by Dannika Dark
Jericho flattened his hands on the workbench and pressed a kiss to her neck, just where she liked it. “I’m going to fuck you, Isabelle.”
This wasn’t going to be sweet and tender but fast and rough. They didn’t have time, and someone might catch them.
He thrust his hips in a frenetic motion, and she moaned loudly.
Jericho covered her mouth with his hand. “Shhh, they’ll hear us. Put your mouth against my neck and bite down when you feel yourself coming.”
Izzy wrapped her arms around his neck, Jericho rocking against her with a pounding rhythm that rivaled any song he’d ever played onstage. Another tool fell off the wall and crashed onto the table.
“Jericho!” Austin called out again.
Jericho pumped harder, and when she felt herself shattering, she bit down hard.
“Ah, fuck!” he cried.
The flashlight tipped over, sending a spray of light to the floor. Izzy’s orgasm was imminent. She was going into heat soon, and that usually made her more sensitive the week before.
He suddenly stopped and lifted her dress all the way up to her neck and sucked on her nipple.
Trembling with need, she gripped his hair. God, it felt so good with him, so right. It always had.
“Jericho!” Austin bellowed.
“Hurry up,” she whispered. “Make me come.”
Jericho stood up, his ravenous eyes consuming her body as he pounded in and out of her. Fearing she was about to scream, Izzy bit his neck, sucking and moaning all at once as she came.
Jericho threw her onto her back and climbed halfway on the table as they both reached climax, tools clattering to the floor. A loud noise vibrated against her back when the workbench scooted across the floor. One orgasm after another ripped through her like lightning, and Jericho did that sexy move where he fucked her so slowly that she could savor every inch of him as he came.
Jericho wouldn’t stop kissing her neck, and all she could do was lie beneath him, utterly boneless.
Until the garage door began to open.
Izzy had never moved so fast in all her life. Jericho untangled himself from her hold, and she pivoted off the table like an Olympian gymnast and dove behind the front end of the BMW. In a moment of panic, she spotted Jericho’s shirt by the tire and snatched it out of view.
“What’s up?” Jericho asked coolly.
“Why are you all sweaty?” Austin sounded suspicious.
“I’m trying to find my guitar and shut the door because of the draft.”
“Yeah.”
There was a long stretch of silence, and Izzy cringed when she heard the sound of what must have been Jericho’s zipper. From her position on the floor, all she could see beneath the car were their shoes facing each other.
Austin cleared his throat as he walked away. “Wheeler and Denver are back with the tree. Pull down the decorations from the top shelf.”
Izzy glanced up at the plastic bin marked CHRISTMAS.
“If you just so happen to see Izzy, let her know that the twins are helping me out with something.”
“Mind if I finish up what I was doing?” Jericho asked, ever the smartass.
“Yeah, you just do that. And pick up those tools.”
When the garage door closed, Izzy stood up, her leggings and panties still tangled around her boots.
Jericho eased around the car and gave her a sexy wink. “Ever thought about getting a tattoo?”
She furrowed her brow. “What are you talking about?”
He eased forward and circled his finger right above her sex. “I was thinking mistletoe would look real good here.”
Izzy winced and brushed off her behind. “I think I have a screw in my ass.”
Jericho cupped her face in his hands and whispered, “Next time.”
Chapter 7
Ivy and Lorenzo
Ivy gazed out the front window of her and Lorenzo’s house, unnerved by the relentless snowfall. “We should leave before dark.”
They’d heard that the Weston pack and a few others in the area had lost power as well. Lorenzo’s pack was more prepared than most when it came to going off the grid. They had a wood stove in addition to the electric, more than one fireplace, skilled hunters, and packmates with generations of experience living in the woods. Lorenzo had even built an outhouse when he first bought the land, and it was an upscale model they kept maintained. Most of the older Shifters and Natives understood the importance of a self-sustaining pack that didn’t rely on the human world. The Coles were also strong, but Ivy used to live in that house, and it wasn’t built to withstand freezing temperatures. She imagined them all huddled around the fireplace.
Hope skipped into the room and handed Ivy her leather bag. “Everything’s in here. Are you sure it’s safe, Mother?”
“We’re Shifters. We’re born survivors.”
It was a message Ivy tried to instill in her teenager time and again. Ivy smoothed her hand down her daughter’s long hair. Hope had grown into such a remarkable young lady, but she was deeply troubled. She’d never recovered from the wolf attack, and even though Ivy could see her strong spirit wolf behind those brown eyes, she sensed that Hope was searching for something that family couldn’t give her. She tried to be open with her daughter, but children weren’t always eager to divulge all their secrets to their parents. Ivy knew that better than anyone. But she had faith that someday Hope would find her way out of the darkness.
“Something could happen to you,” Hope continued, worry brimming in her eyes. “What if you get stuck out there?”
“If we get stranded, our wolves will take care of us. The wild is our home. I’m not going to let turbulent weather stop us from doing a good turn.”
Most of the Church pack didn’t celebrate Christmas, but that wouldn’t stop Ivy from extending her warm wishes to the Weston pack at this special time of year. She had created a tradition of her own by taking them food every Christmas Eve.
Ivy drew in a deep breath, the delicious aroma of fresh bread wafting from the bag as she slung it over her shoulder. Her hands were still sore from kneading and baking bread all morning.
“I want you to listen to Caleb and do as he says while I’m away. We should be back late tonight, long after you’ve gone to bed.”
“What if you’re not?”
“Then our wolves will be nestled in a warm spot and will return in the morning. Trust in the fates to look after us.”
Lorenzo often remarked that Hope was a carbon copy of her mother, but that’s not what Ivy saw when she looked at their daughter. She saw Lorenzo’s spirit in those dark eyes, and it warmed her knowing that Hope would someday become a strong woman. She could easily mate with a Packmaster and lead her own pack, but she was still skittish, which was a concern.
Lorenzo strode into the room wearing a fur coat made from the pelts of his enemies. His long hair was tucked inside, and Ivy swelled with pride as she looked upon her mate. He was every bit as worthy a male as any woman could desire. A strong leader, a tender lover, and a patient father. He would always be rough around the edges, but that was the man she fell in love with.
“Is the horse ready?” he asked.
Ivy gripped the steel handle of her cane. “Lakota’s bringing him around.”
Lorenzo nodded. “He’s been helpful around here this winter. I should call his father and thank him.”
Ivy smiled and approached Lorenzo. “Maybe it’s Lakota you should thank. His father doesn’t ask him to come down here to help with home repairs or build a fence. That’s something Lakota chooses to do for his stepfather. He looks up to you, Thunder Wolf.”
Lorenzo slid his gaze toward Ivy, a twinkle in his dark eyes. He loved it when she called him that.
Ivy and Lorenzo had tried to have more children, though the fates had only blessed them with one. But their lives together had only just begun, and besides, Hope filled every corner of their hearts. Ivy’s grown son was like family to the pack—including Lorenzo, whether he wanted to ad
mit it or not. Lorenzo loved Lakota as a son but kept him at arm’s length. “What does a boy need with two fathers?” he’d once asked Ivy. Lorenzo didn’t think a child could have room in his life for another father figure, but he was wrong.
Ivy touched the end of her long braid and said a silent prayer for a safe journey.
“Mother, could you give this to Melody?” Hope offered Ivy a small package wrapped in silver paper. “I know it’s not our tradition, but she’s my best friend, and I made this for her.”
“Do you think that would honor the spirits?” Lorenzo asked with disdain.
Ivy took the small package and gave Lorenzo a cursory glance. “I don’t think a gift from the heart would offend anyone, least of all our ancestors.” She pressed a kiss to Hope’s forehead. “Of course I’ll give it to her. You’re a thoughtful friend, and I know she looks upon you as a sister.”
Hope turned a bracelet on her wrist. “It’s just that Mel always respects our spiritual days, so it only makes sense that we do the same. Anyhow, maybe it’s a silly gift, but I just wanted to give her something.”
Hope was a year younger than Mel but a lifetime wiser. Some people were born old souls, and that was Hope. Lorenzo said she reminded him of his grandmother in some ways. She had a long line of Native American blood running through her on both sides, more so on Lorenzo’s since Ivy’s father was white. Hope kept to their ways and was an intelligent girl who always made good decisions.
Ivy tucked the package inside a small pocket in the lining of her fur coat.
“I don’t see why you can’t just take the car,” Caleb said, swaggering into the room. “We can put some chains on the tires, but hell, this is Texas. We’re not exactly going to get buried alive.”
Lorenzo patted him on the shoulder. “A horse doesn’t break down or run out of gas. Keep an eye on the pack, and make sure you keep the fires burning. These are dangerous times when rogues like to test the boundaries.”
Ivy touched Caleb’s shoulder. “I have a large kettle in the kitchen closet. Someone can use that to cook a stew. Make sure the women who are expecting are nourished with a hot meal.”
“You got it. I’ll have River and Moreland help with keeping the peace. You know how it goes with cabin fever, and I can’t be everywhere.”
Over the past decade, there had been a crop of pregnancies, especially this year. There were currently three women with child in the pack, and that number made the men especially protective. Before Ivy had moved in, there were hardly any kids, so she knew her presence had a lot to do with the dynamic of the pack changing. Lorenzo still ruled with an iron fist, but Ivy’s gentle nature and ability to unite people made the house feel as loved as it was protected.
The door flew open and hit the wall with a thud. A shower of snowflakes swirled in a frenzy before settling on the floor and melting against the warm wood. A few candles snuffed out, and Lakota strode in and took off his beanie. “You better hurry before Trouble changes his mind. He’s a stubborn old horse.”
Ivy chuckled and nudged Lorenzo. “I know all about that.”
Lorenzo squared his shoulders. “Woman, you are testing my patience.”
Ivy smiled with her eyes. Her mate loved to bellyache, but he would never disrespect her. His love was steadfast and unbreakable, as was hers for him.
Ivy kissed Hope on the cheek. “I want you to do as you’re told. We’ll be home soon.”
“Don’t forget to give her my gift.”
Ivy turned away to speak with Lakota privately. “Watch over your sister. Make sure she sleeps in a room by the fire.” Ivy lowered her voice. “In the same room with the pregnant women.”
Ivy had a good pack, but she would never really be able to trust men alone with her daughter. That stemmed from her own experience when a family member and second-in-command had taken advantage of his position. He was a master manipulator, and no one would have suspected him. That kind of violation marks a woman and makes her more protective of her children. Now that Hope was reaching womanhood, Ivy wanted her to be aware of the dangers in the world. A deceitful man and a naïve woman made for a perfect storm.
She searched Lorenzo’s eyes, and he seemed to grasp her thoughts. Lorenzo would tear apart the pack if someone laid a finger on his child.
Lorenzo placed a kiss on Hope’s forehead. “Go change into your pajamas and put on a long robe. The thickest one you can find. It’s going to be cold tonight.”
She hurried away and jogged up the stairs.
“And socks!” he yelled out. Lorenzo approached Lakota and Caleb, his voice low. “Do as Ivy ordered. The lack of electricity makes for a lack of good sense. I want the women and children to gather into the closed rooms and sleep together. No men—not even their mates. Assign a handful of wolves to guard the property. I don’t want one single woman or child to stray from the group, do you understand?”
“Perfectly,” Caleb replied. He bowed his head, blond curls highlighted by the candles flickering in the windowsills.
“Good. If anyone questions your orders, they can speak to me when I return. I don’t want this to be the topic of discussion.”
No one would ask questions. That much Ivy knew. Lexi’s pack didn’t have to worry about such things since the men were related. But most packs like Ivy’s were a mixture of people from different backgrounds, and larger packs were difficult to watch. It was especially tricky if a child went through their first change while still in their teens. New wolves were looked at in a different light, and the kids weren’t yet old enough to move out. Most packs had adopted that tradition years ago since keeping the grown children within the pack often created problems, especially if there was more than one suitor or someone developed feelings that weren’t reciprocated.
Lorenzo and Caleb drifted away to speak privately with Moreland, River, and another packmate.
“I can follow behind,” Lakota offered.
“Nonsense.”
He folded his arms. “Maybe you need to postpone this little tradition if it means putting your lives in danger.”
“Our lives are hardly in peril, son. They’re only a few miles down the road. I’ve never seen you children act so silly.”
His dark brows sloped over his blue eyes. “I know how to navigate in treacherous weather. Down here, you get one inch of snow and everyone flips out.”
Ivy tapped her cane against his leg. “Your parents did a fine job raising such a protective man.”
He stepped forward and touched his forehead to hers. “So did you.”
Ivy’s heart clenched, and her eyes glistened with tears. “My spirit wolf howls for her beloved son.”
“Then let me shadow behind you as your protector.”
She smiled warmly and pinched his cheeks. “Lorenzo is all the protection I need, Mr. Chubby Cheeks.”
His eyes narrowed a little. “Don’t call me that.”
Ivy chuckled. She sometimes missed her little boy with fat cheeks. Lakota was a man now, but she would always remember him as he once was. She cherished those years. Every photo. Every visit. Every letter sent. Those were the years he belonged to another.
She drew the hood over her head and stepped outside, icy wind chilling her face. The rest of her body was insulated with layers of warm clothing. Lakota had secured a blanket over Trouble’s back, and her blue roan didn’t look too pleased with getting pulled out of his warm stall. He snorted like a fire-breathing dragon, white smoke blowing from his nostrils.
Lorenzo descended the steps and touched the feather affixed to Trouble’s mane. “Does your son believe we won’t make it there in one piece?”
Ivy approached the horse and slid her cane through the custom-made loop on the side of her pack. “You should thank your son for blessing our journey with a speedy return.”
Lorenzo locked his fingers together to form a step while Ivy mounted the horse. Once astride, she scooted forward to give him room behind her. They rarely used saddles. He took her bag and slung it over h
is shoulder before mounting. Trouble backed up a few paces, and Lorenzo reached around and held the reins.
After a couple of tongue clicks and a light nudge with his heels, they headed out. What little light there was in the sky was fading fast, and it would be dark by the time they made it to the main road. Ivy was excited for the adventure. She loved going back to the old ways and ditching modern conveniences. It reminded her to enjoy the simple things and appreciate how easy they had it in this day and age.
“Did you bring a flashlight?” she asked. As much as she loved the simple life, a lantern wouldn’t have been practical.
“Taken care of,” he rumbled from behind.
Goodness, Lorenzo felt warm against her back. He gave her a feeling of protection that no other man could.
“Are you warm, nashoba?”
She nestled against him. “Always.”
Their conversation seemed more intimate out in the open than it did in the privacy of their own bedroom. This was their wolves’ bedroom—the sanctuary of the wild.
They avoided the paved road, having heard rumors of them freezing over with ice. Trouble followed a covered path he’d walked a thousand times that cut through their property and led to the main road. They always kept the trail cleared since people liked to get away from the house on long walks.
“Tell me, Lorenzo. Why do you pretend to dislike Austin and yet always accompany me on these trips?”
His arms tightened around her. “To make sure my woman is safe.”
“Horsefeathers.”
Lorenzo chuckled. “Fair enough. Local packs should stay united. Now tell me why it is that you show this pack more hospitality than you do our other allies.”
“I show them all kindness.”
“Yes, but you’re not dragging your mate out on horseback in a blizzard to knock on Prince’s door or even Tristan’s. The Coles took you in, but that was long ago.”
Ivy removed her hood so she could get a better look at him over her shoulder. “Austin didn’t just take me in, he saved me. He could have said no to my father, and most Packmasters wouldn’t have taken in a single woman under those circumstances. I knew my father wanted me out, but I refused to go with any packs in the area. The Shifters are wild up there in Oklahoma, and the men in my father’s pack were getting too forward with me. I liked Lexi the moment I saw her. I had a good feeling about them.”
