Winter of the Wolf

by Cherise Sinclair

  He grew even harder inside her. Bigger.

  She panted, almost sobbing, fighting his grip. Her thighs quivered. Her clit was so tight. I can’t take this.

  With a low laugh, he nudged her legs apart farther, opening her to his touch. His fingers settled right next to where her need was the greatest, and he traced circles around her clit. She wiggled uncontrolably. But his arm pressed against her side, and his teeth gripped her shoulder, holding her in place for his thrusts. Harder, deeper.

  His fingers worked her clit, ruthlessly driving her upward.

  He growled when she whimpered. The pressure in her lower body increased, and with each slide of his finger, her clit grew more swolen, more sensitive.

  Everything inside her tightened, then clamped down on Everything inside her tightened, then clamped down on him. Her whole body turned rigid, poised on the edge, and waiting for…just…

  His cock slid deeper, a sensuous impalement, and his finger flickered against the bal of nerves, directly on top.

  Somehow, she tightened even more, and a firebal of pure sensation blasted through her body. Oh God, oh God.Pleasure boiled through her veins, sending every nerve ending to tingling. Smaler explosions kept her spasming around him until he finaly came himself with a low roar.

  As the aftershocks receded and he softened inside her, her head drooped between her quivering arms.

  After easing out, he roled onto his back and settled her beside him. She pilowed her head on his chest, enjoying the springy hair under her cheek. His arm was tight around her, and she slung one leg over his and pressed herself closer.

  Contentment seeped into her like the steady inrush of the tide.

  He touched the gashes on her neck, shoulder, and forearm. “It’s good that we’re shifters, mo chridhe. You’l heal fast.”

  Good, since she was starting to hurt. After the fight, the bleeding had stopped quickly, and the excitement of her victory and the run had kept her from feeling much of the aftermath. She’d undoubtedly feel every bite tomorrow.

  “When you chalenged Thyra, I feared for you.” He

  “When you chalenged Thyra, I feared for you.” He snorted and added, “By the God, you terrified me. But like my brother, I am very proud.”

  She was proud too, but mostly just happy. The men were hers now. Mine to nibble on, to kiss. She licked his shoulder, tasting salt, and he hummed his pleasure. The scent of sweat and musk sent a thril through her. Mine.

  He paused. “I’ve never seen such canny fighting though.

  Where did you learn that?”

  With her fingers, she circled his pectorals, then the tiny nipples under his golden chest hair. “Angie, Jody, and Bonnie gave me lessons. Oh, and Vicki brought me a deer to practice on.”

  “Even without being alpha, you’d won over the top females in the pack.”

  The satisfaction in his voice warmed her, yet stil… Worry kept bubbling up. “Did you mind losing Thyra? Would you rather I hadn’t fought?”

  When his other arm came around her and crushed her to his side, she wouldn’t have traded the uncomfortable position for any other in the world.

  “I don’t like Thyra,” he said bluntly. “But the ties binding the alphas—you’ve felt them now.”

  “I understand. You didn’t have any choice.” She tried to keep the jealousy out of her tone and didn’t succeed.

  “Just so you know, the bond is much stronger between

  “Just so you know, the bond is much stronger between you and me. I never mated her, Breanne.” He laughed under his breath. “But with you? No power in this universe could have kept me from taking you tonight.”

  He roled his heavy body on top of hers, pinned her hands over her head, then nipped her chin. “As no power wil keep me from having you again.”

  Chapter Thirty-four

  Bree was late getting to Angie’s the next day and a bit grumpy as wel. She might heal faster, but between the lack of any sleep and al the bites and slashes and bruises from the fight, her body felt as if she’d been dragged down a mountainside.

  The last of the breakfast crowd was leaving as she walked in. “You gonna make the cherry chocolate cake today?” one old-timer asked.

  She looked at his hopeful face and revised her menu.

  “Sure.”

  He gave her a grin displaying a gold center tooth and hurried after his equaly decrepit friend.

  “In the corner,” Angie caled from behind the counter. She picked up two cups and a pot of coffee.

  picked up two cups and a pot of coffee.

  Bonnie and Jody were already at the table. Dressed in office clothes, Bonnie was probably on break from her dispatching job. Jody was in her usual jeans and T-shirt, smeling faintly of cleaning solution.

  “I didn’t see you two,” Bree said, hugging them tightly.

  “You won!” Bonnie squeezed her hard. “I’m so proud of you.”

  Jody studied Bree’s face and laughed. “You have a bite mark on your chin, beard burn on your cheeks, and you look like you didn’t get any sleep.”

  Bonnie giggled. “I take it Shay was pleased with the new alpha female?”

  “That’s quite a blush,” Angie commented, pouring two cups of coffee and sitting down. “Must have been some night.”

  Bree settled at the table, took a sip of coffee, and admitted, “I didn’t realize how strong the bond is between alphas.”

  Angie leaned back. “Shay wouldn’t have tolerated Thyra for a second unless something was compeling him. I’m sure he’s wagging his tail today.”

  “We both are. Al three of us, actualy,” Bree amended, thinking of Zeb’s extremely carnal kiss when he’d found her in the kitchen.

  She looked across the table at her friends. Friends. “It wouldn’t have happened without your help.” Her eyes filed wouldn’t have happened without your help.” Her eyes filed with tears. “Thank you so very, very much.”

  “Oh, hel, don’t do that.” Tough Jody was the one whose eyes turned shiny.

  They al turned to their drinks for a moment.

  “Okay, now that I’m alpha-girl, what in the world am I supposed to be doing?” Bree asked lightly. “I know Shay has certain jobs as alpha. Do I have some?”

  “Yep,” said Jody. “Not that Thyra ever bothered.”

  “Shay tends to the whole pack, with extra attention to the males. Your job is the welfare of the females and children.” Angie motioned to the women at the table. “For example, you can assign females to help out new mothers and with watching over the pups.”

  “You make sure the cubs are safe during pack activities,” Jody said. “In my other territory, the children came to everything, and wolves would share the cubsitting.” She sighed. “I miss having pups in my life.”

  “It reminds us of our purpose, that there’s more to the pack than just hunting and howling,” Bonnie said softly.

  Bree nodded. “Keep going. I want to hear it al.” She saw what Shay had been saying; the pack lacked its center. I can help fix this.

  * * *

  Anxiety burning a hole in his gut, Zeb folowed Shay into the Wild Hunt. The tavern was quiet before the evening rush started. A lone dwarf at the corner table gave a spare bow.

  The two foresters playing pool nodded.

  Carrying dirty mugs and humming to George Strait, little Jamie grinned at them, then two-stepped her way to the kitchen. She was sure a bouncy cub.

  Behind the bar, Calum looked up. “I hear you have a new alpha female. Congratulations.”

  “Thank you.” Shay slid onto a stool.

  Unable to relax enough to sit, Zeb stood beside him.

  Would the Cosantir agree?

  “Can I get you a drink?”

  “No.” Shay leaned an elbow on the bartop. “Cosantir, we want to run something past you.”

  “Go on.”

  “My brother and I want to stay in Cold Creek,” Shay said.

  My brother. Hearing it stil warmed him, Zeb realized.

>   Would that someday he’d hear my mate, from a little female.

  “Nothing would please me more,” Calum said, dragging Zeb’s attention back. “You’l continue with the Wildwood?” Zeb nodded. “We wil.”

  “And more. We’re no longer oathbound, but Zeb and I feel as if we’re leaving a job undone. The demonkin are everywhere, and cahirs wil die trying to kil them.” everywhere, and cahirs wil die trying to kil them.” Zeb figured it was his turn to step in. “Together we’ve taught cahirs how to fight the helhounds in Rainier Territory and now here.”

  Calum nodded. “You both are remarkably good instructors.”

  Having expected an argument, Zeb could only stare at him in surprise.

  “So,” Shay said, “would you alow us to teach out-of-territory cahirs how to fight helhounds?”

  “We could house them at the Lodge,” Zeb said. “And use the forest for a training ground.”

  Calum said slowly, “That’s an excelent idea. The techniques you’ve acquired so painfuly can save lives.” He nodded. “The idea wil be welcomed by other Cosantirs—

  and you have my support.”

  In the parking lot a few minutes later, Zeb exchanged a grin with Shay, feeling lightheaded. “That’s that, then.”

  “Aye. We’re now in the training business as wel as lodge-keeping.” Shay rubbed his face. “I’m headed for town to get that hardware order. You going home?”

  Zeb nodded.

  As Shay headed for his pickup, Zeb turned toward the lodge. Toward the female they hoped would be their mate.

  His stride lengthened as he took a deep breath of air, scenting the coming of spring.

  scenting the coming of spring.

  * * *

  Flat on her back on the weight bench, Bree pushed the bar up and groaned. “Nine.” One more rep. She could do it, darn it. She might be the littlest alpha in wolfy-land, but she intended to be the strongest.

  And hey, she’d already had her aerobic exercise for the day, thanks to her stupid, unreliable car.

  Arms trembling, she lowered the bar to her chest—she shouldn’t have added the five-pound weights—and inched it back upward. Halfway there, her muscles wimped out, and the bar stopped as if someone had sat on it. She pushed, feeling her face turn purple.

  Criminy, the guys would find her someday, dead on the bench with the bar across her chest.

  When scarred fingers wrapped around the middle of the bar, Bree startled.

  Zeb lifted the bar a fraction of an inch. “Push, little female.” He made her work, easing only enough of the weight so the bar kept rising, inch by inch. When she finaly dropped it in the rack, al of her was shaking. Her arms flopped off the bench. “I don’t know whether to thank you or curse you.” He chuckled and walked around to kneel beside her.

  She started to sit up, but he put a big hand on her chest, She started to sit up, but he put a big hand on her chest, right between her breasts.

  “I like you on your back.” His dark eyes heated as he looked her over…slowly.

  A flash of heat ran through her, and the thin tank top didn’t conceal her tightening nipples.

  A crease appeared in his cheek.

  “Uh.” She tried to sit again, but he effortlessly held her down. She sputtered a laugh, despite the way his strength sent a glow right into her bely.

  A thought sobered her. “I know you and Shay are brothers, but…I just want to make sure. Now that he’s alpha, are you stil alowed to share?”

  He took her hand and nibbled on her fingers before giving her a predatory smile. “Yes. Which is a good thing because if I were not his brother, Shay would rip my throat out for what I plan to do to you now.” The carnal look in his eyes sent a streak of heat straight to her center.

  “Wel, okay then.” Her voice came out breathless.

  “Where…”

  He slid her tank top up, baring her breasts. Cool air wafted over her damp skin. “Here.”

  “B-but—”

  He bent, closing his lips around her nipple. His hot tongue circled the peak, and her back arched, pressing her farther into his mouth. He palmed her other breast, fondling it until that peak was also rigid. Electricity sizzled from her breasts that peak was also rigid. Electricity sizzled from her breasts to her core, and she dampened.

  Lifting his head, he surveyed his work with half-lidded eyes. Her nipples pointed upward like mountain peaks, one a rosy-pink from his teasing. “Pinker looks better.” And he took the paler one into his mouth, using his tongue. When he nipped her, the jolt of fire almost sent her over.

  He was stil fuly dressed when he yanked off her sweat pants, then replaced her legs, one on each side of the weight bench, opening her to his gaze. Cupping his hands under her buttocks, he slid her down until her butt rode the edge.

  “Better.” He went down on one knee, between her legs.

  When he trailed a finger through her curly public hair, she flushed. “Zeb, this is… What if someone comes back here?” Words failed her, and she struggled to rise.

  “If you try to sit up again, I’l put that weight back on your chest.” The look in his dark eyes showed he meant it.

  “You’re wet, little female, and hot.” His finger pushed inside her an inch, setting off disconcerting detonations of nerves.

  She was stil sore from the night before, her tissues sensitive enough to protest his thick knuckle as he pressed farther in.

  And yet, heavens, the sensation. Her hips lifted.

  “By the God, Gathers are over-rated,” he muttered. “I like this better.” He slid his finger out, leaving her shivering from the loss.

  “Zeb…” Her body was starting to ache. To burn.

  “Zeb…” Her body was starting to ache. To burn.

  Eyes narrowed, he studied her breasts, then her pussy.

  “Your pink bits don’t match. I like things orderly.” With merciless fingers, he drew her inner folds apart, letting air to the hot wet areas.

  She tried to close her legs and received a bite on her thigh that made her squeak.

  “You wil stay open for me.” His black eyes met hers, reinforcing the command, and her gaze dropped.

  “Good wolf,” he said softly. His mouth settled on her, his tongue licking up one side, then the other, ever so slowly, over and over. He never quite reached the area where her nerve endings were most sensitive.

  Desperately, she pushed her hips up, her thighs quivering with the need clawing at her center.

  His finger slid back inside her, and the feeling was perfectly exquisite. When she moaned, he laughed against her, and the vibrations against her pussy made her moan again. As he added another finger, his lips reached the place she’d been waiting for.

  “Oh, Oooh…” So close. Her whole body focused there as his tongue dragged over the top of her clit, then teased with flickers. Her lower half was simmering, trying to reach boiling. Her breathing slowed to infinitesimal as her body tightened. She tried to lift her hips, and his forearm pressed her flat. “Zeb, please. Please.”

  her flat. “Zeb, please. Please.”

  With a growl of agreement, he lightly scraped his teeth on each side of her clit.

  Fire blasted through her. Everything inside her came to a boil, erupting over the sides of the container into fiery pleasure. Spasms shook her as he wiggled his fingers inside her and mercilessly licked her clit over and over.

  “Oooh. Oh, that was wonderful.” She tried to move, but her body had melted into a puddle on the bench.

  The sound of a zipper.

  She opened her eyes. His belt was loose; his jeans unzipped. His erection was huge.

  His hard palm pushed her legs farther apart as he leaned over her, setting a hand beside her shoulder. The head of his cock entered her, and she winced, stil sore from last night.

  He paused, and his black eyes trapped hers. He watched her as he rocked his hips, slowly and relentlessly impaling her.

  Her vagina spasmed around him, protesting the entry yet send
ing waves of pleasure through her.

  When he was completely in, she fought for breath. He lifted himself up higher to look down on her, and she felt as if he’d spread her out on the bench like a feast for consumption. His cheek creased as he puled her nipples back into tight peaks. Each tug of his firm fingers created ripples inside her, around his cock, as if her pussy and breasts were connected.

  breasts were connected.

  He slid his cock out, then in. So very slowly, as if he savored the feeling and was unwiling to hurry. Lowering his head, he licked across her lips, then took her mouth. As he stroked his tongue inside her mouth in time with his cock, her whole body pulsed to his rhythm.

  She felt lost, unable to control her own reactions. She shivered. “Zeb. I can’t—”

  “Little female, I want more from you. You wil give me more.” He reached down, and his fingers slid through her wetness, drawing it up over the hub of al her nerves. His eyes never left hers as he stroked her, as need again began to pulse in her blood stream. Her eyes closed as his cock thrust in against one side of her vagina, slid against the other side.

  Her feet pushed to her toes, driving her hips upward to meet his.

  “Good wolf,” he murmured, and the sound of his deep gravely voice broke something loose. Her core tightened and then spasmed in sheer pleasure, shuddering under his fingers, around his hard cock. A scream echoed in the room, high and wild. The voice was hers.

  He brushed his lips over hers in approval. His hand slid under her bottom, and he lifted her hips to meet his as he thrust harder. Deeper. Faster. With a harsh sound, he pressed deep, and she could feel his cock jerking, flooding her with his essence.

  her with his essence.

  His forehead rested against hers, his breath warm on her lips. She felt the trickle of his seed, and she wrapped her arms around his neck, holding him closer.

  Eventualy, he smiled at her.

  She smiled back, wondering if she’d ever manage to stand again. Her legs had gone as limp as overcooked noodles.

  His powerful hand under her bottom held her to him as he pushed them both up and off the bench. As he straightened and stood, she realized he was stil inside her and growing hard again.