on her skin.

  “Josh, did you hear me — “

  “I did. I heard you, Ella.” Sitting on the rug, he pulled her into his lap. He had one arm behind her. He picked up one of her curls with his other hand, wrapping it around his finger.

  Looking into her eyes he asked “Are you sure?”

  Ella smiled and nodded her head. “I am very sure. I want you to mark me as yours, forever and always.” She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. “I love you, Joshua Thomas Masters. I want you, I want to be yours, I want to be with you, and only you, for the rest of my life.”

  She was stunned when she saw a tear run down his cheek. Then he smiled, his dimples deepening.

  “You used my whole name? After we swore we wouldn’t do that?” His eyes glowed even more, but Ella was not afraid.

  She laughed softly as she nodded her head. “Oh, yes. I did in fact do so.” She couldn’t keep the smile off her face.

  “I love you, Ella Jane McInery.” He grinned then kissed her sweetly. He pulled away, kissing her eyes, her cheeks.

  He laid her gently on the rug as he pulled her lacy panties off. He nudged her legs apart, then settled between them, his arms on either side of her head. She parted her lips as he kissed her, letting him in. As their tongues began dancing, he slid his cock into her. Her moan was soft as she arched into the sensation.

  Josh began rocking into her. She matched him stroked for stroke. She could feel the tension coiling in her core. She grabbed his shoulders as her climax began to build.

  Josh was kissing the tops of her breasts. He increased the speed of his movements. Her belly tightened. She put her legs around his waist, giving him deeper access.

  As the wave of her orgasm began to crest. He kissed on the top of her shoulder, near the crook of her neck. Ella gasped as she felt his teeth, felt them break the skin. Suddenly, her world careened as her climax slammed her back. She gave into the sensations, unlike anything she had ever experienced. She could hear her heartbeat, hear the harshness of her breathing as if from a great distance. The orgasm seemed to go on and on, waves rolling one after the other.

  Josh’s thrusts sped up. She held on to his shoulders, kept her legs wrapped tightly around him. Suddenly, he pulled away from neck and arched. Her name was a hoarse cry from his lips. Then he dropped back down, holding her close, his face buried in her hair.

  Tears of joy streamed down Ella’s face as she nuzzled Josh’s shoulder.

  Chapter 25

  Lightning split the sky as the rain poured down in sheets. Josh could barely make out the lights in the Hungry Boar even though it was just across the street. He and other pack members had spent the better part of the day evacuating the houses and cabins along the Llano river. While it didn’t usually flood, their wolves had been nervous all day. When the visiting tourists insisted that things would be alright or they would have heard on the news, the Whiskey Springs pack just told them they had someone nearby with a direct link to the authorities who recommended evacuation. Anyone with a spare room had offered temporary shelter, whether to pack or human.

  The shine of headlights moved across the back wall of Old Masters as a car pulled into the parking lot. He heard the bell over the front door jangle and stuck his head around the storeroom door to see who it was. He couldn’t believe someone would be out in this weather. Everyone in Whiskey Springs was taking steps in preparation for the rising river, including blocking off roads so anyone unfamiliar with the area would not be caught unaware. He couldn’t help thinking of a similar storm a year ago.

  Someone in a shapeless poncho dropped their umbrella into the bucket below the
coat rack. They pulled off the dripping garment to hang it on the coat rack and murmured thanks as Celia handed them a towel. Bending, shoes were removed and the proffered paper towels were used to wipe the puddles from the wood floor. Celia laughed at a murmured comment, bringing a smile to Josh’s face.

  When she stood, Josh felt his breath catch. The growing bump of Ella’s belly was profiled against the window as a bolt of lightning rent the sky. Thunder rumbled, shaking the panes. He watched as she gracefully made her way to the back of the store where he waited.

  “What are you doing out in this weather?” He pulled her to him, kissing her deeply, running his hands over her lush curves, only releasing her when she squirmed and laughed.

  “I dropped Mrs. G. off after my appointment with Doc. I decided to drive the two blocks here rather than stay with her. I wanted to be with my husband. She sends her love, by the way. She’ll try to make it by later in the week.” She caressed his cheek, then kissed him again. Another bolt of lightning flashed, followed by thunder rolling through the sky. As she made her way to the kitchen he followed behind her, breathing in her scent.

  “We have two families waiting out the storm with us tonight.”

  “Oh good. I was hoping you all got everyone out. I guess the monthly run will be put off again until the weather gets better.” Putting on the kettle for hot water, she pulled down a mug and hot chocolate mix. Turning back to Josh, she said “Doc says the baby is fine and he’s growing like a weed.”

  He watched as Ella’s movements stilled. Her eyes rounded and opened wide.

  “He? He’s a boy?” Josh whooped as he picked her up and twirled her around. His wolf danced in a circle, yipping excitedly. “We’re having a boy!”

  Ella giggled and slapped at his arms. “Josh, put me down!”

  He sat her on her feet and kissed her soundly, then pulled her into another tight hug. “A boy!” He held her at arms’ length. Her sapphire eyes were filled with happiness as she smiled at him. “You’re not teasing, right?”

  She shook her head as her smile widened. “Not teasing. The new alpha is right here, under my heart.”