by Kenya Wright
She giggled. “I can’t wait to taste your food.”
“And then, when we’re done with dinner. . .”
Desire blazed in my eyes. There was no reason to finish the next sentence. Hunger pulsed between both of us, thickening the air. It was like we hadn’t made love ever. I struggled with trying to get used to the constant haze of horniness. If I wasn’t thinking about her naked, then I was dreaming about licking and sucking on the little throbbing bud between her thighs.
Even now, my cock hardened at the thought of licking her.
She shook her head. “What is on your mind?”
“Your pussy.”
She smirked.
I ran my fingers through my hair and backed up. “Unfortunately, I have pack business to deal with. I should check on Raven.”
“You should.”
I handed her the keys to the cabin. “Go ahead and rest. I want to see if the witch is up and feeling good enough to talk.”
“I’m not resting. I’ll look through my vampire romances and see if there are more similarities to those pages.”
“Okay. . .Luna.” I slipped my attention up and down her body. “And then when I’m done, I’ll return and make you something that will have your mouth watering.”
“Yummy.”
I licked my lips. “We’ll talk.”
“Yes.” She tossed me a wicked smile. “Lots and lots of talking.”
We separated at that moment. I was sure that if we stayed there another second, we would be naked and in each other’s arms.
I went to Sherwin’s cabin. The Pack Shaman had been optimistic about the witch being fully recovered this morning and ready to talk. Her body needed to regenerate. The curse had begun liquefying her organs. However, Sherwin argued that lots of rest would make her brand new again.
I hoped he was right.
Everything depended on the information that she had. For the first time in decades, I was ready to mate and raise a family. But I had to make sure Crystal Lake was a safe place to have Imani and my children here.
So many questions bothered me. Was this witch Raven a friend or foe? What problem did she have with these other witches? What was the prophecy she’d talked about?
I thought back to the last time I talked to her. I’d been holding Raven in my arms as she dripped blood all over me.
“If you attack,” I’d told her, “I will shred you to pieces, and it will be slow, very fucking slowly, as I kill you.”
“Then, do it. You can't help me.” She trembled against me. “And you won’t be able to save your pack or that waitress of yours either.”
I froze and looked down at her. “What did you say?”
“The. . .” She coughed. Blood spurted out. “I saw the prophecy. It’s. . .all there. . .”
When I arrived at Sherwin’s cabin, he stood outside, leaning against the wall.
I stopped in front of him. “What are you doing out here?”
“The witch is awake.”
“And?”
“Damian wanted some alone time with her.”
I sighed. “What is going on with all of you?”
“I told you everybody is horny.” Sherwin left the wall. “Since you’re here, I need to take care of something.”
“What?”
“Zerab has something of mine.” Sherwin took his long ponytail out. His hair fell around his shoulders as he walked off.
“Hurry it up.”
“One can’t hurry these things.” Sherwin strolled away.
I opened his cabin, entered, and sniffed the air. That earthy scent rose to my nostrils—the lovely perfume of blossoming flowers so unlike the other witches’ decaying odors. But unlike before, desire mingled within the witch’s scent.
What’s going on here?
Again, Damian sat right next to Raven—her black braids rested around her face. He held her hands and stared. But this time, she was awake and watching him too. Neither spoke as they slowly took in the other’s features. I figured she must’ve just woken up because both appeared shocked and embarrassed to be looking at the other.
I cleared my throat. “How are you doing, Raven?”
She snapped her attention to me, but still held onto Damian’s hand. “How do you know my name?”
“I think we should address my questions first, being that my pack and I saved you from that crazy group of witches, healed you, and even killed several more that tried to attack us twice over you.”
She blushed. “Over me?”
“They wanted us to give you to them. Should we?”
“Please, don’t.” She took her hand from Damian and slowly sat up. “It would be a horrible mistake.”
Damian gently took her hand back. “Don’t worry. We won’t. I promise you.”
I stifled my annoyance. Any other time Damian would’ve never dared to speak before me. The pack was questioning a witness, not having a casual conversation with a friend. However, it was clear to me that something deeper was rising between my Delta and Raven. He’d been watching over the witch the whole time, helping Sherwin heal her and making sure she was safe. Had Raven sensed him near as she passed in and out of consciousness? Was there something growing between them?
Raven’s shaking stopped as she turned to Damian and got lost in his gaze.
Are you fucking kidding me? Please, tell me that Damian is not mated too. And not to a damn witch.
I raised my hand to my head and massaged my temples, thinking back to the last thing Damian had said about the witch.
Damian’s eyes had shifted to bronze. “She whispers little songs, and they’re beautiful.”
I shook my head.
It looks like my falling in love with Imani has triggered more problems than I’m prepared for.
I shook the thought away and considered the witch. “You mentioned a prophecy earlier when I carried you back to safety.”
Raven’s bottom lip quivered. “The waitress.”
“Yes.” I nodded. “What about her? Is she in danger?”
Raven’s eyes glowed to solid white. Cool air filled the cabin, glazing the windows with a thin layer of ice. The hairs on the back of my neck rose. I prepared to shift into wolf form but stopped when Raven spoke.
“The waitress will be the one that starts it all.” Raven’s eyes glowed brighter. “She will be the first mother of fighters—supernatural warriors that will have more power than the world has ever known. Kings. Men that are immune to silver, spells, and even decapitation. Almost immortal. Very terrifying.”
I stepped closer. “The first mother of fighters?”
“Yes.” Her eyes dimmed. The temperature in the room warmed to normal. “The prophecy was seen over twenty years ago. During the War, we witches tried to find the pack that would be the fathers of these fighters. But many covens died trying.”
Damian raised his eyebrows. “How did they die?”
Raven looked at both of us. “Because the spell to locate the fathers took too much power, and it required werewolf blood.”
I shook my head. “But the war is over. Why do you witches still care?”
“Because there are some witches that do not want a pack of werewolves with double the power. And then there’s another set of witches that. . .” She bit her bottom lip.
I stepped closer. “Yes?”
“Well. . .my mother’s coven thought differently.” Raven lowered her voice. “The prophecy also talked about how one of the fighters will be half-witch. He will be the one to unite werewolves and witches. Her coven wanted to be part of that bloodline.”
“What happened to your mother’s coven?”
“My father’s coven destroyed hers. And then they killed him.”
Damian spoke, “Why did they kill him?”
Her eyes watered. “No one trusts a warlock that will kill his wife, even if he did do it for them.”
I snorted. “So, your mother’s coven was going to give my pack a bunch of witches to have sex with, just in c
ase one of my pack’s children are strong?”
Damian glared at me. “Raven has been through a lot, King. Let’s take her seriously.”
“Fine.” I frowned. “The pack’s offspring becomes powerful warriors, and then what?”
“They’re meant to help out the Dark Goddess.”
“Who?” I stepped closer.
“She was a witch. Then she turned into a vampire. Her lover betrayed her. She will seek your offspring to help her kill him.”
“The lover?”
“Yes.” She laid back down on the bed.
Annoyance hit me. “This is all about vampires?”
“It is.”
Damian shook his head. “And that’s what that song was about.”
Frantically, she looked around the room. “Where is it?”
“I have it.” I put my hands in my pocket and studied her. “What is this song’s power?”
“My father’s coven was still unsure. We only know that the Dark Goddess wrote it, and when the words are spoken. . .I glow. All these runes fill up my skin.”
Damian nodded. “I saw it.”
“My coven thought I might be one of the mothers of the fighters.”
You just might.
I watched how Damian looked at her.
My Delta appeared ready to strip and fuck her.
Raven continued. “Therefore, my father’s coven tried to breed me with someone they chose, hoping to stop the prophecy. But it’s all a waste of time. The fathers will be werewolves and from this pack.”
“How do you know it is my pack that will be the fathers?”
“I have no proof. I just feel the truth deep in my bones. The coven thought I was crazy.”
“Your father’s coven are those witches that have been trying to get to you?”
“Yes, they’re a horrific coven. They drink other moon-touched’s blood for power. It’s changed their bodies, skin, and made them look hideous. They’re called the Unified Moon. It started with fifty. Then they killed my mother’s side and her. Next, they murdered my father and his supporters. In the end, it was only ten witches left, including me. But those witches were super strong. I was terrified.”
I snorted again. “We’ve already killed seven of them, so not that strong.”
“You killed seven.” She stared at me in shock. “And I killed two. . .”
Damian shrugged. “So, no more Unified Moon coven.”
“I-I. . .” Raven tried to rise in her bed, but gave up and lay back down. “I can’t believe you killed all of them.”
“They were going after my mate. It couldn’t be helped,” I said.
“Your mate.” Raven widened her eyes even more. “So, the bonding has begun?”
“Yes.”
“That was my guess.” Raven shook her head. “I’m sorry. I mean. . .my guess was that all of us witches had been going by the search wrong. Everyone kept focusing on the werewolves, stealing their blood and doing spells. Many times, getting killed by werewolves as they tried to prick them of their blood. That’s why the coven’s numbers lowered to six.”
“We don’t like to be bothered.”
“Very true.” Raven weakly nodded. “Either way, I decided to focus on finding the mothers.”
This had all my attention. “How did you search out the mothers?”
“Fatals have blood banks and labs. Everything is out in the open and there for the taking.”
That made sense to me. Everyone in the supernatural community guarded their blood, hair, etc. We worried that others would use them in a spell and harm us.
“I gained access to the blood banks, did a locator spell on the mothers, and found this town.”
“Crystal Lake?”
“Yes.” She nodded. “I couldn’t find the exact identity of the women. I just knew that two women in this town had blood that made the locator spell come to life. I ended up following the spell to the diner, and when I turned to look at the waitress, she glowed.”
“Glowed?” I quirked my eyebrows.
“That’s how the spell works. When I saw her, I knew I found one of the mothers.” She tucked some of her braids behind her ear. “But then I smelled one of you following me. I wasn’t sure if he were one of the fathers or not. . .I just didn’t like that he was following me.”
“You did cast a pretty good spell to confuse Zareb, making so many copies of yourself,” Damian admitted.
“He almost found the real me.”
“Trust me.” Damian leaned her way. “You won’t get me like that. If you try to lose me, I will find you. No matter how many copies of yourself you’ve made. I truly know your scent.”
Heat thickened in the air.
Dear Goddess. Is this how Imani and I are?
I disrupted their moment. “So, you knew that Imani would be the mother of these fighters?”
“Yes,” Raven said. “I just didn’t know if she would mate with someone in your pack or not. . .until I started following her and then saw you around her looking love-struck.”
“Okay, but then why did you say that I won’t be able to save my waitress or the pack?”
She frowned. “Because if the Unified Moon figured out the same spell to find the fatal mothers, other covens will find out too. And what they will do is spend their lives, killing these mothers before your pack meets them.”
Rage covered my voice. “Not if we can help it.”
“Good. The only way I could see keeping you all safe is rushing to find your mates first. And. . .” She shrugged, but I could tell that it caused her pain. “You all should find your mates and breed with them immediately.”
“Do you think they’ll stop coming?”
“Some will. Most will be too scared once all the children are born. The prophecy shows visions of these fighters, not only killing as adults but as children. Some are so powerful and able to kill before they learn how to walk. If you all mate and have children, many moon-touched would be too scared to come near.”
I rubbed my face with both hands. “You’ve given me a lot to think about.”
She looked at me with fear in her eyes. “What are you going to do with me?”
“You’ve caused us no problem besides making Zerab look silly chasing after a smoky copy of you.”
Damian nodded.
“You may remain here and under our protection until you’re healed.” I headed back to the door. “After that, we’ll see.”
“Thank you,” she whispered.
“No.” I glanced over my shoulder. “Thank you. You’ve given my pack hope. I hope this prophecy is correct. I hope that our kids are stronger than us. After all of those years of war, I don’t want my kids to ever feel powerless and scared like I did. And I damn sure don’t want them enslaved.”
“Don’t worry. The prophecy is correct.” Her voice lowered as she looked around at something invisible. “I can feel power being created all around me. In fact. . .I believe some of you have already found your mates.”
“Oh yes. I believe so too.” I studied the way Damian watched her and then left.
Chapter 24
Aiden
I returned to my mate, thinking of the prophecy and how she would be the first mother of warriors. It was a whole lot to take in, even for me. I wasn’t sure how she would feel about it.
To not scare her, I will have to explain this day by day.
Meanwhile, Conri didn’t want to wait. He was ready to enter our mate again and again until children filled her belly.
You’re a horny beast, Conri.
“Yes.”
I walked into the cabin. “Imani, my love.”
Raising my head, I tracked her scent to my bedroom but didn’t walk forward. I stood inhaling her aroma. The air had been thick with her scent, drenching the whole cabin with the fragrance of clary sage and ginger mixed with arousal. My cock hardened.
Oh, Imani. You’re so wet.
Her soft voice filled the air. “Come to me.”
Slowly I walked forward, my cock damn near weighing me down. I unsnapped my jeans, ready to be inside of her as soon as I saw her.
“You’re wet, my love. I can smell you from here.” I entered the hallway and continued to my bedroom.
She giggled. “I’m going to have to get used to you smelling me when I’m horny.”
“I love the scent.” I entered and paused in shock.
She lay naked on the bed. Her nipples were stiff and poking toward the ceiling as they lay on those pillowy soft breasts. Her legs were spread open, exposing her bare pussy to me—moist folds and a little bud peeking out.
I gritted my teeth, so overwhelmed with desire.
She’d had her hands on her thighs, drawing tiny little circles near her pussy. “Why can’t I ever get enough of you?”
“Because you’re my mate.” I yanked my jeans down and climbed out of them. “Because you’re my heart. My world. My very existence.”
She bit her bottom lip and inched her fingertips closer to her pussy.
“And because. . .part of the mating process is. . .”
She arched her eyebrows and waited for my answer.
I pulled off my shirt, went to her, and eased onto the bed, hovering over her curvy frame. “And because part of the mating process deals with breeding.”
She widened her eyes and got ready to speak, but I swallowed those words with my tongue, loving the way she moaned and trembled under me.
Her scent enveloped me. So sultry, it made my body ache to be so close and not inside of her.
I curled back my lips in a smile of wry appreciation. “You are like a jasmine flower, so exotic. Did you know that jasmine flowers open their fragrant petals only under the persuading charm of the night’s moon?”
“I never knew that.”
“Open for me now, my love. Let’s pretend that I’m the moon, and you are my flower.”
She giggled. “I love when you are poetic.”
“It’s much better than when I’m fighting witches or scaring you from shifting.”
“Well, I don’t mind you fighting witches. It kept me safe. And I’m slowly getting used to your shifting.”
I stroked the burnished softness of her hair, brushed my fingers along the slender line of her arm.
