by E A Price
She walked over to him and easily unfolded his arms and wrapped them around her. She stood on her tiptoes for a kiss, which wasn’t easy given that she was only five feet tall and had a small yet protruding baby belly. He soon melted into the kiss and allowed his hands to wander over her generous body.
She drew back and ran her hands down his chest, cooing in delight. “I’m very pleased,” she breathed, her heart racing for a completely different reason. “I just hope that nobody minded covering your shift so we could be together.”
Alec smiled down on his tiny mate; she was always thinking of others. That morning they had celebrated quickly in that they had made love and exchanged gifts. He had bought her some bubble bath, and she had knitted him a sweater. Hardly the sexiest gifts in the world, but they were both thrilled. He was fully prepared to go down the jewelry route, but she had been dropping hints like crazy about wanting some pumpkin spice bubble bath. So, he got her what she wanted.
However, when he had arrived at work, he had felt a distinct longing to return home to her. His wolf had been prowling and snarling at him. He’d barely been able to concentrate. It was hardly something new; it had been getting worse for a few months now. He had all but lost interest in his work as the Sheriff. Why would he want to be cooped up in the stuffy Sheriff’s office when he could be home with his beautiful mate? He did feel a little guilty about piling more and more work onto his Deputy, Jake, but Jake didn’t complain.
Alec ran his fingers through her silky blond hair. “Don’t worry; it’s fine.”
Liv gave him a naughty, little smile. “Hmmm, well, in that case…”
She started fumbling with the buttons of his shirt, and his wolf growled excitedly. He watched, marveling at his mate as she tugged at his clothes.
She kissed his chest as he kicked off his shoes. She helped him shimmy out of his trousers, and she led him over to the bed, pushing him to lie flat on his back. Moments later, she carefully climbed over him, and Alec was delighted to find his luscious mate was completely naked.
She sat over him, so their sexes touched. He was already hard and straining to be inside her; he could feel the wetness weeping from her channel, begging him to take her, and he couldn’t hold back.
Tenderly he ran a hand over her stomach before lifting her by her hips and slowly impaling her on his thick length. Liv closed her eyes and let out a lusty moan as she felt every inch push inside her. She covered his hands with hers as he lifted her up and down his shaft. She emitted sweet little gasps every time he filled her, exciting both him and his wolf.
Alec felt his claws lengthen, and carefully made sure they didn’t pierce her skin. While he adored the bite marks on her neck and breast, he didn’t want to mark her beautiful skin further. Her breasts heaved up and down as her breathing hitched, and instinctively she began tensing around him.
His wolf howled at him to hurry, and Alec began taking her in short, hard thrusts. She bit her lip as her body quivered, and the marvelous orgasm swept through her. She screamed and seconds later, he roared and exploded, emptying himself inside her. His wolf howled at their completion.
He held her tightly and carefully lifted her off him and laid her down. Alec kissed her extended belly and Liv smoothed her fingers through his hair. Mmmm, this was definitely a perfect Valentine’s Day.
*
15th February
Alec whistled as he neared the Sheriff’s station, but then started frowning. His wolf was once again furious at being taken away from their mate, and Alec wasn’t far behind. He just couldn’t seem to find any enthusiasm for his work as the Sheriff anymore.
He parked his truck and stared at the entrance. It was a little easier when Liv was insistent that she come to work with him and act as the receptionist. But she had said she was a little tired in the last week and had asked for time off, which was gladly given, of course. It had been a source of contention between the two of them since they got together. Liv wanted to work; Alec wanted her to stay home. Usually, Liv always won the argument, so he was a bit surprised when Liv wanted a few days off. Then, last night, she had stated that she wasn’t sure she did want to come back. He wasn’t sure how, but apparently he had won the argument. He was a little uneasy about that.
He saw Terri across the street, smooching with her own wolf mate. Trying to delay the inevitable of going to work, Alec decided to apologize to her for the day before.
Alec jogged over to them and bade them hello. Terri’s mate, Mal, immediately slipped an arm around her waist and half-pulled her behind him. Mal was almost as bad as he was. Terri was also pregnant, a few weeks further along than Liv. But while Liv had a cute little baby bump, Terri looked enormous. Not that he’d ever say that to her or Mal.
“Hey, Alec,” said Terri, trying to look around her mate who was watching Alec warily.
Alec gave the young pup a raised eyebrow and Mal looked a little sheepish. Alec smiled at Terri, “Hey, I just wanted to apologize for yesterday.”
Terri furrowed her brow.
“I’m sorry Liv couldn’t make it to brunch, but I decided to take the day off work.”
Terri looked at him in confusion for a few seconds, and his wolf was immediately on guard.
Mal looked between the two of them. “You were working yesterday, why would you have plans with Liv?”
Alec’s jaw ticked with the effort of controlling himself, and Terri looked apprehensive. Liv had lied to him. His mate had lied about her plans! God knows what she had been planning on doing, all gussied up in her best dress and slathered in make-up.
Alec roared, and Mal took up his protective stance again. Alec ignored him and stormed away to his truck.
“Wait, Alec, it’s not what you think, let me explain,” called Terri in a worried voice.
He ignored her and drove like he was on fire.
Terri pulled out her phone. “I better warn Liv.”
*
Alec burst into their house. “Liv!” he roared.
He tore through every room searching for her, but she was gone. He’d scented she was, but he needed to check. He was praying she was still there, and wanted more than anything for him to be wrong. But, he wasn’t.
He trembled as his wolf snarled and tried to push forward. Another male was trying to take their mate. They needed to remain calm, find the other male and then Alec would shift and rip the fucker to pieces. Yep, that was the most reasonable plan he could come up with.
First, he needed to find her and drag her back to their house. She belonged to him, and he was damned if he was ever going to let her go.
He looked over at their laptop. She didn’t use it much; mostly he did for work. But she synched her phone to it, and it would, therefore, have her up to date calendar. Maybe that would tell him where she was.
He impatiently searched through until he found what he was looking for. It was a simple entry; it gave the name Aaron, an address in Alexandria and said 11am. If he hurried, he could make it there for about quarter past.
He tore out of the house and sped away. His heart was breaking, and the only thing keeping him going was the thought of the things he was going to do to the man who was trying to steal his mate.
*
Liv stepped out onto the sidewalk and smiled happily. She was almost walking on air.
That all changed as she felt a flash of anger and jealousy. She grimaced at the feelings flooding her; where the hell had they come from?
She shook her head to try and get rid of them, and when she looked up, she was startled to find her mate had appeared before her. He looked grim. “What the hell are you doing?” he demanded fiercely.
Liv felt a wash of guilt spread through her. “I’m so sorry; I’m cheating.”
“What?!” snarled Alec. “Who is he? I will murder him!”
Liv shook her head. “It’s not his fault; I made him do it. I said I’d pay extra if he’d squeeze me in, but he’s Terri’s brother-in-law, so he said it was no problem.”
/> “You paid him?” asked Alec incredulously. Wait, what was going on?
She nodded. “I just couldn’t wait until the baby was born; I was dying to know.”
Alec looked to his wolf for help, but the beast was just as confused as he was. “What are you talking about?”
Liv cocked her head on the side in confusion. “The sex of the baby, of course, why? What did you think I was doing here?”
“You said you were cheating,” he growled lowly.
“I am; you made me promise to wait until the birth, and I couldn’t help myself. I know how excited you were about it being a surprise, and I’m sorry.”
Alec let out a chuckle of relief as his wolf sighed. He placed his hands on her shoulders. “That’s what this sneaking around was about?”
“Yes, I was going to come for my scan yesterday, but when you came home, I had to reschedule.”
His wolf was almost rolling around at how silly Alec had been. “You should have told me, angel; I’d have come with you.”
“But I thought…”
“I thought it’s what you wanted too; I don’t mind, at all.”
Happy relief spread across her face, but she frowned. “So why were you angry?”
Alec looked down in embarrassment. “I thought you were, you know, cheating on me.”
Liv gave him a stern look. “I know I was being a little sneaky, but come on, have a little faith in me, Alec.”
“I’m sorry.”
She let out a small huff. “Good; I take it this is why I have seventeen missed calls from Terri?”
Alec shrugged uneasily. “I guess she was trying to warn you. Really, angel, I’m sorry.”
“Well, to make it up to me you can buy me something very expensive to eat as both me and your daughter are starving, and then we can go shopping for baby clothes.”
Alec nodded but stilled. His wolf panted like a puppy. “D… daughter?” he stammered.
Liv flushed in pleasure. “Mmmm hmmm, a little girl. I’m thinking Lily or maybe Isabella, what do you think?”
“Both beautiful, angel.” He leaned down and brushed her lips with a kiss. His beast was prancing around in glee. They were going to have a little girl! He hoped she was just as pretty as her mother. Finding out this news had made up his mind.
“I’ve decided to give up my job as Sheriff,” he told her, abruptly.
“You have?”
He nodded fervently. “I want to spend more time with you, and devote more time to my duties as Beta. I think I’ve been letting things slide a little.” He was referring to the fact that recently a number of pups had been breaking into the richer houses in their town and using the pools. “What do you think?”
“I think that’s a good idea; I’ve decided not to work as the receptionist anymore. I had a talk with Delilah, and I think you should give her the job while she’s pregnant. I think it will be ideal for her, and I think she’ll be better than me anyway.”
Alec grinned as his wolf roared in approval. That sounded great. They could each devote themselves more fully to each other and the pack. “That sounds perfect, angel. Have I ever told you I love you?”
Her eyes twinkled. “Not in the last thirty seconds.”
She giggled as he leaned down for a hungry kiss, ignoring the gapes of the passersby. Mate. Mine.
Casey & Deanna – Party
13th February
Deanna hummed as she gathered her purse and coat. After a long shift she was on her way home, soon enough she’d be curled up in bed with her hot, wolf shifter honey. Yep, everything was good.
Deanna was a bobcat shifter who worked as a Sheriff’s Deputy in the small town of Rose, VA. Recently she had mated with a wolf shifter called Casey. It hadn’t exactly been an easy road from meeting to mating, but now she was happier than she’d ever been. She firmly believed that all women should have a six foot two tower of sexiness who worshiped the ground they walked on.
Her fellow Deputy Jake Foreman strode through the door. He blew on his cold hands shucked out of his coat. “Your stalker’s outside.”
She smiled as her bobcat pranced around in anticipation. “Which one?”
He rolled his eyes. “The big one.”
Deanna stifled a giggle as her bobcat almost purred. “See you tomorrow, don’t stay too late.”
Jake cocked her a rueful smile and sat down at his desk. He was a good guy and very dedicated to the job, so much so that he went the extra mile and put in hours of overtime. Crime wasn’t exactly rampant in their town, but there was always someone who wanted help. Usually for a cat up a tree.
She’d had a teeny-weeny crush on Jake when they first started working together. Alright, maybe it wasn’t that teeny-weeny. Of course, all that changed when she met Casey, but she was still fond of Jake.
As for the stalker thing… Deanna had somehow managed to make herself the objection of affection of two twin teenage bear shifters. When they weren’t in school, they followed her around and had even started leaving her gifts. They figured that they had to start going the extra mile since she was now mated. They pissed Casey off no end, but she thought they were sweet. And hey, it didn’t hurt that they made him up his game, she’d received breakfast in bed every single day for the past week.
Deanna went out into the cold night to find her handsome wolf waiting impatiently. The moment she got out the door, Casey beamed and swept her up into a spine-tinglingly warm kiss.
He pressed kisses over her cheek and down her neck, before licking her bonding mark. She shivered pleasurably. “Ummm, hi, honey.”
“I missed you, kitten,” he murmured gruffly, his wolf howled in agreement.
She chuckled as her hands roamed over his hard chest. “It’s only been a few hours.”
Casey always made excuses to come see her throughout the day. They were never apart for very long.
He grunted as his wolf grumbled. “I just saw Jake go into the station.”
Deanna bit her lip to stop herself from laughing as her bobcat rolled around. It wasn’t funny. Really, it wasn’t. A couple of weeks ago, while in bed, they’d been talking about past crushes. They had teased each other, and after Casey had tickled her into submission, she admitted that her most recent crush was Jake. Ever since then, he’d been huffy and standoffish toward the older male. Deanna found her grumpy mate infinitely adorable.
“Yeah, I passed him as I was leaving, he did give me a hug goodbye though…”
Casey roared and easily hefted Deanna up and onto his back. It had quickly become routine that Casey would pick her up from work. Literally, pick her up. He always carried her home, sometimes on his back, sometimes princess style and once doing a fireman’s lift. They did garner quite a few looks, but Deanna didn’t care. The responsible streak in her told her that she should. But the bobcat and her wilder side didn’t give a damn. They weren’t hurting anyone, and a little fun couldn’t hurt.
Deanna wrapped her arms around his shoulders. “Only teasing, wolfy. Now, giddy-up.”
Casey huffed but set off a tremendous pace. “Minx, just wait ‘til I get you home.”
*
Casey grinned as he looked down on his tiny mate’s body sprawled over his. They’d only been together for a few weeks, but it was the best few weeks of his life. His wolf concurred as the beast panted like a puppy. He couldn’t believe how lucky he was. His beautiful mate was sweet, playful, driven, smart and unbelievably sexy. She was a complex little thing and to him she was absolutely perfect. He didn’t deserve her, but he was damned if he was ever going to let her go.
He stroked her back as she dozed on his chest. She lifted her head and gave him a beatific smile. “Hmmm, so what do you want to do for Valentine’s Day?”
Casey ran a thumb over her jaw. He knew what he wanted to do, and it involved them being naked and not leaving their bed. However, he didn’t want to disappoint his mate. “What do you wanna do?”
“Hunter told me they were having a party…”
“When did you see Hunter?” he asked stiffly.
“I just ran into him on the street.”
Casey snorted, and Deanna pinched his arm, making him flinch. “No need to be crabby. I was on my way out, and he was coming out of the Diner. We started chatting, and he just mentioned that he and Jimmy were having a party. He invited us both to stop by.”
Casey pursed his lips as his wolf growled lowly. Jimmy and Hunter were his closest friends and shared a house on pack land. When Casey mated with Deanna, he decided to leave the pack, but it didn’t change his relationship with his friends. The fact that his jealous wolf had trouble dealing with unmated males being around his mate - that was the problem.
“You mean he invited you and said that you could bring me if you wanted.”
She rolled her eyes exaggeratedly. “No, more like he invited me because I’m your mate. He’s your friend, if we weren’t together, I wouldn’t be welcome.”
“Please, the asshole virtually drooled the last time he saw you.”
Deanna frowned remembering when the four of them had shared an impromptu lunch at the Honeypot Diner. “I’m pretty sure he was just hungry and deeply envious of my bacon double cheeseburger. Come on, if I wasn't your mate, neither Jimmy or Hunter would want a Sheriff’s Deputy at their party. And I’m hardly the kind of girl who gets invited to those parties by guys like them.”
His wolf snapped his jaws. “What does that mean?”
She rolled her shoulders. “I’m not exactly the kind of girl that attracts that kind of attention.”
Casey bit back a roar. “First of all, you don’t have to sound so upset that more men don’t hit on you. You’re off the market - don’t ever forget that. Secondly, you’re the hottest girl in the world. Given half a chance, those horny mutts would be all over you. I can’t forgive Hunter for asking you out…”
