Ink Ever After

by Carrie Ann Ryan

  “I can’t promise that, Ryder. You know that.”

  He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath through his nose so he could control his emotions. His wolf had always been closer to the edge than others’, a little darker, a little harder to control, and seeing his mate’s life in jeopardy just made it that much harder for him to rein in it.

  “I can’t watch you almost die again,” he whispered, his voice a growl.

  She ran her hand through his hair, and he leaned into her touch. “You won’t. I knew how much I had left in my reserves, and I trusted you to know how to help me get out of the line of fire when I could no longer stand.” She paused. “I couldn’t stand back and watch my people die because of ignorance. Every single able witch in this Pack helped, and because I was the strongest, I was the one out front. The one using what I could to take down that helicopter and then later to keep the wards up. I knew you wouldn’t let me falter. I knew you’d be my anchor in the storm. You’re my wolf, Ryder, my everything. I trusted you to guide me when I had nothing left.”

  He opened his eyes then, knowing his wolf was showing. Her words undid him, but of course, she knew that. Just like he knew his growl earlier had done the same to her.

  “I love you.”

  Her eyes brightened. “I love you, too. And thank you for bringing me to our bathtub. I know you could have waited for Walker, but he should be with the wolves that truly need his Healing powers. And I know you could have taken us to our small lake, but then I wouldn’t be able to do this.” She rocked against him, and he growled.

  “You’re healing, witch. Don’t play around.” He gripped her hips, his cock hard and pressing against the seam of his fly. His jeans were wet, clinging to his skin, and he knew this was going to get uncomfortable quickly.

  She leaned down, the long cascade of her wet hair draping both of them. “You’re a wolf, darling. You like to play.” She leaned up and cupped her breasts over her wet shirt. “You know what this much healing energy at once does to me. You can feel it in the bond.” She slowly stripped her shirt off her head, tossing the wet garment on the tile floor next to the tub. When she took off her bra, he let out a growl, his fingertips digging hard into her hips.

  “Temptress.”

  “I’m your witch,” she said, her hands on her breasts. “Make love to me, Ryder. Hold me and make me believe it’s just the two of us right now. I don’t want to think about the world outside; about what’s to come. I only want to think of you. You and me. Can you do that? Can you make me forget, if only for a moment?”

  Ryder straightened so he was sitting up with Leah seated directly over his cock. Though they both wore jeans, he could feel the heat of her through their clothing and the water.

  “Always, my witch. Always.”

  He tangled his fingers in her hair and brought his lips to hers. Taking off their clothing was tricky, but that’s why he had claws, and she had magic.

  And as they made love in their tub, her healing energy wrapped around them both, bringing them even closer than before.

  He’d almost lost her once, twice, and now once more.

  Ryder would be damned if he lost his witch again.

  Tattered Happiness

  A Talon Pack Short Story

  Author Note: Tattered Happiness is a Talon Pack shorty story that centers on Gideon and Brie from Tattered Loyalties (Talon Pack Book 1). The Alpha of the Talon Pack needs to relax and only his submissive mate is able to help. In terms of a timeline, the events take place after Wolf Betrayed (Talon Pack Book 4)

  Gideon fisted his hands at his sides and tried not to let the fact that his wolf was trying to push at him show. Of course, since it was his mate staring back at him, he figured he wasn’t hiding it as much as he thought.

  When she raised a brow at him and gently placed her hand on his chest, he knew he’d failed.

  He never could hide anything from Brie.

  Then again, he wasn’t sure he should.

  “What you are going all big bad wolf about?” Brie asked, laughter in her eyes. The damn woman always seemed to know when he needed a kick in the butt—even if he wasn’t sure himself.

  Gideon sighed and rested his forehead on his mate’s. She was so tiny compared to him, but they made it work. This time, she stood on the step coming off their back deck while he had his bare feet on the grass at the bottom of the stairs.

  “My wolf needs a run, but I just had one.” Hence why he was barefoot. He’d just gotten back from a solo hunt through their forest beneath their ever-weakening wards. He’d run as hard as he could, trying to beat down the inherent rage and fear running through his veins.

  An Alpha could not show fear.

  A good Alpha did not show rage.

  He’d thrown on the jeans he’d left on the side of the deck, and had stood under the moonlight alone for a full twenty minutes before Brie had come outside.

  He’d almost been able to breathe again before he scented her, but as soon as she came near, his wolf slammed into him once more.

  It wanted Brie.

  He wanted Brie.

  And though she was his, his brain wasn’t fully functioning at the moment. He supposed that’s what happened when his mate became pregnant in the middle of a war.

  Brie slid her hands up his chest and cupped his face. “You’re taking on too much, you know. Maybe you and I should take some time and just be the two of us, mate to mate, not Alpha and Alpha’s mate.” She kissed his chin, and his wolf nudged at him. “We could use a few hours to play big bad wolf and his submissive.”

  He let out a growl, his fingers digging into her hips as he took a deep breath through his nose. Of course, that just made him scent her more, and he had to let out that breath so he could keep from flipping her over and pounding into her like a crazed wolf.

  Although they both liked it when he did that, so maybe he shouldn’t be holding back.

  “I’m thinking myself into circles, and my brain is going to explode.” He let out a rough chuckle before pulling back so he could rub his neck. “I think taking time off to be with you might be the thing I need most.”

  Brie rolled her eyes. “Well, of course, my idea is the best idea. It’s my idea.”

  He snorted. “I thought submissives were supposed to be sweet and docile?”

  She let out a short growl that made his cock hard. He loved it when she growled. “I’ll show you who’s submissive.”

  Gideon lowered his head and bit the fleshy part of her lower lip gently. Brie’s eyes dilated before the bright yellow ring around the iris brightened. Her wolf had come to the surface, as eager as his.

  “The big bad wolf is out to play again,” she breathed once he moved his lips from hers.

  “Only with you, Brie. Only with you.” He lowered his mouth to hers once again, needing her taste. She groaned, and he slid his arms around her, needing her close. “I’m going to make you come, Brie. Right here in our backyard with only the trees to keep us from view. Do you want that? Do you want my hands on you, down your pants, on that sweet heat of yours?”

  In answer, his mate rolled her hips toward him, and his cock pressed firmly into her belly. His mouth on hers, he deftly undid the button on her jeans before sliding his hand down the gentle slope of her abs and beneath the line of her panties.

  She gasped into his mouth, riding his hand as he flicked his fingers over her clit and between her folds. He used his other hand to grasp the back of her neck and force her gaze to his.

  “Come for me, mate. Come on my hand. Let me watch you fall over that edge.”

  Brie’s mouth parted, and she moaned as she came, her breaths coming in pants, and her inner walls clamping around two of his fingers.

  “Beautiful,” he breathed. As her breathing calmed, he slowly removed his hand from her pants. He traced her lips with one wet finger before licking the rest with his tongue. “Sweet.”

  Her tongue darted out and licked up the wetness he’d left behind. He was pretty sure tha
t action had to be the hottest thing he’d ever seen, and they were both still mostly clothed. If he weren’t careful, he’d come in his pants like a damn teenage pup.

  “You know, you go all wolf when you watch me do that,” Brie said with a small laugh. “More like caveman-wolf with the whole grunting and claiming thing.”

  He let out a growl and smacked her butt. She let out a gasp, and he grinned. “You make me that way. Now, let’s go inside so I can make you come again.”

  She rolled her eyes but didn’t protest as he lifted her into his arms and carried her into the house. “What about the whole outdoors thing? I thought you were going to take me there?”

  Gideon shrugged as he set her down on their couch. “I changed my mind.”

  She cupped her face before he moved down to kiss her again. “Feel better?”

  He nodded, knowing it was the truth. “I just needed you,” he whispered. “No more running.”

  “No more running,” she whispered.

  And when they made love there, and later in their bedroom, he knew he’d been telling the truth. He’d only needed her to calm him, to think once again. His brain couldn’t quite function without her, but that was okay. That’s what mates were for. Without her, his life had been a tattered form of what it could be, but now, he’d found true happiness.

  And soon, they’d have another blessing, another form of fate.

  Their child.

  And when that day came, he prayed they would live in a time where their destiny wasn’t in question, when a war didn’t brew on all sides.

  But for now, he’d take his mate and his fate.

  And that, Gideon thought, was all he needed.

  Tempting Me

  A Montgomery Ink Novella

  Author Note: Miranda and Decker from Tempting Boundaries (Montgomery Ink Book 2) are ready for one more change to their state of being and their relationship. Hopefully. It’s best if you read this story any time after Ink Enduring (Montgomery Ink Book 5).

  ONE

  “Crap! Crappity, crap, crap, crap,” Miranda whispered frantically as she hopped on one foot. Praying she didn’t fall, she leaned one hand on the bed and rubbed the ball of her foot with her other.

  The culprit of her pain looked up at her, innocent, unyielding.

  Why did Gunner’s toy have to be in the middle of the floor like that?

  Gunner, their lovely mutt of a dog, walked in, his head low and his tail dragging. Their baby seemed to know he’d left his Chompion in the wrong place.

  Of course, the dog always left his things there since he liked to make sure they were near her and Decker while they slept. He usually tossed his big body on the end of the bed to snore away but kept his toys down below so he could protect them.

  At the sight of his big, sad eyes, Miranda sighed and put her foot gingerly back down on the floor while holding out her hand for the big lug.

  “Come here, Gunner,” she said, laughter in her tone, though she tried to sound stern.

  He lowered his head and dragged himself to her, sitting at her feet. Darn this dog for being so cute. How was she supposed to be mad at him?

  It was much easier being angry at his dad. Though she wasn’t sure she could keep that up with Decker either. The two males had her wrapped around their fingers. Or paw in Gunner’s case. Of course, if they ever knew that, she’d be in trouble.

  Hence why she needed to at least fake being stern with the dog.

  “What did I tell you about leaving your toys in the middle of the floor?”

  He whined, and she knew her resolve would only last a few more minutes.

  He blinked up at her, and she knew she’d lost. This puppy had her heart, just like his owner. Damn men in her life.

  “Be careful next time, okay?”

  He thumped his tail and put his nose in her palm. She grinned despite herself and knelt in front of him to rub down his now shaking body. He was just so happy to be touched and loved.

  “I love you, too.”

  “Look at this, my dog making time with my girl. Seems I shouldn’t leave the two of you alone for too long.”

  She looked up at her husband, the love of her life, and her brother’s best friend as he strolled into the bedroom. He wore only low-slung jeans and a smile. The damn man was too sexy for his own good.

  And all hers.

  All. Freaking. Hers.

  Gunner left her arms at the sound of Decker’s voice and raced to him, his tail wagging his entire body at this point. Decker rubbed him down and kissed the top of his head before looking up at Miranda.

  She stood, her hands on her hips and a smile on her face. “You clean up after yourself, so I don’t think there’s any worry that I’ll leave you for him. I’ll just keep you both.”

  Decker licked his lips and made his way over to her. She raised her chin and fell into him as he cupped her face with one hand and gripped her hair with the other. She shivered and blinked up at him.

  “Hi,” she breathed.

  “Hi.” He kissed her hard, the contact intoxicating and hers.

  “I need to go,” she said softly. “I’m running late, and the teacher can’t be tardy on a school day.”

  Her husband kissed her softly once more and reached around to pat her ass. “I’ll see you when you get home, pipsqueak.”

  She narrowed her eyes. “I thought you stopped calling me that.” She ran her hands over his chest, all muscles and man.

  “I like calling you that,” he said with a wink and pinched her butt before taking a step back. “Love you.”

  It didn’t matter how long she’d been married, she would never get tired of the feeling of hearing him say those words. It had taken so much for them to even get this far, and yet, they’d fallen even harder for each other as time moved on. Decker might have started out as her brother’s best friend, but he was hers in every way that mattered.

  “Love you, too.”

  He kissed her once more, patted Gunner’s head, and left her standing there with her gaze on his very firm butt.

  She sighed and laughed as Gunner leaned into her legs, his wide eyes looking solemnly at her. “I love you, too. And now I’m really late.”

  She quickly picked up her things and headed out to her car. Her stomach rolled as she drove, and she put her hand on her belly, annoyed that it would choose now to feel off. Of course, she felt like she needed to throw up on the day she was running late. Why wouldn’t she?

  As she pulled into the parking lot, she waved at a few passing students as well as the staff who walked past. She tried to keep a smile on her face, but she really wasn’t feeling well. Sweat pooled on her brow, and she had trouble breathing, her head hurting as she tried to keep from throwing up in her car. She probably should have called Decker at this point because he got a little Dom-y when she was sick, but first, she needed to get out of her vehicle and try not to lose what little she had in her stomach.

  She could not get sick right now.

  On wobbly legs, she made her way into the school, past the teacher’s lounge, and into the staff bathroom without passing out. She figured that was a win. Frankly, she wasn’t sure she could deal with making a scene once again; she was already the woman who had been stalked by another teacher. She hated being the center of attention.

  Miranda went to the sink to splash water on her face but groaned instead.

  “Hell,” she mumbled. She barely made it to the stall in time, doing her best to ignore the feeling of the cool tile under her knees. It might be early morning, but who knew what was on the floor.

  When she finished emptying her stomach, she sighed and cleaned up, her body shaky. The first bell rang, and she cursed. She had five minutes to make it to her classroom and not look like a zombie walking.

  Her skin was pale, you could tell she was clammy, and her hair was all frizzy. Definitely not the picture of professionalism.

  Her stomach rolled again, and she ran to the stall, pulling out her phone to text her fellow
teacher as she did so.

  This morning was so not going well.

  TWO

  Decker ran a hand over his face and cursed, remembering he had on his work gloves at the last minute. It was hot as hell outside, and they were in the process of removing a roof that would not die. Sweat slid down his back and face, and now that he’d run his gloved hand over himself, he was even dirtier than he had been before.

  The sun beat down on him, and he was pretty sure he’d lost a few pounds just from sweat and the fact that he hadn’t eaten since breakfast. Hell, his quick bite of toast and egg whites with Miranda that morning seemed like far too long ago. He’d also eaten most of her portion because she hadn’t been in the mood, but that only meant that she was probably starving, as well.

  He knew she’d packed her lunch that morning, and hopefully, she’d take a break to eat when she could. She was just as bad as he was when it came to taking care of himself during a work day.

  “Drink this,” Luc said as he handed over a bottle of water. Condensation had accumulated on the outside of it, and Decker grinned, knowing it would be cool on his hot, parched throat.

  “Thanks, man,” Decker said with a grunt as he took the bottle from his brother-in-law and co-worker. He twisted off the cap and drank down half the contents in one go. His throat practically sighed in happiness at the pure taste. Later, he’d have a beer and drink it much the same way after a day like this.

  “It’s hot as hell out here,” Luc said after he’d finished off his own bottle. “I’m going to be happy when we can get back to our air-conditioned office.” He rubbed his shoulder, and Decker winced for the man. The gunshot wound had healed, but Decker was pretty sure Luc would be sore there after long days for years to come. “I’m not as young as I used to be.”

  Decker snorted. “None of us are.” He looked around the roof and then back up at the sky. Not a cloud to be seen. “Fuck. Okay, guys, take five. Get hydrated and put on sunscreen since I don’t want you guys complaining about burns tomorrow.”